2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier is the only model year in this dataset, with 287 complaints, 7 crashes, and 4 deaths reported to NHTSA. Electrical System issues dominate, making up 74% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- —/100
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 287
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 4
Top 2005 Chevy Cavalier problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- 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.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy or deployed unexpectedly during low-speed collisions, including one crash where a passenger side airbag did not deploy at all despite warning lights being on.
- Some owners report the driver's door opening on its own while driving at highway speed, sometimes traced to prior body damage or misaligned fenders.
- One owner described a front tire blowing out, causing loss of control and a crash into a post and guard rail.
- Front seats were reported to slide backward slightly on their own, even though they were not power-adjustable, pulling the driver's foot away from the brake pedal.
- Water leaking through the windshield area was reported to cause a mildew smell inside the cabin that the dealer did not resolve.
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Cavalier years
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Recalls | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | No verdict | — | 287 | 0 | 25.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
- NHTSA lists 287 complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, including 7 crashes, 5 injuries, and 4 deaths.
- What is the most common problem area for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
- Electrical System complaints make up 74% of all reports (211 of 287), far ahead of Engine and Structure & Body issues at 7% each.
- Are there any recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
- NHTSA's data shows 0 recalls on file for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, and 0 of them are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2005 Cavalier?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 66,630.5 miles, with Electrical System issues showing up at a median of 70,000 miles.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
- The EPA rates the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 25.5 mpg combined (22 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550.