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2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 330 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the electrical (56% of complaints, typically around 54,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Cavalier model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Electrical
185 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, ignition, starter assembly.
Fuel gauge inoperative, points to the temp gauge. Speedometer sometimes works. When it's not, it's either pointing to below zero or up at 90 MPH. Must rely on odometer(still works) to gauge fuel use. Must drive slower than traffic to insure I'm not speeding. Repair is very expensive. Have not been able to afford yet.…
I have a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. First the speedometer started sticking then it stopped working totally and is now stuck on 110 MPH. Then my tach and temp gauges started sticking or not working at all. This is not a coincidence cause I just found out that they have a recall for 2004 trucks. There should be one for…
Speed control
27 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages.
Speedometer stuck at 60mph. Its not that old of a car and only has 58 thousand miles on it this should be a recall with all the people complaining the same thing happened with the low miles ridiculous!
While driving down the road my speedometer for stuck. I know I was going 60 when it happened because that's what it is stuck at.it isn't the first time this has happened. My car has had multiple problems with the windshield wipers, windows, and engine light.
Visibility and wipers
25 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear, rear window wiper/washer, windshield wiper/washer.
I have a 2004 Cavalier. Shortly after I bought it the drivers window stopped working. I had a warranty and replaced it. It stopped working without any warning. When I got the car back I could hear air coming through the window, but didn't see any gaps. Eventually noticed the window was off track. My guess is poor…
: the contact stated the front left and right rear power windows were failing. The service dealer refused to close the window without charging for the service. The manufacturer was notified.
Transmission
23 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly, automatic transmission.
While driving home from thanksgiving I was unable to shift my manual transmission, and I noticed that the clutch appeared stuck to the floor. The remainder of the way home (30 miles) if I slowed down the would stall as I could not push the clutch in. The car, a 2004 Cavalier, has a total of 42000 miles on it. Upon…
Clutch slave cylinder failed, slave cylinder is inside the bell housing. If this had happened in traffic it could have caused an accident.
Engine
22 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Idle miss while auto is in gear (automatic). Initial occurrence 15000-20000 miles. Started when at a stop light you could feel the miss it was every 30-45 seconds. No check engine light associated with problem. Has gotten worse, still no check engine light. Now it stalls and you can watch the tachometer drop 25-50…
When driving the vehicle and hit a bump the ignition switch will cause the interior light to come and on occasion cause the car to shut off.
Steering
16 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion, column.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. While attempting a turn at speeds of 8 MPH, the steering column fractured from the vehicle and fell into the contacts lap. The contact was able to stop the vehicle without incident. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there…
For several years now, the interior light has been coming on intermittently when I hit a bump in the road. Last year I went shopping, got back into my car & started it, or rather tried to start it, but it shut down quite quickly. Thinking it was a fluke, I tried to start it several more times with the same results.…
Fuel system
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the interstate without warning. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that the fuel pump failed. The dealer was not notified. In addition, the contact heard a tapping nose in the heater and…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the fuel evaporative emission light illuminated. He inspected the vehicle and noticed that the fuel filler tube was covered with rust. An authorized dealer stated that the problem was common because of the road salts used in his particular state. The…
Air bags
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
In motion. 2004 Cavalier air bag did not deploy causing injury after impact with telephone pole. Picture of pole snapped in half. State road 252 martinsville indiana. Picture of pole car is totaled.
Takata recall air bag did not deploy after hitting telephone pole. Snapped in half, car totaled. State road 252 martinsville, indiana. Car in motion.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: In a severe crash, the upper seat belt anchorage may separate. The effectiveness of the seat belt could then be reduced and the occupant could receive greater injuries.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (185 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); speed control (27 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); visibility and wipers (25 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2004 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Chevrolet Cavalier?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Cavalier model year since 2000, with 330 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.