CHEVROLET CAVALIER · model year

2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

428 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004CHEVROLETCAVALIER carries 428 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 21 crashes, 7 fires, 25 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 CAVALIER is electrical system with 109 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (67) and vehicle speed control (24). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2004 CAVALIER, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

428
Complaints
21
Crashes
7
Fires
25
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

428 filings

Crashes Reported

21 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM109
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL67
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL24
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
STEERING13
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION11
AIR BAGS11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH7
STRUCTURE:BODY7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7
ENGINE7

Recalls (2)

04V30000023/06/2004

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

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.

08E06300017/10/2008

STEERING

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DU

Recent Complaints

20240517STEERING

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

20220207SUSPENSION

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.

20211101SUSPENSION

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 manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20201213POWER TRAIN

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 09/13/2011 THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE SHIFTER CABLE BROKE AND I HAD TO BE TOWED TO LOU BACHRODT CHEVROLET BOTH TIMES. THE 2ND TIME INVOICE NO. CWCS692729 $502.24 AND $477.55 INVOICE NO.CWCS149491 THE FIRST TIME. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. TWO TIMES IS TOO MANY.

Mileage: 85,509

20200318SEAT BELTS

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.

Mileage: 49,000

20191123VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN I'M DRIVEN ABOUT 25 MILES THE ACCELERATOR STAYS STUCK AND THE SPEED KEEP GOIN UP IF YOU DON'T PUT THE BRAKES

Mileage: 11,000

20191104AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 165,700

20190629STEERING

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 STEERING OR DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CONTROL OVER THE STEERING BECAUSE IT BECOMES SO TIGHT.

Mileage: 166,000

20190218VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND ACCELERATES.

Mileage: 135,000

20180903VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE SHEER PEN RELEASED AND ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER-( INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE )

Mileage: 185,000

20180903STEERING

LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE SHEER PEN RELEASED AND ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER-( INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE )

Mileage: 185,000

20180321VISIBILITY/WIPER

TAKATA RECALL WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKEN WHILE CAR IN MOTION ON A RAINY DAY AND MY CAR STALLS EVERYDAY WHILE AT LIGHT EVEN SHUTS OFF IF I'M AT LIGHT

20180321UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKEN WHILE CAR IN MOTION ON A RAINY DAY AND MY CAR STALLS EVERYDAY WHILE AT LIGHT EVEN SHUTS OFF IF I'M AT LIGHT

20170804ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD MY USED CHEVY CAVALIER 2004 CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR. AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE ENGINE HAS JUST STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE TIME SPAN OF 5 MONTHS. NO ONE ( AUTO SHOPS) CAN FIND THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ZERO ANSWERS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WOULD BE BANNED FROM THE INTERNET IF I SAID WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY TO CHEVY. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY...AUG 3RD 2017.

20170804ENGINE

I HAVE HAD MY USED CHEVY CAVALIER 2004 CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR. AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE ENGINE HAS JUST STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE TIME SPAN OF 5 MONTHS. NO ONE ( AUTO SHOPS) CAN FIND THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ZERO ANSWERS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WOULD BE BANNED FROM THE INTERNET IF I SAID WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY TO CHEVY. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY...AUG 3RD 2017.

20170804UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE HAD MY USED CHEVY CAVALIER 2004 CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR. AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE ENGINE HAS JUST STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE TIME SPAN OF 5 MONTHS. NO ONE ( AUTO SHOPS) CAN FIND THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ZERO ANSWERS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WOULD BE BANNED FROM THE INTERNET IF I SAID WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY TO CHEVY. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY...AUG 3RD 2017.

20170514STEERING

I'VE OWNED THE 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER SINCE IT HAD 2000 MILES. IT CURRENTLY HAS AROUND 85000. WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2017 A GREASY BOLT CAME FLYING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I'VE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS AND ACCIDENTS DUE TO FAULTY "PINS" THAT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT. NOW MY 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER STEERING WHEEL MOVES TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THIS CONDITION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS OCCURRED IN MANY GM/ CHEVROLET CARS. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND BEING CHECKED OUT.

Mileage: 85,000

20170119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20170119VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20161214ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CLUSTER PANEL TEMP GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING NOW THE GAUGE IS STAYING IN ONE SPOT SO HAVE NO IDEA IF TEMP IS GOOD OR NOT. WHAT IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE I WILL NOT KNOW WITHOUT THIS WORKING. HAVE TAKEN TO TWO GARAGES THEY BOTH SAY ITS THE CLUSTER PANEL. STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING ,GAGE STAYS THE SAME.THIS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH ONLY 68,500 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 68,500

Compare 2004CHEVROLETCAVALIER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER have?
The 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER has 428 NHTSA complaints, 21 crashes, 7 fires, 25 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER?
Yes, the 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER?
The most-complained component for the 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 109 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.