2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical21060.0%
- Driver assistance185.1%
- Brakes164.6%
- Fuel system164.6%
- Body & structure144.0%
- Interior & seats123.4%
- Visibility113.1%
- Transmission102.9%
- Steering82.3%
- Engine72.0%
- Airbags61.7%
- Powertrain (other)61.7%
- Other / unspecified51.4%
- Exterior lighting51.4%
- Seat belts30.9%
- Suspension20.6%
- Tires & wheels10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY MOM WAS DRIVING THE CAR AS NORMAL DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY AND ALL THE GUAGES IN THE ENTIRE DASH SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. SOME CAME BACK ON AND OFF A COUPLE WEEKS. SOME NEVER DID. BUT AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS ALL STOPPED WORKING AND NOW NOTHING WORKS. NO HEAT GUAGE, NO FUEL GUAGE, NO TEMP GUAGE, NO SPEEDOMETER, AND NO FUEL GUAGE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, AND TACHOMETER WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
NONE OF THE GAGES WORK DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING
CAR WAS AT A RED LIGHT SPEEDOMETER INDICATED 85 MPH. UPON START UP SPEED INDICATED 110 AND AT NEXT STOP WENT DOWN TO 90. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A COUPLE DAYS THE INDICATED SPEED WAS 45. DRIVING IN A 25MPH ZONE AND SPEED INDICATED 85.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING AND STAYS ON 100 CAR ONLY HAS 35,000 MILES, ALSO THE POWER STEERING LINE BROKE OPEN AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT TIMES POPS ONTO MY TIRE CAUSING MY CAR TO SLAM FORWARD AND THEN IT RELEASES. I REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE AND THE POWER STEERING LINE BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE SPEEDOMETER /CLUSTER
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME TODAY AND THINK GOD MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING..MY GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING ON THE CAR WHICH IS DOES FROM TIME TO TIME. WE MERGE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE GAS PEDAL ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP IT JUST KEEP GETTING FASTER,, MY BRAKES WOULD NOT EVEN STOP IT OR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE EITHER..WE HAD TO RUN SOME RED LIGHTS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT STOP IT SO WE COULD TRY TO GET HOME WITHOUT CRASHING THE CAR TO STOP IT BUT WE COULD SLOW IT DOWN PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS BURNING UP THE BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION. FINALLY WE GOT IN FRONT MY HOUSE AND HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK FAST JUST TO STOP IT. THE GAS PEDAL ONLY ACCELERATES AND THE BRAKES DON'T EVEN WORK ON IT...WE COULD OF DIED TODAY!!! I'M SO GLAD I WAS NOT DRIVING IT..I WOULD OF HAD TO CALL 911 AND HAVE THE COPS BOX ME IN TO STOP. I MESSED UP MY BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION ON IT JUST TO STOP IT TODAY. I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS AND I SEE THAT PEOPLE HAD PROBLEMS BUT NO RECALLS...I SAW MY LIFE FLASH FOR MY EYES TODAY AND PUT MY TRUST IN MY CAR EVERYDAY THINKING THAT THEY MADE IT RIGHT..??? *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FAMILY MEMBER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
PLEASE CALL ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS, [XXX] IS HOW I THINK ANYTHING WILL GET DONE, JUST CALLED TODAY 02-20-15. GAS GAUGE WENT OUT 02-07-15 ( MILEAGE 40000) AND IS HITTING AGAINST MY TEMP GAUGE SO I DON'T KNOW HOW HIT MY CAR IS GETTING. I REPLACED MY TEMP GAUGE BACK IN 01-07-12 MILEAGE(29111) CAUSE IT WAS HITTING AGAINST MY SPEEDOMETER<--- THIS WAS NOT REPLACED BUT I DONT THINK TILL THIS DAY IT SHOWS THE RIGHT SPEED. AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK BACK IN 2006 CRASH NO FAULT OF THE CAR THEN, SOMEONE HIT ME, SO DONT EVEN KNOW IF THEY WILL. CALLED GM ABOUT THAT IN 2012 AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. FORGOT TO TELL KIMMY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TODAY. GOOD LUCK GETTING THESE PROBLEMS FIXED. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY KIDS AND FAMILY AROUND ONLY CAR I HAVE SO I HOPE SOMETHING IS FIXED BEFORE WE GET HURT. AND I HOPE FOR THE ONES THAT FIXED THESE REPAIRS GET THERE MONEY BACK IF THEY FIND IT TO BE A ISSUE.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DISINTEGRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.UPDATED 10/13/16 *BF
ON OCTOBER 1ST 2015 WE WERE STOPPED FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON THE HIGHWAY. AT THAT TIME WE WERE REAR ENDED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER. IMPACT WAS ON THE BUMPER, PASSENGER SIDE. ON IMPACT THE PASSENGER SEAT BROKE AND SLAMMED ME FORWARD THEN BACK INTO A RECLINING POSITION. I WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE.I WAS IN PT FOR 6 WEEKS. ALSO AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A REAR END COLLISION THAT TOTALLED CAR. ALSO PASSENGERS SEAT BROKE CAUSING NECK AND RIB INJURY.VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WAITING FOR CONSTRUCTION FLAGMAN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FRACTURED ALONG WITH THE HORN AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT WORK WILL NOT ROLL DOWN WILL NOT ROLL UP. THE REAR-DRIVER-SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT WORK WILL NOT ROLL DOWN WILL NOT ROLL UP, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT WORK WILL NOT ROLL DOWN WILL NOT ROLL UP. *TR
1ST ISSUE WAS THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED MALFUNCTIONING OFF & ON. IT SHOWS GOING MUCH FASTER THAN CAR REALLY IS GOING. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. 2ND ISSUE WAS WARNING LIGHT WHICH A STATION TOLD ME THAT THE CODE IS FOR A MALFUNCTION IN THE FUEL LINE, IT SHOWS A MAJOR LEAK, BUT REPAIRMEN COULD FIND NO REAL LEAK. WARNING LIGHT DOES GO OFF & ON, SO NOT ON ALL THE TIME. 3RD ISSUE WAS OFF & ON THE FRONT DRIVER & PASSENGER WINDOWS START ROLLING DOWN OR UP AND THEN JUST QUIT, BUT START WORKING AGAIN AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE A COUPLE TIMES. 4TH ISSUE WAS THE RPM METER STARTED DOING WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER HAD BEEN DOING. 5TH ISSUE IS THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING. THAT'S THE ONLY ONE THAT HASN'T "FIXED" ITSELF. ALL THE OTHERS ARE OFF & ON WORKING OR NOT WORKING. THE WIPER WAS THE LATEST INCIDENT WITH ALL OF THEM STARTING IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH FAILED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAUSE WAS A RUBBER HYDRAULIC HOSE WAS INSTALLED NEXT TO A SHARP EDGE OF CHASSIS AND HOSE EVENTUALLY RUPTURED CAUSING PEDAL TO REMAIN DOWN AND VEHICLE WAS NOT CONTROLLABLE I HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE AND I HAVE THE PART FOR INSPECTION. *TR
2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER - (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO CHANGE GEARS WHILE DRIVING, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND STAYED THERE. COULD NO LONGER USE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS. CAR STAYED IN GEAR. PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HYDRAULIC LINE (HOSE) FAILING DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST A SHARP METAL ELECTRICAL CASE. GM DEALER REPLACED THE PART (#24233064), BUT HAS NOT MODIFIED THE ROUTING OF THE PART. SINCE THE NEW PART IS ROUTED AGAINST THE SAME SHARP METAL PART AND IS RUBBING AGAINST IT, THE FAILURE WILL OCCUR AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THERE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT UNDER DIFFERENT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. (IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE LESSENED, IF THE HYDRAULIC HOSE ROUTING WAS ROUTED DIFFERENTLY, OR THE SHARP METAL EDGE WAS SLIGHTLY MODIFIED.) THIS CAR HAD 66261 MILES ON IT, HOWEVER, THE PART HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED AT 31786 MILES. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COMPLIANT IS RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUSLY FILED COMPLAINTS: ODI ID NUMBERS 10237572, 10312149, 10163590, 10199524, 10200511, 10201764, 10231112, 10238456, 10239176,10245402, 10253573, 10260772, 10263228, 10276088, 10280611. (ODI NUMBERS 10237572, 10312149 INVOLVED CRASHES.) ODI NUMBERS 10150782, 10143646 MAY ALSO BE RELATED. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING AND STAYS ON 100 CAR ONLY HAS 35,000 MILES, ALSO THE POWER STEERING LINE BROKE OPEN AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT TIMES POPS ONTO MY TIRE CAUSING MY CAR TO SLAM FORWARD AND THEN IT RELEASES. I REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE AND THE POWER STEERING LINE BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE SPEEDOMETER /CLUSTER
2005 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EVENTS SHE EXPERIENCED T HAT AFFECTED THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES. *TGW ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE POWER STEERING HOSE, AND PUMP WERE REPLACED. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED IT'S SPEED TO ABOUT 80-90 MPH. I INITIALLY THOUGHT THE CAR ACCIDENTALLY SOME KIND OF WAY MADE CRUISE CONTROL COME ON. I AM NOT A FAN OF CRUISE CONTROL SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TURNED IT ON. AFTER THE ACCELERATION, I QUICKLY ATTEMPTED TO GET MY CAR BACK DOWN TO NORMAL DRIVING SPEED BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND DID NOT WANT TO CRASH WITH ANYONE BY ACCIDENT. I QUICKLY STOMPED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS DID NOT HELP AT ALL. MATTER OF FACT, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP TOO. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE BRAKES NOR THE GAS. THE GAS CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AT THIS POINT, I AM DOING ABOUT 100 MPH. I THOUGHT QUICKLY AND MANEUVERED MY WAY OUT OF TRAFFIC. I ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS BUT THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF PROTECTION AROUND ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A SINGLE SCRATCH ON ME OR THE CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE MY SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SLOW DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN A LITTLE CONTROL OF THE CAR BY PUTTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP AND PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THIS ONLY SLOWED THE CAR DOWN TO ABOUT 80 MPH. I HAD TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF THE STOP THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO CRANK THE CAR BUT THE ENGINE ONLY REVVED UP AND MADE MY CAR SMOKE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE AND MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR INNOCENT FAMILIES ON THE ROAD. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS UNEXPECTEDLY HAD THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
I DRIVE A 2005 CHEVY CAVALIER AND ON VERY HOT OR COLD DAYS, OR WHEN I DRIVE LONGER THAN USUAL DISTANCES (OVER 30 MILES), THE SPEEDOMETER OFTEN MALFUNCTIONS, EITHER BY GETTING STUCK READING OVER 110 MPH, EVEN WHEN STOPPED, OR BY READING UNDER ZERO, EVEN WHEN I'M MOVING. AND LATELY THE TEMP GAUGE HAS STARTED DOING THIS AS WELL, ALERTING TO ME OVERHEATING ON COLD DAYS EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS NOT OVERHEATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON. IT'S FRUSTRATING AND FRIGHTENING AND UNSAFE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A REAR END COLLISION THAT TOTALLED CAR. ALSO PASSENGERS SEAT BROKE CAUSING NECK AND RIB INJURY.VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WAITING FOR CONSTRUCTION FLAGMAN.
PLEASE CALL ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS, [XXX] IS HOW I THINK ANYTHING WILL GET DONE, JUST CALLED TODAY 02-20-15. GAS GAUGE WENT OUT 02-07-15 ( MILEAGE 40000) AND IS HITTING AGAINST MY TEMP GAUGE SO I DON'T KNOW HOW HIT MY CAR IS GETTING. I REPLACED MY TEMP GAUGE BACK IN 01-07-12 MILEAGE(29111) CAUSE IT WAS HITTING AGAINST MY SPEEDOMETER<--- THIS WAS NOT REPLACED BUT I DONT THINK TILL THIS DAY IT SHOWS THE RIGHT SPEED. AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK BACK IN 2006 CRASH NO FAULT OF THE CAR THEN, SOMEONE HIT ME, SO DONT EVEN KNOW IF THEY WILL. CALLED GM ABOUT THAT IN 2012 AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. FORGOT TO TELL KIMMY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TODAY. GOOD LUCK GETTING THESE PROBLEMS FIXED. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY KIDS AND FAMILY AROUND ONLY CAR I HAVE SO I HOPE SOMETHING IS FIXED BEFORE WE GET HURT. AND I HOPE FOR THE ONES THAT FIXED THESE REPAIRS GET THERE MONEY BACK IF THEY FIND IT TO BE A ISSUE.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CLUTCH DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A HOLE IN THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME TODAY AND THINK GOD MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING..MY GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING ON THE CAR WHICH IS DOES FROM TIME TO TIME. WE MERGE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE GAS PEDAL ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP IT JUST KEEP GETTING FASTER,, MY BRAKES WOULD NOT EVEN STOP IT OR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE EITHER..WE HAD TO RUN SOME RED LIGHTS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT STOP IT SO WE COULD TRY TO GET HOME WITHOUT CRASHING THE CAR TO STOP IT BUT WE COULD SLOW IT DOWN PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS BURNING UP THE BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION. FINALLY WE GOT IN FRONT MY HOUSE AND HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK FAST JUST TO STOP IT. THE GAS PEDAL ONLY ACCELERATES AND THE BRAKES DON'T EVEN WORK ON IT...WE COULD OF DIED TODAY!!! I'M SO GLAD I WAS NOT DRIVING IT..I WOULD OF HAD TO CALL 911 AND HAVE THE COPS BOX ME IN TO STOP. I MESSED UP MY BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION ON IT JUST TO STOP IT TODAY. I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS AND I SEE THAT PEOPLE HAD PROBLEMS BUT NO RECALLS...I SAW MY LIFE FLASH FOR MY EYES TODAY AND PUT MY TRUST IN MY CAR EVERYDAY THINKING THAT THEY MADE IT RIGHT..??? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER IN 2008. SINCE THEN ALL OF THE GAUGES ARE NOW INOPERABLE. THIS IS A GREAT INCONVENIENCE, AS WELL AS A SAFETY ISSUE. NOT KNOWING HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, OR WHAT THE TEMPERATURE IS CAN BECOME A HUGE ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION COSTLY. NOW, I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON THESE ISSUES AND I FEEL THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THEM. IF ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE OUT, THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS FROM THE FACTORY. I HOPE THIS MATTER IS BEING INVESTIGATED AND NOT JUST PUT TO THE SIDE TO CLAIM THAT IT MUST BE SOMETHING THAT THE DRIVERS ARE CAUSING. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT THE INTENTIONS ARE OF GM OR WHOMEVER IS RESPONSIBLE. WE PAID FOR THESE VEHICLES, WHICH ARE FAIRLY GOOD ONES, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE THE DECISION TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY CAVALIER ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY GAUGES WONT WORK. THE SPEED AND COOLANT TEMP. GAUGE ARE NOT ACCURATE AT ALL, THE SPEED GAUGE EITHER STARTS AT 70 AND GOES BEYOND THE 120MPH MARK OR JUST STAYS ON ZERO WHICH I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED IM GOING. I HEARD PEOPLE GOT THE GAUGES REPLACED BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON CLUSTER GAUGES. ONCE AGAIN MY SPEEDOMETER AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE DON'T WORK. THANK YOU *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND BOTH TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
LAST DECEMBER MY 2005 CAVALIER EXPERIENCED A SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS IN AN AREA WHERE THE SPEED ZONE CHANGED FROM 50 MPH TO 65 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED MY INCREASE IN SPEED FINE. WHEN I SLOWED DOWN, THE SPEEDOMETER STAYED IN PLACE. OVER THE PAST 7 MONTHS MY DASHBOARD GAUGES (FUEL, TEMP, SPEED, RPM) ALL MALFUNCTION. SOMETIMES THEY RESET THEMSELVES. MOST OF THE TIME I'M NEVER SURE HOW FAST I'M GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. MY ENGINE TEMP WILL READ OFF THE CHARTS EVEN ON A COOL MORNING AFTER IT HAS SAT STILL ALL NIGHT. ALTHOUGH THIS STARTED LAST DECEMBER, THE PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO THIS DAY. I HAVE POURED SO MUCH MONEY INTO OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR ALREADY, I'M CONVINCED IT IS NOT WORTH ONE MORE DIME TO FIX THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I'VE SPENT HUNDREDS ON POWER WINDOW MOTORS THAT CONTINUOUSLY MALFUNCTION. THE REAR RIGHT BLINKER HAS CONSISTENTLY GONE HAYWIRE AS WELL. I HAD RESIGNED MYSELF TO THE FACT THAT I WAS ONE IN A THOUSAND WHO HAPPENED TO GET AN ELECTRICAL LEMON. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CAVALIER OWNERS, HOWEVER, I REALIZE THAT CHEVROLET IN 2005 PLAYED A SICK JOKE ON THE WHOLE LOT OF US. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL IMPORTED CARS, MOSTLY HONDA'S AND TOYOTA, AND HAVE NEVER BEEN AS DISPLEASED. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED. THE CAR DRIVES GREAT. I WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AS I LIKED THE LOOK AND FEEL OF IT ON THE ROAD. I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHICCO KEYFIT 30 CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 05-07903-7200070, MANUFACTURED 10/01/2009. THE CHILD WAS SECURED IN A REARFACING INFANT CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT EQUIPPED WITH A SUN VISOR. THE PLASTIC TUBING WITHIN THE SUN VISOR FABRIC SLIPPED OUT AND THE CHILD INSERTED THE LONG PLASTIC TUBING INSIDE OF THE MOUTH. THE CHILD SUSTAINED SCRATCHES TO THE FACE DURING THE HANDLING OF THE PLASTIC TUBING. THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS INSTALLED WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
SAFETY BELT DRIVER SIDE LOCKS AND CANNOT BE USED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAULTY GAUGES CLUSTER. THE GAS, TEMPERATURE, SPEEDOMETER, AND RPM GAUGES STOP WORKING IN A WEEKLY BASIS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SINCE PURCHASE THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES DUE TO THE ROTORS WARPING AND A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE FIRST BRAKE REPLACEMENT WAS AT 3,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ON MAY 23, 2006 WHILE MAKING TURNS AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO FREE THE STEERING, THE CONTACT PULLED THE WHEEL SO HARD THAT SOMETHING BROKE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP THEREFORE, IT IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHAT REPAIRS ARE NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWAY BAR INSULATOR. UPDATED 06/16/06. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 CHEVY CAVALIER RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER THEN STRUCK A POST AND A GUARD RAIL. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .