2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 5%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the body and structure of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, 5% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,500 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.
“The weather was in the 10s and single digits. I was traveling in pair, we did not exceed 35 miles an hour as visibility was very poor due to snow and winds. I noticed my speedometer was accelerating, believed my tires were spinning on ice. I come to a stop and realized my speedometer was still going 60 miles an hour. Drove the rest of the way home following my friend who was previously following me. The MPH needle made its way to point straight down. I wouldn't have expressed concern if other chevy Cavalier owners had told me to, because it has happened to them too. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560875, filed 2014-01, 136,614 miles“The speedometer has gone haywire. It gets stuck at the far right end showing over 110 MPH when I'm driving only 20 MPH. When completely stopped, it will show 60 to 70 MPH as the speed. Once in a great while, it will work for a few minutes or so. I do not know how fast I am actually going and this is a very real safety hazard. I've been told I might have to replace my dash and this could be very costly- I have only 26,000 miles on my 2005 Cavalier, have owned for less than 4 years, and have 2 years yet to pay on my loan.”
NHTSA complaint #10247154, filed 2008-10, 26,000 miles“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“2005 Chevrolet Cavalier developed problems with the driver's seat moving. The driver's seat was unstable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but they claimed that there was nothing wrong with the seat. The consumer said he also gets shocked by the vehicle constantly.”
NHTSA complaint #10135595, filed 2005-08, 1,418 miles“On two separate occasions the driver door would open without warning while driving 45-50 MPH. The vehicle has been to the dealer. The dealer made some adjustments to the door. The mechanic informed the consumer that the vehicle had been hit before and the problem may continue due to the damages the vehicle had sustained. The driver door did not close after adjustments as well as the passenger door. The driver door would open while I the vehicle was in motion, material was coming out from under the dashboard, interior passenger door was damaged when purchased, and the back seat was discolored.”
NHTSA complaint #10113517, filed 2005-04, 487 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10123211Oct 2, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a loud tick or rattle noise under the hood at all operating conditions…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 14 | 5% |
| 2004 | 13 | 4% |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% |
| 2002 | 9 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 6% |
| 2000 | 27 | 9% |
| 1999 | 8 | 3% |
| 1998 | 28 | 8% |
| 1997 | 20 | 4% |
| 1996 | 13 | 3% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 13 | 6% |
| 1993 | 8 | 5% |
| 1992 | 6 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1987 | 1 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
211 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 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 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