2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 5%of 330 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, 5% of the 330 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle accident with seat and airbag failure on 5-23-08. Reported to GM 5/27/08 case. Spoke with GM rep then transferred to local dealership who said he would discuss with district manager. On 1/8/10 I again called for follow-up. The previous case had been closed and a new one opened and I was told I would be contacted. I followed up on 2/16/09 and was told it was being handled by motors liquidation. I expressed my concern was safety based - not money based, still had the vehicle for an investigation. The rep. …”
NHTSA complaint #10311377, filed 2010-02, 45,000 miles“While I was driving over a highway at 55 MPH under heavy rain conditions, I lost control of my vehicle (chevy Cavalier 2004) and had a frontal crash against the concrete median. During the impact, the air bags did not deploy provoking minor injuries in the face to the only occupant of the vehicle. Two days after the accident I filled out a report with gmc and they sent an inspector to take the information from the black box and some pictures of the final condition of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10157126, filed 2006-05, 41 miles“Airbag light comes on at random intervals for about 5 seconds, then turns off. Speed, road conditions, and gear make no difference as to when it comes on. It has come on while turning, while driving in town at 20 MPH, while at a complete stop, while going over a bump, and while going 50mph on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11277967, filed 2019-11, 165,700 miles“In motion. 2004 Cavalier air bag did not deploy causing injury after impact with telephone pole. Picture of pole snapped in half. State road 252 martinsville indiana. Picture of pole car is totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10893984, filed 2016-08, 50,000 miles“The air bag deactivation device exploded and/ blew out the windshield/cracked the dashboard, and sent metal through the glass door. Manufacturer was contacted. They told the consumer to have the vehicle towed. Consumer was then informed that the problem was not a manufacturer's defect since the air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10109182, filed 2005-01, 15,203 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 21 | 9% |
| 2000 | 18 | 6% |
| 1999 | 24 | 10% |
| 1998 | 34 | 10% |
| 1997 | 78 | 14% |
| 1996 | 73 | 15% |
| 1995 | 20 | 7% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
185 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsSeats
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology