Vehicle Data Hub

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical system problems

Owners reported electrical system problems in 192 complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, 45% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
192 45% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
54,000 miles 152 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
2 and 5
Injuries and deaths
2 and 1

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When electrical system problems show up

Electrical system complaints by mileage, 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 54,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 15 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 27 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 45 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 26 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 16 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 13 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 3 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 5 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 54,000 miles
Based on 152 complaints that include mileage. 57% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles15
20k to 40k miles27
40k to 60k miles45
60k to 80k miles26
80k to 100k miles16
100k to 120k miles13
120k to 140k miles3
140k to 160k miles5
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 152 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 54,000 miles, and 57% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, 1 death.

What owners wrote

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. Updated 02/26/06.

Reported at 30,300 miles, October 2005 CrashFireInjury

2004 chevy cavalier ls sport when turning on the car the speedometer shoots up past 80MPH at standstill. This occurs at least twice a year. Never know how fast you are going unless you actually sit there and count. Takes about 4 or 5 days before the speedometer makes its way back to 0MPH.

Reported at 60,000 miles, December 2009

Other problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

Electrical system problems in other years

Electrical system problems across all Chevrolet models