MYRModel Year Report

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
330
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

58% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 18 complaints 1987: 24 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 56 complaints 1991 1992: 137 complaints 1993: 148 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1994 1995: 271 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1997: 540 complaints 1997 1998: 345 complaints 1999: 240 complaints 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2002: 196 complaints 2003: 678 complaints 2004: 330 complaints 2004 330 2005: 287 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 24 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 137 complaints 1992 1993: 148 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1994 1995: 271 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1998: 345 complaints 1998 1999: 240 complaints 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2002: 196 complaints 2002 2003: 678 complaints 2004: 330 complaints 2004 330 2005: 287 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 24 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1989 1990: 55 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1991 1992: 137 complaints 1992 1993: 148 complaints 1993 1994: 217 complaints 1994 1995: 271 complaints 1995 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1997 1998: 345 complaints 1998 1999: 240 complaints 1999 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2001 2002: 196 complaints 2002 2003: 678 complaints 2003 2004: 330 complaints 2004 330 2005: 287 complaints 2005

2004: 330 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19833
19848
19854
198618
198724
198812
198943
199055
199156
1992137
1993148
1994217
1995271
1996503
1997540
1998345
1999240
2000315
2001243
2002196
2003678
2004330
2005287

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

58% · 192 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Air bags did not come out car flipped over twice and there was 1 death and 1 injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-25

Also filed under Air bags

Consumer started vehicle to warm it up and went back into the office. Vehicle was in flames within 10 minutes. The flames were under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-16

Vehicle speed control

8% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

Show complaint excerpts

Lost partial control of the steering because sheer pen released and erratic speedometer-( Instrument cluster failure )

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-03

Power train

7% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and pedal/hand lever(motorcycle).

CRASH

Visibility

7% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and glass, side/rear.

CRASH

Steering

5% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hose, piping, and connections.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-05-17

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 330 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2004-08-23Seat belts04V300000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2008-10-16Steering08E063000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 192 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 24 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V300000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 08E063000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.