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Research · Compact Cars

2005 Chevrolet CavalierRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 287 owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. Most complaints involve electrical system (211) and vehicle speed control (18). The EPA rates it 25–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–26mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2008
Owner complaints
287
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Free remedy

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

SteeringReported Oct 17, 2008NHTSA 08E063000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

287 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2004 – Jan 2019
  1. Electrical system211
  2. Vehicle speed control18
  3. Power train16
  4. Structure14
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  6. Visibility10
  7. Steering8
  8. Fuel system, gasoline8
  9. Fuel/propulsion system6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cavalier model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996512
1997546
1998363
1999247
2000326
2001248
2002209
2003705
2004330
2005287
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

211 reports1 crash
“MY MOM WAS DRIVING THE CAR AS NORMAL DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY AND ALL THE GUAGES IN THE ENTIRE DASH SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. SOME CAME BACK ON AND OFF A COUPLE WEEKS. SOME NEVER DID. BUT AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS ALL STOPPED WORKING AND NOW NOTHING WORKS. NO HEAT GUAGE, NO FUEL GUAGE, NO TEMP GUAGE, NO SPEEDOMETER, AND NO FUEL GUAGE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2019Electrical systemODI 11172219

Vehicle speed control

18 reports
“CAR WAS AT A RED LIGHT SPEEDOMETER INDICATED 85 MPH. UPON START UP SPEED INDICATED 110 AND AT NEXT STOP WENT DOWN TO 90. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A COUPLE DAYS THE INDICATED SPEED WAS 45. DRIVING IN A 25MPH ZONE AND SPEED INDICATED 85.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2015Vehicle speed controlODI 10717192

Power train

16 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CLUTCH DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A HOLE IN THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2013Power trainODI 10531759
All 2005 Cavalier problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cavalier
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233326$2,400342
Cavalier
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$2,500355
  • Cavalier
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Cavalier
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1506Vehicle 1505
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Cavalier questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?

Owners filed 287 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (211), vehicle speed control (18), power train (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 25–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026