What year Chevrolet Cavalier should I avoid?

NHTSA data in this set only covers the 2005 model year, so there is no comparison across years to identify one to avoid. The 2005 Cavalier has 287 complaints on file, with electrical system problems accounting for 74% of them.

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?

NHTSA lists 287 complaints for the 2005 Cavalier, with electrical system issues being the top problem area at 74% of complaints. There are no recall campaigns listed for this model year.

What is the most common problem with the Chevrolet Cavalier?

Across the data available, the electrical system is the top problem area, making up 211 of 287 total complaints, or 74%. Engine, structure and body, brakes, fuel system, and transmission and powertrain issues each account for smaller shares around 6-7%.

At what mileage do Chevrolet Cavalier problems usually appear?

For the 2005 model year, the median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 66,630.5 miles.

Does the Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?

The 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier shows 0 recall campaigns in NHTSA data.

Chevrolet Cavalier Best and Worst Years (2005)

NHTSA data only covers the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, so there is no multi-year comparison to rank best versus worst. That single year shows 287 complaints, with electrical system issues making up 74% of them, and a median failure mileage of 66,630.5.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Model years: 1; 2005
NHTSA complaints: 287
Recall campaigns: 0
Crashes reported: 7
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Electrical System

Cavalier Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chevrolet Cavalier problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	No verdict	—	287	7	0	0	Electrical System	25.5	—

Most common Chevy Cavalier problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System211 (74%)
Engine21 (7%)
Structure & Body20 (7%)
Brakes17 (6%)
Fuel System16 (6%)
Transmission & Powertrain16 (6%)
Visibility & Wipers11 (4%)
Other8 (3%)
Steering8 (3%)
Airbags6 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Chevrolet Cavalier should I avoid?: NHTSA data in this set only covers the 2005 model year, so there is no comparison across years to identify one to avoid. The 2005 Cavalier has 287 complaints on file, with electrical system problems accounting for 74% of them.
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?: NHTSA lists 287 complaints for the 2005 Cavalier, with electrical system issues being the top problem area at 74% of complaints. There are no recall campaigns listed for this model year.
What is the most common problem with the Chevrolet Cavalier?: Across the data available, the electrical system is the top problem area, making up 211 of 287 total complaints, or 74%. Engine, structure and body, brakes, fuel system, and transmission and powertrain issues each account for smaller shares around 6-7%.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cavalier problems usually appear?: For the 2005 model year, the median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 66,630.5 miles.
Does the Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?: The 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier shows 0 recall campaigns in NHTSA data.