THE SPEEDOMETER IN THE 2003-2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER IS LIKELY DEFECTIVE AMONG MANY CARS. RECENTLY, WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER STOPPED WORKING AT 93000 MILES, IT PROMPTED ME TO DO A SEARCH ON GOOGLE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 72000 MILES ON IT OUT OF WARRANTY AND I SOON REALIZED (MAYBE IN 2000-3000 MILES) THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS AROUND…
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems
moderate 198 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
198
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
LAST NIGHT I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE DARK AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT CORRECTLY WORKING. (THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR SEVERAL MONTHS AGO) THE SPEEDOMETER WILL WORK SOMETIMES, THEN WILL READ ERRATIC, FLUCTUATES FROM 10 MPH TO 120 MPH WHETHER THE CAR IS PARKED OR DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE DEA…
DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONING WHEN VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION , SPEEDOMETER WILL INDICATE VARIOUS SPEEDS LIKE 110, 100. 70, MPH OR STUCK IN A MPH POSITION WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT IN OPERATION WITH ENGINE OFF. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READINGS AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ABNORMALLY HIGH ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE TEMPERATURE READINGS, DISPLAYING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING WHEN IT WAS NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP W…
THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE GAUGES IN THE 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER CAUSING THEM TO MALFUNCTION OR NOT FUNCTION AT ALL INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE, THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR ENGINE, OR YOUR SPEED WHEN THE GAUGES FAIL.
AS MANY OF OTHER HAVE ALREADY REPORTED. OUT OF NO WHERE, MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED GOING HAY-WIRE. ALL THE NEEDLES READ INACCURATE INFORMATION BY SHAKING, BOUNCING OR SAYING IN KING 110 MPH IN PARK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME ERRATIC AND THEN FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE AND REPAIR WERE HER RESPONSIBILITY. SHE PAID $346.00 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/17/08 *BF UPDATED 01/17/08 *TR
ALREADY COMPLAINED HERE ONCE. NOW MY CAR FUEL GAGE IS BROKE GOS ALL THE WAY OVER AND HITS ON MY TEMP GAUGE EVERY SO OFFEN. DONT REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN IT, BUT LEAST CAN GO 300-365 MILES. DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH I DRIVE. I DONT THINK THAT IT SHOULD BREAK AFTER ONLY 41000 MILES. LAST TIME I WROTE ON HERE IT WAS MY TEMP GAUGE THAT HIT ON MY SPEEDOMETER.. THINK BEFORE LONG ALL WILL GO OUT. W…
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE SPEEDOMETER TO PROVIDE INCORRECT READING WHEN CONTACT DROVE 55MPH THE SPEEDOMETER READ 30MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO WANTED TO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED BUT WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAG…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CAVILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND BECAME DARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE F…
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 198 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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