Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
4825–50K
7350–75K
4675–100K
37100–150K
8150K+
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
What owners actually said
287 reports
129,800 miles · Jul 28, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
DT: 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO TURN IT TOWARD THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE CURB. SHE WAS DRIVING AROU…
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DT: 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO TURN IT TOWARD THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE CURB. SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND 20-30 MPH. SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. THE FIRST TIME THE STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED WAS ON 7-25-05 ,AND THE LAST TIME WAS ON 7-27-05. THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10130500
25 miles · Jun 16, 2005
Seats
THE FRONT SEATS MOVE, THEY AREN'T ELECTRIC, HOWEVER THEY MOVE EVER SO SLIGHTLY AND A FEW TIME THEY HAD MOVED TO THE REAR TAKING MY FOOT AWAY FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA ODI #10125563
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2005
Structure
CHEVROLET VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER DOOR OPENING WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN TWICE WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OVER BUMPS OR POT HOLES. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS OPENING THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FENDER (DRIVER'S SIDE) HAD BEEN REPLACED AND WAS MISALIGNED AND …
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CHEVROLET VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER DOOR OPENING WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN TWICE WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OVER BUMPS OR POT HOLES. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS OPENING THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FENDER (DRIVER'S SIDE) HAD BEEN REPLACED AND WAS MISALIGNED AND PUSHED BACK CAUSING THE DOOR PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER IS UPSET BECAUSE THE DEALER SOLD HIM A VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT NEW AND HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT. MATERIAL WAS COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OR A NEW VEHICLE. *BF *NM
NHTSA ODI #10117697
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
487 miles · Apr 6, 2005
SeatsStructure
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD OPEN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE DOOR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN HIT BEFORE AND THE PROBLEM MAY CONTINUE DUE TO THE DAMAGES THE VEHICLE HAD SUSTAINED. *J…
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ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD OPEN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE DOOR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN HIT BEFORE AND THE PROBLEM MAY CONTINUE DUE TO THE DAMAGES THE VEHICLE HAD SUSTAINED. *JB THE DRIVER DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AFTER ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD OPEN WHILE I THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, MATERIAL WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD, INTERIOR PASSENGER DOOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN PURCHASED, AND THE BACK SEAT WAS DISCOLORED. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113517
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2005
Air Bags
THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE AIR BAGS IN HER 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BE DISCONNECTED. *NM THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A DOCTOR NOT TO HAVE THE AIR BAG REMOVED. THE CONSUMER PRESENTED THE NOTE TO THE DEALER WHO IN TURN FAXED THE NOTE TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STILL REFUSED TO ALLOW THE DEALER TO DISCONNECT THE AIR BAG.…
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THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE AIR BAGS IN HER 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BE DISCONNECTED. *NM THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A DOCTOR NOT TO HAVE THE AIR BAG REMOVED. THE CONSUMER PRESENTED THE NOTE TO THE DEALER WHO IN TURN FAXED THE NOTE TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STILL REFUSED TO ALLOW THE DEALER TO DISCONNECT THE AIR BAG. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10113756
142,000 miles · Dec 6, 2004
Visibility
INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE SMELLED MILDEW FROM WATER LEAKING INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103140
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.
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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