The Lemon Index
20043rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,960 in the U.S. in 2005 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 52 complaints in its first 3 years.
52 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Honda Civic 402005 Toyota Corolla 382005 Hyundai Elantra 62
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
- Coolant leak / overheating16 complaintsmostly at 50,000–78,000 miles (80,000–126,000 km)
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 3,300–48,000 miles (5,300–77,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 20,000 and 55,000 miles (32,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 52 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 recall 08E063000 (steering) 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?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Chevy sent dealers 527 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine failure due to water ingestion hydro lock”?
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 52 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 20K to 55K miles (32K to 89K km) on the car (39 of all 52 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
My gauges on my 2005 Cavalier don't work at all and want to see if be fixed for free.
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier owner · NHTSA complaint 10234572
More owner reports
I was sold a chevy Cavalier with bad brakes and bad rotors and it makes a big noise when you go to turn to the right no accidents yet.
NHTSA complaint 10236196
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 2005 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.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 527 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine failure due to water ingestion hydro lock
- Information on 4t40-e (mn4) and 4t45-e (mn5) front wheel drive automatic transmission valve body
- There are seat belt problems: difficulty latching and unlatching buckle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- 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…
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 $2,300–$2,400 (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. 2005 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 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-cavalier/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Chevrolet Cavalier reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,960 were sold in the U.S. in 2005 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (35%), brakes (19%) and body structure (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
1 safety recall (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
25 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 55,000 miles (32,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 52 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 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 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2.2L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Cavalier year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
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