Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FMVSS 210/PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT
- Summary
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT NUT AND BOLT.
- Consequence
- IN A SEVERE CRASH, THE UPPER SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE MAY SEPARATE. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SEAT BELT COULD THEN BE REDUCED AND THE OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.
- Remedy
- DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND INSTALL A NEW NUT AND BOLT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (330)
330 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 330 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 185 | 56.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 27 | 8.2% |
| Power train | 23 | 7% |
| Visibility | 23 | 7% |
| Steering | 16 | 4.8% |
| Air bags | 15 | 4.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 4.5% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 4.2% |
| Structure | 13 | 3.9% |
| Unknown or other | 13 | 3.9% |
How 2004 compares with other Cavalier years
Best and worst Cavalier years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 503 | 7 |
| 1997 | 540 | 7 |
| 1998 | 345 | 4 |
| 1999 | 240 | 2 |
| 2000 | 315 | 2 |
| 2001 | 243 | 1 |
| 2002 | 196 | 0 |
| 2003 | 678 | 1 |
| 2004 | 330 | 1 |
| 2005 | 287 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,500
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 329 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2004 Cavalier for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier FAQ
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 04V300000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
Owners filed 330 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (185), Vehicle speed control (27), Power train (23) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 23 city, 33 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2004 Cavalier compare with other years?
Among the 1996–2005 Chevrolet Cavalier model years at least five years old, the 2002 drew the fewest complaints (196) and the 2003 the most (678). The 2004 drew 330. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.