CarBrief

NHTSA has 287 owner complaints for the 2005 Cavalier, and 211 of them name the electrical system[1][2]. No recalls are on file for this model year[3].

287owner complaints[1]
25–26MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 287 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Seven mention a crash and none a fire. The complaints report 5 injuries and 4 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The electrical system stands out. It has 211 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 70,000[2]. Other groups are much smaller:

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[2] 211
Speed control[5] 18
Power train[6] 16
Brakes[7] 15
Structure[8] 14
Visibility[9] 10
Steering[10] 8
Fuel system, gasoline[11] 8

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts for the biggest groups. In that sample:

This is a small sample, so it shows what owners describe and not how often it happens across all cars.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2005 Cavalier[3]. One owner in the clutch hose complaints says a dealer said there was no recall on it[6]. Check the VIN with NHTSA before you buy, since new recalls can be added later.

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions of the 2.2L 4-cylinder, both front-wheel drive and both on regular fuel[12][4].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
Automatic 4-spd[12] 21 MPG 31 MPG 25 MPG $2,700
Manual 5-spd[4] 23 MPG 33 MPG 26 MPG $2,600

The fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

The NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list this car as not rated, for both the 2 DR[13] and the 4 DR[14]. That means there is no star score to compare.

Engine and size

Our data has no horsepower figure for this car. The EPA lists a 2.2L 4-cylinder engine[12]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2DR coupe VL/VLX[15] 183 in 69 in 53 in 104 in 2,619 lb
2DR coupe Z24[16] 183 in 69 in 53 in 104 in 2,749 lb
4DR sedan VL/VLX[17] 183 in 68 in 55 in 104 in 2,676 lb
4DR sedan Z24[18] 183 in 68 in 55 in 104 in 2,729 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

1995: 270 complaints, 4 recalls19951996: 503 complaints, 7 recalls19961997: 540 complaints, 7 recalls19971998: 345 complaints, 4 recalls19981999: 240 complaints, 2 recalls19992000: 315 complaints, 2 recalls20002001: 243 complaints, 1 recalls20012002: 196 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 678 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 330 complaints, 1 recalls20042005: 287 complaints, 0 recalls2872005
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cavalier model year. The 2005 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952704
19965037
19975407
19983454
19992402
20003152
20012431
20021960
20036781
20043301
20052870

NHTSA lists 287 complaints and 0 recalls for 2005[3]. Among the 11 Cavalier model years from 1995 to 2005, that is the fifth lowest complaint count[3]. The lowest is 2002 with 196 complaints, and the highest is 2003 with 678[3]. The years 1997 and 1996 follow 2003, with 540 and 503[3]. Only 2002 also has no recalls[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2005 Cavalier?

The 2005 Cavalier has no recalls on file and a complaint count in the lower half for its model line[3]. The weak spot in the complaints is the electrical system, mostly gauges in the texts we read[2]. Owners in a small sample also describe a clutch hose that wore through, which matters mainly if you are shopping for the manual[6][4]. Ask for service records and have a mechanic check the gauges, clutch hose and brakes. Our data cannot say how any single car has been kept.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The electrical system has 211 of the 287 NHTSA complaints[2][1]. In the sample of texts we read, owners describe faulty gauges[2].
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2005 model year[3].
How many MPG does a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
The automatic is rated 21 city, 31 highway and 25 combined[12]. The manual is rated 23, 33 and 26[4].
Is the 2005 Cavalier a good year compared with others?
It has the fifth lowest complaint count of 11 years, with 287 complaints and 0 recalls[3].
What is the safety rating of the 2005 Cavalier?
NHTSA lists both the 2 DR and 4 DR as not rated[14][13].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 287 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier (7 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 4 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 211 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cavalier model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Cavalier, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 18 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 16 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 15 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 14 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 10 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,353). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,113). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for Cavalier, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAVALIER 2DR COUPE VL/VLX: length 183 in, width 69 in, height 53 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 2,619 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAVALIER 2DR COUPE Z24: length 183 in, width 69 in, height 53 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 2,749 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAVALIER 4DR SEDAN VL/VLX: length 183 in, width 68 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 2,676 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAVALIER 4DR SEDAN Z24: length 183 in, width 68 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 2,729 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.