RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Interior & seats Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Interior & seats reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Oct 22, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 330 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming interior

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Oct 22, 2016

1. SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT. 2. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT DROPPED WILL NOT GO BACK TO UPRIGHT POSITION.

NHTSA ID
10918076
Incident
Oct 16, 2016
Mileage
201,767 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Nov 23, 2010

THE TRUNK LATCH ON MY CAVALIER WON'T LATCH. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS BROKE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE TRUNK LATCH ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO I RARELY USE MY TRUNK. ALSO THE DEFROST,VENT KNOB QUIT WORKING IT TURN BUT WON'T SWITCH TO DEFROST OR THE DIFFERENT VENT SETTINGS. THE CD PLAYER WON'T TAKE, OR PLAY CD'S. THERE WAS A FLY ON MY WINDSHIELD RIGHT AROUND A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND I BARELY TAPPED THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALL OVER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10367334
Incident
Nov 23, 2000
Mileage
107,200 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jul 13, 2010

2004 CHEVY CAVALIER. BACK DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSE. I HAVE IT LOCKED NOW BUT CAN NOT OPEN IT. I AM AFRAID WHILE MY CHILD IS SITTING BACK THERE THE DOOR WILL SWING OPEN. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10342885
Incident
Apr 6, 2010
Mileage
100,120 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Feb 17, 2010
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN A TRUCK CRASHED INTO HER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. SHE ALSO CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE POLICE WAS THERE BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE GM MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. A REPRESENTATIVE WAS SCHEDULED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT THEY NEVER CAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 03/05/10

NHTSA ID
10311397
Incident
May 23, 2008
Mileage
45,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Feb 17, 2010
Crash reported2 injuries reported

VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH SEAT AND AIRBAG FAILURE ON 5-23-08. REPORTED TO GM 5/27/08 CASE. SPOKE WITH GM REP THEN TRANSFERRED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO SAID HE WOULD DISCUSS WITH DISTRICT MANAGER. ON 1/8/10 I AGAIN CALLED FOR FOLLOW-UP. THE PREVIOUS CASE HAD BEEN CLOSED AND A NEW ONE OPENED AND I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED. I FOLLOWED UP ON 2/16/09 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BEING HANDLED BY MOTORS LIQUIDATION. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN WAS SAFETY BASED - NOT MONEY BASED, STILL HAD THE VEHICLE FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE REP. EXPLAINED BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE "NEW" GM THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT IT. I EXPLAINED THE ACCIDENT DATE WAS OF NO CONCERN TO THE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AS THERE ARE STILL THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THEY FAILED TO REPORT TO YOU ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE BIGGER ISSUE IS GM'S POLICY OF REPORTING AND INVESTIGATING SAFETY ISSUES. IF MINE IS AN EXAMPLE, HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN IGNORED OR DISCARDED BECAUSE OF THE BANKRUPTCY FILING? IN OTHER WORDS, IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEN WE CAN ASSUME IT MAY BE AN ISSUE OF RECALL NOW REGARDLESS OF "NEW" OR "OLD" GM STATUES. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME THIS BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. WE STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE SITTING IN OUR BACK YARD FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE. AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO DISPOSE OF IT AND MOVE ON. I JUST FEEL A MORAL OBLIGATION - WHERE OBVIOUSLY GM DOES NOT. I AM HAPPY TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. PLEASE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY - I DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO EXPERIENCE THE INJURIES WE HAVE - ESPECIALLY IF IT IS PREVENTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10311377
Incident
May 23, 2008
Mileage
45,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 6, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPRINGS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WERE EXPOSED AND BEGAN TO UNRAVEL. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT ADJUSTER WAS DAMAGED ON THE LEFT BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED AND WAS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID
10237196
Incident
May 1, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats
Filed Jun 13, 2008

THE CAR HAS A MAJOR WIRING OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT ITS NOT DETECTED BY MECHANICS. I HAVE A TEMP GAUGE THAT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE, SOMETIMES IT EVEN TOUCHES THE FAR BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE OF THE CONTROL PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER IS NO LONGER WORKING, DRIVING OR PARKED I AM GOING -3 MILES AN HOUR. THE RPMS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT WHICH IS RARELY. THE ONLY GAUGE WORKING IS THE GAS. IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF AND CONTINUES TO DATE. I HAVE BEEN IN MID-LEFT TURN ON MAJOR INTERSECTIONS OF LOS ANGELES AND IT JUST DIED. I COMMUTE ON THE 110 FWY AND IT HAS JUST DIED, ALWAYS WHILE I AM ACCELERATING NEVER PARKED. THEN IN A FEW SECONDS YOU CRANK THE KEY AND YOUR OFF AND RUNNING AGAIN. IT IS SO SCARY BECAUSE IT IS SO UNPREDICTABLE. I HAVE RECEIVED SPEEDING TICKETS NOT KNOWING MY SPEED AND MECHANIC CANT FIND THE PROBLEM. WHAT DO I DO??? *TR

NHTSA ID
10230982
Incident
Sep 15, 2006
Mileage
30,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE BULGE IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE DISASSEMBLED AND THE SPRING OR THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,700.

NHTSA ID
10227761
Incident
Mar 11, 2008
Mileage
24,700 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Nov 28, 2007

WE HAVE THREE CHEVROLET CAVALIERS (YEARS: 1999, 2000, 2004). ALL THREE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AT LEAST ONE CRACK IN THE PART OF THE DASH THAT IS IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONCERN IS IN A SIGNIFICANT CRASH IF THIS CRACK WOULD CAUSE FACIAL OR UPPER BODY INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH. IN ADDITION, ONLY THE 2004 CAVALIER HAS HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT -- SPRINGS ARE COMING THROUGH THE REAR UPPER PORTION OF THE SEAT, THE SEAT CUSHION IS LESS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT THAN THE RIGHT AND THE RECLINER HANDLE HAS BROKEN TWICE (WAS REPAIRED ONCE BY TINCHER WILLIAMS CHEVROLET IN LONDON, KY; BUT REMAINS BROKEN TODAY). TODAY'S DATE WAS USED BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO ACTUAL INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210240
Incident
Nov 27, 2007
ElectricalFuel systemInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Aug 30, 2006

I BOUGHT MY CAR, A 2004 CHEVY CAVALIER WITH 21 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN I HAVE TRIED TO RETURN IT AND NOW THE MINOR BUT FREQUENT ISSUES ARE MUCH BIGGER AND MORE FREQUENTLY! FIRST MY TRUNK LATCH BROKE A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. THE CD BROKE THE NEXT WEEK, CIGARETTE LIGHTER BROKE, AND PASSENGER SEAT WOULDN'T MOVE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE FUEL GAUGE BROKE, TEMP GAUGE AND AC. THEY COULDN'T VERIFY IT SO COULDN'T REPAIR, UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FAILED THIS MONTH. ALSO, I WAS LEFT STRANDED AT 2:30 AM WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD SON WHEN THE CLUTCH FELL THROUGH THE FLOOR. IT WAS REPAIRED AND NOW THE RPMS SHOOT UP TO 6000, IS UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY PEDALS, AND REQUIRES TURNING THE ENGINE OFF. THIS HAPPENED IN SAN FRANCISCO ON HIGHWAY 101, I AM TRULY AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF. SON, AND OTHERS DRIVING THIS CAR OR NEAR ONE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER UNMENTIONED THINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED, TOO MANY TO TELL IN THIS SUMMARY. THEY OF COURSE CAN'T DUPLICATE THIS MAJOR PROBLEM AND THEREFORE CAN'T "CORRECT." ALSO THEY STATE IT DOESN'T FALL UNDER LEMON, BUT WHAT IS AT STAKE OUR LIVES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10167018
Incident
Aug 20, 2006
Mileage
5,000 mi
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Jun 4, 2006

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE GRINDING SINCE I BOUGHT MY 04 CAVALIER. IT HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WAS ONLY RUST BUILD UP AND IT WAS SANDED OFF ONLY TO RECCUR. THE LAST TIME IN THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IF I WANTED A BRAKE JOB DONE IT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $140.00...THIS...WAS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THE CAR WAS IN FOR THE PREVIOUS 2 TIMES AND NO NEW BRAKES INSTALLED..ONLY THE RUST GROUND OFF. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PERIODICALLY GOES OFF AND ON AND THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE WHY. I NO LONGER HAVE ANY LIGHTS ON MY RADIO/CD PLAYER..I CAN PLAY CD'S AND USE THE RADIO BUT HAVE NO IDEA WHAT STATION ETC I AM ON. SHORTLY AFTER THIS OCCURRED IN LIKE 2 WEEKS, I LOST MY SPEEDOMETER...IT WORKS BRIEFLY AND THEN STICKS AT 90 MPH ( THE ODOMETER WORKS HOWEVER) THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED FUSES AND SAID ALL WAS FINE. THEY SAID IT APPEARED TO BE A CLUSTER MODULE AND EVEN THOUGH THE PART WAS NOT THAT EXPENSIVE, THE LABOR WOULD BE THE MOST BECAUSE IT ENTAILED THEM REMOVING THE DASH BOARD. THE COST FACTOR OF OVER $400 WAS VERBALLY GIVEN TO ME. I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND GIVEN MY CAR IS OFF WARRANTY, I WOULD NEED TO ABSORB THIS COST MYSELF. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND FEEL THAT AFTER LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF OWNING IT, THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I GAVE AN ESTIMATED ACCOUNT OF DATES OF INCIDENT BEEN THEY HAVE BEEN ON GOING AND CAN BE VERIFIED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AS I HAVE TAKEN IT NO WHERE ELSE FOR SERVICE. I AM REGISTERED WITH CARSTATS AND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THINGS I AM EXPERIENCING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10158938
Incident
Jan 10, 2006
Mileage
40,000 mi
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Mar 6, 2006

BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2004 CAVALIER APPROXIMATELY APRIL 2004. SINCE PURCHASE DATE,CAR HAS BEEN INTO DEALERSHIP DUE TO LOUD GRINDING NOISES IN BRAKES 3 TIMES. FIRST TIME TO BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. EVERY TIME I HAVE BEEN THE NOISES ARE RUST BUILDUP ON SHOES AND PADS. THE REMEDY WAS TO SAND THE RUST, IT WORKED BUT TEMPORARILY. I HAD THE CAR IN AGAIN NOVEMBER 2005 FOR THIS SAME THING & MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE TECH TOLD ME I HAD RUST & THE ROTORS WERE " A LITTLE OUT OF ROUND". HE TOLD ME THE CAR HAD 30,000 MILES ON & THEY COULDN'T DO NEW BRAKES AS WARRANTY IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $140.00. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ATTRIBUTED IT TO HAVING SOME FLOATS IN TANK FROM GAS THAT AFFECTED A SENSOR. WOULDN'T CAUSE PROBLEMS THEY SAID & IT STILL HAPPENS. THE 2ND VISIT TO THE DEALER THEY FIX A SIDE MIRROR & DEFROSTER..DIDN'T WORK. 1 WEEK AGO, I HAVE USE OF RADIO & CD PLAYER ONLY NO LIGHTS/RADIO NOW. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED CAR UP MY & SPEEDOMETER SAYS 35 MPH IDLING. GOING WITH TRAFFIC FLOW IT REGISTERED 105 & IS NOW STOPPED THERE. MILEAGE GAUGE, GAS AND OTHER LIGHTS STILL WORK AS DOES GAS GAUGE. I CALLED A LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP NEAR ME & INQUIRED AS TO AN APROX. COST TO HAVE RADIO & SPEEDOMETER FIXED/LOOKED AT. WARRANTY NOW IS OFF. I WAS TOLD LABOR BE THE EXPENSIVE PART..LOOKING AT $400 OR MORE. I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME & CAN'T AFFORD THIS. BRAKES/RADIO/SPEEDOMETER ARE NOTHING I CAUSED. I WAS NEVER OFFERED TO HAVE BRAKES REPLACED. SPEEDOMETER ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CHECKED WEBSITES TO SEE IF THERE WERE COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE& THERE ARE. I HAVE GUESSED THE INCIDENT DATE I CANNOT RECALL EXACT DATE I TOOK CAR IN FOR THE 1ST BRAKE ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151841
Incident
Aug 10, 2004
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 23, 2005

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHT KEPT GOING OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS ON HER WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSURE IF THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN CORRECTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10143575
Incident
Sep 1, 2005
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 1, 2005

MY 2004 CAVALIER HAS THE DASH CLUSTER GOING OUT. THEREFORE, MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES THAT I HAVE HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES BECAUSE I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE TOO FAST, BUT THOUGHT THAT I WAS SLOW ENOUGH. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. WELL, I FEEL THAT IT IS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT YET THEY ARE CHARGING PEOPLE TO FIX THE CLUSTER. THE COST RUN UP TO $350.00 IF NOT MORE. I AM ALSO AT RISK OF GETTING A TICKET. I HAVE E-MAILED GM, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. I DO KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER 2004 MODELS ALSO FROM SPEAKING WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. PLEASE HELP IN THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEBODY POSSIBLY IS HURT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10141382
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 9, 2005

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WITH MY 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, 4 DR SEDAN, VIN #[XXX]TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH ON MONDAY, 8/8/05 DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS ,I LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND LO AND BEHOLD IT REGISTERED ZERO. THE ZERO READING CONTINUED FOR UP TO 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT BEGAN TO RECORD SPEED. I BROUGHT IT TO LOU BACHRODT CHEVROLET THE SAME DAY AT 5500 N STATE RD. 7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, TELEPHONE #(954) 247-3000, INVOICE [XXX]. TODAY, 8/9/05 AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, AND THEREFORE COULD NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR THE SPEEDOMETER COMPONENTS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT. THEREFORE, NOTHING WAS DONE AND I WAS SENT ON MY WAY. I FEEL MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ARE AT RISK IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN WHICH IT PROBABLY WILL SINCE THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR IT. IF I AM GOING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE AND NOT KNOW WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELING AT, THIS COULD LEAD TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE CHILDREN, MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10132157
Incident
Aug 8, 2005
ElectricalInterior & seatsTires & wheels
Filed Jun 24, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WENT BAD, AND THEN THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RADIO HAD TO REPLACED 3 TIMES, AND THE ALARM WENT OFF AT RANDOM. ALSO, DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BODY MODULE CONTROL UNIT. THE FRONT END HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE WHEEL COVERS AND THE CLICKING NOISE WAS A RESULT OF THIS. THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL COVERS TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10126517
Incident
Apr 13, 2004
Mileage
2,491 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 19, 2005

DT: THE BACK SEAT FOLD UP WHILE IT IS LOCKED IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE CLIP, BUT IT STILL CONTINUED TO FOLD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE ONLY THING THEY COULD OFFER WAS TO ORDER THE BOTTOM PART OF THE SEAT, BUT MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE CLIP WOULD BE THE SAME. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE BBB AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMERS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER SAID TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND LET THEM ATTEMPT TO PUT A BACK SEAT IN IT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10121605
Incident
Mar 15, 2005
Mileage
35,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 31, 2004
1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
10104865
Incident
Dec 23, 2004

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