The Lemon Index
200320053rd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical
Fewest complaints of its generation (3rd generation).
82 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Honda Civic 352004 Toyota Corolla 392004 Hyundai Elantra 120
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
- Engine stalling24 complaintsmostly at 12,000–80,000 miles (19,000–129,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion11 complaintsmostly at 40,000–136,000 miles (64,000–219,000 km)
- Coolant leak / overheating10 complaintsmostly at 40,000–75,000 miles (64,000–121,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 330 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 40,000 miles (8,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 56 complaints, of all 82 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 08E063000 (steering) and 04V300000 (seat belts) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 82 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 40K miles (8K to 64K km) on the car (56 of all 82 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
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.
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier owner · NHTSA complaint 10080753
More owner reports
Possible brake or accelerator defect in 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier.
NHTSA complaint 10073368
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.
NHTSA complaint 10063287
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 11.1M views · 1995–2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
Most-watched topics
- Cooling system838K views
2002 Cavalier Water Pump Replacement (Part 1) - EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 260K views · 9 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank622K views
Fuel Pump & Fuel Filter Replacement Chevrolet Cavalier 1995-20052CarPros · 159K views · 10 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical585K views
1995 - 2005 Chevy Cavalier Radio InstallProvo Beast Audio Installation · 291K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter468K views
2003 04 05 Chevrolet Cavalier & Pontiac Sunfire Broken Auto Transmission Shift Cable Bushing RepairDrShock · 147K views · 7 videos
Show 3 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition378K views
2002 chevy cavalier . pontiac sunfire remove ignition lock cylinderSilent Mechanic · 205K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring252K views
Combination switch replacement Turn signal switch Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Pontaic SunfireFixing cars and stuff · 102K views · 6 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors247K views
2002 Chevy Cavalier Power Window Repair - EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 237K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
MotorWeek | Retro Review: '95 Chevrolet CavalierMotorWeek · 212K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2004 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 2
- Steering · recall issued 2008
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" B…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT NUT AND BOLT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Cavalier recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★☆☆☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Cavalier year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (1996–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Chevrolet Cavalier years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-cavalier/?y=2004" title="Chevrolet Cavalier reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-cavalier/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Chevrolet Cavalier reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 49; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), brakes (16%) and visibility (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
24 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 40,000 miles (8,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 56 complaints, of all 82 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2.2L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Chevrolet Cavalier year than the 2004?
Not nearby: the 2004 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Chevrolet Cavalier years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works