Model year record

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 428 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V300000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
37
Reported to NHTSA
2004-06-23
Owners notified
2004-08-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system10960,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel6751,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2458,000 mi
Steering13140,000 mi
Unknown or other1340,000 mi
Air bags1150,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling89,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline878,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls836,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash72,491 mi
Engine7109,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine730,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic726,500 mi
Structure: body763,087 mi
Power train685,509 mi
Seats645,000 mi
Exterior lighting5111,000 mi
Visibility551,862 mi
Suspension4181,000 mi
Tires4172 mi
Air bags: frontal37,126 mi
Electrical system: ignition3100 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.35,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3152,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly337,115 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)345,000 mi
Seat belts372,000 mi
Structure3100 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear31,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch213,200 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)254,000 mi
Equipment225,500 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights245,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2100,120 mi
Seat belts: front225 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Visibility/wiper277,000 mi
Wheels: rim28,600 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module115,203 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly124,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood16,208 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner178,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices12,491 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other1108,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump176,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system15,000 mi
Interior lighting130,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock15,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission115,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly135,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Seats: mid/rear assembly135,000 mi
Service brakes1104,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip148,540 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor13,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum13,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: column1130,012 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: rack and pinion170,455 mi
Structure: body: hood115,000 mi
Suspension: front139,925 mi
Suspension: rear150,386 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1172 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control115,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system146,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor11,200 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer128,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels110 mi
Wheels: hub12,491 mi

The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.