2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 330 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2% of the 330 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
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“All of the trouble lights come on including the service light with a wrench. Then, all of the gauges drop to nothing; you don't know how fast you're traveling, what your fuel capacity is, the temperature gauge drops to nothing along with the tachometer dropping to nothing. In the odometer and error message replaces the odometer reading. The gauges will intermittently go off and on or all of them will drop of with no reading. The other evening, I was coming home on a winding back country road and all of my lights went out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10618412, filed 2014-08, 68,000 miles“When I brake to slow down or stop, my head lights dim significantly. It happens with the high beams and low beams. My front passenger seatbelt locks without the brakes engaged, and needs to be unbuckled to unlock.”
NHTSA complaint #10215510, filed 2008-01, 45,000 miles“When I turn on my car defroster, it starts popping very loud. At one time it started popping when I set the car at idle, and when I returned to the car, it was filled with smoke or dust. I had to air out the car for a while before I could drive it. The defroster doesn't pop every time, and it quits after about 30 minutes each time. Also, when I bought the car, it needed a new console, so I had it replaced. The day-time running lights go out and flash at people. When they go out, the service light comes on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10569240, filed 2014-03“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the head lamps on his vehicle looked as if there was a glaze on them. They were sand blasted and now he cant even see the light bulb. The dealer was contacted and stated that they would sell him a kit to clean the head lamps. The contact stated that the dealer should be responsible to repair the head lamps. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileage was 136000.”
NHTSA complaint #10348682, filed 2010-08, 136,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 57 | 8% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 13 | 4% |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 13 | 2% |
| 1996 | 17 | 3% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
185 complaintsVehicle speed control
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 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