The Lemon IndexA dead speedometer or gauge cluster usually has a sensor, wiring or cluster fault.
Fix soon. You can drive carefully (a phone GPS app shows speed), but get it checked soon.
A failed vehicle speed sensor or wheel speed sensor. Then: a failing instrument cluster; a loose or corroded connector.
Owners describe this in 10,987 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Chevrolet Silverado.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Chevrolet Impala | 240 | 22% |
| 2004 Chevrolet Silverado | 240 | 13% |
| 2003 Chevrolet Silverado | 183 | 9% |
| 2013 Ford F-Series | 177 | 6% |
| 2004 GMC Envoy | 157 | 22% |
| 2005 Ford Mustang | 136 | 16% |
| 2005 Chevrolet Silverado | 120 | 10% |
| 2005 Chevrolet Impala | 113 | 19% |
| 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe | 110 | 24% |
| 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier | 106 | 37% |
| 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe | 89 | 18% |
| 2000 Ford Windstar | 78 | 5% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier · 37% 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe · 24% 2004 Chevrolet Impala · 22% 2004 GMC Envoy · 22% 2004 GMC Yukon · 20% 2005 Chevrolet Impala · 19% 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier · 18% 2004 Chevrolet Suburban · 18%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of speedometer not working
- A failed vehicle speed sensor or wheel speed sensor
- A failing instrument cluster
- A loose or corroded connector
- A network fault between modules
- A blown fuse
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive if the speedometer is not working?
Fix soon. You can drive carefully (a phone GPS app shows speed), but get it checked soon.
Get help right away if other warning lights come on too.
Of the 10,987 complaints describing it, 1% mention a crash, 2% say the car was towed, 2% mention a fire and 0.6% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: electrical system (75%), power train (14%), vehicle speed control (10%), engine (6%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 69,888 miles.
Most reports by make: Chevrolet (3,269), Ford (1,888), Gmc (775), Jeep (709), Dodge (557).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (electrical repairs): the middle half ran $660 to $1,700, typical $1,000, from 57 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Engine codes that come up with it
Trouble codes owners named in these complaints more often than in other symptom complaints. Look up any code →
Related symptoms
Touchscreen freezing or going black Fuel gauge not working Car battery keeps dying Headlights not working All dashboard warning lights on Power window not working
Quick answers
What causes speedometer not working?
A dead speedometer or gauge cluster usually has a sensor, wiring or cluster fault. Common causes: a failed vehicle speed sensor or wheel speed sensor; a failing instrument cluster; a loose or corroded connector; a network fault between modules; a blown fuse.
Is it safe to drive if the speedometer is not working?
Fix soon. You can drive carefully (a phone GPS app shows speed), but get it checked soon.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Impala. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 57 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $660 to $1,700. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup