2004 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls and problems

The 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier has 1 recall and 330 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
Photo: 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2004 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 6 Cavalier model years — 2nd most.

1recalls
330complaints
17crashes
6fires
19injuries
52,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Seat Belts

Jun 23, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V300000 · 37 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Gm recall no. 04056. Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Electrical System185
Vehicle Speed Control27
Visibility25
Power Train23
Engine22
Steering16
Air Bags15
Fuel System15
Service Brakes14
Structure13

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2004: 21 complaints20042005: 26 complaints2006: 21 complaints20062007: 14 complaints2008: 36 complaints20082009: 22 complaints2010: 55 complaints2010552011: 34 complaints2012: 22 complaints20122013: 8 complaints2014: 30 complaints20142015: 17 complaints2016: 10 complaints20162017: 3 complaints2018: 2 complaints20182019: 4 complaints2020: 2 complaints20202021: 1 complaints2022: 1 complaints20222024: 1 complaints20241

2004 vs. other Chevrolet Cavalier years

2000: 315 complaints20002001: 243 complaints20012002: 196 complaints20022003: 678 complaints20036782004: 330 complaints20042005: 287 complaints2005287

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2004. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, the latest from Jun 23, 2004 (seat belts). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (185), vehicle speed control (27), visibility (25). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.