Problems with 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Speedometer and gas gauge and rpm gauge not working correctly. this has been happening for probably 3 years. started here and there and now, my speedometer it never working. each day is different. sometimes it will start on 35 mph and i can easily calculate my speed for about a half hour until it gets stuck. other days it won't move at all. i never know how fast i am going. also, gas gauge doesn't work, thank god my gas light does. one time firestone tried to fix it, and it worked for about 3 days, the it was messed up again. it used to only happen in extreme hot or cold weather conditions, but now it happens daily. *tr

The fuel gauge and speedometer failed for the past two years in cold weather. i now have 48,000 miles on the car. the car was diagnosed with a defected instrument cluster and gmc told me it was not their problem and the cost to fix it is $480.00. *tr

Cluster in dash failed, no gauges work. *ak

The car has a major wiring or electrical problem, but its not detected by mechanics. i have a temp gauge that is all over the place, sometimes it even touches the far bottom right side of the control panel. the speedometer is no longer working, driving or parked i am going -3 miles an hour. the rpms work when they feel like it which is rarely. the only gauge working is the gas. in addition to this, the car cuts off while driving. all of this has been for the last year and a half and continues to date. i have been in mid-left turn on major intersections of los angeles and it just died. i commute on the 110 fwy and it has just died, always while i am accelerating never parked. then in a few seconds you crank the key and your off and running again. it is so scary because it is so unpredictable. i have received speeding tickets not knowing my speed and mechanic cant find the problem. what do i do??? *tr

My dashboard doesn't work properly. all of the gauges, with the exception of the odometer, does not work. this includes fuel, speedometer, rpm, and temperature gauges. it started with my temperature gauge. i thought the car was overheating when it really wasn't. then my fuel gauge went out. then it was the speedometer and rpm gauge. all of the gauges, except for the rpm, move up and down, but none of them are accurate. the speedometer can get stuck at 0, 60 or move off of the gauge entirely. it is obviously not very safe not knowing how fast you are going, or if your car is overheating or not. it is my understanding the entire dashboard has to be replaced, but i am not 100% certain. *tr

I bought my car, a 2004 chevy cavalier with 21 miles on it. since then i have tried to return it and now the minor but frequent issues are much bigger and more frequently! first my trunk latch broke a week after purchase. the cd broke the next week, cigarette lighter broke, and passenger seat wouldn't move. this was the first two months of ownership. a few months ago the fuel gauge broke, temp gauge and ac. they couldn't verify it so couldn't repair, until it completely failed this month. also, i was left stranded at 2:30 am with my 3 year old son when the clutch fell through the floor. it was repaired and now the rpms shoot up to 6000, is unresponsive to any pedals, and requires turning the engine off. this happened in san francisco on highway 101, i am truly afraid for the safety of myself. son, and others driving this car or near one. there are many other unmentioned things that have occurred, too many to tell in this summary. they of course can't duplicate this major problem and therefore can't "correct." also they state it doesn't fall under lemon, but what is at stake our lives. *jb

Air bags did not come out car flipped over twice and there was 1 death and 1 injury. *tr

While driving my car, the engine would completely shut off. at first it would happen when i was at a complete stop. however it began to happen while the car was in movement. i tried to crank the car to take it to the shop and it wouldn't crank at all. the problem couldn't be identified on a diagnostic test and it wasn't the spark plugs. i was told to replace the computer to see if that was the problem. the auto shop was not even sure that it was the problem. this computer cost $650 not including labor. now my engine light continually flashes and the car jerks. however when i take it to the auto shop they say that i have gotten bad gas. they can't find another problem. i've changed where i get my gas and it still happens daily. out of 3 hours of driving it may run normally about 1- 1.5 hour. *nm

My 2004 chevy cavalier has a problem with the instrument cluster. in 2006 i was driving doing 20 mph in a school zone and noticed my speedometer read 110, the gas gauge showed empty and the temperature gauge had moved all the way around and was sitting on the speedometer needle. i contacted gm about the problem and was informed that a recall was issued on trucks and suv's but did not include automobiles. i was told to take my car to a dealership and pay $100.00 to have it inspected by a mechanic and if the mechanic determined it was the cluster, the information would be sent to gm and they would then make a decision on whether they would make the repair or not. my daughter owns a 2004 monte carlo with the same problem and her daughter has the problem with her 2005 cavalier. there are many others with this problem and gm just refuses to address the problem. i think car owners should get the same respect as truck owners and gm should repair these clusters. i have contacted gm many times and they don't do anything . *tr

When driving the vehicle and hit a bump the ignition switch will cause the interior light to come and on occasion cause the car to shut off. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet cavalier. while driving 5 mph, the engine intermittently stalled. the failure occurred while making a turn in first gear. the rpm decreased to 400 rpm and there was a loss of power steering. when the vehicle stalled, the contact released his foot from the clutch and the motor increased the rpm's automatically. when the key was turned in the ignition, the vehicle failed to start intermittently until approximately ten attempts. while driving 55 mph, the speedometer displayed 30 mph. when the gas tank was full, the fuel gauge would display half a tank. the temperature gauge also malfunctioned. the vehicle would not overheat, but the gauge would read hot. the dealer was unable to diagnose or repair the failures. the failure mileage was 24,000 and current mileage was 37,500.

Own 2004 chevy cavalier with 62,000 miles on it. at 25,000 mi the instrument panel stopped working correctly i contacted gm and was told to take car to dealer and have it checked at a cost of 100.00 and if it was a cluster they might pay for repairs. the speedometer needle goes over past 110 mi when i am doing 20 mph, the gas gauge will sit on empty when there is a half tank, i did some research and found out that gm recalled trucks with this problem but did not include cars, this had to be done before 70,000 miles. i think they should recall cars and fix the problem at once. *tr

My 2004 chevrolet cavalier gauges quit working. i have been online and done some research and i am not the only one with this problem. they have many people that have complained about it. please do a recall so we can get this problem fixed. once my warranty of 30 days was up that's when everything quit working. *tt

I have had problems with brake grinding since i bought my 04 cavalier. it has been into the dealership 3 times and each time i was told there was only rust build up and it was sanded off only to reccur. the last time in the dealership, i was told my car was no longer under warranty and if i wanted a brake job done it would be in excess of $140.00...this...was for the same problem the car was in for the previous 2 times and no new brakes installed..only the rust ground off. my check engine light periodically goes off and on and the dealership cannot determine why. i no longer have any lights on my radio/cd player..i can play cd's and use the radio but have no idea what station etc i am on. shortly after this occurred in like 2 weeks, i lost my speedometer...it works briefly and then sticks at 90 mph ( the odometer works however) the dealership checked fuses and said all was fine. they said it appeared to be a cluster module and even though the part was not that expensive, the labor would be the most because it entailed them removing the dash board. the cost factor of over $400 was verbally given to me. i live on a fixed income and cannot afford this. they said there were no recalls and given my car is off warranty, i would need to absorb this cost myself. i bought this car brand new and feel that after less than 2 years of owning it, these problems should not have happened. i gave an estimated account of dates of incident been they have been on going and can be verified through the dealership i bought it from as i have taken it no where else for service. i am registered with carstats and there have been several complaints of the same things i am experiencing. *jb

My speedometer on my 2004 chevy cavalier has stopped working i have noticed alot if 2000 models with this issue. *tr

Dt: while driving the contact's vehicle was involved in an accident due to a possible medical condition. the vehicle caught on fire immediately upon impact. the vehicle was deemed a total loss from the insurance company. a representative from the manufacturer inspected the vehicle and was unable to determine the cause of the fire due to the extensive damage. the solid fuel lines were intact as well as the gasoline tank. *ak updated 02/26/06. *jb

I bought the car used with over 29,000 miles on it in july of 2005. the car stops running at any speed traveled, everything locks up so it is hard to steer off the road. after i finally pull of the road i put the car in park, turn the ignition key off and then turn it on again it starts back up. this has happened many times. the first time i took it to the dealership and they told me that " since it wont happen to them while they drive it there is nothing wrong, so go home and call us if it happens again." so i did. the 2nd time it was in the dealership they put it on a diagnostic test and fixed 2 things. now the warranty ends and it is still doing the problem. i have called and made an appointment but was told i would have to pay for the repairs anyways because the warranty ended a little over 1,000 miles ago. i drive in this car everyday to work which is a half hour away from my house and to school 1 day a week which is 3.5 hours from my house. i also have my child in this car at all times. i feel this car is a hazard to all that drives in it and i honestly feel that there may be an accident in the future if this doesn't get fixed. *jb

Dt:the contact stated the dashboard light kept going out. the vehicle has been in repair shop four times for the same problem. the contact was on her way to the dealership to pick up the vehicle and was unsure if the problem had been corrected.*ak

While driving home from work with my 2004 chevrolet cavalier, 4 dr sedan, vin #[xxx]traveling about 45 mph on monday, 8/8/05 during daylight hours ,i looked at the speedometer and lo and behold it registered zero. the zero reading continued for up to 20 minutes before it began to record speed. i brought it to lou bachrodt chevrolet the same day at 5500 n state rd. 7, coconut creek, fl 33073, telephone #(954) 247-3000, invoice [xxx]. today, 8/9/05 and was told that they couldn't find anything, and therefore could not replace or repair the speedometer components and related equipment. therefore, nothing was done and i was sent on my way. i feel my safety and the safety of others are at risk if this happens again which it probably will since there is no explanation for it. if i am going through a school zone and not know what speed i am traveling at, this could lead to a dangerous situation for the children, myself and other motorists. *nm updated 07/19/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

2004 chevrolet cavalier developed a problem with starting as well as stalling.*mr the vehicle has been taken tot he dealer numerous times but they have not been able to permanently alleviate the problem. *nm

Out of nowhere my temp. gauge went out followed by the speedometer, rpm, fuel all my gauges have gone out. can't find the problem without replacing the whole thing. *tr

2004 chevy cavalier speedometer does not state the correct mph you are going will stick anywhere, the temperature gauge also has stopped working. it can be reset (the speedometer) once the car cools off but when you are driving and have no idea what speed you are going it is a major problem that needs to be corrected by chevy. *tr

Instrument cluster fails to work properly on this model although i have taken it to the dealership 3 times before the warranty ran out. has never been repaired although they claim they fixed it. the fuel gauge, speedometer, tachometer, and temperature gauge are all affected by this malfunction. when i am driving down the road, it is very common for it to read that i'm going 30 miles faster than i really am and the extreme opposite also happens where i am sitting at a red light but going 70 mph. i have researched online and haven't seen a recall but i really feel that one is necessary in this case. it is unsafe to never know how much gas is in the vehicle, the speed in which you are travelling, or any of the other essential things that should be known while you are operating a car.

Consumer received a recall notice(04002) regarding the ignition circuit thermal. the dealer refused to do the work!!! service manager patricia barona. *jb the consumer requested that the information given to be disreguarded because information was on the consumers 2001 that was traded for 2004. *tc

Dt: while driving and without warning the vehicle died. this has happened three times. the dealer said it was something different every time. the manufacturer was contacted, but would not return the consumers call. she called three times. the dealer said the problem was an ignition switch the second time. the third time they replaced/programmed the pcm. the first time they replaced a module 3.107, seal 3.112. *ak the power windows would not roll down. *jb

My 2004 cavalier has the dash cluster going out. therefore, my speedometer is not working correctly. there have been several times that i have had to slam on brakes because i was going around a curve too fast, but thought that i was slow enough. the dealer has told me there is no recall because it is not a safety issue. well, i feel that it is. this is a manufacturer's defect, but yet they are charging people to fix the cluster. the cost run up to $350.00 if not more. i am also at risk of getting a ticket. i have e-mailed gm, but have not received a response. i do know for a fact that this is happening to other 2004 models also from speaking with the local dealerships. please help in this issue before somebody possibly is hurt. *jb

Bought a brand new 2004 cavalier approximately april 2004. since purchase date,car has been into dealership due to loud grinding noises in brakes 3 times. first time to best of my knowledge within 6 months of ownership. every time i have been the noises are rust buildup on shoes and pads. the remedy was to sand the rust, it worked but temporarily. i had the car in again november 2005 for this same thing & my check engine light stayed on. my car was still under warranty. the tech told me i had rust & the rotors were " a little out of round". he told me the car had 30,000 miles on & they couldn't do new brakes as warranty it would cost me about $140.00. the check engine light was attributed it to having some floats in tank from gas that affected a sensor. wouldn't cause problems they said & it still happens. the 2nd visit to the dealer they fix a side mirror & defroster..didn't work. 1 week ago, i have use of radio & cd player only no lights/radio now. the next day i started car up my & speedometer says 35 mph idling. going with traffic flow it registered 105 & is now stopped there. mileage gauge, gas and other lights still work as does gas gauge. i called a local chevy dealership near me & inquired as to an aprox. cost to have radio & speedometer fixed/looked at. warranty now is off. i was told labor be the expensive part..looking at $400 or more. i live on a fixed income & can't afford this. brakes/radio/speedometer are nothing i caused. i was never offered to have brakes replaced. speedometer issue is very dangerous. i have checked websites to see if there were complaints like mine& there are. i have guessed the incident date i cannot recall exact date i took car in for the 1st brake issue. *jb

When starting the vehicle, every month or so it will turn over once and the power will shut off and when i let off the key it will come back on. then try to start again and it will. maybe a problem with the ignition or starter.*ak

Dt: consumer stated that the wiring harness behind the dashboard went bad, and then there was a clicking noise from the front end. consumer stated that there appeared to be an electrical problem with the vehicle because the radio had to replaced 3 times, and the alarm went off at random. also, dealership replaced the body module control unit. the front end had a service bulletin on the wheel covers and the clicking noise was a result of this. they have fixed the problem with the wheel covers twice. *ak

Bought this car new , every time we hit a bump with key ring and car driving the interior light would flash on and off like the key was just turned on , we complained and they could never find a thing , so now when you drive it and hit the key ring with all the other keys on it the light flashes on and off , chevrolet could never find the problem and now there is a recall for the same thing that happens on a 2004 cavalier as later models of chevy. *tr

Consumer started vehicle to warm it up and went back into the office. vehicle was in flames within 10 minutes. the flames were under the hood. *ak

Consumer complained that when manually shifting vehicle stalled. the key had to be removed from the ignition to restart the vehicle. also, sometimes vehicle stalled when shifting too fast. occasionally, the stalling occurred on the highway. during this time it could be dangerous to have to remove the key from the ignition. the dealer claims that the vehicle was designed to do this. the problem occurred more than twelve times. *ak *nm

Electrical problem with 2004 chevy cavalier. within a few weeks of purchase (purchased new) car has had electrical problems that have gotten worse over the year of ownership. driver side window will not open or close at times, pre-set radio stations change at times, and interior light will turn on and off by itself at times. *nm

a strong fuel odor entered the inside of the vehicle when the vents were used. this odor caused nausea and headaches to any one riding in the vehicle. at any temperature, the vehicle took a very long time to crank up. also, while driving at 50 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and bogged down. the vehicle would eventually pick up speed and act as if nothing ever happened. these problems occurred eight times. *ak there was rattle in the drivers side door panel due to the regulator, there was also an intermittent noise on the passenger side rear, the vehicle would not start due to the power train control module, the engine was hard to start at times and was unable to be duplicated, the engine would lose power, the driver door made a rubbing noise, the floor area was buckling, and the a/c displayed a burning smell. *sc *jb

The trunk latch on my cavalier won't latch. this is the second time it has broke with the same problem. i replaced the trunk latch about three years ago i rarely use my trunk. also the defrost,vent knob quit working it turn but won't switch to defrost or the different vent settings. the cd player won't take, or play cd's. there was a fly on my windshield right around a year after i bought the car and i barely tapped the windshield and the windshield cracked all over. *tr