Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Driveshaft/powertrain failure on right side during low speed (<15 MPH) right hand turn caused lose of control of vehicle and collision with light pole. Deployment of air bags caused minor injuries to driver. Vehicle a total loss.
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. …
I drive my car for Canada post ,so I do lots of mileage,but after owning my car for around 5 months I went to come to a stop and realized I had very little brakes,I had to pump them repeatedly to stop at a intersection,I continued to the next block where I opened the door and pressed the brakes to notice brake fluid pouring out of the wheel .I took the tire off and seen that the brake line had been rubbing on my cv boot ,the line on the passenger side was grooved from rubbing on my cv joint and in turn broke the cv boot and broke the brake line ,I went to GM and asked if there was a recall on this and they said no so I replaced the line myself with a little modification to stop it from rubbing but now I got a cv joint that is about to brake due to this brake line can you please check to see if this is just my car or others all so ,I have all so had more brake problems from the day I …
On the date mentioned below, my daughter was driving to work when the car wouldn't go into 3rd geer. The RPM's wouldn't go over 3 and the car wouldn't go over 30 MPH. No previous problems with the car at all. We took it to the Chevy dealer and they wanted $400 just to drop the pan and look at the car. Since my daughter needed the vehicle for work, I took the car to a reputable company in the local area (they also service my company trucks) and they told me the transmission was shot, 3rd and 4th geer were gone. They agreed to work with me on the payments since I didn't have $1300 to cover a used transmission and the labor. I purchased the car in aug 2002 with only 16K miles, when the transmission went out it had only 27K. I've never heard of this and can get no assistance from Chevy.... Very upset at their lack of understanding and cooperation at assisting in the financial aid.
Fuel pump on Chevrolet Cavalier z24 went out at 76,000 miles. It lost power and died all of a sudden in the middle of the highway. Luckily, no cars were around as it was almost midnight. Cost to repair was over $600, not including the towing. In doing some research I have found that numerous people had fuel pumps malfunction on their cavaliers, and on some cars newer and most with lower miles than on this car. Same story, just loses power and died in the middle of the road. This was extremely unsafe. Obviously this was a defect with the Cavalier, yet they won't issue a recall. I have never heard from anyone that owned a Cavalier that didn't have some sort of problem with it. Also, had problems with the shifter cable and power window motor on the driver's side. Extremely unhappy with the Chevrolet.
The car has repeatly refused to change out of 2nd gear, one occasion I was going around 47 miles per hour and the just stop moving the RPM's read around 4 the, and the car read about 45 mles per hour but it was not mving. The car behind me had no idea why I stopped because there was no brake lights. This has happened repeatly and I am afraid to drive the hwy with this vehicle. My family, friends and anyone behind me are in danger each time we get in the vehicle. If someone frm behind did hit me they would think it was all there fault becuase the re-ended me. The car can be going over 60 miles an hour one moment and back down to 30 the next moment. I do not feel save in this vehicle, nor do my friends and family that have been in the car with and those that have driven the car themselves.
Rubbing/grinding noise present ten days after purchase. Both wheel bearings replaced, noise still present. I was told that I had singing tires. The tires are Goodyear. After several attempts to correct problem, I called Goodyear, they in turn, put a brand new set of tires on the Cavalier. The problem was still present. I have taken the car to several dealers who stated that the problem was the wheel bearings, mcclinton Chevrolet could not hear the rubbing/grinding noise, therefore, would not investigate or fix the problem. I have never been satisfied with the car or the dealership. They wouild not fix the problem or give me a new car. I have since then parked the car. The problem still exists.
First failure was at 24,197 miles. The car began to lose power and would stall during driving. Dealer had the car for 21 days, and replaced the switch clusters, ignition switch, reprogrammed body control module, replaced PCM and found burnt 3-4 clutch. At 40,613 miles the engine lost power and stalled again (while on the freeway). This time the engine warning light did not activate, and we had no idea there was another engine problem. The dealer again replaced defective coil and iginition wires. The car is once again beginnig to idle differently, which is a precursor to it stalling. At each failure, we also smelled a burning odor just before the vehicle stalling.
When driving at night the instrument panel lights go out, also when putting vehicle in reverse the instrument panel lights go out, consumer took vehicle to dealer, and dealer indicated there was an electrical problem, had this problem repaired 4 times, but it has reoccurred.consumer also states the traction off light stays on all the time and bells ting at 65 MPH.
2nd gear synchronizer at fault. Transmission fails to shift into 2nd gear, transmisom fails to come out of various gears at various times. With that problem car May not come to an effective stop, with out shutting the vehicle off, or holding clutch pedal in. I had to Ram the shift lever with a considerable amount of force for lever to come out of gear
Transmission complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 8% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.