Chevrolet Cavalier Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 387 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Cavalier across 11 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (58). The words owners use most often: “applying brakes” (9% of reports).
- 387service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 47mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 20%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Applying brakes: mentioned in 35 of 387 complaints (9%)
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 30 of 387 complaints (8%)
- Brake rotors: mentioned in 25 of 387 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 89 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 387 complaints, 47 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 an injury.
Chevrolet Cavalier service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Cavalier | 13 | 5% | 43,000 |
| 2004 Cavalier | 13 | 4% | 40,000 |
| 2003 Cavalier | 30 | 4% | 15,000 |
| 2002 Cavalier | 22 | 11% | 17,350 |
| 2001 Cavalier | 32 | 13% | 14,000 |
| 2000 Cavalier | 41 | 13% | 35,900 |
| 1999 Cavalier | 45 | 19% | 83,044 |
| 1998 Cavalier | 54 | 16% | 79,003 |
| 1997 Cavalier | 58 | 11% | 80,650 |
| 1996 Cavalier | 54 | 11% | 69,995 |
| 1995 Cavalier | 25 | 9% | 72,012 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists service brakes, hydraulic for the Chevrolet Cavalier. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that when engaging the brakes, all the brake fluid leaked from the brake line. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated the brake lines were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the abs light illuminated on the instrument panel and the rear brakes would not respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technician stated that the electronic brake…
Rear shoes only 50% worn after 153,000. Hand brake starting grabbing uneven so had to have rear drums torched off. Drums would not remove through normal means. Condition of hardware was found to be reusable. Drums warped/failed before shoes wore out. *tr
Sold my 1997 chev. Cavalier to a 17 year old girl. Her dad took car for test drive before cash purchase. He went 200 feet down the street then backed up into my driveway. He said brake warning lite came on and brake pedal went to floor. We saw brake fluid pouring from under car. The brake line was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 65 mph, the contact applied the brakes and suddenly the pedal traveled to the floor. The contact downshift and engaged the parking brake. The vehicle came to a stop and was driven to his residence with caution. The contact…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Cavaliers have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 387 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Chevrolet Cavalier. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Cavalier service brakes, hydraulic?
No recall currently lists service brakes, hydraulic for this vehicle.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Cavalier?
The most frequent phrase is “applying brakes”, in 35 of 387 complaints, followed by “stopping distance” (30).
Other Chevrolet Cavalier problems
- Electrical System problems (1,041)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (573)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (479)
- Steering problems (349)
- Air Bags problems (321)
- Power Train problems (261)
- Visibility problems (240)
- Exterior Lighting problems (169)
See all Chevrolet Cavalier problems.