2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 5%of 330 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, 5% of the 330 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 1 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.
“Fuel pump failure. On march 2nd 2011 I had a fuel pump fail as I was driving home from work almost causing an accident. After research I discovered this is a very common occurrence for this vehicle which is a 2004 chevy Cavalier. This could result in a very dangerous situation for Cavalier owners such as myself. Is there anything at all that is being done to look into this problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10386620, filed 2011-03, 108,000 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“2004 Cavalier, 2.2l dohc, 5-speed manual transmission. While driving at 60 MPH vehicle felt as if cruise control was engaged. Rpms would not fall off as fast as usual when foot taken off gas, and when I depressed the clutch (which was just replaced last week due to another known issue that chevy refuses to recall) rpms went above 4,000. Tapped gas pedal thinking maybe it was stuck and it only revved higher and did not come down on its own. Rpms continued to climb as I came to a stop, around 6,000 by the time I pulled over. …”
NHTSA complaint #10592115, filed 2014-05, 152,000 miles“My 2004 chevy Cavalier 2.2l base/sedan is well maintained. Three months after the purchase the fuel pump stopped working. Replaced by dealership under warranty. A year later the fuel pump was replaced again. Warranty period over. Cost me $896. Recently the fuel pump stopped working while I was driving. I was making a left turn at the intersection and proceeded to make the left and all of a sudden the engine stalled and steering froze forcing me into the light post after the turn. This caused two other vehicles to collide to avoid hitting me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10279773, filed 2009-08, 110,000 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10249107, filed 2008-11, 51,862 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10199281May 25, 2021This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or…
- 10190437Mar 30, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10176310May 8, 2020This Preliminary information communicates the use of Winter grade fuel during the warm months of 2020 and the potential rivability issues that it can cause. The ongoing…
- 10171878Jan 2, 2020This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended…
- 10160637Apr 4, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about a customer?s request to remove or disable the Bi-Fuel Compressed Natural Gas system…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10137635May 10, 2017This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves, and explains how toptier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build up.
- 10114831Nov 15, 2016This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block that have a possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 383 | 56% |
| 2002 | 18 | 9% |
| 2001 | 29 | 12% |
| 2000 | 43 | 14% |
| 1999 | 17 | 7% |
| 1998 | 14 | 4% |
| 1997 | 23 | 4% |
| 1996 | 18 | 4% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 5 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 4 | 7% |
| 1989 | 6 | 14% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
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 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