Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was on my way home today and think god my husband was driving..my gauges are not working on the car which is does from time to time. We merge on a major highway and the gas pedal accelerated and would not stop it just keep getting faster,, my brakes would not even stop it or the emergency brake either..we had to run some red lights because we could not stop it so we could try to get home without crashing the car to stop it but we could slow it down putting it in neutral but it was burning up the brakes and transmission. Finally we got in front my house and had to put it in park fast just to stop it. The gas pedal only accelerates and the brakes don't even work on it...we could of died today!!! I'm so glad I was not driving it..I would of had to call 911 and have the cops box me in to stop. I messed up my brakes and transmission on it just to stop it today. …
I have a 2005 Chevy Cavalier. It had 49,000 miles. I noticed a squealing sound from by brakes. I immediately took it in thinking it was the brake pads. Well, my whole brake system was leaking. My brakes system was also wearing unevenly causing half of the parts to be destroyed. One side of the brake pad was normal and the other side was thin as a wire. The guy told me that the car was completely unsafe and probably a result of a defect in my brake system. I knew of a friend of mine that had a similar problem at 20,000 miles. I contacted Chevy and they told me that they could have done something but I traded it in. …
The instrument cluster board has stopped, working and appears to be an ongoing issue with GM on several models (car and truck) between 1998-2009. Also the ABS, traction control, service engine lights will not go off. Window doors are not working and appears to all related to the cluster panel. I have replaced all ABS sensors, new brakes pads, rotors, and even front bearings. The engine itself works great and is fine and appears that GM has done a great job in this part. The cluster panel and wiring is a serious safety issue and needs to be reviewed in these models. Poor ground wiring an cluster panels can cause consumers to spend thousands of dollars in repairs and still resulting in the same problem. Cluster panel replacement can be from $300 to $800 depending on your local mechanic. This is a serious issue since ABS and traction control are not working due to the long list of issues. …
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 45 MPH, the brakes failed. There was significant extended stopping distance while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was stopped when hit by another vehicle. There was a police report taken at the scene and the contact received minor injures although the seat belt was worn. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic that determined the brakes failed. The insurance company determined the vehicle totaled.
1) brake failure, warped rotors and hubs, lro. 2) crash, rear end collision. Property damage. 3) GM refused to fix 2003 Cavalier on 01-17-04 under warranty and as a result a crash happened on 02-28-04, a rear end collision due to brake failure.cause was defective factory equipment, warped rotors and hubs resulting in violent judder, shutter, and chatter, due to a lateral brake run out problems.this condition shows up thru the steering wheel which shakes violently when applying the brakes, especially on the freeway at 70 MPH. It's a total out of control condition.there is indeed 2 TSB's out on the lro problem from GM, TSB 01-05-23-001a, brake lateral runout,TSB 00-05-05-22-002b, brakes rotor service guide on 02-28-04 my daughter audra m griffin crashed into a 2001 Ford pickup due to front brake failure. …
I have a major problem with a vehicle that I recently purchased. I bought a 2003 Cavalier and there was a problem with it last week. I need to know exactly who to talk to before I take any further actions. My car is supposed to have an extended warranty on it and I know that I'm supposed to be able to get a rental car. Well, here's the situation last week, I was driving my car and went to make a turn and my steering wheel locked up while I was driving. I was on the way to take it to be looked at and it happpened again, but when I tried to stop, the car just kept going and caused me to crash into another vehicle. When I went to the dealership to speak to someone, they offered no help as far as my rental and warranty. I am angry because this flaw with the car could've resulted in my death. …
During first snow in dec 02, the ABS in my 2mo old car activated for the first time. The normal pedal vibs occured, but there was a patterned pinging of a spring at the pedals location. All braking power was lost during this, and I had to run a red light because I could not stop, even after pressing the brake again, with the same effect (this also occured while pulling into my garage on a dry surface, so I had to use emergency brake to keep from running into the back wall). I took the vehicle to the dealership, where they checked it twice on the road, and once with the sensor checks (no codes were found, they said). Of course I had them document this. On jan 21 '03, I was forced to slam on my brakes because the vehicle in front of me stopped too fast. Although the pedal felt pressurized as it should be, there was again no braking power, although the ABS did not activate. …
Driver was heading south on i684, on the exit ramp to 287 west, in heavy traffic. Vehicle suddenly appeared to shut off, making it impossible to steer and brake. Driver ran off the road and went nose first into a ditch, damaging the frame, radiator, airco and nose of vehicle. The vehicle was totaled as a result.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cavalier years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (64), 1996 (60), 1998 (59), 1999 (51) and 2000 (45) model years. Brake complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cavalier brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Chevrolet Cavalier model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cavalier brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (179 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (76).
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.