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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 330 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Chevrolet Cavalier owner complaints

Owners have filed 330 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, describing incidents dated July 1, 2003 to August 1, 2021.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 185 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 27 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 25 complaints
  • Power Train 23 complaints
  • Engine 22 complaints
  • Steering 16 complaints

Of the 330 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 330 complaints, owners report 19 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11589380 · Filed

    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

  • ODI #11450759 · Filed

    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.

  • ODI #11438861 · Filed

    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…

Read all 330 complaints

Owner-reported

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier mileage at failure

260 of the 330 complaints on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Electrical SystemMedian 55,000 milesMiddle half 35,000–80,000 milesBased on 144 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT/LOSS OF STEERING

NHTSA #08E063000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2008 · DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC.

Potentially affected: 3,855 vehicles

Owners notified October 16, 2008

Defect description

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 STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

Safety consequence

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO DORMAN'S OE SOLUTIONS BRAND NAME, BALKAMP'S NAPA BRAND, AND THE PLATINUM BRAND STEERING SHAFTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/FMVSS 210/PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT

NHTSA #04V300000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 37 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04056 · Owners notified August 23, 2004 · Vehicles built April 1, 2004 – April 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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).

Other Chevrolet Cavalier model years

Check your 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Cavalier at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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