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CarComplaints.com Notes: Widespread instrument panel failure is a common and frustrating reality for many 2004-2005 Chevy Cavalier owners. They're often left in the dark when it comes to knowing how fast they're going, what their engine temperature is, or even how much fuel they have left in the tank.

The likely culprit is a series of bad "stepper motors" which control the gauges and are no longer covered under warranty. Think not being able to see your speed is a safety issue and should be recalled for all owners? We'd agree. Trouble is, apparently the NHTSA does not.

2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,272 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments

problem #5

Jun 012011

Cavalier

  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side windows could only be closed partially. The rear driver and passenger windows could not be opened or closed. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who located the failure at the door motor and regulator. The motors and the regulators would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #4

Feb 092008

Cavalier

  • 42,000 miles
I have a 2004 Cavalier. Shortly after I bought it the drivers window stopped working. I had a warranty and replaced it. It stopped working without any warning. When I got the car back I could hear air coming through the window, but didn't see any gaps. Eventually noticed the window was off track. My guess is poor fixing by the dealership. About 2 years later (my warranty is up) the drivers window quit working again. I had to drive in the pouring rain with my window down. We have had so much rain the roads are flooding thus sending tons of water into my car by passing cars. From what I have read online this is obviously a problem for many people. GM needs to issue a recall and fix the problem, instead of making the customers pay.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #3

Jun 042010

Cavalier

  • 199,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he heard a loud "shattering" noise. He went over and noticed that the rear window had shattered into pieces. The dealer was notified and stated that the heat must have caused the failure and since the vehicle was no longer under warranty, they could offer no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were approximately 199,000.

- Barnhart , MO, USA

problem #2

Nov 012008

Cavalier

  • 51,862 miles
I have a 2004 Chevy Cavalier ls sport. Well lets first start off with my drivers side window motor. It went out about a year and half ago and we fixed it this summer. Apparently it is a huge problem but of course no recall on it so paid almost 300 dollars myself to fix it. Then after that when I would start my car and put it into drive, the car would sputter and the ABS and trac off lights would come on. Next about 5 months ago I noticed that my gas gauge was fluctuating a little. Didn't give it much thought but then 2 months ago my temp gauge was going haywire. Called the dealer and they said that there was no recall and we would have to pay to have it fixed. Well we all know money is tight so I have left it. Low and behold late last week, the mph gauge said I was going 100 mph in a 35 zone. I had to take a double look. Dealer again says no recalls. After speaking to a friend, he said that his truck did the same thing along with another co-workers truck (GM trucks) and that they took it in because it had a recall on the "instrument cluster" and there was no charge. How come Cavaliers are having the problem and nothing, but there trucks have it and there is a recall. I cant tell how fast I am going. Now I am probably going to have to just go with the flow of traffic since I cant afford to fix it. Come on GM own up to all of your mistakes please..........there are tons of logged complaints on here about it, obviously it is a real problem GM. This is why we are going foreign with our cars now.

- Germantown, OH, USA

problem #1

Jul 012003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,500 miles
: the contact stated that there were three problems with the vehicle. The automatic windows failed to roll either up or down. The second problem occurred with the trunk; water continually leaked into the trunk. The third problem was related to the brakes; they were no longer working at only 25000 miles. The brake light illuminated and made a squealing noise as soon as brake pressure was applied. The dealer determined the trunk was not installed properly. Although the dealer fixed the trunk, the problem persists. When it rain, water still leaks in the trunk. The water leak has been an ongoing problem since July 2003.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

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