The Lemon Index
20013rd generation
Better than average · most complaints: brakes
173 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Honda Civic 392000 Toyota Corolla 202000 Nissan Sentra 68
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
- Engine stalling39 complaintsmostly at 51,000–90,000 miles (83,000–145,000 km)
- Fuel pump20 complaintsmostly at 30,000–90,000 miles (48,000–145,000 km)
- Headlights9 complaintsmostly at 50,000–78,000 miles (80,000–126,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 26,000 and 50,000 miles (42,000–81,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 173 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights), 08E063000 (steering) and 08E050000 (lights) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 380 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine connecting rod bearings which may fail prematurely if the vehicle is subjected”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 173 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 26K to 50K miles (42K to 81K km) on the car (25 of all 173 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The brake rotor were turned because of the waviness in the rotors, however the brake pads were still good, but there was a pulsation when the brakes were applied, the dealer informed consumer that this is a common problem.
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier owner · NHTSA complaint 561803
More owner reports
After loud banging noise, the front right side of the vehicle collapsed due to the wheel bolts shearing off, causing the wheel to detach completely.
NHTSA complaint 552625
While driving 1 mile per hour or faster and step on the brake to stop,the vehicle jerks, consumer states it causes whip lash.
NHTSA complaint 562333
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 11.1M views · 1995–2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
Most-watched topics
- Cooling system838K views
2002 Cavalier Water Pump Replacement (Part 1) - EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 260K views · 9 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank622K views
Fuel Pump & Fuel Filter Replacement Chevrolet Cavalier 1995-20052CarPros · 159K views · 10 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical585K views
1995 - 2005 Chevy Cavalier Radio InstallProvo Beast Audio Installation · 291K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter468K views
2003 04 05 Chevrolet Cavalier & Pontiac Sunfire Broken Auto Transmission Shift Cable Bushing RepairDrShock · 147K views · 7 videos
Show 3 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition378K views
2002 chevy cavalier . pontiac sunfire remove ignition lock cylinderSilent Mechanic · 205K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring252K views
Combination switch replacement Turn signal switch Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Pontaic SunfireFixing cars and stuff · 102K views · 6 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors247K views
2002 Chevy Cavalier Power Window Repair - EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 237K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
MotorWeek | Retro Review: '95 Chevrolet CavalierMotorWeek · 212K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2000 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 380 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine connecting rod bearings which may fail prematurely if the vehicle is subjected
- Subject regarding certain vehicles equipped with 2.4l engines and built between 11/23/99 and…
- Some customes may comment on a rough engine idle and / or misfire
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Steering · recall issued 2008
DORMAN 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" B…
- Lights · recall issued 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
Show all 7 recalls
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Electrical · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Interior lighting · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE 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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Cavalier recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedErratic fuel gauge2002–2003
- ClosedEngine stall due to fuel starvation2002–2003
- ClosedErratic fuel gauge2001–2002
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★☆☆☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$2,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Cavalier year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (1996–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Chevrolet Cavalier years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-cavalier/?y=2000" title="Chevrolet Cavalier reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-cavalier/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Chevrolet Cavalier reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 66; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Cavalier year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (21%), engine (19%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
7 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
22 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 26,000 and 50,000 miles (42,000–81,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 173 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2000 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $2,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Cavalier year is better than the 2000?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2004 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works