Chevrolet models we see most
| Model | US model years | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Cobalt | 2005-2010 | The car at the center of GM's 2014 ignition switch recall, 14V047000. |
| HHR | 2006-2011 | Shares the Cobalt's ignition switch recall; 2009-2010 non-turbo HHRs also had a power steering recall (14V153000). |
| Impala | 1958-1985, 1994-1996, 2000-2020 | 2000-2005 Impalas are in recall 14V400000 and 2006-2014 Impalas in 14V355000, both for ignition switches. |
| Malibu | 1964-1983, 1997-2025 | 1997-2003 Malibus are in the 14V400000 key-ring ignition recall. |
| Equinox | 2005-present | 2010 models with the 2.4-liter engine got GM special coverage 14159 for oil burning from worn piston rings. |
| Silverado | 1999-present | 1999-2007 GMT800 trucks were the subject of NHTSA's salt-state brake line rust investigation, EA11-001. |
| Tahoe | 1995-present | 2000-2006 Tahoes belong to the same GMT800 family NHTSA studied for corroded brake lines. |
Known Chevrolet problems that end up at the scrapyard
Ignition switch recall on Cobalt and HHR
Recall 14V047000 covers 2005-2010 Cobalt and 2006-2011 HHR, plus Pontiac and Saturn twins. Weight on the key ring or a jarring bump could move the switch out of run, shutting off the engine and the airbags. GM told owners to carry only the ignition key until the switch was replaced. A used Cobalt with an unknown history may still have the original part. source
Oil consumption in the 2010 Equinox 2.4L
GM bulletin 14159 says some 2010 Equinox and Terrain 2.4-liter engines burn a quart in under 2,000 miles because of piston ring wear, sometimes triggering low-oil warnings. GM covered piston replacement for 10 years or 120,000 miles from the in-service date, so that window has now closed for these SUVs. Running one low on oil for long puts the rest of the engine at risk. source
Rusted brake lines on 1999-2007 Silverado and Tahoe
NHTSA's investigation EA11-001 examined brake pipe corrosion on 1999-2003 GM full-size pickups and SUVs in salt states, with Illinois on the list. It closed in 2015 without a recall, finding the coating simply wears out in severe-corrosion states and that most failures came after 10 years in service. If one line has burst, inspect the rest before paying for a single repair. source
The Chevrolets most likely to be junk now
Chevy’s biggest recall stories of the last decade are about the cars that are now reaching the end of the line. The Cobalt and HHR were at the center of the 2014 ignition switch recall, and a much larger follow-up campaign, 14V400000, pulled in 2000-2005 Impalas and 1997-2003 Malibus for the same key-ring problem. If you bought one used, the switch may or may not have been replaced.
The first-generation Equinox with the 2.4-liter four is another regular. GM acknowledged in its own bulletin that the 2010 engines could burn oil through worn rings and offered a decade of coverage, which has now run out.
Then there are the trucks. Chicago’s winters are exactly what NHTSA had in mind when it closed its GMT800 brake line investigation by telling salt-state owners to wash their undercarriages several times a winter. Our guide explains what salt does to an older truck and how to spot rust that makes a repair pointless.
Truck or compact: what changes the offer
A Silverado, Tahoe or Suburban weighs far more than a Cobalt or Malibu, and full-size truck parts are always in demand, so trucks usually come out ahead even with heavy rust. For cars, a running engine and a complete car with its catalytic converter, wheels and glass make the biggest difference. We’ll ask about those, plus whether it’s parked somewhere a tow truck can reach. A dead truck in a tight Chicago alley is fine; we just need to know about low wires, locked gates or a car parked in front of it.
What to do before we pick up your Chevy
- Cancel or transfer OnStar using the blue button or by phone, and reset the radio to wipe contacts and saved places.
- Take your garage remote, I-PASS transponder and parking permits.
- Find the title and every key.
- If the car carries a Chicago city sticker, see our page on what happens to the city sticker when you sell.
You’ll find every other make we buy on the brand directory.
Selling a junk Chevrolet: questions
My Equinox burns oil and the warning light keeps coming on. Will you buy it?
Yes. Excessive oil use on the 2.4-liter Equinox is well documented, and we buy them running or seized. Tell us whether it still starts and how much oil it uses, and don't drive it far if the oil pressure light comes on.
Do you take full-size Chevy trucks with rotted frames?
Yes. A Silverado or Tahoe with rusted brake lines, cab corners or frame rails is still worth buying for weight and parts. If a brake line has burst, the truck shouldn't be driven; we bring it out of your driveway or alley by tow truck.