FaultScore

Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems

1,252 of the 6,452 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Cavalier are about the electrical system — 19% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2005.

1,252

Complaints

19%

Share of all complaints

21

Crashes

101

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

1983 Cavalier 5 0.4%
1985 Cavalier 2 0.2%
1986 Cavalier 5 0.4%

Median failure at 189,654 miles

1988 Cavalier 3 0.2%
1989 Cavalier 6 0.5%

Median failure at 106,000 miles

1990 Cavalier 22 1.8%
1991 Cavalier 18 1.4%
1992 Cavalier 25 2.0%

Median failure at 15,500 miles

1993 Cavalier 30 2.4%
1994 Cavalier 26 2.1%
1995 Cavalier 66 5.3%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

1996 Cavalier 109 8.7%

Median failure at 60,714 miles

1997 Cavalier 118 9.4%

Median failure at 93,500 miles

1998 Cavalier 76 6.1%

Median failure at 76,968 miles

1999 Cavalier 52 4.2%

Median failure at 51,107 miles

2000 Cavalier 78 6.2%

Median failure at 59,850 miles

2001 Cavalier 59 4.7%

Median failure at 61,500 miles

2002 Cavalier 35 2.8%

Median failure at 64,416 miles

2003 Cavalier 109 8.7%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2004 Cavalier 192 15.3%

Median failure at 54,450 miles

2005 Cavalier 216 17.3%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

What owners said

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Spokane Valley, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

There is a recall on the vehicle I need to get fixed.

NHTSA complaint #11671800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at 50,000 miles Coachella, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT WAS RECALLED FOR OTHER GM VEHICLES. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, RPM, SPEEDOMETER.... NONE OF MY GAUGES WORK. THEY GAVE THE WRONG READINGS, THE HAND WOULDN'T RETURN TO THEIR STARTING POSITIONS, THEN THE HANDS WENT LOWER THAN THEIR STARTING POSITIONS TO THE POINT THEY ALL DIDN'T WORK ANYMORE. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE GM RECALL LIST FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11414789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier at 138,000 miles Ackworth, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND THE LEVER BECAME STUCK. OCCASIONALLY, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE HOOD WAS HOT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THERE WERE ALSO MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA complaint #11187497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 70,000 miles MT Zion, WV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY MOM WAS DRIVING THE CAR AS NORMAL DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY AND ALL THE GUAGES IN THE ENTIRE DASH SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. SOME CAME BACK ON AND OFF A COUPLE WEEKS. SOME NEVER DID. BUT AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS ALL STOPPED WORKING AND NOW NOTHING WORKS. NO HEAT GUAGE, NO FUEL GUAGE, NO TEMP GUAGE, NO SPEEDOMETER, AND NO FUEL GUAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11172219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 170,000 miles Melrose Park, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, AND TACHOMETER WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #11121810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 67,000 miles Barefoot BAY, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GAUGES FOR TEMPERATURE DO NOT WORK, SOMETIMES READS BELOW ZERO, SOMETIMES SLIGHTLY ABOVE THERE IS NO CHANGE IN READING WHETHER COLD, OR RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS - AT ANY SPEED SPEED GAUGE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES RECORDING 100 MPH, WHEN THE CAR IS DOING NO MORE THAT 20-30 MPH. AT OTHER TIMES, IT SEEMS TO BE RUNNING ABOUT THE SPEED LIMIT, WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER TRAFFIC, THEN RECORD 100+MPH.AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN GOING WITH TRAFFIC, THE GAUGE READS 0MPH THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF THE CAR IS OVERHEATING, OR WHAT SPEED THE CAR IS GOING. THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS, AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE 'SETTER', AND WOULD COST ME $900. WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. IT IS VERY UPSETTING .

NHTSA complaint #11098393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier at 100,000 miles Willingboro, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE AND CLOSING THE DOORS, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE LIGHT BULB WIRING IN THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11097095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier at 335,000 miles Charlottesville, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE GAS GAUGE IS GOING HAYWIRE. IT PEGS TO THE "F", AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PEGS TO THE "E", EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS HALF FULL. THE GAUGE THEN JUMPS AROUND THE MIDDLE FORM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL HOW MUCH IS IN THE TANK. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHILE SITTING AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS.

NHTSA complaint #11073780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Cavalier at 200,000 miles Tacoma, WA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IGNITION GETS VERY HOT WHEN KEY IS TURNED CAN SMELL PLASTIC IGNITION OR BATT 1 CIRCUIT PROBLEM.CLEARCOAT IS PEELING.LUG NUTS COMING LOOSE

NHTSA complaint #11072678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at 198,000 miles Berlin, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CLUSTER OF DASHBOARD INDICATORS (SPEEDOMETER, GAS GUAGE , ENGINE TEMP, RPM) ALL ARE NOT WORKING NOW. THEY WERE GOING OFF AND ON AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING BUT NOW NOTHING WORKS...MY MECHANIC INFORMS ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. NO RECALL FOUND. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHY WASN'T THIS COMMON PROBLEM LISTED AS A RECALL WHEN MANY HAVE COMPLAINED??

NHTSA complaint #11065548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 155,000 miles South Bend, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ALL GAUGES DON'T WORK. SPEEDOMETER,FUEL,TEMPERATURE.

NHTSA complaint #11065413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Belleville, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE GAUGES IN THE 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER CAUSING THEM TO MALFUNCTION OR NOT FUNCTION AT ALL INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE, THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR ENGINE, OR YOUR SPEED WHEN THE GAUGES FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #11056705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Chevrolet Cavalier at 198,000 miles Greenville, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY DENTIST APPOINTMENT, SUDDENLY A HISSING NOISE CAME FROM THE CAR.ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND I KNEW I WAS IN TROUBLE.I WAS ON A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE CITY.I HAD TO ACT IN A SPLIT SECOND AND STEER QUICKLY OFF OF THE NEAREST SIDE RIDE.THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKING UP.I HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO GET SAFELY OFF OF THE STREET IN TIME AND TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND.I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.THE CAR WAS TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE.I BELIEVE IT WAS A FLOODED OUT CAR SOLD TO THE UNSUSPECTITHAT UNSUSPECTING PERSON WAS ME.I GOT SUCKERED OUT OF OVER $2400. I HAVE PAID FOR AT LEAST 2 NEW CARS WITH THE MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON THIS LEMON.BY THE WAY THE SHADY OWNER DON'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE AT ALL FOR SCAMMING MY MONEY OUT OF ME.

NHTSA complaint #11015464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier at 150,000 miles Palmetto, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

KEY GET STUCK IN IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION. CANNOT SHUT THE CAR OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY. MUST PULL IGNITION FUSE TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND THEN DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. GM ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A PROBLEM IN 2014 BUT NEVER ISSUED A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11014821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 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.

1999 Chevrolet Cavalier at 160,000 miles Raytown, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL: FUEL GAGE NAS NEVER WORKED SINCE BEING BOUGHT, TURN SIGNALS ( BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT) BARELY WORKED WHEN BOUGHT AND WENT OUT COMPLETLY THE NEXT DAY, POWER STEERING LOCKS UP OCCASIONALLY AND AND CANT TURN WHEEL,SHIFT GEAR LINKAGES WILL ONLY SHIFT MANUALLY UNDER THE HOOD, CAR WILL DIE OR STRUGGLE TO CONTINUE RUNNING UNLESS FOOT IS ALWAYS PUSHING ON GAS, ENGINE OCCASSIONALLY BACKFIRES, AND NOT QUITE SURE IF THE FUEL PUMP IS WORKING PROPERLY OR GONE OUT

NHTSA complaint #11005891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 120,000 miles North Highlands, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT INFORMATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10995219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 100,000 miles Sudlersville, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10960402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier at 150,000 miles Oakland, 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.

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Laurel, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR RADIATOR FAN WON'T KICK ON CAUSE CAR TO GET VERY DANGEROUSLY HOT CAUSING CAR TO BECOME A BOMB

NHTSA complaint #10936588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Cavalier problems