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Engine coolingPart report

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
2%of 287 total for the year
Median mileage
52,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 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.

“On my 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, the engine repeatedly cuts out, stalls, while idling or turning, especially in hot weather. It stalled out 5 times in 2 miles the other day and I had to leave it at the auto repair shop. It has been there a week and they cannot figure out why it is stalling. After going online and reading about many other people having the same problem with this car, 2004 and 2005 at least, I felt I should report it.”

NHTSA complaint #10342027, filed 2010-07, 97 miles

“I have a 2005 , Cavalier and I have the same complaint as every one else my gauges are going hay wire.1st started at 62,000 miles the RPM started messing up 2nd the speed gauge was next acting as if it didn't wont to move. 3rd now at 89,000 miles the temp gauge is saying its hot when its not look under hood I see no heat coming from engine,check the coolant not steam .I am pissed and tired of this car.all three gauges that I mention are taking turns going up and down. …”

NHTSA complaint #10371106, filed 2010-12, 55,000 miles

“I have a 2005 chevy Cavalier ls sport. The gas gauge doesn't work with it, when I bought the car none of the gauges worked, they fixed everything but the gas gauge still doesn't work. I think this is a safety issue because if u run out of gas on the highway or downtown it could cause an accident because of you!! Chevy vehicles are the most crappyest vehicles ever!!! My car only has 53 thousand on it and so far the axel is bad and all of my motor mounts are broke except one and I have this annoying cracking noise all the time and my ABS, service and trac off light stays on all the time!!! …”

NHTSA complaint #10327099, filed 2010-04, 60,113 miles

“Speedometer stopped working at 32200 miles, went to dealer, said approximate cost is $500.00, talked with mechanic and he said it is very common problem on all GM mid 2000's cars and trucks. Checked online, found numerous complaints and a couple places that said GM is taking care of the problems on the trucks under 70,000 miles but not the cars. I consider the speedometer to be safety related on a car as well as on a truck and do not understand why GM will not take care of a problem that they have been aware of for a couple years.”

NHTSA complaint #10265697, filed 2009-04, 32,226 miles

“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving approximately 35 to 55 MPH on normal road conditions; pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal and there was an unintended increase in the acceleration. The engine revved extremely high which caused the ABS, engine, and traction control warning light indicators to illuminate on the instrument control panel intermittently. Immediately after applying pressure to the brake pedal, the vehicle began driving normally. An independent mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #10289160, filed 2009-10, 49,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200562%
2004155%
2003436%
20022211%
20012912%
20005417%
19994418%
19985516%
199710620%
199611723%
19958230%
19945626%
19934128%
19921511%
1991815%
1990713%
19891023%
1986633%
1984113%

Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier

Electrical system
211 complaints
Vehicle speed control
18 complaints
Brakes
16 complaints
Fuel system
16 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Seats
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Other 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 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