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.
Exactly what everyone else has said about this issue. The first time it happen to me I was getting onto the freeway, so yeah it really freaked me out. I was accelerating to veer into heavy oncoming traffic. I think we spend more money on clutch fluid than what the cars even worth. Not to mention its very embarrassing, like when it goes out in a drive-thru or dropping the kids off at school
Bought my 2004 Cavalier new and had pretty good luck with the exception of this clutch line problem. The first time the clutch line wore through (left me with no clutch) I was near my home and was able to limp the the car home in first gear. The part cost $100.+. The car had a little over 36,000 miles and was off warrantee. OK I thought, could be worse. Now the car is coming up to 50,000 and the clutch felt funny, we again changed the same part ($100+) and it showed extreme ware through the protective sleeve they put on the hose, (not sure if first one had sleeve), hose would have gone soon. I see no recall so I guess I'll have to stock up on these assemblies..
While still under warranty, we had to have the car towed and fixed because of this same problem. Now here we are 3 years later having to do it all over again. Apparently, GM designed the clutch line, from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder, to sit right next to a metal bracket holding something else. With vibration from the car and pressure from engaging the clutch, this bracket wore a hole through the side of the line. While driving down the road, my husband lost all clutch and the engine stalled. He, or someone else innocently driving near him, could have been killed! He had no warning. The clutch pedal went to the floor and stayed there. DONE. No more clutch. The clutch line costs more than a master cylinder even does, $103.82 to be exact. After all the complaints I have read on the internet regarding the same problem I am just appalled that GM has yet to do anything about it! We have always bought GM. Never again. In this day and age there are too many choices out there to be stuck with a company that doesn't care about their customers, customers' children or any driver's safety. With the economy the way it is now, I will definitely invest what little money I do have in a company that gives a crap and believes in doing the right thing. I am very disappointed, upset and enraged at this kind of ignorance. My pocket is feeling the pinch as well. How many more people need to have the same complaint and be screwed by GM before they do something about it?? Hopefully, you aren't next.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Exactly what everyone else has said about this issue. The first time it happen to me I was getting onto the freeway, so yeah it really freaked me out. I was accelerating to veer into heavy oncoming traffic. I think we spend more money on clutch fluid than what the cars even worth. Not to mention its very embarrassing, like when it goes out in a drive-thru or dropping the kids off at school
- Emily C., Zavalla, TX, US