Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact experienced issues starting the vehicle. The dealer could not identify the failure; however, a muffler shop repaired the starter on the vehicle. After the repair, the starter began to overheat and burned the interior of the vehicle. The current mileage was 91,812 and failure mileage was 91,600. Updated 03-30-09 the consumer stated an unnecessary relay switch was added to the starter which caused the starter to malfunction. Updated 03/31/09.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. In March of 2005, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for routine service and they stated that she needed a relay switch and a new wiring harness. There were no failures at that time. While driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke and the key in the ignition was getting hot. The dealer stated that she needed another new ignition switch and wiring harness at the cost of $403.23. The failure mileage was 17,000 and current mileage was 32,000.
After purchase of my vehicle - battery was dead dealer replaced new battery lost coolant - engine was smoking then found out vehicle was on recall had to replace rotors and pads with less than 20,000 miles on vehicle something needs to be done to improve the brake system on the Chevy cavaliers they do not last. I commute to work by train and hardly drive so I was surprised with all the problems with this vehicle with not alot of miles.
A fire in my 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier began in the center console apparently the result of electrical problems with the power window control wirings. No one was in the parked and locked car at the time of occurrence. The damage resulted in my insurance company totaling the vehicle.
We bought a used Chevrolet Cavalier from the year 2000 with an extended warranty (GM certified) for 3 months or 3,000 miles. Since the beginning there were 4 problems not yet fixed. 1 - there is a popping noise under the back of the car. Dealer (koons Chevrolet - withe marsch, md) said he couldn't duplicate. After bringing the car for the 3rd time, he said the brakes were dirty and he cleaned them, but this noise is still here, when starting at a red traffic light for example, or when riding on a rough road. 2 - there is a grinding noise in front when driving. It's stopping when pushing the brake pedal. It's linked with the brakes for sure. The pads are new and the dealer said the rotor makes his noise, but he refused to change it (whereas it's under warranty). He said it's not unsafe. But this noise is coming louder and I feel like a loss of control. …
The first time this happened I was driving to work and the fuel injectors were replaced to fix the problem. The next 4 times (all in the same day) I was driving to and from pensacola, florida on interstate 110 and highway 98 and the gas filter and spark plugs were changed. These incidents were in the spring 2003. The dealer informed me in April 2003 that the spark plugs were the problem and they fixed it and said we should be fine. The most recent episode was on highway 20 in niceville, florida. I was driving with my wife and newborn when the car stopped accelerating again and thankfully I was able to pull to the side of the road without getting hit. Car stopped accelerating with no warning and was stranded on the interstate and busy highway. Most recently the problem cannot be fixed. This car is only 4 years old and I bought it new with keeping the maintence up. …
Purchased used 2000 Cavalier in 2006. First problem (which has continued for 5 years) is that the service light will come on when the car is cranked unless the headlights are first turned on. If you turn the headlights off while driving, the service light comes on. It will not go off unless you turn the car off and restart it (with headlights on). Second problem is that fuel hand does not reflect accurate amount of gasoline in tank. It goes up and down while driving (with the check gauges light on). Or sometimes it is stuck on e or stuck on f regardless of how much fuel is actually present. Third problem is that car intermittently overheats and is always losing coolant. I have replaced thermostat, water pump, & radiator. Three different mechanics cannot find a leak in the cooling system (despite pressure testing, compression testing, & block testing). …
I am the original owner of the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier starting in November 2005 we had the ignition lock cylinder changed due to being unable to start the car. This lasted for about a year when problems started more frequent. We brought the car back to the dealer and he was unable to duplicate the problem. He stated that this is an intermittent problem and they could only find the problem when the car fails to start. It would start for them while it was at the dealership. I contacted gmac and explained the problem. I could not get anyone to technically fine the problem. In essence, this car has an on going problem and it is useless to me because I have gotten stuck with the car at least eight times and had to have the car towed to the dealer at my expense. We would like to resolve this problem as we cannot even sell the car with this problem.
I was driven home from work (100 miles both ways) 65mph then it stopped accelerating pulled over 2 min. Later back on the road 1 mile later it happened again. Forced it to make it to town 1 am. Left it at a gas station. Came back in the morning to take it back to dealer (45 min drive) it broke down 6 times!!! I've had it 9 days!!! Dealer said it wasn't his problem but because my 7 month old baby was w/me he changed the fuel filter and sent me away. 45 min later I was broken down on a highway 1 hour it still wouldn't start. A man pulled up called the dealer and told him to tow it back to the shop. Next day he works on it end of day says it must be electrical. I gave him $4800 cash!!!! I don't even want the car back!!! He needs to give me my money cause it is a lemon.
My car begun cutting off when I was driving on or about this date. I took it to the Chevy dealer on 11/27/02 and they changed the fuel line. On 12/02/02 it was still cutting of so I took it back. This time they changed the wires, plugs, and 02 sensers. To make a long story short it is now 01/25/03 and my car is still cutting off. I have been to this dealership (sir walter Chevrolet - raleigh nc) seventeen times. They have changed several major parts.( crank shaft sensor, 2 catylic converters, modules, and other parts. I do not understand why it is necessary to go to the a GMC mechanic 17 times for the same problem. I am at my wits end, the next place I am going is to the newspaper and a lawyer.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the…
Electrical complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 22% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-036 (switch, Jan 27, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.