2004 Chevrolet Cavalier: won't start

5 of the 330 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier describe won't start.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 80 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2005
1
2004
5
2003
72
2001
7
2000
16
1999
3
1998
7
1997
18
1996
11
1995
8
1994
1
1993
1
1991
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 13, 2020 · Transmission · 85,509 miles · FL

In the parking lot where I work my car would not start. When moving the automatic transmission lever it did not catch on to anything. The car just rolled backwards and I had to immediately press on the brakes preventing an accident. My car had to be towed to the auto shop. Diagnosis: shifter cable was detached from transmission. Previously on 09/13/2011 the same thing happened to my car. The shifter cable broke and I had to be towed to lou bachrodt chevrolet both times. The 2nd time invoice no. Cwcs692729 $502.24 and $477.55 invoice no.cwcs149491 the first time. This car should be recalled. Two times is too many.

Filed Jul 7, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Car will not start consistently. Have to wait a couple of days, then it may start or not. But if it starts, it will not start again until days go by............ Ignition shut off on one occasion when operating on a public road. Loss of power, engine and power brakes.steering wheel did not lock but coasted vehicle off the road.

Filed Mar 24, 2014 · Electrical · 72,004 miles · MI

As I was driving down the road the vehicle stopped running and I had to pull over to the side of the road. I then tried to start the car again but it did not start. So I tried again a few more time. The vehicle did start so I took the car in for repairs the next week which was my first attempt. It took 2 more visits to get the car fixed correctly. It turned out to be the ignition switch sensor. Just like the recall by gm. But my model is not included, I hope it will be added in the future.

Filed Aug 6, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · SC

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.

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Body, Electrical · 100 miles · SC

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