MYRModel Year Report

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier

● Typical for this model
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Cavalier Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1987: 24 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 134 complaints 1992 1993: 146 complaints 1994: 212 complaints 1995: 270 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1998: 345 complaints 1999: 240 complaints 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2002: 196 complaints 2003: 678 complaints 2004: 330 complaints 2004 2005: 287 complaints 2005
2005: 287 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19833
19848
19854
198618
198724
198812
198943
199055
199155
1992134
1993146
1994212
1995270
1996503
1997540
1998345
1999240
2000315
2001243
2002196
2003678
2004330
2005287

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 49%

49% of complaints: electrical system — 141 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20180529

ALL GAUGES DON'T WORK. SPEEDOMETER,FUEL,TEMPERATURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180127

THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE GAUGES IN THE 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER CAUSING THEM TO MALFUNCTION OR NOT FUNCTION AT ALL INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171226

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%

24% of complaints: electrical system — 69 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 17 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 3%

3% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3%

3% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 8 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081016 — steering

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 (SOL

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.

Campaign 08E063000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (141 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (69 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 1991 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 1997 ■ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.