2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Cavalier › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 1-800-620-7668.
Owner complaints
330 complaints17 involved a crash6 involved a fire19 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering
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
- Suspension
The vehicle failed to pass pa. state inspection due to a severely rusted frame over the rear axles. The estimate to repair the frame was @$3000.
- Suspension
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the front driver’s side tire had detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic went to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the lower control arm rusted and detached from…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the front driver’s side tire had detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic went to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the lower control arm rusted and detached from the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
- Power train
In the parking lot where I work my car would not start. When moving the automatic transmission lever it did not catch on to anything. The car just rolled backwards and I had to immediately press on the brakes preventing an accident. My car had to be towed to the auto shop. Diagnosis: shifter cable…
In the parking lot where I work my car would not start. When moving the automatic transmission lever it did not catch on to anything. The car just rolled backwards and I had to immediately press on the brakes preventing an accident. My car had to be towed to the auto shop. Diagnosis: shifter cable was detached from transmission. previously on 09/13/2011 the same thing happened to my car. The shifter cable broke and I had to be towed to lou bachrodt chevrolet both times. The 2ND time invoice no. Cwcs692729 $502.24 and $477.55 invoice no.cwcs149491 the first time. This car should be recalled. Two times IS too many.
- Seat belts
Can't safely install a car seat because the safety belts do not properly retract. Therefore the car seat IS not stable. The vehicle was stationary.
- Vehicle speed control
When I'm driven about 25 miles the accelerator stays stuck and the speed keep goin up if you don't put the brakes
- Air bags
Airbag light comes on at random intervals for about 5 seconds, then turns off. Speed, road conditions, and gear make no difference as to when it comes on. it has come on while turning, while driving in town at 20 mph, while at a complete stop, while going over a bump, and while going 50mph on the highway.
- Steering
Every time I go to my job my power steering reservoir becomes empty after I put one or more quarts in the reservoir. Anytime I drive at highway speeds I sway back and forth no matter how much control I have over the vehicle. My steering gets so hard to the point where I almost crash every time I…
Every time I go to my job my power steering reservoir becomes empty after I put one or more quarts in the reservoir. Anytime I drive at highway speeds I sway back and forth no matter how much control I have over the vehicle. My steering gets so hard to the point where I almost crash every time I drive my car anywhere because I have no power steering or don't have a lot of control over the steering because it becomes so tight.
- Vehicle speed control
While driving the gas pedal gets stuck and accelerates.
- Steering · Vehicle speed control
Lost partial control of the steering because sheer pen released and erratic speedometer-( instrument cluster failure )
- Unknown or other · Visibility/wiper
Takata recall windshield wiper linkage broken while car in motion on a rainy day and my car stalls everyday while at light even shuts off if I'm at light
- Electrical system · Engine · Unknown or other
I have had my used chevy cavalier 2004 car for almost a year. As I have been driving the engine has just stopped. This has happened 4 times in the time span of 5 months. No one ( auto shops) can find the issue. They have zero answers. This IS dangerous and has caused accidents. I would be banned…
I have had my used chevy cavalier 2004 car for almost a year. As I have been driving the engine has just stopped. This has happened 4 times in the time span of 5 months. No one ( auto shops) can find the issue. They have zero answers. This IS dangerous and has caused accidents. I would be banned from the internet if I said what I really want to say to chevy. The most recent time this happened was yesterday...aug 3RD 2017.
- Steering
I've owned the 2004 chevrolet cavalier since it had 2000 miles. It currently has around 85000. When driving vehicle in april of 2017 a greasy bolt came flying out of the steering column area. After doing some research I've found many complaints and accidents due to faulty "pins" that hold the…
I've owned the 2004 chevrolet cavalier since it had 2000 miles. It currently has around 85000. When driving vehicle in april of 2017 a greasy bolt came flying out of the steering column area. After doing some research I've found many complaints and accidents due to faulty "pins" that hold the steering wheel tight. Now my 2004 chevrolet cavalier steering wheel moves to the right and left. This condition IS very dangerous and has occurred in many gm/ chevrolet cars. Vehicle IS currently at a chevrolet dealership and being checked out.
- Electrical system · Vehicle speed control
Speedometer has stopped functioning. safety issue because I can no longer tell how fast I am driving. *tr
- Electrical system
Cluster panel temp gauge was fluctuating now the gauge IS staying in one spot so have no idea if temp IS good or not. What if something IS wrong with the engine I will not know without this working. Have taken to two garages they both say its the cluster panel. Stationary and while driving ,gage stays the same.this started about a month ago with only 68,500 miles on it. *tr
- Seat belts · Seats
1. Seat belt won't retract. 2. Drivers side seat dropped will not go back to upright position.
- Electrical system
My cluster stopped working a while ago. Since I didn't get a recall on it I was unaware of people did complain about it until my car caught on fire where the cluster IS and all the wires are totally burned up. I am furious. I read other complaints and some people had the same problem. I could not…
My cluster stopped working a while ago. Since I didn't get a recall on it I was unaware of people did complain about it until my car caught on fire where the cluster IS and all the wires are totally burned up. I am furious. I read other complaints and some people had the same problem. I could not read all of them so, I don't know how many caught on fire. Thank god I didn't get injured or death. Chevrolet should be held responsible for this. Please help.
- Air bags
Takata recall air bag did not deploy after hitting telephone pole. Snapped in half, car totaled. State road 252 martinsville, indiana. car in motion.
- Air bags
Takata recall air bag did not deploy after hitting telephone pole. Snapped in half, car totaled. State road 252 martinsville, indiana. car in motion.
- Air bags
In motion. 2004 cavalier air bag did not deploy causing injury after impact with telephone pole. picture of pole snapped in half. State road 252 martinsville indiana. Picture of pole car IS totaled.
- Electrical system
Instrument panel does not work. Therefore do not know the speed in which IS being traveled, temperature of engine, amount of fuel or anything. Check guages light comes on and goes off like every week. Have no clue why it stopped working and personal mechanic IS appalled at the issue.
- Electrical system · Seat belts
2 issues. first, temperature gauge read higher and higher each time the car was started until the needle went all the way around to the speedometer and kept the speedometer from reading the speed. entire gauge cluster was replaced. second issue was passenger front seat belt would periodically lock, not allowing the passenger to use the seat belt.
- Electrical system
My temperature gauge has malfunctioned and IS stuck at 195 degrees when I turn my car on. It then rises just as normal but stops at 260 degrees which IS in the red zone
- Steering
TL* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 2 mph and making a turn, the power steering failed without warning. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to mavnuever. The failure was permanent. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 08e063000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Unknown or other
The speedometer and tachometer register below zero when stopped or in motion. No way to tell the speed or rpm. This IS a safety issue to all on the road. If controlling speed IS not a safety issue worth recalling why do we have speed limits? Nhtsa needs to take this seriously and launch a recall as…
The speedometer and tachometer register below zero when stopped or in motion. No way to tell the speed or rpm. This IS a safety issue to all on the road. If controlling speed IS not a safety issue worth recalling why do we have speed limits? Nhtsa needs to take this seriously and launch a recall as this IS a major issue and not isolated its very widespread and the fact they have neglected it shows there real lack of concern for safety.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11009156This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 11007744This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 11007743This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 11007208This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
- 11006621Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
- 11006421GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
- 11004761This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
- 11004557This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 11002312This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
- 11000576This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the policies/procedures and the warranty transaction submission procedures that support the Personal Property Damage process.
- 10252735This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10252163XM Audio Traffic And Travel Link Availability And Operation.
- 10251890This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
- 10250775This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
- 10249980This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new Pico Oscilloscope data has been saved email the data to General Motors Technical Assistance Center in the subject line include ?Vibration? ?Business Associate Code? and the last 8 of the Vehicle Identification Number.
- 10249590This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 10249579This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10249011This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10248444Vehicle Recalls
- 10247780This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 10247681Information On Requests To Add OnStar Bluetooth Option.
- 10247552This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
- 10246952Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
- 10246951Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10245951Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls And Turn By Turn Inoperative In The United States.
- 10245950Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls In The United States
- 10245395This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
- 10244274This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
- 10244214This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10244201This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only).
- 10242843The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- 10242298This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
- 10242262This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
- 10240793This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
- 10236164This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
- 10235802This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10235799This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
- 10234141This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234110This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
Every Chevrolet Cavalier model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.