2005 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 CAVALIER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E063000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-523-2492.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING
Summary: 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.
Consequence: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO DORMAN'S OE SOLUTIONS BRAND NAME, BALKAMP'S NAPA BRAND, AND THE PLATINUM BRAND STEERING SHAFTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (211), Vehicle Speed Control (18), Fuel system (16), Brakes (16), Transmission / drivetrain (16).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/26/2019 · Electrical system
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.
08/23/2018 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, AND TACHOMETER WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE F…
08/02/2018 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FAMILY MEMBER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…
07/09/2018 · Vehicle Speed Control
NONE OF THE GAGES WORK DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING
05/29/2018 · Electrical system
GAUGES FOR TEMPERATURE DO NOT WORK, SOMETIMES READS BELOW ZERO, SOMETIMES SLIGHTLY ABOVE THERE IS NO CHANGE IN READING WHETHER COLD, OR RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS - AT ANY SPEED SPEED GAUGE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES RECORDING 100 MPH, WHEN THE CAR IS DOING NO MORE THAT 20-30 MPH. AT OTHER TIMES, IT SEEMS TO BE RUNNING ABOUT THE SPEED LIMIT, WHEN COM…
01/27/2018 · Electrical system
ALL GAUGES DON'T WORK. SPEEDOMETER,FUEL,TEMPERATURE.
12/26/2017 · Electrical system
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.
06/14/2017 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT INFORMATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.