Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier - (manual transmission) when clutch pedal was pressed to change gears while driving, pedal went to floor and stayed there. Could no longer use clutch to change gears. Car stayed in gear. Problem was caused by the clutch master cylinder hydraulic line (hose) failing due to rubbing against a sharp metal electrical case. GM dealer replaced the part (#24233064), but has not modified the routing of the part. Since the new part is routed against the same sharp metal part and is rubbing against it, the failure will occur again in the future. Since the failure occurred suddenly and without warning, there failure could have caused an accident under different traffic conditions. …
Dt: the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that by 3,300 miles the transmission had been repaired twice and replaced once. By the current mileage of 19,000 it has had two additional transmissions replaced. The replacements and repairs have been done at no cost to the consumer. The car has been at the dealership since February 28, 2005, when the last replacement transmission was installed because the consumer was afraid to drive the vehicle. The consumer reported this problem to the NHTSA because she did not want any one else to experience the same problems that she has encountered with this type of vehicle. The consumer wanted the dealership or manufacturer to provide a replacement vehicle at no additional charge or to provide reimbursement for the cost of the vehicle. …
Clutch pedal started to stop short. While driving through light snow I pressed the pedal to shift gear before a slight turn and incline the pedal stayed down. The lack of power to the wheels within 5 seconds caused the vehicle to fishtail and I was not able to control the vehicle even while trying to brake and go into the spin to correct. The vehicle spun around going backwards then the front end tried swinging back and hit the center median damaging the front end-bumper ripped off, reinforcement bent/folded, fenders warped, both headlights broken, condenser slightly folded to leak, radiator support warped, frame bent. The slave cylinder was leaking...again this was the second time. Pedal would start to stop short then the slave would start to leak. First time the dealer replaced the slave and everything was working. Then this happened. …
When I was dropping my sister off at the airport, I was leaving in my Cavalier which is a manual transmission I put the car in reverse and engaged the clutch it stuck on and would not come off. I had to slam on the emergency brake and brakes to stall out the car. Once the car stalled it also came to rest against a tree, which thankfully did not cause any damage except a few scratches. On further investigation I had noticed that a hole has worn in the hydraulic rubber line from the master clutch cylinder. The hose was rubbing against a wiring harness metal brace bracket just below the clutch master cylinder. It could have caused alot of damage or personal injury or even death in the right circumstances. I had just left the halifax water front where there were about 6000 people and if the problem happened. There could have been major problems. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be shifted out of park. When the contact inserted the key into the ignition switch, it became difficult to turn and the overhead light did not turn off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,161.
When shifting auto transmission into reverse gear from park the clip that holds the shift cable onto the shift lever on the transmission broke. Dealer told me that entire shift cable must be purchased to get the small clip that holds cable end to transmission shift lever. I went to a local junk yard to find this small clip (part) and was astonished to find that every auto of this year and make had the similar problem. All of these autos has the cable wired to the shift lever. Some used a wire tie to secure the lever to cable. The tow truck driver who responded to tow my vehicle said he sees this problem "all the time". When I called the local Chevy dealer they said they were out of stock for this cable and clip and had to order it. This May also indicate that this problem is wide spread. …
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.
Vehicle currently has 37,000 well maintained miles on it. At about 25,000 miles a faint noise began to come from the transmission. It was only noticed at low speeds while decelerating. Now it is faint at highway speeds and very noisy at low speeds. It sounds like a turbo-charger spinning up and down. Mr. Goodwrench has never heard it before and GM powertrain engineers say it is normal. I say it isn't. If it were normal, it should have been there when I bought the car new with 200 miles on it. This is the 4th j-body car I have owned and the second with this transmission and I have never heard this noise. This is a well documented complaint and no one is listening. I have been a very loyal GM owner who May well have just purchased his last GM.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cavalier years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (54), 2001 (34), 1997 (26), 2000 (26) and 2004 (23) model years. Transmission complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cavalier transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles; 55% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (108 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (53).
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.