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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
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

I'M FILING THIS FOR MY DAD. HE WOULDN'T KNOW HOW TO USE A COMPUTER. A MAN STOLE A VEHICLE AND WAS BEING CHASED BY POLICE IN KANSAS CITY WHEN MY DAD WAS IN THE INTERSECTION AT THE WRONG TIME AND WAS HIT SQUARE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF HIS CHEVY CAVALIER. I'M NOT SURE OF THE YEAR, BUT IT'S LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. HE HAD HIS SEAT BEL…

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I'M FILING THIS FOR MY DAD. HE WOULDN'T KNOW HOW TO USE A COMPUTER. A MAN STOLE A VEHICLE AND WAS BEING CHASED BY POLICE IN KANSAS CITY WHEN MY DAD WAS IN THE INTERSECTION AT THE WRONG TIME AND WAS HIT SQUARE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF HIS CHEVY CAVALIER. I'M NOT SURE OF THE YEAR, BUT IT'S LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. HE HAD HIS SEAT BELT ON, BUT THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. THE CRASH WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT HE HAS 7 FRACTURED RIBS, LEFT PELVIC FRACTURE, LEFT ACETABULAR FRACTURE, LEFT TIBIA/FIBULAR FRACTURES AND 2 FRACTURES IN THE ANKLE OF HIS LEFT FOOT. HE'S STILL IN REHAB. I'M NOT SURE THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE, BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS NOT A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. I JUST CLICKED NO ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE ABOUT RELEASE OF MY DAD'S INFORMATION SINCE YOU'D HAVE TO ASK HIM THAT QUESTION. THANKS FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. MY NUMBER IN SAN ANTONIO IS 210-492-7653 (BARBARA ROACH). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10151583

15,000 miles · Feb 9, 2006
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER HAS BEEN HAVING A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS ON DRY ROADS, IT WILL STALL AND SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE AUTO AIR CONTROL SYSTEM SENSOR AND THE ENTIRE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED AT A …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER HAS BEEN HAVING A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS ON DRY ROADS, IT WILL STALL AND SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE AUTO AIR CONTROL SYSTEM SENSOR AND THE ENTIRE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED AT A SERVICE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS SMOOTHLY, AND WILL REMAIN IN A LOWER GEAR AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #10149859

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2006
WheelsInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY CAVALIER, HIT A POT HOLE, AND WENT OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY. SHOULD THE ALUMINUM WHEEL-RIM, FACTORY-INSTALLED, HAVE BROKEN IN HALF WHEN THE AXLE WAS FINE? I AM SENSING METAL FATIGUE? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10147881

15,000 miles · Dec 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IN WET CONDITIONS MY 2004 CAVALIER DOES NOT STOP WELL. WHEN I WENT THROUGH THE CAR WASH IT ALMOST DIDN'T STOP WHEN I APPROACHED THE ROAD, NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WHEN THEY WASHED THE CAR AND THEN DROVE IT. SO THEY SENT ME AWAY AND DIDN'T FIX ANY…

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IN WET CONDITIONS MY 2004 CAVALIER DOES NOT STOP WELL. WHEN I WENT THROUGH THE CAR WASH IT ALMOST DIDN'T STOP WHEN I APPROACHED THE ROAD, NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WHEN THEY WASHED THE CAR AND THEN DROVE IT. SO THEY SENT ME AWAY AND DIDN'T FIX ANYTHING. I'M SCARED THAT MY TEENAGERS MAY NOT BE SAFE IN THIS CAR IN WET CONDITIONS. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH MY ENVOY OR MY VIBE AT THE SAME CAR WASH. I'VE WORKED AT GM FOR 30 YEARS AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144376

45,000 miles · Nov 25, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THANKSGIVING I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH APPEARED STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE REMAINDER OF THE WAY HOME (30 MILES) IF I SLOWED DOWN THE WOULD STALL AS I COULD NOT PUSH THE CLUTCH IN. THE CAR, A 2004 CAVALIER, HAS A TOTAL OF 42000 MILES ON IT. UPON GETTING THE CA…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THANKSGIVING I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH APPEARED STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE REMAINDER OF THE WAY HOME (30 MILES) IF I SLOWED DOWN THE WOULD STALL AS I COULD NOT PUSH THE CLUTCH IN. THE CAR, A 2004 CAVALIER, HAS A TOTAL OF 42000 MILES ON IT. UPON GETTING THE CAR TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE SLAVE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143646

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2005
Electrical System

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHT KEPT GOING OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS ON HER WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSURE IF THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN CORRECTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10143575

30,300 miles · Nov 16, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrashFireInjury

DT: WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A POSSIBLE MEDICAL CONDITION. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE…

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DT: WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A POSSIBLE MEDICAL CONDITION. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE SOLID FUEL LINES WERE INTACT AS WELL AS THE GASOLINE TANK. *AK UPDATED 02/26/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142860

48,540 miles · Nov 1, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IN RAINY CONDITIONS, MY CAVALIER DOES NOT SEEM TO STOP WELL AND THE ABS IS OVERACTIVE. PUDDLES, WET ROADS, RAIN, AND SNOW SEEM TO HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON MY STOPPING ABILITIES. IN TWO DIFFERENT RAIN STORMS I HAVE ALMOST HIT A POSSUM, A COP, A TREE LIMB, OTHER CARS, AND MISSED AN INTERSECTION; NON OF WHICH HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH…

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IN RAINY CONDITIONS, MY CAVALIER DOES NOT SEEM TO STOP WELL AND THE ABS IS OVERACTIVE. PUDDLES, WET ROADS, RAIN, AND SNOW SEEM TO HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON MY STOPPING ABILITIES. IN TWO DIFFERENT RAIN STORMS I HAVE ALMOST HIT A POSSUM, A COP, A TREE LIMB, OTHER CARS, AND MISSED AN INTERSECTION; NON OF WHICH HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH SPEEDING. THE LACK OF STOPPING ABILITY IS DANGEROUS TO ME AND OTHERS DRIVING AROUND ME. MY CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR ANYMORE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141475

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2005
Electrical System

MY 2004 CAVALIER HAS THE DASH CLUSTER GOING OUT. THEREFORE, MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES THAT I HAVE HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES BECAUSE I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE TOO FAST, BUT THOUGHT THAT I WAS SLOW ENOUGH. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. WELL, I …

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MY 2004 CAVALIER HAS THE DASH CLUSTER GOING OUT. THEREFORE, MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES THAT I HAVE HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES BECAUSE I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE TOO FAST, BUT THOUGHT THAT I WAS SLOW ENOUGH. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. WELL, I FEEL THAT IT IS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT YET THEY ARE CHARGING PEOPLE TO FIX THE CLUSTER. THE COST RUN UP TO $350.00 IF NOT MORE. I AM ALSO AT RISK OF GETTING A TICKET. I HAVE E-MAILED GM, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. I DO KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER 2004 MODELS ALSO FROM SPEAKING WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. PLEASE HELP IN THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEBODY POSSIBLY IS HURT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141382

37,100 miles · Oct 12, 2005
Electrical System

I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH OVER 29,000 MILES ON IT IN JULY OF 2005. THE CAR STOPS RUNNING AT ANY SPEED TRAVELED, EVERYTHING LOCKS UP SO IT IS HARD TO STEER OFF THE ROAD. AFTER I FINALLY PULL OF THE ROAD I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND THEN TURN IT ON AGAIN IT STARTS BACK UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH OVER 29,000 MILES ON IT IN JULY OF 2005. THE CAR STOPS RUNNING AT ANY SPEED TRAVELED, EVERYTHING LOCKS UP SO IT IS HARD TO STEER OFF THE ROAD. AFTER I FINALLY PULL OF THE ROAD I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND THEN TURN IT ON AGAIN IT STARTS BACK UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT " SINCE IT WONT HAPPEN TO THEM WHILE THEY DRIVE IT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, SO GO HOME AND CALL US IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN." SO I DID. THE 2ND TIME IT WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP THEY PUT IT ON A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FIXED 2 THINGS. NOW THE WARRANTY ENDS AND IT IS STILL DOING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT BUT WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ANYWAYS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY ENDED A LITTLE OVER 1,000 MILES AGO. I DRIVE IN THIS CAR EVERYDAY TO WORK WHICH IS A HALF HOUR AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AND TO SCHOOL 1 DAY A WEEK WHICH IS 3.5 HOURS FROM MY HOUSE. I ALSO HAVE MY CHILD IN THIS CAR AT ALL TIMES. I FEEL THIS CAR IS A HAZARD TO ALL THAT DRIVES IN IT AND I HONESTLY FEEL THAT THERE MAY BE AN ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE IF THIS DOESN'T GET FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10139395

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.