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2005 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cavalier years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 140.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

230 reports with mileage · 57 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 211 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

13 reports
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22,889 miles · Jan 5, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT BRAKES VIBRATED AND PULSATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THEY RESURFACED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STILL HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT HAS NOT RETURNED VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT BRAKES VIBRATED AND PULSATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THEY RESURFACED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STILL HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT HAS NOT RETURNED VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146989

1,600 miles · Nov 1, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE FAILURE ON MY NEW 2005 CAVALIER. CREATED A VERY TERRIFYING RIDE HOME FOR MY SON, WHO WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THEY HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CAR TO OPERABLE CONDITION FOR M…

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BRAKE FAILURE ON MY NEW 2005 CAVALIER. CREATED A VERY TERRIFYING RIDE HOME FOR MY SON, WHO WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THEY HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CAR TO OPERABLE CONDITION FOR ME TO DRIVE, AS OF 11-01-05/1:32 P.M.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10141410

129,800 miles · Jul 28, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

DT: 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO TURN IT TOWARD THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE CURB. SHE WAS DRIVING AROU…

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DT: 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO TURN IT TOWARD THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE CURB. SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND 20-30 MPH. SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. THE FIRST TIME THE STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED WAS ON 7-25-05 ,AND THE LAST TIME WAS ON 7-27-05. THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10130500

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.