2000 Chevrolet Cavalier: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Cavalier years.
338 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2000 Cavalier?The 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier has 338 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine and engine cooling.
Safety record for the 2000 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Cavalier years only. How we score it
Is 2000 a good year for the Cavalier?
Across the 10 Cavalier model years we track, complaint volume runs from 210 (2002) to 705 (2003). With 338 complaints, the 2000 Cavalier sits about the same as the model's median of 338.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2000 Cavalier
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 08E050000K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
steering
Campaign 08E063000DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Show 3 more recalls
interior lighting
Campaign 00V201000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE BI-FUEL OPTION FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE AT FULL ILLUMINATION LEVELS AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THE STANDARD REQUIRES AT LEAST TWO LEVELS OF ILLUMINATION.
fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices
Campaign 07E021000CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
electrical system:ignition:switch
Campaign 04V036000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly negative sentiment based on long-term owner experiences. The vehicle is consistently described as unreliable, prone to frequent and varied mechanical failures, and built with low-quality materials.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Cavalier. See the full Cavalier owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Cavalier listings typically run $4,498–$8,437 across 1984 to 2005 model years.
Other Cavalier model years
Compare every Cavalier year side by side to see how 2000 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Cavalier against its rivals
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