2005 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical system problems

Owners reported electrical system problems in 216 complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, 60% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

Complaints: 216 60% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage: 70,000 miles 181 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires: 1 and 0
Injuries and deaths: 1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When electrical system problems show up

Based on 181 complaints that include mileage. 36% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.

View the numbers

Mileage	Complaints
0k to 20k miles	6
20k to 40k miles	16
40k to 60k miles	43
60k to 80k miles	45
80k to 100k miles	33
100k to 120k miles	21
120k to 140k miles	8
140k to 160k miles	4
160k to 180k miles	3
180k to 200k miles	1
200k+ miles	1

What the data shows

Of the 181 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 70,000 miles, and 36% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

I had test drove my vehicle and it was perfect, the seat didn't move and the seats weren't electric. I went home returned to pickup vehicle and on the way the seats moved and became hot as though there was a heater in them. I mentioned it to the dealer a few days later and all he said, "we did not add anything to your vehicle". Someone did, and I would like that which was installed removed whatever it is.

Reported at 150 miles, April 2005

I have a 2005 chevy cavalier ls the instrument cluster has gone wacky all the gauges are to the right and you cannot tell what speed you are going, how much gas you have, what the temp is. Only have 19,000 miles on the thing and the list of complaints I see regarding this problem , I think GM should issue a recall.

Reported at 18,234 miles, October 2010

Electrical system problems in other years

Electrical system problems across all Chevrolet models