2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Daughter was driving to go to another location when stopped for light. Light turned green had some one in front of her and since it is a stick shift she just let the car roll. She panicked I think and hit clutch instead of brake. She rolled into the back of the SUV ahead of her and the airbags exploded in the car. She was only going 4 miles an hour. No damage to the car in front of her no front damage to our car except the air bags and breakage of front window. Daughter was hit in face by airbag and the fingers cut with with the window breaking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10592552, filed 2014-05, 91,000 miles“My daughter was involved in an accident. She rear ended another vehicle on a rain slick road. There were no injuries although she is now in the process of having her sore neck evaluated by a doctor. She was the only occupant in her vehicle (2005 chevy Cavalier). The passenger airbag deployed with enough force to break the windshield. The driver side airbag deployed but did not inflate properly. Upon inspection, it is apparent that a hole in the airbag (about the size of a quarter) is the reason the airbag did not work properly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10249085, filed 2008-11, 42,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle crashed and the passenger side air bag failed to deploy. It was unknown if there were any injuries or if a police report was filed. The air bag warning indicators illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 112,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10661648, filed 2014-12, 112,000 miles“Takata recall air bags did not deploy in a rear end collision that totalled car. Also passengers seat broke causing neck and rib injury.vehicle was stationary waiting for construction flagman.”
NHTSA complaint #10925924, filed 2016-11“The consumer request that the air bags in her 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier be disconnected. The consumer received a doctor not to have the air bag removed. The consumer presented the note to the dealer who in turn faxed the note to the manufacturer. The manufacturer still refused to allow the dealer to disconnect the air bag.”
NHTSA complaint #10113756, filed 2005-03Air 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 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
211 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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