2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 6%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, 6% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2005 chevy Cavalier and around the 70,000 mileage mark when my transmission shifter cable broke and I have noticed that there is a default with this cable, because there is a significant bend in the cable and over the time this cable will wear out and broke...causing me to purchase a new one...so im making a complaint to whom it my concern that there needs to be a recall on this cable and to be fix with out the bend in the cable....thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10291367, filed 2009-11, 70,649 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“My '05 Cavalier, the hydraulic clutch hose got a hole in it from rubbing on the wiring harness that is next to it. This is something that I would assume be re-routed or better put in an area where this would not happen.”
NHTSA complaint #10231112, filed 2008-06, 82,472 miles“Manual hydraulic clutch in 2005 chevy Cavalier. Rubber hose gets worn through by metal bracket resulting in loss of clutch. I brought this to the attention of Chevrolet and they were of no assistance. I brought the vehicle in to a chevy dealer yesterday, 10-13-08 and showed the service manager and he said that he could not fix it because there was no recall on this item. It would have to be at my cost. I drove the car home and when I attempted to start it about an hour later the hose burst causing loss of clutch and the car jumping forward about 4 feet. There needs to be a recall!”
NHTSA complaint #10245402, filed 2008-10, 36,000 miles“Was in a parking lot went to back up..clutch pedal went to floor and wouldn't move,, clutch line was cut by a small piece of metal riding on the line..all the fluid leaked out disabling the car,, if going at high speed would have caused an accident,,no warning or warning lights..haven't had car fixed yet,,just happened,, will have old part.”
NHTSA complaint #10238456, filed 2008-08, 39 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 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…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 7% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
| 2001 | 34 | 14% |
| 2000 | 26 | 8% |
| 1999 | 20 | 8% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1997 | 26 | 5% |
| 1996 | 54 | 11% |
| 1995 | 17 | 6% |
| 1994 | 16 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 7% |
| 1992 | 7 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 5 | 9% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1987 | 2 | 8% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
211 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsFuel system
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