Wheel & Tire complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dt: 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The aluminum rim on the front passenger side cracked when pulling off of the freeway and coming up to a light. Nothing happened to the tire, and nothing hit the rim to puncture it. The crack was on the inside of the rim. It cracked a 9 inch rip long ways and there is rip running outside towards the middle. The consumer took the vehicle to the Chevrolet dealership and they stated it looked like a chuck hole and it would not be covered under the warranty. He then called GM and was told to go to another dealership. That dealership stated it looks defective and it could have happened while backing up. Although they state this, they were not willing to put it in writing. The consumer heard a pop and heard the tire leak air because it lost its seal.
I purchased my 2004 Cavalier ls with only 4 miles on the od. I noticed the very same day on the way home that the steering wheel was vibrating at speeds between 65 & 75, and diddnt take it in right away cause I just thought this was normal and there couldnt possibly be anything wrong cause the car was brand new. Well this continued and got worse, so at 6,000 miles when it was time for a rotation I had them check it and they said the wheels were out of balance. I drove it away but still had the same problem. I finnaly took it back a month later and told the dealer this was not normal, so they did a forse varation balence which corrected the problem. I just think GM needs a better inspection process, cause the tires were not correctly balenced from the factory.
During the time of June 24 2007 I was involved in a accident where the valve stem blow out of a tire and the tire blew of the rim at night causing my car to go off the road into a ditch embankment and cause the car to be considered to be total and I then contacted the company of Firestone on research blvd here in austin tx .I was injured with neck pains and back pains . Call #200703564 elgin texas 78621 elgin police department #5122855757.
Chevrolet Cavalier z 2003, multiple failures. The defroster would not clear the windows, the heater did not work, the air bag light illuminated because there was a split in the center of the steering wheel. When the consumer made a right turn a noise was heard. The left rear turn signal bulb was replaced, the right rear brake light bulb. There was a noise coming from the front of the vehicle, the dealer lubed the front sway bar bushing. The tires were over inflated, so the vehicle would sway when going over bumps, the blower motor, and heater control was replaced. The ABS lamp illuminated. The vehicle needed brake pads. There was mold on the drivers front door. The ac compressor was replaced. The window went down extremely slow, the dealer lubed the window track and regulator. The fog light bulb was inoperative, the door latch was inoperative.
Consumer stated while driving on the highway, the wheels of her vehicle locked which prevented her from turning them. This caused the vehicle to slide into a pole, injuring both her and her daughter. Consumer stated she received a sprained right arm and a bump on her head. Her daughter received injuries to her arm and knees. Consumer stated she reported the vehicle's behavior to the dealer/mechanic twice before, but was never able to get the vehicle into the mechanic to be checked. She stated that each time she took the vehicle in to be checked, she was told to come back. She stated that she never had a chance to have the vehicle checked by a mechanic. Please help.
Purchased four Goodyear tires 11/06. While driving 55-60 MPH, valve stem on left rear tire failed (4/16/09) causing tire to come apart (tread separated from sidewall). After spare tire installed by aaa, proceeded to store where originally purchased. Goodyear service center stated valve stem had failed; I purchased new tire at pro-rated cost. Service center also replaced valve stems on the other tires because they looked bad. In response to a question from another customer about valve stems from china, the clerk mentioned those valve stems had been removed from the center's inventory. Old parts not available.
Since dec. 5 2003 I have had all 4 tires on my Cavalier replaced because the steel belts broke in the Goodyear conquest tire size p195/70r14 with less than 25475 miles on the tires.these tires need to be recalled and taken off the market until good replaces them with a better built tire.I believe the Goodyear conquest tire is a very dangerous tire and could cause a deadly accident and could have allready caused some.the worst thing that happened when my tires were replaced , they were replaced by the Goodyear conquest tire, which is like replacing deadly tires with deadly tire.today I had the last two replaced because of broken belts.
I have had several flat tires on the set of bf goodrich tires on my 2001 Cavalier. The tires have not suffered any road damage, but have instead just dry rotted to the point where they go flat as I am driving. This has happened to me at least 4 times and at one point I was give four brand new bf goodrich tires to compensate for the problems that I have. The problems did not stop there and I have since had several flats that took place as I was driving, which as anyone knows is a horrible time to have a flat tire. The tires are unsafe and May eventually lead to a horrible accident.
Related recalls (2)
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The wheel lug nuts were not tightened securely resulting in a fracture of the wheel studs.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque of all wheel nuts and, if necessary, tighten any that May be below required torque.
Wheels › Space saver wheel
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The compact spare tire assemblies were assembled with incorrect rims. If the spare tire is underinflated, the bead can separate from the rim causing a rapid loss of air. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rim on the compact spare tire assembly. Owners are requested not to use the spare tire until the rim has been replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cavalier years have wheel & tire problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (11), 1997 (9), 2002 (9), 2000 (8) and 2001 (8) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cavalier wheel & tire problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 97V-219 (lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, Nov 24, 1997); 97V-106 (space saver wheel, Jun 28, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cavalier wheel & tire problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 56% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the tread/belt (7 mentions), followed by the lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (5).
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.