2005 Chevrolet Cavalier: power window failure

Filed Jun 17, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 98,000 miles · FL

Last december my 2005 cavalier experienced a speedometer malfunction while I was traveling on the highway. I was in an area where the speed zone changed from 50 MPH to 65 MPH. The speedometer registered my increase in speed fine. When I slowed down, the speedometer stayed in place. Over the past 7 months my dashboard gauges (fuel, temp, speed, RPM) all malfunction. Sometimes they reset themselves. Most of the time I'm never sure how fast I'm going or how much gas I have. My engine temp will read off the charts even on a cool morning after it has sat still all night. Although this started last december, the problems continue to this day. I have poured so much money into other electrical issues with this car already, I'm convinced it is not worth one more dime to fix the instrument cluster. I've spent hundreds on power window motors that continuously malfunction. The rear right blinker has consistently gone haywire as well. I had resigned myself to the fact that I was one in a thousand who happened to get an electrical lemon. After reading all the complaints from other cavalier owners, however, I realize that chevrolet in 2005 played a sick joke on the whole lot of us. I have owned several imported cars, mostly honda's and toyota, and have never been as displeased. Gm should be ashamed. The car drives great. I was very excited about it when I bought it as I liked the look and feel of it on the road. I'll never buy another chevrolet.

Filed Sep 7, 2011 · Electrical · NC

The instrument gauges in our 05 cavalier are not working properly. The speedometer will sometimes fall from the car speed of 65 down to 0 and swing back up to 65 again. The other instrument gauges have started doing the same. We have had many safety issues with the power windows from the first day we bought this car. The drivers side window has no power at all. There is a 5 inch gap at the top, and sometimes the window will fall down even further when driving on the highway. I have done research on the web and found that this is a very common problem with the 05 chevy cavaliers. I previously asked gm to help me fix this drivers side window hazard, but they wanted me to be the one to take action. Others that I have spoken with on the web have had the motors replaced by an authorized dealer at no cost. All of my web browsing & researching of this matter was consistent. The motors are defective. And the cost of the window motor plus labor was over $500.00 per window. That doesn't include fixing any electrical problems that may be wrong. I asked for our drivers side window to be repaired by chevrolet so that we could drive in safety with no sudden distractions or hazards. Recently, the rear drivers side window has started moving up & down very slowly and we are afraid it is also going to need repair.

Filed Sep 30, 2010 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · GA

The instrument panel of my 2005 chevy cavalier has gone crazy. It started with my gas gauge staying all the way to the right which prevents my temp gauge from reading. Now in the past week the RPM gauge is doing the same thing. I have noticed the speedometer will stick as I accelerate. I am just waiting for it to go out. I have to judge my miles to make sure I don't run out of gas. Why hasn't chevy recalled this problem? I also have had to replace both driver and passenger side window motors....now I believe it's an electrical problem that should be recalled!

Filed Jun 27, 2010 · Electrical, Visibility · 45,000 miles · CA

Power window failure, windows stuck, replaced window motor 2 times, failure again, unable to open or close windows, gas gauge and speedometer not working.

Filed Oct 20, 2009 · Acceleration, Electrical · 49,000 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 35 to 55 MPH on normal road conditions; pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal and there was an unintended increase in the acceleration. The engine revved extremely high which caused the ABS, engine, and traction control warning light indicators to illuminate on the instrument control panel intermittently. Immediately after applying pressure to the brake pedal, the vehicle began driving normally. An independent mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The front driver and passenger power window mechanism also failed without warning. The window motor was replaced; however, when the window was activated the response time was slow which may have caused the window shield wipers to malfunction. The speed odometer and RPM gauges displayed inaccurate readings which could be related to the vehicle intermittently exhibiting reduce engine power. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 74,400.

Filed Aug 3, 2007 · Electrical, Visibility · 29,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the horn sounds intermittently while the vehicle is parked or while opening the trunk. The key must be placed in the ignition in order for the horn to shut off. She stated that the vehicle feels as if it will shut off while driving. In addition, one battery has already been replaced and the passenger side rear window will not roll up once it is down. The vehicle has been to the dealer five times, but the failures persist. The contact filed case number 71-530-566-719 with general motors. The current mileage was 34,000 and failure mileage was 29,000. Updated 02/01/08.

Filed May 29, 2007 · Visibility · 35,000 miles · OK

Windshield wipers lock up when it is cold outside even after car has been running for a while, both front window motors have failed and had to be replaced.