2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (79) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel (61) · Vehicle Speed Control (23)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Cavalier model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
263 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (476)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-03-28 · 23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on onstar module 2g sunset information.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Showing the 6 most recent of 476 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-05-17 · Steering“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…”
2022-02-07 · Suspension“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.…”
2021-11-01 · Suspension · 200,000 mi“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 ma…”
2020-12-13 · Power Train · 85,509 mi“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 0…”
2020-03-18 · Seat Belts · 49,000 mi“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.…”
2019-11-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 11,000 mi“when i'm driven about 25 miles the accelerator stays stuck and the speed keep goin up if you don't put the brakes…”
2019-11-04 · Air Bags · 165,700 mi“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.…”
2019-06-29 · Steering · 166,000 mi“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 steerin…”
2019-02-18 · Vehicle Speed Control · 135,000 mi“while driving the gas pedal gets stuck and accelerates.…”
2018-09-03 · Vehicle Speed Control · 185,000 mi“lost partial control of the steering because sheer pen released and erratic speedometer-( instrument cluster failure )…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.