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2005 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cavalier years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 140.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

230 reports with mileage · 57 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 211 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Equipment complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 25, 2011
Electrical SystemEquipment

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY CAVALIER ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY GAUGES WONT WORK. THE SPEED AND COOLANT TEMP. GAUGE ARE NOT ACCURATE AT ALL, THE SPEED GAUGE EITHER STARTS AT 70 AND GOES BEYOND THE 120MPH MARK OR JUST STAYS ON ZERO WHICH I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED IM GOING. I HEARD PEOPLE GOT THE GAUGES REPLACED BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH…

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY CAVALIER ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY GAUGES WONT WORK. THE SPEED AND COOLANT TEMP. GAUGE ARE NOT ACCURATE AT ALL, THE SPEED GAUGE EITHER STARTS AT 70 AND GOES BEYOND THE 120MPH MARK OR JUST STAYS ON ZERO WHICH I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED IM GOING. I HEARD PEOPLE GOT THE GAUGES REPLACED BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON CLUSTER GAUGES. ONCE AGAIN MY SPEEDOMETER AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE DON'T WORK. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402700

100,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

HORN CONTACT BEHIND AIRBAG WAS RECENTLY CRAZY GLUED, TO RESTORE HORN, AND SPEEDO & CLUSTER REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE CLUSTER BY CHEVY, OR REMOVAL & REBUILD OF GAUGE STEPPER MOTORS THROUGH EBAY MOTORS. USE FROOGLE.COM AND ENTER"REPAIR CAVALIER SPEEDOMETER" TO SEARCH. MY SPEEDO ONLY ON MY CLUSTER ERRATIC FOR 20K MILES. I USE …

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HORN CONTACT BEHIND AIRBAG WAS RECENTLY CRAZY GLUED, TO RESTORE HORN, AND SPEEDO & CLUSTER REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE CLUSTER BY CHEVY, OR REMOVAL & REBUILD OF GAUGE STEPPER MOTORS THROUGH EBAY MOTORS. USE FROOGLE.COM AND ENTER"REPAIR CAVALIER SPEEDOMETER" TO SEARCH. MY SPEEDO ONLY ON MY CLUSTER ERRATIC FOR 20K MILES. I USE MY TACHOMETER TO GUESTIMATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS,2,500 RPM IS 55. I HAVE 120K NOW ON THE CAR, OTHERWISE BULLETPROOF. JUST TOSSING OUT BRAKE ROTORS NOW, THAT'S IT. I USED SYNTHETIC OIL FROM THE START, VERY SMOOTH CAR, @ NORMAL SPEEDS.NEEDS INTAKE AND WHEELS FOR SPEEDING, OVER 65. ENGINE HAS PLENTY OF GO OVER THAT, BUT BASE BRAKES, WHEELS AND INTAKE AREN'T SPEEDWORTHY, BUT IT IS A BASE MODEL SO OK. KEEP THE TIE RODS GREASED, AIR FILTERS CHANGED AFTER WINTER AS THEY ARE EASILY SERVICEABLE UNLIKE MOST THAT AREN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349798

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2005
EquipmentStructure

REQUEST FOR AIR BAG DISCONNECTION FOR 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. *MR THE VEHICLE MANUAL STATED THAT IF ANYONE WAS CLOSE TO ANY AIR BAG, WHEN AND IF IT INFLATES, ONE CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED INCLUDING CHILDREN. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10117578

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.