Owners have filed 428 complaints
about the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier with NHTSA between 2004 and 2024.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Cavalier. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 59
11.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2004 compares with every other Chevrolet Cavalier
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Instrument Cluster/Panel
6759.3%
Manual Transmission
119.7%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
87.1%
Interior/Under Dash
76.2%
Body
76.2%
Engine
76.2%
Clutch Assembly
32.7%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
32.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
154.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
329.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
195.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
8625.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
7923.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4011.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
4613.5%
150,000+ miles
247.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2004peak 12May 2024
Recalls on the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E063000
STEERING
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" 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.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
04V300000
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT NUT AND BOLT.
Risk: IN A SEVERE CRASH, THE UPPER SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE MAY SEPARATE. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SEAT BELT COULD THEN BE REDUCED AND THE OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200421132 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 209 - Seat Belt Assemblies, and CMVSS 210 - Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages. On some of these vehicles, the passenger-side rear safety belt may have been installed with an incorrect nut and bolt that may not withstand the loads required by the two standards. In a severe crash, the upper seat belt anchorage may separate. The effectiveness of the seat belt could then be reduced and the occupant could receive greater injuries. Correction: Dealers will remove the required interior trim pieces and replace the incorrect passenger-side rear seat belt retractor attachment hardware.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 105,127 milesDumont, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING A WHILE AGO. SINCE I DIDN'T GET A RECALL ON IT I WAS UNAWARE OF PEOPLE DID COMPLAIN ABOUT IT UNTIL MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHERE THE CLUSTER IS AND ALL THE WIRES ARE TOTALLY BURNED UP. I AM FURIOUS. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS AND SOME PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I COULD NOT READ ALL OF THEM SO, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THANK GOD I DIDN'T GET INJURED OR DEATH. CHEVROLET SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10907389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMartinsville, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
IN MOTION. 2004 CAVALIER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY AFTER IMPACT WITH TELEPHONE POLE. PICTURE OF POLE SNAPPED IN HALF. STATE ROAD 252 MARTINSVILLE INDIANA. PICTURE OF POLE CAR IS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10893984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMartinsville, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING TELEPHONE POLE. SNAPPED IN HALF, CAR TOTALED. STATE ROAD 252 MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA. CAR IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #10894003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMartinsville, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING TELEPHONE POLE. SNAPPED IN HALF, CAR TOTALED. STATE ROAD 252 MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA. CAR IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #10893994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesCleveland, OHCrash
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10726245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesConstantia, NYFire
STRUCTURE:BODY
I LEFT THE VEHICLE RUNNING IN DRIVEWAY FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS FULL OF BLACK SMOKE AND WITHIN MINUTES WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #10694745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Brandenburg, KY
STEERING
The whole steering column is loose The pins are all backed out I’m afraid to drive it I think this is a manufactured design flaw
NHTSA complaint #11589380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phillipsburg (Warren), NJ
SUSPENSION
The vehicle failed to pass pa. state inspection due to a severely rusted frame over the rear axles. The estimate to repair the frame was @$3000.
NHTSA complaint #11450759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesRoseville, MN
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the front driver’s side tire had detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic went to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the lower control arm rusted and detached from the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11438861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,509 milesMargate, FL
POWER TRAIN
IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK MY CAR WOULD NOT START. WHEN MOVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEVER IT DID NOT CATCH ON TO ANYTHING. THE CAR JUST ROLLED BACKWARDS AND I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PRESS ON THE BRAKES PREVENTING AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE AUTO SHOP. DIAGNOSIS: SHIFTER CABLE WAS DETACHED FROM TRANSMISSION. PREVIOUSLY ON 09/13/2011 THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE SHIFTER CABLE BROKE AND I HAD TO BE TOWED TO LOU BACHRODT CHEVROLET BOTH TIMES. THE 2ND TIME INVOICE NO. CWCS692729 $502.24 AND $477.55 INVOICE NO.CWCS149491 THE FIRST TIME. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. TWO TIMES IS TOO MANY.
NHTSA complaint #11383222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesMilton, WI
SEAT BELTS
CAN'T SAFELY INSTALL A CAR SEAT BECAUSE THE SAFETY BELTS DO NOT PROPERLY RETRACT. THEREFORE THE CAR SEAT IS NOT STABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #11318646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesOAK Lawn, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN I'M DRIVEN ABOUT 25 MILES THE ACCELERATOR STAYS STUCK AND THE SPEED KEEP GOIN UP IF YOU DON'T PUT THE BRAKES
NHTSA complaint #11281975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,700 milesBattle Ground, WA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM INTERVALS FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS, THEN TURNS OFF. SPEED, ROAD CONDITIONS, AND GEAR MAKE NO DIFFERENCE AS TO WHEN IT COMES ON. IT HAS COME ON WHILE TURNING, WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AT 20 MPH, WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, WHILE GOING OVER A BUMP, AND WHILE GOING 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11277967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 166,000 milesMiddletown, NY
STEERING
EVERY TIME I GO TO MY JOB MY POWER STEERING RESERVOIR BECOMES EMPTY AFTER I PUT ONE OR MORE QUARTS IN THE RESERVOIR. ANYTIME I DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I SWAY BACK AND FORTH NO MATTER HOW MUCH CONTROL I HAVE OVER THE VEHICLE. MY STEERING GETS SO HARD TO THE POINT WHERE I ALMOST CRASH EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR ANYWHERE BECAUSE I HAVE NO POWER STEERING OR DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CONTROL OVER THE STEERING BECAUSE IT BECOMES SO TIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11228454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesFremont, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND ACCELERATES.
NHTSA complaint #11180951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesPerry, UT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE SHEER PEN RELEASED AND ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER-( INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE )
NHTSA complaint #11124077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesPerry, UT
STEERING
LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE SHEER PEN RELEASED AND ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER-( INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE )
NHTSA complaint #11124077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKEN WHILE CAR IN MOTION ON A RAINY DAY AND MY CAR STALLS EVERYDAY WHILE AT LIGHT EVEN SHUTS OFF IF I'M AT LIGHT
NHTSA complaint #11080397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TAKATA RECALL WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKEN WHILE CAR IN MOTION ON A RAINY DAY AND MY CAR STALLS EVERYDAY WHILE AT LIGHT EVEN SHUTS OFF IF I'M AT LIGHT
NHTSA complaint #11080397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE HAD MY USED CHEVY CAVALIER 2004 CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR. AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE ENGINE HAS JUST STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE TIME SPAN OF 5 MONTHS. NO ONE ( AUTO SHOPS) CAN FIND THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ZERO ANSWERS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WOULD BE BANNED FROM THE INTERNET IF I SAID WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY TO CHEVY. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY...AUG 3RD 2017.
NHTSA complaint #11012830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD MY USED CHEVY CAVALIER 2004 CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR. AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE ENGINE HAS JUST STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE TIME SPAN OF 5 MONTHS. NO ONE ( AUTO SHOPS) CAN FIND THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ZERO ANSWERS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WOULD BE BANNED FROM THE INTERNET IF I SAID WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY TO CHEVY. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY...AUG 3RD 2017.
NHTSA complaint #11012830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
ENGINE
I HAVE HAD MY USED CHEVY CAVALIER 2004 CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR. AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE ENGINE HAS JUST STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE TIME SPAN OF 5 MONTHS. NO ONE ( AUTO SHOPS) CAN FIND THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ZERO ANSWERS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WOULD BE BANNED FROM THE INTERNET IF I SAID WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY TO CHEVY. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY...AUG 3RD 2017.
NHTSA complaint #11012830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesDuquesne, PA
STEERING
I'VE OWNED THE 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER SINCE IT HAD 2000 MILES. IT CURRENTLY HAS AROUND 85000. WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2017 A GREASY BOLT CAME FLYING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I'VE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS AND ACCIDENTS DUE TO FAULTY "PINS" THAT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT. NOW MY 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER STEERING WHEEL MOVES TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THIS CONDITION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS OCCURRED IN MANY GM/ CHEVROLET CARS. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND BEING CHECKED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10985572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesOakland, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10946542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesOakland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10946542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,500 milesST Johnsville, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CLUSTER PANEL TEMP GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING NOW THE GAUGE IS STAYING IN ONE SPOT SO HAVE NO IDEA IF TEMP IS GOOD OR NOT. WHAT IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE I WILL NOT KNOW WITHOUT THIS WORKING. HAVE TAKEN TO TWO GARAGES THEY BOTH SAY ITS THE CLUSTER PANEL. STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING ,GAGE STAYS THE SAME.THIS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH ONLY 68,500 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10935344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 201,767 milesDayton, OH
SEATS
1. SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT. 2. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT DROPPED WILL NOT GO BACK TO UPRIGHT POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10918076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 201,767 milesDayton, OH
SEAT BELTS
1. SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT. 2. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT DROPPED WILL NOT GO BACK TO UPRIGHT POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10918076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,127 milesDumont, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING A WHILE AGO. SINCE I DIDN'T GET A RECALL ON IT I WAS UNAWARE OF PEOPLE DID COMPLAIN ABOUT IT UNTIL MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHERE THE CLUSTER IS AND ALL THE WIRES ARE TOTALLY BURNED UP. I AM FURIOUS. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS AND SOME PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I COULD NOT READ ALL OF THEM SO, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THANK GOD I DIDN'T GET INJURED OR DEATH. CHEVROLET SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10907389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMartinsville, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
IN MOTION. 2004 CAVALIER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY AFTER IMPACT WITH TELEPHONE POLE. PICTURE OF POLE SNAPPED IN HALF. STATE ROAD 252 MARTINSVILLE INDIANA. PICTURE OF POLE CAR IS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10893984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMartinsville, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING TELEPHONE POLE. SNAPPED IN HALF, CAR TOTALED. STATE ROAD 252 MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA. CAR IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #10894003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.