2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Owners have filed 428 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 45% of complaints. Next are cruise control (6%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 428 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 45% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 21 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 25 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 51,000 miles 340 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 59 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 50 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 88 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 44 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 30 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 32 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 12 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 11 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 6 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Of the 340 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 51,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 54,000 miles (152 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 21 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 25 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Chevrolet Cavalier with enough data (255 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
My 2004 chevy cavalier 2.2l base/sedan is well maintained. Three months after the purchase the fuel pump stopped working. Replaced by dealership under warranty. A year later the fuel pump was replaced again. Warranty period over. Cost me $896. Recently the fuel pump stopped working while I was driving. I was making a left turn at the intersection and proceeded to make the left and all of a sudden the engine stalled and steering froze forcing me into the light post after the turn.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the fuel evaporative emission light illuminated. He inspected the vehicle and noticed that the fuel filler tube was covered with rust. An authorized dealer stated that the problem was common because of the road salts used in his particular state. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current and failure mileage was approximately 83,000. Updated 05/13/11 updated 07/08/11