2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,019miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,019 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.
“Last december my 2005 Cavalier experienced a speedometer malfunction while I was traveling on the highway. I was in an area where the speed zone changed from 50 MPH to 65 MPH. The speedometer registered my increase in speed fine. When I slowed down, the speedometer stayed in place. Over the past 7 months my dashboard gauges (fuel, temp, speed, RPM) all malfunction. Sometimes they reset themselves. Most of the time I'm never sure how fast I'm going or how much gas I have. My engine temp will read off the charts even on a cool morning after it has sat still all night. …”
NHTSA complaint #10462014, filed 2012-06, 98,000 miles“I saw that my reverse tail lights were not lighting up when I put the car in reverse. I took it to the dealer where I bought the car michael automotive in fresno ca and they told me I would have to pay them $110 to have it diagnosed even though my car has less then 30,000 miles on it and bought it brand new less then 2 years ago. Due to the fact that it was in a minor fender bender. I told them it was not even rear-ended and it could not be the cause of the problem and they insisted it might be and to pay them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10200032, filed 2007-08, 28,500 miles“Rear directional turn signals have stopped operating ( left rear signal lamp) front left signal lamp operates at a rapid rate, left rear signal lamp will not flash, but both rear lamp bulbs are illuminated.”
NHTSA complaint #10302409, filed 2010-01, 90,038 miles“I purchased a 2005 chevy Cavalier in october 2005. My car was purchased with bad or no shocks and within the first 1 to 2 years my trunk interior light blew off the wire sounding like a bomb. Then my driver rear door was not able to open (due to the linkages). Shortly after that the passenger rear door would not shut because the latch stuck (had to bungy strap it) then got it fixed to shut then it would not open (due to linkages) both front doors are messed up as well. ( drvier side difficult to open and poassenger side does not always catch when you shut it). …”
NHTSA complaint #10444715, filed 2012-01“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the speedometer and both turn signal lights failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10731439, filed 2015-07, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 57 | 8% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 13 | 4% |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 13 | 2% |
| 1996 | 17 | 3% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 8% |
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 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSeats
6 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