Complaints
428
Crashes
21
Fires
7
Injuries
25
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1109 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:90,069 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:3
#267 complaints
Instrument Cluster
Avg mileage:51,946 mi
#324 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:72,614 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 109 | 2 | 3 | 90,069 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 67 | — | — | 51,946 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 24 | — | — | 72,614 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | 1 | — | 140,444 mi | |
| Airbags | 11 | 7 | — | 61,468 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 11 | 2 | — | 47,317 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 8 | 1 | 1 | 40,575 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 8 | 1 | — | 69,666 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 8 | — | — | 41,418 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 7 | — | — | 11,873 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 7 | — | — | 102,200 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | 35,400 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | 1 | — | 37,748 mi | |
| Body Structure | 7 | — | 1 | 63,412 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | 91,329 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 2 | — | 70,244 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | 80,272 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 3 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
109
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Avg Miles
90,069
Instrument Cluster
67
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,946
Unintended Acceleration
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,614
Steering Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
140,444
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,468
Manual Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,317
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
40,575
Gasoline Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,666
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,418
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
11,873
Engine Problems
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,200
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,400
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,748
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,412
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,329
Seat-Related Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,244
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,272
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Side/Rear Glass
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Cavalier Years
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier has 428 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 109 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (109 complaints, avg 90,069 mi); Instrument Cluster (67 complaints, avg 51,946 mi); Unintended Acceleration (24 complaints, avg 72,614 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,031 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier include 21 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 25 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cavalier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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