2005 Chevrolet Cavalier: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 287 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (68% of complaints).
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 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2018
“There is a known issue with the gauges in the 2005 chevrolet cavalier causing them to malfunction or not function at all intermittently. This is a safety hazard because you do not know how much fuel you have, the temperature of your engine, or your speed when the gauges fail.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2017
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cavalier. While the vehicle was parked or while driving, the fuel and temperature gauges failed to display the correct information. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cavalier. While driving 25 mph, all the instrument panel gauges illuminated without warning. It was diagnosed that the electronic instrument cluster failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cavalier. When attempting to drive the vehicle, the fuel, temperature, and speedometer gauges failed to work. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster gauges failed and needed to replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 53,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2016
“The speedometer has failed to register any speed and is stuck in a position past the highest speed on the gage face. The tachometer needle jumps around also leaving you no way to judge your speed. I just bought the car. The previous owner said it failed some time ago while he was driving it. I am pacing other cars while I am waiting for repair parts to get here.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2015
“Already complained here once. Now my car fuel gage is broke gos all the way over and hits on my temp gauge every so offen. Dont really know how much gas I have in it, but least can go 300-365 miles. Depending on how much I drive. I dont think that it should break after only 41000 miles. Last time I wrote on here it was my temp gauge that hit on my speedometer.. Think before long all will go out. Wish someone would do something for these cars, kind exp to keep fixing. Paid cash for the other one to be fixed. Only drive the car once in awhile. Its not an old car so. Not very safe car as far as I am concerned, dont have the money to go buy a new one........”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2015
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2015
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
NHTSA has 287 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. The most complained-about area is electrical system (68% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has 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.