2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 6%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, 6% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,250 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brake failure on my new 2005 Cavalier. Created a very terrifying ride home for my son, who was driving home when the failure occurred. Dealership service department informed me that the master brake cylinder was the source of the failure. They have corrected the problem, but have not returned my car to operable condition for me to drive, as of 11-01-05/1:32 p.m.”
NHTSA complaint #10141410, filed 2005-11, 1,600 miles“I own a 2005 chevy Cavalier. I have also experienced premature brake and rotor failure. At 39,000 km both had to be replaced. The dealer said the cause was road conditions etc,,and offered no help whatsoever complained to GM several times,but have not got any satisfaction yet!”
NHTSA complaint #10201065, filed 2007-08, 39,000 miles“I was on my way home today and think god my husband was driving..my gauges are not working on the car which is does from time to time. We merge on a major highway and the gas pedal accelerated and would not stop it just keep getting faster,, my brakes would not even stop it or the emergency brake either..we had to run some red lights because we could not stop it so we could try to get home without crashing the car to stop it but we could slow it down putting it in neutral but it was burning up the brakes and transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493772, filed 2013-01, 131,000 miles“I purchased a 2005 chevy Cavalier november 2004. I am the original owner. As of dec. 2009 my cars odometer has stopped working and the gas gauge is not accurate. Also my dashboard signals ABS, trac off, and the service sign come on simultaneously. These signs come on when I am reversing the car and occasionally while driving the speed limit. These are all issues that are not normal wear and tear on a car but rather a defect. Therefore, I hope someone will look into this issue further.”
NHTSA complaint #10354564, filed 2010-09, 70,995 miles“I too experienced premature brake and rotor failure and had to replace both before the car was 2 years old. The dealership did nothing to satisfy me. I had to have them replaced right away and could not wait for an appointment with the dealership so I did just that. Later, when discussing it with a service advisor, I was told it was the traffic in my area. Yeah, sure. Just because I am a woman he expected me to buy into that? I had 20,000 +/- miles on the car at the time! I don't at this moment have exact mileage and date information on me.”
NHTSA complaint #10190495, filed 2007-05, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 10168960Nov 12, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 14 | 4% |
| 2003 | 34 | 5% |
| 2002 | 29 | 15% |
| 2001 | 42 | 17% |
| 2000 | 45 | 14% |
| 1999 | 51 | 21% |
| 1998 | 59 | 17% |
| 1997 | 64 | 12% |
| 1996 | 60 | 12% |
| 1995 | 26 | 10% |
| 1994 | 65 | 31% |
| 1993 | 53 | 36% |
| 1992 | 51 | 38% |
| 1991 | 5 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 4 | 9% |
| 1988 | 1 | 8% |
| 1987 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
211 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsAir bags
6 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