NHTSA Complaint #10133041 — 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVILER. WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES. IT STARTED IN THE WINTER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DIRECTION THAT CAR WAS HEADED WAS THE WAY IT STAYED. ALSO, SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HUM IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH LASTED A COUPLE OF SECONDS EACH TIME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT IT DID NOT SOUND TO THEM AS DANGEROUS. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM FINALLY CAME TO AHEAD IN JUNE. LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BELT BROKE, AND THE ALTERNATOR SEIZED. WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER THEY CONCLUDED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BELT MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. THE DEALER NEVER DID ANY REPAIRS TO THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE KEY WAS HOT AFTER IT HAD BEEN IN THE IGNITION. AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THE CAR WENT BACK TO THE DEALER , AND SHE DID NOT HAVE THE TIGHTNESS TO THE STEERING. BUT, THE CAR WAS STILL PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY. THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE SPEED OF THE CAR. AND ALMOST HAD A COLLISION. *AK