2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 330 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,544miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the body and structure of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, 4% of the 330 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,544 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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 garnish molding-windshield pillar-driver's side fell partly off blocking my visibility while driving home from work. It was never touched and for no reason it fell off and to this day I am unable to reattach it..”
NHTSA complaint #10733490, filed 2015-07, 63,087 miles“2004 chevy Cavalier. Back door will not stay close. I have it locked now but can not open it. I am afraid while my child is sitting back there the door will swing open. Please help!”
NHTSA complaint #10342885, filed 2010-07, 100,120 miles“I have a 2004 chevy Cavalier which has been in no accidents and is very well taken care of. The paint on this car, and other cars like it, is peeling and chipping all over the place for no reason. The door edges, bumpers, hood, and fender all have chips of paint missing or about to fall off. The clear coat on the car is also very bad and is scratched very easily and washing the car sometimes does more bad than good. I have also noticed that the rotors and drums warp very easily on this car. I have had to replace the rotors and might have to replace the drums soon. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137031, filed 2005-09, 3,800 miles“A strong fuel odor entered the inside of the vehicle when the vents were used. This odor caused nausea and headaches to any one riding in the vehicle. At any temperature, the vehicle took a very long time to crank up. Also, while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and bogged down. The vehicle would eventually pick up speed and act as if nothing ever happened. These problems occurred eight times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10073471, filed 2004-06, 100 miles“Dt: the sun visors do not have the snap to keep them in place. This allows them to slip down while the consumer is driving. This is the only problem with the vehicle. This first started happening around 6-1-05.”
NHTSA complaint #10131631, filed 2005-08, 5,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10123211Oct 2, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a loud tick or rattle noise under the hood at all operating conditions…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 14 | 5% |
| 2004 | 13 | 4% |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% |
| 2002 | 9 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 6% |
| 2000 | 27 | 9% |
| 1999 | 8 | 3% |
| 1998 | 28 | 8% |
| 1997 | 20 | 4% |
| 1996 | 13 | 3% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 13 | 6% |
| 1993 | 8 | 5% |
| 1992 | 6 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1987 | 1 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
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 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 27, 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