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2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cavalier years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →
330Owner complaints

Model-year median: 140

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
243
2001196
2002678
2003330
2004287
2005
Compare all Cavalier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
185Vehicle Speed Control
27Power Train
23Visibility
23Steering
16
All reported categories
Air Bags
15Engine And Engine Cooling
15Service Brakes, Hydraulic
13Structure
13Unknown Or Other
13Fuel System, Gasoline
9Exterior Lighting
8Seats
8Engine
7Equipment
6Seat Belts
6Suspension
6Latches/locks/linkages
4Tires
4Wheels
4Fuel System, Other
3Fuel/propulsion System
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Visibility/wiper
2Interior Lighting
1Service Brakes
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

264 reports with mileage · 66 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 185 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports6 fire reports15 injury reports

Visibility complaints

23 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2004
StructureVisibility

UPON DELIVERY OF NEW 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TWO OF THE FOUR BOLTS THAT HOLD THE TRUNK LID TO THE VEHICLE WERE BROKEN COMPLETELY OFF. ALSO, THE REAR WINDOW HAD TO BE REMOVED AND NEW WEATHER STRIPPING HAD TO BE APPLIED BY THE DEALER BODY SHOP. THE WEATHER STRIPPING THAT WAS APPLIED AT THE FACTORY IN LORDST…

Read full complaint

UPON DELIVERY OF NEW 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TWO OF THE FOUR BOLTS THAT HOLD THE TRUNK LID TO THE VEHICLE WERE BROKEN COMPLETELY OFF. ALSO, THE REAR WINDOW HAD TO BE REMOVED AND NEW WEATHER STRIPPING HAD TO BE APPLIED BY THE DEALER BODY SHOP. THE WEATHER STRIPPING THAT WAS APPLIED AT THE FACTORY IN LORDSTOWN WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. THE TRUNK AND REAR SEAT WAS SOAKED WITH RAIN WATER THE DAY AFTER DELIVERY TO ME. THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE WAS IN THE BODY SHOP FOR A TOTAL OF 6 DAYS. CHEVROLET WAS NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF THESE PROBLEMS BY ME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10063855

1,500 miles · Mar 18, 2004
Visibility

I DISCOVERED AT 1500 MILES MY 2004 CAVALIER LS HAD A LEAK APPARENT IN THE ROOF LINER. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TURNS OUT THE REAR BACK WINDOW SEAL WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND WAS CRIMPED UPON INSTALLATION AT THE FACTORY. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY GM AND WAS FIXED TO MY SATISFACTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10062531

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2004
Visibility

ON INTERMITTENT SETTING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY MOVE ACROSS WINDSHIELD IN SPURTS, STOPING EVERY SECOND. WORKS NORMALLY ON HIGH SETTINGS. ON PREVIOUS REPAIR, WIPER LINKAGES FAILED RESULTING IN ONE WIPER REMAINING PARKED AT ALL TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058199

Official recalls

1

04V300000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Jun 23, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.