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2004 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical complaints

Page 6 of 7: complaints 131 to 160 of 185, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Apr 13, 2009 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · PA

Speedometer and other gauges going haywire. At times I have no idea what speed I am going. I can be stopped at a redlight and my speedometer reads 90mph. Or I can be keeping with the flow of traffic on route 30 and it reads 20mph.

Filed Feb 16, 2009 · Electrical · MA

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.

Filed Feb 14, 2009 · Electrical · 60,125 miles · NC

The speedometer on my 2004 chevy cavalier stopped working correctly about a year and a half ago. It will stick at random places on the dial, even when not driving, will not register the correct speed, and sometimes roll all the way over, pointing at the odometer. The tachometer and coolant temp. Gauge stick also when it gets cold outside. All of these problems seem to get better when the weather warms up, but are still present. I haven't had the money to get this fixed (estimated at 700 dollars) so therefore no repairs have been made. This is an obvious safety defect and a recall needs to be issued! I have read many more complaints from other cavalier owners about the same issues!

Filed Feb 11, 2009 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · VA

Defective stepper motors on the cluster instrument panel. Now affecting fuel gauge,speedometer,and tachometer on about a year now. Just found out what is causing the problem. Gm already recalled trucks and SUV's. No recall on cars yet.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · OH

2004 chevy cavalier, speedometer is crazy 1999 chevy cavalier, gas gague is busted both repairs are exceedingly expensive/dangerous, would like a recall.

Filed Jan 7, 2009 · Electrical · 74 miles · MO

We have 2 2004 chevy cavaliers. On one of the cavaliers not to long after we bought it, the speedometer went out on it and we couldn't read the mileage on the car. We have tried to buy used ones and put then in the car and that failed and you still can't read the mileage on the car. On the second cavalier the speedometer is acting funny. When the car sets for overnight and the next morning you go and turn it on it says that you are going a high amount of speed, when it has been parked for a long time. It keeps occurring daily, and then sometimes when your driving it will say that your go 0 MPH, when you are driving down the highway. We have looked to get these fixed, but the local chevy dealer that we talked to has said that he has had several complaints of this going wrong in the cavaliers and the chevy trucks. Both of my cars have around 74,000 miles on it, and if other people are having the same problem, a recall needs to be issued, and we think the company should pay for it, since it has happened in both cars around the same mileage point.

Filed Jan 5, 2009 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · CA

At about 40k miles, the tachometer and speedometer started acting erratically. Speedometer constantly at 60 even when at a stop. Tach no longer works at all. Will have to replace instrument cluster. Estimate is about $450.00.

Filed Jan 5, 2009 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · CA

I started looking for a fix for my wife's car and I have found that across the nation there are people driving with no speedo, tach, dash lights, or horn. This is a different mix of prbs for each but they all come back to the dash of the chevy cavalier.

Filed Dec 15, 2008 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · OH

My speedometer has stopped working. It has been repaired once and has started not functioning again. It occasionally works correctly, but mostly it goes up to a high reading and sticks there.

Filed Dec 6, 2008 · Electrical · 99,000 miles · MA

The speedometer does not read accurately. Sometimes it reads too fast and sometimes too slow. No accidents have occurred, but the potential is there. The problem is sporadic, happening over the course of a day, several days a week. I have not had it repaired.

Filed Nov 24, 2008 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · IN

I started the car when the fuel gauge went above the full mark even though it was at a half tank, after shutting it off and restarting it a couple times it eventually corrected itself. A week later this happened again but it would not correct itself though. Then while driving the speedometer and tachometer started to give bad readings. The tachometer was reading at below zero rpms while at idle and it would go up to about 6,000 RPM while driving, the speedometer would read about 30-40 MPH over the speed limit while I was driving and would sit at about 20 MPH when I was at idle. The dealerships said that replacing the instrument cluster would correct the problem.

Filed Nov 24, 2008 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · IN

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

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Electrical · UT

So, the problem started about a month ago. I noticed that my speedometer in my cavalier would randomly freeze and stop working. I noticed that once I would turn the car off and then turn it back on it would be fine, and it would work properly for the rest of the day. After about a week of it freezing up like this, I was really getting ticked off. One day it started working fine and for about a week or so it worked perfect with no issues at all. Then about a week ago it really started freaking out. It said I was going 110 when I was only going like 40, and turning the car on and off does nothing. It stays frozen no matter what it do. If I drive on the highway, it actually goes past the gauge limit and points straight down where my odometer is and stays there. It is so annoying! I decided over the weekend I would take it into a mechanic to have it looked at. Do you know what they told me? They told me it would cost $675 to fix it, b/c the whole speedometer needed to be replaced. I can't believe I am going to pay almost $700 to take care of a problem that chevy created.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Electrical · 53,433 miles · MO

My speedometer is malfunctioning. It is setting on 65 when stopped. Then when driving it sets on 110+. Then for no reason it starts working again. I took it in to a chevy dealership they said nothing was wrong, I am still under warranty. I only have one car, I have to drive to work. But this is scary and dangerous. Not to mention I could get a ticket.

Filed Nov 5, 2008 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · IN

My 2004 chevy cavalier's speedometer is not working and the local dealer says they would have to send the cluster to a larger shop. I cannot be without my vehicle and it will also cost from 300.00 to 600.00 at the local dealer and there will also be an additional charge at the larger shop.

Filed Oct 22, 2008 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · VA

I have a 2004 chevrolet cavalier. Ls . Sometimes the speedometer sticks, show the wrong speed, goes off the gauge past the highest speed on the gauge or a speed below the actual speed. The fuel gauge does the same thing. The fuel gauge sometimes goes past "full" with the needle going into the temperature gauge. There should be a recall for this car problem. Not knowing the correct speed poses a potential hazard, especially taking a curve too fast. This is a genuine safety issue. Additionally there is the legal aspect if you're ticketed for speeding when you don't know how fast your are going! This also poses a hazard to pedestrians as well as other drivers.

Filed Sep 22, 2008 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · PA

I have a 2004 chevrolet cavalier. First the speedometer started sticking then it stopped working totally and is now stuck on 110 MPH. Then my tach and temp gauges started sticking or not working at all. This is not a coincidence cause I just found out that they have a recall for 2004 trucks. There should be one for this car as well. I mean it is the same freaking problem as they had with the trucks. There is tons of complaints for this same problem. First and last time I ever buy a chevrolet unless they show me they care about there customers.

Filed Sep 19, 2008 · Electrical · OH

I have a 2004 chevrolet cavalier 2-dr coupe. The instrument panel is not working correctly. The gas gauge pointer works only part of the time. It will show (0) zero gas, even after a fill-up. The temperature gauge works the same way, sometimes, the pointer will move and sometimes it stays at the (0) temperature position, even while being driven. The speedometer pointers turns counter-clockwise. The only gauge that seems to work properly so far is the tachometer gauge. The car was purchased new and has about 53,000 miles on it.

Filed Sep 10, 2008 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · TX

My temperature gauge fluctuated for about a month and then it just moved to the bottom and points to the bottom part of the instrument panel and I can not tell if my car is overheating.,and my speedometer likes to freeze every once in a while.

Filed Sep 9, 2008 · Electrical · AZ

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.

Filed Sep 8, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 84,100 miles · PA

First, thank you for listening. I have a 2004 chevrolet cavalier base model. 2.2 ecotec engine. The ABS, lowtrac, and service light comes on in the vehicle when placed in drive or reverse. Car hesitates and wants to shut down every time!! When it first started to happen, it could be shut off and re-started and the lights would go out. Now they are is on all the time! I have also noticed when on slippery roadways the ABS does not work in the vehicle> I have slid sideways and through intersections . A horrible noise comes from the car when the brakes are applied when the lights are off in the car if they do not come on right away. I apply the brakes, and the awful growling and noise that comes from the car is very scary. I am afraid to let my wife even drive sometimes. I have not reported this to the dealership yet as I am waiting to see if this is a recall. If it is, I can have the repair done for nothing. I feel it should be done for nothing as if this is a defect in the vehicle that could cause terrible harm or even death if this occurs while driving..

Filed Jul 24, 2008 · Electrical · 32,000 miles · PA

Speedometer fluctuates. Do not know my speed. Tachometer fluctuates. Cannot estimate speed. Temperature gauge is acting up. Do I have to worry about blowing my engine? Numerous complaints on internet. This is a real problem, and should be recalled. Pretty expensive repair for a cavalier owner.

Filed Jun 28, 2008 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · AZ

My complaint is a "domino effect" within the instrument cluster. Here is what happened, in order: 1) temperature gauge needle over extends itself clockwise past the maximum threshold, so that the needle is pointing to the right (passenger side). The needle will unpredictably reset itself to that position when the vehicle is powered off and turned back on, or it will just remain stuck in that position. 2) the temperature gauge needle, now stuck pointing to the right, physically interferes (a fight so to speak) with the speedometer needle which is frantically trying to push its way past a stubborn temp gauge needle. The speedometer cannot push itself past 10 miles per hour. 3) speedometer,despite being the bigger needle, loses and dies completely... Sitting lifelessly at -1. Ohhh the irony. 4) about 1 month later the fuel gauge over extends itself and commonly points to the right, or in any random direction. The fuel gauge sometimes sticks when the vehicle is powered off, or will reset and find another completely inaccurate position to remain in. I think it is just jealous of the other two. Conclusion: I am driving -1 mile per hour down the freeway with 147% fuel capacity in a vehicle whose engine is running at over 570 degrees f. But that is ok because chevy told me it isn't a safety issue, so every thing must be perfectly fine!

Filed Jun 13, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

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???

Filed May 29, 2008 · Electrical · 117,000 miles · VA

The tachometer is failing to work, the speedometer is failing to work, the drivers side window went out, and the service engine light stays on with the ABS and track off lights stay on. This is constant. Now, I am worried that the speedometer will have a problem when I am driving my children. There doesn't seem to be a clear cut fix for this when talking to the chevy dealer.

Filed May 23, 2008 · Electrical · 77,000 miles · MI

Some times the speedometer would change to 100 MPH while driving at approximately 55 MPH or would just drop to zeromph. The tachometer would not change. Had it into the dealer several times but it would work ok. The dealer said he could not do anything under warranty unless he could see the problem and analyze it because it could be the cluster ,loose wire or another part. It happened at least 1 or 2 times a week on my way to work . I set up with dealer to have him come to my work to check it out if malfunctioned. Some times when I stopped the speedometer would read any where from 10 to 45 MPH. Finally malfunctioned and dealer was able to check it out. Cluster was replaced on warranty.

Filed Apr 10, 2008 · Electrical · VT

Odometer would not read correctly and would end up over 110mph and get stuck. Eventually would make it to 0 and work for a couple days and the go back over 110mph. While it was over 110 if you started the car the fuel gauge would turn towards the temp gauge. Took car to the dealer and had to replace the entire instrument cluster. Cost about $400.00.

Filed Mar 3, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 24,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Feb 10, 2008 · Electrical · 77,100 miles · NC

On the date listed below, I noticed the speedometer on my 2004 chevrolet cavalier began to, well, "stick." after a length of time it will not return to zero, and over time, will dip below 110 MPH and stay there. I have been on numerous websites and have seen numerous complaints from owners of cavaliers and impalas, so this is not an uncommon problem. This is not safe for me as a driver, to not know how fast I am going, and could pose a danger for my passengers and others I drive near. Average repair costs are $400, and a person driving a cavalier will typically not have that kind of money to spare. General motors needs to issue a recall.

Filed Dec 10, 2007 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · CT

Fuel gauge inoperative, points to the temp gauge. Speedometer sometimes works. When it's not, it's either pointing to below zero or up at 90 MPH. Must rely on odometer(still works) to gauge fuel use. Must drive slower than traffic to insure I'm not speeding. Repair is very expensive. Have not been able to afford yet. Problem started around 54,000 miles.

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