Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving down the road my speedometer for stuck. I know I was going 60 when it happened because that's what it is stuck at.it isn't the first time this has happened. My car has had multiple problems with the windshield wipers, windows, and engine light.
I have a 2004 Chevy Cavalier ls sport. Well lets first start off with my drivers side window motor. It went out about a year and half ago and we fixed it this summer. Apparently it is a huge problem but of course no recall on it so paid almost 300 dollars myself to fix it. Then after that when I would start my car and put it into drive, the car would sputter and the ABS and trac off lights would come on. Next about 5 months ago I noticed that my gas gauge was fluctuating a little. Didn't give it much thought but then 2 months ago my temp gauge was going haywire. Called the dealer and they said that there was no recall and we would have to pay to have it fixed. Well we all know money is tight so I have left it. Low and behold late last week, the MPH gauge said I was going 100 MPH in a 35 zone. I had to take a double look. Dealer again says no recalls. …
I have had multiple problems with the speed odometer in this car. I can see by several complaints on carcomplaint.com I am only 1 out of several hundred. It will sometimes say I am going 100 when I am going 25. It will sometimes stay stuck on 55 when I am at a complete stop. I never know how fast I am going. This is very dangerous and could result in an accident or even death of me or someone else. This is very expensive to have replaced and by other peoples complaints to me it sounds like a dad part produced by GM. I feel that GM should recall these and have them replaced before it results in a death of someone. I will never buy another GM vehicle if they don't recall these parts and replace them since there are so many people out there with the same problem.
As in the past few years this has happened a few time. As noted here already. I was driving about 40 miles per hour when my car accelerated all by it self to the point I had to shut the car off in traffic. Then restarted and it was driving on its own at 40 miles an hour like cruise was on, I do not use cruise then when I played with the cruise button it went back to normal can't take it in costs to much to look at but it has been a problem since I bought this car just never can have it do it when I take it in and they can't help me if it is not doing it at that time. I want this on record so if something happens to me there is a record of this happening, again since I bought the car it happens whenever it wants to...
With less than 100 miles on the car it began to rev up on its own. It has been to the dealer on 9 different occasions. They even installed an on board computer and were able to see the problem that occurs. The mechanic says he believes it is a glitch in the computer and is unable to fix it. It has now begun to accelerate on its own while driving, and the only thing you can do is push in the clutch and hope the engine blows up. This is now a real safety issue. GM refuses to do anything to correct this problem. We filed a lemon law case with them and they said they are unable to do anything.
Car will accelerate on it's own usually occurs while slowing down or while making a turn pressing the brake hard slows the car but it continues to apply power what stops the engine from continuing to accelerate is to push the clutch in, at the moment the engine will accelerate to 6500 RPM then return to normal like it is completing some cycle. It is very dangerous in the winter. We have expected a recall but nothing. I can guarantee a lawsuit if my wife and kids are injured. This is a true case of sudden acceleration that the feds can investigate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal and starting the vehicle, the rpms increased excessively. The contact also stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle erroneously accelerated and independently shifted into neutral. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times where the contact was informed that the speed control May have failed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 156,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact was entering an on-ramp and slightly applied the brakes when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact pulled over onto the shoulder and was forced to shift the vehicle into park while the vehicle was still moving in order to stop the vehicle completely. The manufacturer was not contacted. The dealer was making an attempt to assist the contact with diagnosing and repairing the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 117,379 and the current mileage was 117,460.
In January 08 vehicle tach went reverse direction, then jumped erratically. In March 08 started showing 65 MPH when vehicle doing 35. In May 08 speedometer started stopping at 20 MPH when moving or when car shut off. In June 08 speedometer and tach have both started going in reverse direction. This is a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier with 28000 miles, 2.2 l with automatic transmission. I do not like the idea that while driving the car on a two lane road by the speedometer that we might be rear ended while driving to slow.
While driving at any speed the accelerator pedal stuck. The dealer inspected the vehicle on several occasions, but was unable to duplicate the problem. The RPM would go to 3000 with the consumer's foot was off of the accelerator. The consumer engaged the clutch and hit the gas pedal and the RPM's went back to normal of 950 rpms. The vehicle had 172 miles and when the consumer checked the tires, they were 24 lbs. The recommended pressure should of been 32 lbs.
Acceleration complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, 8% of the model year's 330 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.