Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 330 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #08E063000 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT/LOSS OF STEERING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V300000 GM/FMVSS 210/PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 185 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 27 complaints
- Power Train 23 complaints
- Visibility 23 complaints
- Steering 16 complaints
- Air Bags 15 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier has a below-average reliability rating due to numerous electrical system complaints and two recall campaigns targeting critical components like steering and seat belts. However, the overall data is moderate, suggesting some reliability issues without being overwhelming.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | Unknown | $200–$800 | very common |
| Steering system | Unknown | No reliable estimate | common |
| Vehicle speed control | Unknown | $200–$600 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad replacements
- Tire rotations and alignments
- Coolant and fluid checks
- Air filter replacements
- Spark plug changes
- Transmission service
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Erratic engine performance
- Steering vibration
- Unusual braking noises
- Inconsistent speed control
- Dim or flickering lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.