What's Wrong with the 3rd Generation Cavalier?
The 3rd generation Cavalier spans the 1995 to 2005 model years.
It has accumulated 1077 owner complaints over those year and ranks 58th in reliability out of 80 eligible Chevrolet generations.
Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Chevrolet score is 10.56 while this generation comes in at 13.89.
What Owners Complain About
Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.
Worst Issues
- 2005 Cavalier gauges have gone haywire 65 (100%)
- 2004 Cavalier gauges gone haywire 57 (88%)
- 2004 Cavalier speedometer stopped working 41 (63%)
- 2003 Cavalier fuel pump failure 35 (54%)
- 2004 Cavalier window motor failure 32 (49%)
What Breaks
- Interior 311 (100%)
- Engine 174 (56%)
- Electrical 103 (33%)
- Windows 81 (26%)
- Fuel System 80 (26%)
3rd Generation Cavalier Key Numbers
11 model years
Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.
1,077 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
58th in reliability
Overall reliability rank out of 80 eligible generations.