2004 Chevrolet Cavalier: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 330 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (50% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 330 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the front driver's side tire had detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic went to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the lower control arm rusted and detached from the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2021
“The vehicle failed to pass pa. state inspection due to a severely rusted frame over the rear axles. The estimate to repair the frame was @$3000.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2021
“In the parking lot where I work my car would not start. When moving the automatic transmission lever it did not catch on to anything. The car just rolled backwards and I had to immediately press on the brakes preventing an accident. My car had to be towed to the auto shop. Diagnosis: shifter cable was detached from transmission. Previously on 09/13/2011 the same thing happened to my car. The shifter cable broke and I had to be towed to lou bachrodt chevrolet both times. The 2nd time invoice no. Cwcs692729 $502.24 and $477.55 invoice no.cwcs149491 the first time. This car should be recalled. Two times is too many.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“The whole steering column is loose The pins are all backed out I'm afraid to drive it I think this is a manufactured design flaw”Owner report · Steering · May 2020
“Can't safely install a car seat because the safety belts do not properly retract. Therefore the car seat is not stable. The vehicle was stationary.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2020
“Airbag light comes on at random intervals for about 5 seconds, then turns off. Speed, road conditions, and gear make no difference as to when it comes on. It has come on while turning, while driving in town at 20 mph, while at a complete stop, while going over a bump, and while going 50mph on the highway.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“Every time I go to my job my power steering reservoir becomes empty after I put one or more quarts in the reservoir. Anytime I drive at highway speeds I sway back and forth no matter how much control I have over the vehicle. My steering gets so hard to the point where I almost crash every time I drive my car anywhere because I have no power steering or don't have a lot of control over the steering because it becomes so tight.”Owner report · Steering · May 2019
“Takata recall windshield wiper linkage broken while car in motion on a rainy day and my car stalls everyday while at light even shuts off if I'm at light”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2018
“I have had my used chevy cavalier 2004 car for almost a year. As I have been driving the engine has just stopped. This has happened 4 times in the time span of 5 months. No one ( auto shops) can find the issue. They have zero answers. This is dangerous and has caused accidents. I would be banned from the internet if I said what I really want to say to chevy. The most recent time this happened was yesterday...aug 3rd 2017.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2017
“I've owned the 2004 chevrolet cavalier since it had 2000 miles. It currently has around 85000. When driving vehicle in april of 2017 a greasy bolt came flying out of the steering column area. After doing some research I've found many complaints and accidents due to faulty "pins" that hold the steering wheel tight. Now my 2004 chevrolet cavalier steering wheel moves to the right and left. This condition is very dangerous and has occurred in many gm/ chevrolet cars. Vehicle is currently at a chevrolet dealership and being checked out.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT NUT AND BOLT.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND INSTALL A NEW NUT AND BOLT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cavalier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
NHTSA has 330 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The most complained-about area is electrical system (50% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 54,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.