2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 330 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Chevrolet Cavalier years to avoid. Which Chevrolet Cavalier years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
52,000 milesMedian miles at failure

262 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,000–50,000 miles.

Most common 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

166 of the 330 complaints (50%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System95
131
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel60
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration16
000
Steering11
100
Power Train › Manual Transmission · transmission10
200
Air Bags · airbags10
708
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls7
000
Unknown or Other7
000
Structure › Body · body and frame7
010
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system6
103

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical system problems

50% of all complaints

166 of the 330 complaints are about the electrical system. This is what owners describe:

  • overheats19% · 31
  • turns on the check engine light4% · 6
  • sets off warning lights on the dash3% · 5

Share of the 166 electrical system complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
55,000 mi
median of 132 reports
Peak year of filing
2010
41 electrical system complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
1 · 5 · 1
in these complaints
Recalls on the electrical system
None
“2 issues. First, temperature gauge read higher and higher each time the car was started until the needle went all the way around to the speedometer and kept the speedometer from reading the speed. Entire gauge cluster was replaced. Second issue was passenger front seat belt would periodically lock, not allowing the passenger to use the seat belt.”
Owner complaint, filed Apr 7, 2016 at 72,000 miles
“My temperature gauge has malfunctioned and is stuck at 195 degrees when I turn my car on. It then rises just as normal but stops at 260 degrees which is in the red zone”
Owner complaint, filed Apr 5, 2016 at 152,000 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2004: 21 complaints, 5 about the electrical system'042005: 26 complaints, 7 about the electrical system2006: 21 complaints, 1 about the electrical system'062007: 14 complaints, 7 about the electrical system2008: 36 complaints, 19 about the electrical system'082009: 22 complaints, 15 about the electrical system2010: 55 complaints, 41 about the electrical system'102011: 34 complaints, 18 about the electrical system2012: 22 complaints, 14 about the electrical system'122013: 8 complaints, 6 about the electrical system2014: 30 complaints, 20 about the electrical system'142015: 17 complaints, 6 about the electrical system2016: 10 complaints, 5 about the electrical system'162017: 3 complaints, 2 about the electrical system2018: 2 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'182019: 4 complaints, 0 about the electrical system2020: 2 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'202021: 1 complaints, 0 about the electrical system2022: 1 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'222023: 0 complaints, 0 about the electrical system2024: 1 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'24Recall 04V300000 (seat belts)Recall 08E063000 (steering)
All complaintsAbout the electrical systemRecall (red: the electrical system)

Complaints about the 2004 Cavalier peaked in 2010, with 55 filed that year. No recall on file covers the electrical system, the subject of 50% of the complaints. In 2024 owners filed 1 so far.

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering08E063000
Filed Oct 17, 20083,855 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Seat Belts › Rear/Other04V300000
Filed Jun 23, 200437 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND INSTALL A NEW NUT AND BOLT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

Technical service bulletins

476 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2004 Cavalier. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 178engine 81electrical system 67transmission 23equipment adaptive/mobility 20fuel system 14body and frame 13wheels 10
General CommunicationService campaignAug 26, 2024electrical system

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to …

PIP4723JService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsOct 25, 2024electrical system

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

24-NA-098Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 6, 2024electrical system

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.

10-08-45-001HService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 28, 2024electrical system

This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.

23-NA-001Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 6, 2023electrical system

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

22-NA-205Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsOct 19, 2022electrical system

This service bulletin provides information on Module Harvesting.

Showing the newest 6 of 67 bulletins about the electrical system, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed May 17, 2024KY

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

Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 2022NJ

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.

Suspension
Filed Nov 1, 2021200,000 milesMN

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.

Power Train
Filed Dec 13, 202085,509 milesFL

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.

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 18, 202049,000 milesWI

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.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 23, 201911,000 milesIL

WHEN I'M DRIVEN ABOUT 25 MILES THE ACCELERATOR STAYS STUCK AND THE SPEED KEEP GOIN UP IF YOU DON'T PUT THE BRAKES

Air Bags
Filed Nov 4, 2019165,700 milesWA

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.

Steering
Filed Jun 29, 2019166,000 milesNY

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.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 18, 2019135,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND ACCELERATES.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 3, 2018185,000 milesUT

LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE SHEER PEN RELEASED AND ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER-( INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE )

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Mar 21, 2018GA

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

Electrical System
Filed Aug 4, 2017AK

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.

Steering
Filed May 14, 201785,000 milesPA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 2017150,000 milesCA

SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 14, 201668,500 milesNY

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. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 22, 2016201,767 milesOH

1. SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT. 2. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT DROPPED WILL NOT GO BACK TO UPRIGHT POSITION.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 17, 2016105,127 milesNJ

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 8, 201650,000 milesIN

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 8, 201650,000 milesIN

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING TELEPHONE POLE. SNAPPED IN HALF, CAR TOTALED. STATE ROAD 252 MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA. CAR IN MOTION.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 8, 201650,000 milesIN

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING TELEPHONE POLE. SNAPPED IN HALF, CAR TOTALED. STATE ROAD 252 MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA. CAR IN MOTION.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 23, 2016OH

INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT WORK. THEREFORE DO NOT KNOW THE SPEED IN WHICH IS BEING TRAVELED, TEMPERATURE OF ENGINE, AMOUNT OF FUEL OR ANYTHING. CHECK GUAGES LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF LIKE EVERY WEEK. HAVE NO CLUE WHY IT STOPPED WORKING AND PERSONAL MECHANIC IS APPALLED AT THE ISSUE.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 7, 201672,000 milesKY

2 ISSUES. FIRST, TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ HIGHER AND HIGHER EACH TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED UNTIL THE NEEDLE WENT ALL THE WAY AROUND TO THE SPEEDOMETER AND KEPT THE SPEEDOMETER FROM READING THE SPEED. ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. SECOND ISSUE WAS PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD PERIODICALLY LOCK, NOT ALLOWING THE PASSENGER TO USE THE SEAT BELT.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 5, 2016152,000 milesMI

MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND IS STUCK AT 195 DEGREES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON. IT THEN RISES JUST AS NORMAL BUT STOPS AT 260 DEGREES WHICH IS IN THE RED ZONE

Steering
Filed Jan 6, 2016IL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAVNUEVER. THE FAILURE WAS PERMANENT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E063000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 23, 2015100,000 milesWA

THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER REGISTER BELOW ZERO WHEN STOPPED OR IN MOTION. NO WAY TO TELL THE SPEED OR RPM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ALL ON THE ROAD. IF CONTROLLING SPEED IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WORTH RECALLING WHY DO WE HAVE SPEED LIMITS? NHTSA NEEDS TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND LAUNCH A RECALL AS THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND NOT ISOLATED ITS VERY WIDESPREAD AND THE FACT THEY HAVE NEGLECTED IT SHOWS THERE REAL LACK OF CONCERN FOR SAFETY.

Steering
Filed Dec 18, 2015181,000 milesMD

THE VEHICLE STEERING IS NOT TIGHT AND I AM NOT ABLE TO TIGHTLY CONTROL THE MOVEMENT COMPLETELY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR MAKING TURNS. THE WHEEL STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND UNSECURED. WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE DRIFTS REGARDLESS IF I HAVE CONTROL.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 9, 2015GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 11, 2015MS

THE CLUSTER IS OUT AND I CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH FUEL, THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT AND ALSO THE TEMP GAGE AS WELL.

Steering
Filed Aug 14, 2015120,000 milesMD

AROUND 4:00PM AFTER GETTING OFF WORK. I WAS DRIVING HOME AND I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY STEERING WHEEL MOVED UP THEN DOWN DIAGONALLY ABOUT A INCH; INCH AND A HALF. IT DOES IT EVERY TIME NOW WHEN ANY KIND OF UPWARD PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I DON'T KNOW HOW SERIOUS OF A PROBLEM THIS IS, BUT IT DOES SEEM IF IT GETS ANY WORSE IT COULD EFFECT YOUR DRIVING ABILITY OF THE CAR.

Steering
Filed Jul 20, 2015140,000 milesMO

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, THE INTERIOR LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. LAST YEAR I WENT SHOPPING, GOT BACK INTO MY CAR & STARTED IT, OR RATHER TRIED TO START IT, BUT IT SHUT DOWN QUITE QUICKLY. THINKING IT WAS A FLUKE, I TRIED TO START IT SEVERAL MORE TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS. NOT EVEN PUSHING ON THE GAS COULD KEEP IT GOING. AFTER TOWING THE CAR & HAVING IT SIT AROUND FOR A WHILE BEFORE SOMEONE COULD FINALLY FIND THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE, IT WAS 'REPAIRED'. THE ISSUE WAS THE WIRING FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE REPAIR COMPLETED WAS A CHEAPER ROUTE THAN REPLACING THE ACTUAL SWITCH. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL TOO LATE LAST YEAR WAS THE 'SERVICE W/WRENCH' AND 'THEFT SYSTEM' LIGHTS WERE THE WARNING THAT THE SWITCH WAS ABOUT TO GO OUT. THE INTERIOR LIGHT HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN & THE THEFT & SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN LAST WEDNESDAY, 7/15/15, AND NOW I KNOW I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SEITCH. LAST YEAR I CONTACTED GM BUT THEY ONLY WANTED TO MAKE A NOTE ABOUT IT. I'M SURE THAT AS TIME GOES ON OTHERS WILL HAVE ISSUES TOO. HOW CAN WIRES COME LOOSE OR BREAK BEHIND A STEERING WHEEL? PLUGS, HOSES & THINGS LIKE THAT I CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND, BUT NOT SOMETHING THAT IS HIDDEN & SUPPOSEDLY SAFE BEHIND A STEERING WHEEL

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 12, 201563,087 milesFL

THE GARNISH MOLDING-WINDSHIELD PILLAR-DRIVER'S SIDE FELL PARTLY OFF BLOCKING MY VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. IT WAS NEVER TOUCHED AND FOR NO REASON IT FELL OFF AND TO THIS DAY I AM UNABLE TO REATTACH IT..

Electrical System
Filed Jun 29, 2015100,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START PROPERLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

SteeringCrash
Filed Jun 19, 2015100,000 milesOH

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.

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed May 19, 2015VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 22, 2015AL

AT TIMES, DURING THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HARD TO START. HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, BUT DID NOT SEEM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, THE CAR STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING AND TOOK 15 MINUTES TO FINALLY RE-START. I HAVE READ ONLINE WHERE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS OF CHEVY CAVALIERS- HARD TO START AND STALLS OUT SOMETIMES. NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THERE IS NO CODE TO DIAGNOSIS/READ. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 3, 2015109,000 milesTX

BOUGHT USED HAD 109000 FIRST TIME THE CLUTCH WENT OUT ON ME I WAS EXHILARATING TO MOVE INTO HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC AND IT GOES OUT, ESPECIALLY AS A YOUNG WOMAN I WAS VERY SCARRED FOR MY LIFE TO THIS DAY I HAVE NIGHTMARES, GOT IT FIXED BUT NO REALLY CAUSE IT STILL DOES IT WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING DOT 3 AT THE CLUTCH LINE. ITS ANNOYING, A WASTE OF TIME, WASTE OF MY MONEY, AND HAS CAUSED DOMESTIC DISPUTES. COME ON DO SOMETHING PLEASE!! *TR

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Mar 17, 2015125,000 milesNY

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. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 4, 201558,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY SPEEDOMETER FOR STUCK. I KNOW I WAS GOING 60 WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS STUCK AT.IT ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. MY CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WINDOWS, AND ENGINE LIGHT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 31, 2015104,000 milesGA

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BOARD HAS STOPPED, WORKING AND APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH GM ON SEVERAL MODELS (CAR AND TRUCK) BETWEEN 1998-2009. ALSO THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. WINDOW DOORS ARE NOT WORKING AND APPEARS TO ALL RELATED TO THE CLUSTER PANEL. I HAVE REPLACED ALL ABS SENSORS, NEW BRAKES PADS, ROTORS, AND EVEN FRONT BEARINGS. THE ENGINE ITSELF WORKS GREAT AND IS FINE AND APPEARS THAT GM HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN THIS PART. THE CLUSTER PANEL AND WIRING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED IN THESE MODELS. POOR GROUND WIRING AN CLUSTER PANELS CAN CAUSE CONSUMERS TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND STILL RESULTING IN THE SAME PROBLEM. CLUSTER PANEL REPLACEMENT CAN BE FROM $300 TO $800 DEPENDING ON YOUR LOCAL MECHANIC. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE SINCE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ARE NOT WORKING DUE TO THE LONG LIST OF ISSUES. I RECOMMEND A RECALL ON CLUSTER PANELS FOR ALL CAVALIERS AND MODULES, WIRING AS WELL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 9, 201557,000 milesUT

THE PROBLEM ORIGINALLY STARTED WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE (SHOWED THAT THE CAR WAS ALWAYS OVERHEATING) AND THEN EVENTUALLY STOPPED MOVING AT ALL. NEXT, THE RPMS STOPPED MOVING AND THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN SHOWING THAT WE WERE GOING 100 WHEN WE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN GOING MORE THAN 35. NOW THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. SO, AT THIS POINT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, IF THE CAR IS OVERHEATING, OR WHAT THE RPMS ARE. CURRENTLY THE FUEL GAUGE WORKS MOST OF THE TIME, BUT OCCASIONALLY AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK THE GAUGE WILL MOVE TO THE FAR RIGHT (AS IF IT'S TELLING US THAT THE TANK IS OVERFILLED), TO WHERE IT WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE OTHER GAUGES (IF THEY WERE WORKING). I FEEL THIS IS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM AND AT THE VERY LEAST IS VERY ANNOYING (ALREADY BEEN PULLED OVER TWICE FOR GOING 10 MILES OVER, BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST I WAS GOING). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 1, 2015125,000 milesIN

FIRST OF ALL MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS, SOMETIMES YOU KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, WHAT YOUR TACK IS AND YOU FUEL LEVEL, SOMETIMES YOU DON'T. I HAVE NEVER REALLY KNOWN MY MILEAGE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE CAR OCCASIONALLY NOT WANTING TO START OR REVING OF THE ENGINE AND ALL OF MY DUMMY LIGHTS COMING ON I WAS TOLD THAT IS MY IGNITION SWITCH,HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED GM THEY INFORMED ME CAVALIERS USED A DIFFERENT SWITCH THAN THE ONES IN THE RECALL. OK. BOTH OF THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES, I WAS GOING TO GIVE THIS CAR TO MY SON FOR HIS FIRST CAR, BUT NO WAY! I CAN NOT TEACH HIM HOW TO DRIVE IN IT, BECAUSE THE CLUSTER DOESN'T FUNCTION AND THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES. GM WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND KNOWS THERE ARE ISSUES, PRETTY SURE LAST GM I WILL OWN. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Dec 16, 2014151,925 milesMI

LOW AND HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPEAR DIM WHEN TURNED ON COMPARED TO OTHER CARS. MAY BE DUE TO CORRODED/DEFECTIVE WIRING. APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CHEVROLET MODEL. LOOKING FOR RECALL INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 15, 2014187,000 milesVA

AS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIME. AS NOTED HERE ALREADY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED ALL BY IT SELF TO THE POINT I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF IN TRAFFIC. THEN RESTARTED AND IT WAS DRIVING ON ITS OWN AT 40 MILES AN HOUR LIKE CRUISE WAS ON, I DO NOT USE CRUISE THEN WHEN I PLAYED WITH THE CRUISE BUTTON IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL CAN'T TAKE IT IN COSTS TO MUCH TO LOOK AT BUT IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR JUST NEVER CAN HAVE IT DO IT WHEN I TAKE IT IN AND THEY CAN'T HELP ME IF IT IS NOT DOING IT AT THAT TIME. I WANT THIS ON RECORD SO IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME THERE IS A RECORD OF THIS HAPPENING, AGAIN SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAPPENS WHENEVER IT WANTS TO... *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 9, 2014TN

HORN DOESN'T WORK, HAD IT LOOK AT BY MECHANIC, HE SAID IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAG. THEN HAD IT LOOK AT BY A STEERING COLUMN MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed Aug 25, 201450,000 milesMO

AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT CAR FLIPPED OVER TWICE AND THERE WAS 1 DEATH AND 1 INJURY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 20, 201480,000 milesNC

MY WIFE'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON HER 2004 CAVALIER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE ABOUT 80000 MILES . THE ONLY GAUGE THAT WORKS ANYMORE IS THE TACHOMETER. MY RESEARCH POINTS TO THE STEPPERS MOTORS . THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE . THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS EXACT ISSUE , ALL OVER THE INTERNET . IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE , WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK ? G.M. SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE . SHE HAS BEEN ESTIMATING HER SPEED BY THE TACHOMETER FOR FAR TOO LONG . PLEASE HAVE G.M. FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES ! THANK YOU . *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 2, 201468,000 milesPA

ALL OF THE TROUBLE LIGHTS COME ON INCLUDING THE SERVICE LIGHT WITH A WRENCH. THEN, ALL OF THE GAUGES DROP TO NOTHING; YOU DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU'RE TRAVELING, WHAT YOUR FUEL CAPACITY IS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DROPS TO NOTHING ALONG WITH THE TACHOMETER DROPPING TO NOTHING. IN THE ODOMETER AND "ERROR" MESSAGE REPLACES THE ODOMETER READING. THE GAUGES WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF AND ON OR ALL OF THEM WILL DROP OF WITH NO READING. THE OTHER EVENING, I WAS COMING HOME ON A WINDING BACK COUNTRY ROAD AND ALL OF MY LIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAVE TO LIMIT MY DRIVING TO DAYTIME DRIVING AND ONLY USE THE RUNNING LIGHTS AS IT APPEARS TO ONLY AGGRAVATE THE PROBLEM WHEN I USE MY HEADLIGHTS. TODAY, EVERYTHING ABOVE HAPPENED ALONG WITH SOME NEWS THINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE RUNNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON AS DID THE WARNING ALARM AS THOUGH THE KEY WERE LEFT IN THE IGNITION. I LEFT THE CAR ONLY AFTER I PULLED THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUSE FROM THE PANEL. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR, I INSERTED THE FUSES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO GEAR AS THE CAR WOULD NOT LET ME DEPRESS THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER TO DO SO. I HAVE TO NOW SHUT THE CAR OFF AND PULL THE IGNITION FUSE AND THEN REINSERT IT TO GET THE CAR IN GEAR. WHAT THE HECK? *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 23, 201465,000 milesMI

SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR IN 2009, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FROM 55 TO 70. STILL DOES THIS ON OCCASION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 7, 2014TX

CAR WILL NOT START CONSISTENTLY. HAVE TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS, THEN IT MAY START OR NOT. BUT IF IT STARTS, IT WILL NOT START AGAIN UNTIL DAYS GO BY............ IGNITION SHUT OFF ON ONE OCCASION WHEN OPERATING ON A PUBLIC ROAD. LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE AND POWER BRAKES.STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK BUT COASTED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. *JS

Power Train
Filed Jul 5, 2014122,317 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING MY -2004 CAVALIER AFTER HAVING THE SLAVE CYLINDER REPLACED 2 MONTH'S PRIOR. NOTHING SEEMED OUT OF PLACE UNTIL MY CLUTCH PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT RETURN. I PULLED OVER AFTER NEARLY COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE INVESTIGATING THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. I LOOKED IN THE CLUTCH RESERVOIR AND NOTICED NO FLUID. I PLACED MORE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR MANUALLY MOVING THE CLUTCH PEDDLE UP AND DOWN UNTIL I HAD A PEDDLE. I THEN MADE IT HOME SO I COULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. THE LINKAGE FOR THE SHIFTER HAD OVER TIME RUBBED A HOLE IN THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAUSING FAILURE IN THE WHOLE SYSTEM. I AM NOT ONE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT VEHICLE ISSUES BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME THE ISSUES DO NOT ALMOST KILL ME BUT IN THIS CASE HAD I NOT KNOWN WHAT TO DO TO GET THE SHIFTER OUT OF GEAR I WOULD HAVE HIT A EVER SLOWING LINE OF TRAFFIC AT 70 MPH CAUSING A MASSIVE ACCIDENT. GM PLEASE RECALL YOUR MISTAKE BEFORE YOU KILL MORE PEOPLE WITH YOUR FAULTY CRAFTSMANSHIP. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 330, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2005287104Fatalities reported
2004 — this page330261Fatalities reported
2003678261Fatalities reported
2002196540Routine
2001243681Fatalities reported
2000315782Fatalities reported
1999240820Above average
199834511100Above average
199754013255Fatalities reported
199650313101Fatalities reported
19952709100Above average
1994212231Fatalities reported
1993146271Fatalities reported
1992134182Fatalities reported
199155366Fatalities reported
1990551120Routine

Compare every Cavalier year →

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier: questions buyers ask

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier a good car?

It is not among the Cavalier years to avoid. Owners filed 330 complaints, against about 257 for a typical Cavalier year. The most common complaint is about the electrical system (50%).

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?

The electrical system: 166 of the 330 complaints (50%) are about it. Owners most often say it overheats (19%), turns on the check engine light (4%) and sets off warning lights on the dash (3%). The typical report comes at 55,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Oct 17, 2008. The largest, 08E063000, covered 3,855 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 52,000 miles. For the electrical system the midpoint is 55,000 miles.

Are there service bulletins for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?

The manufacturer filed 476 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the engine (81), the electrical system (67) and the transmission (23). They include a service campaign, General Communication, filed Aug 26, 2024. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 17, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.