2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 185about this part
- Share
- 56%of 330 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,100miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 185 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, 56% of the 330 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,100 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The gauges show nothing no speed no gas no mileage nothing. I have seen a lot of complaints of this matter why is there nothing being done about this problem. I was always a chevy person but now I am moving on to something else. Chevy does not like to fix there problems they leave it up to the people to spend tons of money to fix the prob when they know what the prob is. This is uncalled for.”
NHTSA complaint #10596032, filed 2014-06, 111,000 miles“The speedometer and tach quit working or are reading the wrong speeds on my 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. I can be at a stop sign and the gage shows 40mph. I can be going down the interstate and it shows 30 MPH. Sometimes it doesn't work at all. I have been online & seen several forums with people with the same problem, and there is no apparent recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10312459, filed 2010-02, 50,000 miles“The gauges on my Cavalier are all messed up. Sometimes the only gage that works are my RPM gauges. All the other gauges: the gas gage, the thermometer gauges and the MPH gage never work right. I can't tell how fast I am going, how much gas is in the car or if it's going to overheat on me or not. It will not reset. This has been going on for two years.”
NHTSA complaint #10315647, filed 2010-03, 35,000 miles“2004 chevy Cavalier speedometer instrument cluster fails. Speedometer reads incorrect speed and fails. It is very dangerous not knowing how fast you are going, I received a speeding ticket as a result. I replaced the instrument cluster with one from a junk yard. The problem is temporarily fixed. There are many other people with the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10369941, filed 2010-12, 32,000 miles“While driving down the road my speedometer for stuck. I know I was going 60 when it happened because that's what it is stuck at.it isn't the first time this has happened. My car has had multiple problems with the windshield wipers, windows, and engine light.”
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 211 | 74% |
| 2004 | 185 | 56% |
| 2003 | 106 | 16% |
| 2002 | 35 | 18% |
| 2001 | 56 | 23% |
| 2000 | 69 | 22% |
| 1999 | 47 | 20% |
| 1998 | 66 | 19% |
| 1997 | 107 | 20% |
| 1996 | 100 | 20% |
| 1995 | 59 | 22% |
| 1994 | 23 | 11% |
| 1993 | 26 | 18% |
| 1992 | 21 | 16% |
| 1991 | 17 | 31% |
| 1990 | 20 | 36% |
| 1989 | 6 | 14% |
| 1988 | 3 | 25% |
| 1986 | 5 | 28% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsAir bags
15 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 28, 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