CarComplaints.com Notes: Widespread instrument panel failure is a common and frustrating reality for many 2004-2005 Chevy Cavalier owners. They're often left in the dark when it comes to knowing how fast they're going, what their engine temperature is, or even how much fuel they have left in the tank.
The likely culprit is a series of bad "stepper motors" which control the gauges and are no longer covered under warranty. Think not being able to see your speed is a safety issue and should be recalled for all owners? We'd agree. Trouble is, apparently the NHTSA does not.
Multiple slave cylinder blow outs, caused by master cylinder defect. Blowouts also contaminated clutch.
I've had multiple problems with the 04 Cavalier. The clutch pedal throw would not be complete and then it would blow the slave cylinder multiple times. The dealership did not repair the vehicle properly and would not let me see the defective slave cylinder. I asked them to check the clutch before the repair and when I asked about the clutch they told me it was fine and not contaminated-which I knew was lie cause its an internal slave cylinder.
Later my slave cylinder went out again but in the snow and I got into a bad accident.-hit the center median-l was not hurt luckily since I was going slow but by sheer luck I also didn't get hit by the other 3 tractor trailers/semis behind me. I could have been killed. The dealer had to replace the slave cylinder again plus the clutch line-suspicious?
A short time later in the late spring the clutch went out...But I had to pay the full cost cause the item is considered a wear item and not covered by warranty. SO I HAD TO PAY FULL DEALER COST FOR THE CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, FLYWHEEL, AND LABOR......DON'T EVER GO TO JIM BUTLER CHEVY IN SAINT LOUIS MISSOURI....THEY WILL NOT REPAIR YOUR CAR CORRECTLY AND DO HAVE A HISTORY OF NOT BEING HONEST.
The next year in 09 the petal started to do the same thing and the trans had problems with shifting into third....Lucky me I got to the dealer and had extended the warranty and they replaced the master cylinder and trans. I have been driving the car since then and it seems that fixed the problem....IF your are having slave cylinder blow outs then your clutch is most likely contaminated and needs to be replaced asap, also your master cylinder and slave cylinder needs to be replaced as a pair. Clutch steel at the bracket needs a rubber sleeve to prevent rubbing through to prevent a leak.
I could have been KILLED. and All GM says is they can't do anything and are blowing me off. Even before the new GM they blew me off and they still are. Never buy a American car again. Should have stuck with my half Asian side and got a Civic like everyone else.-Much more reliable
I'm a certified Technician and graduate of Ranken Tech, a state inspector, and have been a mechanic for over 7 years. I've been at the company I work for for ALL of those 7 years cause I'm not some douche who can't hold a job. I got cancer later that year-the stress was high...no ac in the car cause the front was a mess and with 2 jobs, the other is delivery for Chinese food, to keep me afloat. My body finally gave out. It's hot in Missouri in the summer being a mechanic and having to use a broken car to deliver in while trying to keep your head up and pay your bills and student loan and car insurance, and rent. I had to pay for my own car rental while my car was getting repaired, that isn't cheap. and while I'm using that rental car I can't work as a delivery guy so my income just reduced by1/4....
The doctors have confirmed that due to enormous stress my immune system gave out. I ACTUALLY NEARLY WORKED MYSELF TO DEATH, trying to get everything done. 5 Brain tumors, 2 hip replacements-due to AVN of the hip from the steroid treatment, low platelets-due to damaged bone marrow from chemo.......You know what the bills are like now?! I had no health insurance cause I couldn't afford it....I was getting some but the coverage would have started in December....I got sick Aug 2008. F*** you GM and JIM BUTLER CHEVY!
STEP 4 OF 4 -- Here's Where You Can Go Off........WELL HERE IT IS.
This car is the worst and so is GM for not admitting there was a problem that needs to be dealt with....Why can't we have a system that defends us humans against corruption and corporate greed to make money and defend itself as saying "that's the way things go" and "that's capitalism"......THAT'S CRAP.
This car has had multiple problems beside the ones I've written here in this angst filled rant. This car has cost me more than my 86 Rx-7 or my 78 Vette...and both of those were bought as is.....as is they didn't work at all and I had to do some rebuilding.....kinda strange such old cars cost me less than a new car that was supposed to save me money by being more reliable then the car it replaced..my old 97 Chevy Malibu LS....Don't get me started there...bad engineering again.
I replaced my clutch, slave cylinder and master cylinder 15,000 miles ago and now my clutch won't hold pressure. There is clutch fluid leaking from under my transmission. I can still pump up pressure, but its gone after a few minutes. Any ideas what it could be ?
- Jesse C.,
West Palm Beach, FL, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Multiple slave cylinder blow outs, caused by master cylinder defect. Blowouts also contaminated clutch.
I've had multiple problems with the 04 Cavalier. The clutch pedal throw would not be complete and then it would blow the slave cylinder multiple times. The dealership did not repair the vehicle properly and would not let me see the defective slave cylinder. I asked them to check the clutch before the repair and when I asked about the clutch they told me it was fine and not contaminated-which I knew was lie cause its an internal slave cylinder.
Later my slave cylinder went out again but in the snow and I got into a bad accident.-hit the center median-l was not hurt luckily since I was going slow but by sheer luck I also didn't get hit by the other 3 tractor trailers/semis behind me. I could have been killed. The dealer had to replace the slave cylinder again plus the clutch line-suspicious?
A short time later in the late spring the clutch went out...But I had to pay the full cost cause the item is considered a wear item and not covered by warranty. SO I HAD TO PAY FULL DEALER COST FOR THE CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, FLYWHEEL, AND LABOR......DON'T EVER GO TO JIM BUTLER CHEVY IN SAINT LOUIS MISSOURI....THEY WILL NOT REPAIR YOUR CAR CORRECTLY AND DO HAVE A HISTORY OF NOT BEING HONEST.
The next year in 09 the petal started to do the same thing and the trans had problems with shifting into third....Lucky me I got to the dealer and had extended the warranty and they replaced the master cylinder and trans. I have been driving the car since then and it seems that fixed the problem....IF your are having slave cylinder blow outs then your clutch is most likely contaminated and needs to be replaced asap, also your master cylinder and slave cylinder needs to be replaced as a pair. Clutch steel at the bracket needs a rubber sleeve to prevent rubbing through to prevent a leak.
I could have been KILLED. and All GM says is they can't do anything and are blowing me off. Even before the new GM they blew me off and they still are. Never buy a American car again. Should have stuck with my half Asian side and got a Civic like everyone else.-Much more reliable
I'm a certified Technician and graduate of Ranken Tech, a state inspector, and have been a mechanic for over 7 years. I've been at the company I work for for ALL of those 7 years cause I'm not some douche who can't hold a job. I got cancer later that year-the stress was high...no ac in the car cause the front was a mess and with 2 jobs, the other is delivery for Chinese food, to keep me afloat. My body finally gave out. It's hot in Missouri in the summer being a mechanic and having to use a broken car to deliver in while trying to keep your head up and pay your bills and student loan and car insurance, and rent. I had to pay for my own car rental while my car was getting repaired, that isn't cheap. and while I'm using that rental car I can't work as a delivery guy so my income just reduced by1/4....
The doctors have confirmed that due to enormous stress my immune system gave out. I ACTUALLY NEARLY WORKED MYSELF TO DEATH, trying to get everything done. 5 Brain tumors, 2 hip replacements-due to AVN of the hip from the steroid treatment, low platelets-due to damaged bone marrow from chemo.......You know what the bills are like now?! I had no health insurance cause I couldn't afford it....I was getting some but the coverage would have started in December....I got sick Aug 2008. F*** you GM and JIM BUTLER CHEVY!
STEP 4 OF 4 -- Here's Where You Can Go Off........WELL HERE IT IS.
This car is the worst and so is GM for not admitting there was a problem that needs to be dealt with....Why can't we have a system that defends us humans against corruption and corporate greed to make money and defend itself as saying "that's the way things go" and "that's capitalism"......THAT'S CRAP.
This car has had multiple problems beside the ones I've written here in this angst filled rant. This car has cost me more than my 86 Rx-7 or my 78 Vette...and both of those were bought as is.....as is they didn't work at all and I had to do some rebuilding.....kinda strange such old cars cost me less than a new car that was supposed to save me money by being more reliable then the car it replaced..my old 97 Chevy Malibu LS....Don't get me started there...bad engineering again.
- Jonathan S., St. Louis, MO, US