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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 →

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

What owners actually said

330 reports
117,000 miles · May 29, 2008
Electrical System

THE TACHOMETER IS FAILING TO WORK, THE SPEEDOMETER IS FAILING TO WORK, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WENT OUT, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON WITH THE ABS AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS STAY ON. THIS IS CONSTANT. NOW, I AM WORRIED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CHILDREN. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A CLEAR …

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THE TACHOMETER IS FAILING TO WORK, THE SPEEDOMETER IS FAILING TO WORK, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WENT OUT, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON WITH THE ABS AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS STAY ON. THIS IS CONSTANT. NOW, I AM WORRIED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CHILDREN. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A CLEAR CUT FIX FOR THIS WHEN TALKING TO THE CHEVY DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229180

77,000 miles · May 23, 2008
Electrical System

SOME TIMES THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD CHANGE TO 100 MPH WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OR WOULD JUST DROP TO ZEROMPH. THE TACHOMETER WOULD NOT CHANGE. HAD IT INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT WOULD WORK OK. THE DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS HE COULD SEE THE PROBLEM AND ANALYZE IT BECAUSE IT C…

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SOME TIMES THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD CHANGE TO 100 MPH WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OR WOULD JUST DROP TO ZEROMPH. THE TACHOMETER WOULD NOT CHANGE. HAD IT INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT WOULD WORK OK. THE DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS HE COULD SEE THE PROBLEM AND ANALYZE IT BECAUSE IT COULD BE THE CLUSTER ,LOOSE WIRE OR ANOTHER PART. IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 1 OR 2 TIMES A WEEK ON MY WAY TO WORK . I SET UP WITH DEALER TO HAVE HIM COME TO MY WORK TO CHECK IT OUT IF MALFUNCTIONED. SOME TIMES WHEN I STOPPED THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ ANY WHERE FROM 10 TO 45 MPH. FINALLY MALFUNCTIONED AND DEALER WAS ABLE TO CHECK IT OUT. CLUSTER WAS REPLACED ON WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228725

24,700 miles · May 14, 2008
Seats

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE BULGE IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE DISASSEMBLED AND THE SPRING OR THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE BULGE IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE DISASSEMBLED AND THE SPRING OR THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,700.

NHTSA ODI #10227761

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2008
Electrical System

ODOMETER WOULD NOT READ CORRECTLY AND WOULD END UP OVER 110MPH AND GET STUCK. EVENTUALLY WOULD MAKE IT TO 0 AND WORK FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THE GO BACK OVER 110MPH. WHILE IT WAS OVER 110 IF YOU STARTED THE CAR THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD TURN TOWARDS THE TEMP GAUGE. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUST…

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ODOMETER WOULD NOT READ CORRECTLY AND WOULD END UP OVER 110MPH AND GET STUCK. EVENTUALLY WOULD MAKE IT TO 0 AND WORK FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THE GO BACK OVER 110MPH. WHILE IT WAS OVER 110 IF YOU STARTED THE CAR THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD TURN TOWARDS THE TEMP GAUGE. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. COST ABOUT $400.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224067

46,000 miles · Mar 12, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE VEHICLE DEFROSTERS DO NOT WORK. THE DEFROSTERS ONLY BLOW OUT ONTO THE DASHBOARD, AND NOT THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE CAUSES DANGEROUS DRIVING DURING WINTER WEATHER. HE HAS CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT HAS GOTTEN NO RESPONSE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE VEHICLE DEFROSTERS DO NOT WORK. THE DEFROSTERS ONLY BLOW OUT ONTO THE DASHBOARD, AND NOT THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE CAUSES DANGEROUS DRIVING DURING WINTER WEATHER. HE HAS CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT HAS GOTTEN NO RESPONSE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO GET INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 49,000. UPDATED 4/29/08 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10220909

24,000 miles · Mar 3, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A TURN IN FIRST GEAR. THE RPM DECREASED TO 400 RPM AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CONTACT RELEASED HIS FOOT FROM THE CLUTCH AND THE MOTOR INCREASED TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A TURN IN FIRST GEAR. THE RPM DECREASED TO 400 RPM AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CONTACT RELEASED HIS FOOT FROM THE CLUTCH AND THE MOTOR INCREASED THE RPM'S AUTOMATICALLY. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL APPROXIMATELY TEN ATTEMPTS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 30 MPH. WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY HALF A TANK. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OVERHEAT, BUT THE GAUGE WOULD READ HOT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,500.

NHTSA ODI #10219878

77,100 miles · Feb 10, 2008
Electrical System

ON THE DATE LISTED BELOW, I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BEGAN TO, WELL, "STICK." AFTER A LENGTH OF TIME IT WILL NOT RETURN TO ZERO, AND OVER TIME, WILL DIP BELOW 110 MPH AND STAY THERE. I HAVE BEEN ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF CAVALIERS AND IMPALAS, SO THIS IS NO…

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ON THE DATE LISTED BELOW, I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BEGAN TO, WELL, "STICK." AFTER A LENGTH OF TIME IT WILL NOT RETURN TO ZERO, AND OVER TIME, WILL DIP BELOW 110 MPH AND STAY THERE. I HAVE BEEN ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF CAVALIERS AND IMPALAS, SO THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ME AS A DRIVER, TO NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, AND COULD POSE A DANGER FOR MY PASSENGERS AND OTHERS I DRIVE NEAR. AVERAGE REPAIR COSTS ARE $400, AND A PERSON DRIVING A CAVALIER WILL TYPICALLY NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO SPARE. GENERAL MOTORS NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217553

45,000 miles · Jan 21, 2008
Exterior LightingSeat Belts

WHEN I BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP, MY HEAD LIGHTS DIM SIGNIFICANTLY. IT HAPPENS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS AND LOW BEAMS. MY FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKS WITHOUT THE BRAKES ENGAGED, AND NEEDS TO BE UNBUCKLED TO UNLOCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215510

54,000 miles · Dec 10, 2007
Electrical System

FUEL GAUGE INOPERATIVE, POINTS TO THE TEMP GAUGE. SPEEDOMETER SOMETIMES WORKS. WHEN IT'S NOT, IT'S EITHER POINTING TO BELOW ZERO OR UP AT 90 MPH. MUST RELY ON ODOMETER(STILL WORKS) TO GAUGE FUEL USE. MUST DRIVE SLOWER THAN TRAFFIC TO INSURE I'M NOT SPEEDING. REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD YET. PROBLEM…

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FUEL GAUGE INOPERATIVE, POINTS TO THE TEMP GAUGE. SPEEDOMETER SOMETIMES WORKS. WHEN IT'S NOT, IT'S EITHER POINTING TO BELOW ZERO OR UP AT 90 MPH. MUST RELY ON ODOMETER(STILL WORKS) TO GAUGE FUEL USE. MUST DRIVE SLOWER THAN TRAFFIC TO INSURE I'M NOT SPEEDING. REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD YET. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 54,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211330

23,990 miles · Dec 6, 2007
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK ON A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211076

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.