2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 3%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, 3% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 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.
“2005 Chevrolet Cavalier instrument panel has serious problems temperature gauge shows the car is over heating and interferes with the speedometer also the speedometer will show 110mph while sitting in park or while doing 65mph drop and show no speed. Also the front of the dash cracks out and can produce sharp pieces that can cut through the skin easily. Also the steering has the same problem as the 2005 cobalts at low speeds sometimes the car is very hard to turn.”
NHTSA complaint #10318778, filed 2010-03, 45,000 miles“Dt: 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. Sometimes the steering wheel will not allow the consumer to turn it toward the left. This happened at least 4 times. The last time it happened at an intersection, which caused consumer to lose control of the vehicle. Consumer was able to steer vehicle safely to the curb. She was driving around 20-30 MPH. Sometimes the ABS light came on and turned off by itself. The first time the steering problem occurred was on 7-25-05 ,and the last time was on 7-27-05. There were no other problems with the vehicle at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10130500, filed 2005-07, 129,800 miles“Speedometer stops working and stays on 100 car only has 35,000 miles, also the power steering line broke open and the emergency brake at times pops onto my tire causing my car to slam forward and then it releases. I replaced the brake line and the power steering line but the main problem is the speedometer /cluster”
NHTSA complaint #10809594, filed 2015-12“Both my husband and I drive 2005 chevy cavaliers, his car as roughly 95,000 miles on it his problems started first. First the gauges have started to go. The speed-o-meter and gas gauge are never right. Next his steering wheel column has started to come loose. My car having no more than 60,000miles on it has recently followed trend first my gas gauge went all the way around to being stuck in the middle, and then my gas gauge would get stuck and bump into the temp needle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10353897, filed 2010-09“The contact stated since purchase the brakes have been replaced two times due to the rotors warping and a noise was heard coming from the rear brakes. The first brake replacement was at 3,000 miles on the vehicle. On may 23, 2006 while making turns at 20 MPH, the steering wheel froze. In an attempt to free the steering, the contact pulled the wheel so hard that something broke within the steering column. The vehicle is currently at the dealership therefore, it is uncertain as to what repairs are necessary to correct the problem. There was a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10158151, filed 2006-05, 3,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 19 | 3% |
| 2002 | 16 | 8% |
| 2001 | 26 | 11% |
| 2000 | 28 | 9% |
| 1999 | 31 | 13% |
| 1998 | 54 | 16% |
| 1997 | 83 | 15% |
| 1996 | 49 | 10% |
| 1995 | 19 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 8 | 6% |
| 1991 | 5 | 9% |
| 1990 | 4 | 7% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1988 | 2 | 17% |
| 1987 | 6 | 25% |
| 1986 | 3 | 17% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
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 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 29, 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