Model year record

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls & problems

The 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier has 1 safety recall and 287 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (216 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints287filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 4reported in complaints

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SteeringOct 17, 2008

Steering

Recall 08E0630003,855 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Cavalier

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Cavalier

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Horn	216	1	1	70,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	18	0	0	55,000 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Clutch assembly	16	0	0	58,000 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields	14	0	0	35,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Master cylinder; Foundation components	14	0	0	39,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	10	0	0	53,353 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Column	8	0	0	45,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	8	0	0	60,113 mi
Seats	6	1	1	487 mi
Air bags	6	4	2	66,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system	6	0	0	52,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	0	0	45,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
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.
Aug 29, 2014 · 70,000 miles
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
Aug 11, 2018 · 170,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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.
Sep 5, 2017 · 45,000 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
NONE OF THE GAGES WORK DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING
Jun 1, 2018 · 129,000 miles
Electrical system
GAUGES FOR TEMPERATURE DO NOT WORK, SOMETIMES READS BELOW ZERO, SOMETIMES SLIGHTLY ABOVE THERE IS NO CHANGE IN READING WHETHER COLD, OR RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS - AT ANY SPEED SPEED GAUGE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES RECORDING 100 MPH, WHEN THE CAR IS DOING NO MORE THAT 20-30 MPH. AT OTHER TIMES, IT SEEMS TO BE RUNNING ABOUT THE SPEED LIMIT, WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER TRAFFIC, THEN RECORD 100+MPH.AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN GOING WITH TRAFFIC, THE GAUGE READS 0MPH THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF THE CAR IS OVERHEATING, OR WHAT SPEED THE CAR IS GOING. THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS, AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE 'SETTER', AND WOULD COST ME $900. WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. IT IS VERY UPSETTING .
Apr 1, 2018 · 67,000 miles
Electrical system
ALL GAUGES DON'T WORK. SPEEDOMETER,FUEL,TEMPERATURE.
Jan 19, 2018 · 155,000 miles
Electrical system
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.
Dec 26, 2017
Electrical system
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.
Jun 12, 2017 · 120,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.