Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I had the air conditioner replaced. The tech said the tensioner needed to be replaced. One week later I returned and had a new belt tensioner installed. About a month later the new air conditioner had premature failure. I had it repaired under warranty and also had a new drive belt installed during the repair. About one year later I began hearing a chatter when accelerating from stop position and had excessive vibration. I took to the shop and they said the belt tensioner was bad. This seems excessively short life span for a replacement part of good quality. Today the shop tried three different tensioners and still it was not correcting the issue. I even double checked the belt routing pattern to ensure it was correct. I dont understand what the problem is with the belt tensioners for this vehicle. All my prior Ford vehicle never had this problem with their tensioners of same design. …
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.
Timing chain loose/tensioner wearing out. First happened around 60,000 miles, at this time the chain, tensioner, and gears were changed. Worked fine for a week and a half, then slowly started to rattle again until the noise was worse than before it was fixed. Brought to Chevy dealership, car stayed there for 5 days, said they couldn't find anything wrong, charged me $250 for diagnostic labor and told me it was a normal noise. Then I called GM customer service, the woman I spoke to was all ready to help me out until she spoke with the dealership then came back on the line with me and just agreed with what they said about it being a "normal" noise. …
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 have a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The first problem I experienced was in oct 2001,while driving the temperature gauge went to the maximum reading without warning, I pulled off the highway and turned off vehicle. Waited a while started back went approximately 1/4 mi and same problem,after stopping 3-4 times I started back on the highway and continued to drive with temp gauge in the red for a approx 1 mile and all gauges returned to normal. Chevrolet garage could not find any problems with cooling system..my second problem I keep hearing a clanging/rattling sound from the front area of vehicle while sitting still if you turn steering wheel you can hear a thump from the front left area where strut is located..my third problem is my check engine/service engine light keeps coming on at various times. …
Nov.7,2002 car won't start. Dec.11,2002 won't start. Took car to potamkin chevorlet dec.19,2002. I was told there's was nothing wrong with the car and they would not replace battery. Jan.13,2003 car won't start. Car was towed to liberty chevorlet. Was told car needed battery and starter. Also told if proper test was done, potamkin should have picked up the problem. Currently having problems with car. Car stops while driving. Liberty unable to find problem. Also since I purchased the car,new, my interior lights flash on and off when I brake hard or go over bumps in road. Either dealer unable to find out why.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk abnormally and the vehicle stalled. The battery warning light was illuminated when the failure occurred. The contact attempted to start the vehicle yet it exhibited an abnormal knocking before stalling again. After several attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle yet it stalled a third time. The vehicle was then towed to the contacts place of residence. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 208,000.
Head gasket blew at only 50320 miles, allowing antifreeze to enter the engine block and flood cylinder heads and spark plugs, warping them to the point where they had to be rebuilt, in addition due to lack of antifreeze, car overheated almost to the point of catching fire, seizing the engine. This came with no warning, and no sign of leakage as antifreeze leaked into engine rather than onto ground. Car broke down in the middle lane of a busy intersection while stopped at a light causing a traffic obstacle during morning rush hour.
Car idles extrmemly rough and feels like it is going to stall. Bogs while driving, makes a firing noise from the tailpipe. I put better gas in the car, new spark plugs and fuel injector cleaner. No help. Check engine light comes on when car is started, but also goes off just as fast. When idling, it does not stay at the same level. Very rough. Cluster for digital odometer is broken, I need to bang on the dashboard to read the mileage. The light in the center console is also out.
Engine complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 18% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier engine 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, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.