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2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 678 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the fuel system (56% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Cavalier model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Fuel system
383 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
The fuel pump had to be replaced on the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier after only 65,000 miles. I went to a number of different websites with hundreds of people having the same problem with their fuel pump of the same year and make/model with approximately the same miles. There needs to be a recall.
Had to replace fuel pump on a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at 65,000 miles. This occured on 01/15/07. I was needing to leave my residence and the Cavalier would not start. I had the car towed to molle Chevrolet,411 mockave. Blue springs,mo. They made the determination of the fuel pump failure and replaced the part as well…
Electrical
106 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator.
My speedometer began operating erratically about 1 year ago for the last 3 months it has not operated at all stays below 0 at all times.
: the contact stated while driving the vehicle at 65 MPH the speedometer went erratic, and the temperature gauge went up to 260 degrees. The vehicle was taken to a local garage, and they determined the instrument cluster panel was defective, and the vehicle needed to be taken to a local dealership for repairs.
Lights
57 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, brake lights, headlights, tail lights.
I have been having a problem with my 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. The rear brake/signal lights keep burning out due to bad sockets and bulbs. Combined, I have had to replace five (5) light bulbs (three (3) on the right and two (2) on the left). The first time was april or may 2003 on the right side, when I was still in…
While turning on the turn signals the turn they failed to come on. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic replaced the bulb and socket. The consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once and had not been resolved. The right and left rear turn signal failed, there…
Engine
47 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure occurred while driving or at a traffic light without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle without incident whenever the failure occurred. The mechanic replaced the fuel pump, but the…
1. Vehicle made a moaning noise when turning at approximately 55,000 kms (and 3 years old). Replaced power steering pump and steering rack. 2. Random clunking from the front end at approx. 56,000 kms. Replaced front bearings and transmission mount. 3. Car lost power, had to be towed to dealership. Dealer couldn't find…
Visibility and wipers
38 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices, windshield wiper/washer.
Hvac cable bent and then snapped. Now I can't defrost the windshield I ran off the road today because I could not see. I reported this problem to gm over a year ago and they didn't seem to care. They never responded to my letter. This is a big safety issue. I have had it fixed by a mechanic 2x and should not only be…
Passenger side front power window did not go up. Dealer removed part of the door in order to raise the window. Power regulator was defective.
Brakes
34 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, pedals and linkages.
Vehicle experiencing grinding/scraping noise when backing up or coming to a stop. Dealer was notified. Dealer had to turn the front rotors twice, but problem recurred.
There are numerous things, and the delaership has convinced gm, because I wrote gm about the problems with this, that I am making this stuff up to get an SUV. First the radio wasn't working, they put the cable back on said it was loose, its still not sounding like a radio should. Next was the popping in the front end…
Suspension
22 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
A noise emitted from the front of the vehicle, the dealer stated the frame was loose, however seconds later, the same popping noise recurred, the dealer then stated the control arm was the problem.
Front driver side window failure, started going down a quarter to half way down and stopping then when you try to put it up it only goes up like a inch and you have to wait a little while and keep doing that until the window is completely up. Second there is a clucking noise coming from the front at low speeds…
Steering
19 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, column locking, hydraulic power assist system, hydraulic power assist.
1. Vehicle made a moaning noise when turning at approximately 55,000 kms (and 3 years old). Replaced power steering pump and steering rack. 2. Random clunking from the front end at approx. 56,000 kms. Replaced front bearings and transmission mount. 3. Car lost power, had to be towed to dealership. Dealer couldn't find…
Trans axle went out april 09 with a horrible mess of oil, steering rack replaced 6 months later, driver side window/ motor problem, fuel pump went 75,000 a bit shy of a year later. Now my defrost isn't working; possibly the switch 85,000. Had brakes done twice so far with leaks; this includes hydraulics, rotors, pads…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls
Lights: turn signal
Risk: An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear lamp bulb socket assemblies and apply grease or replace them if necessary. The recall began on january 18, 2005. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear lamps that provide stop and turn signals and tail lamp functions stop working because of inadequate contact between the bulb and socket. In addition, if one bulbs were to become inoperative while the vehicle was operating in cruise control, the cruise control would disengage when the remaining bulb was activated. If both lamps were to become inoperative, the cruise control would not engage.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stalling - fuel pump failure
Summary
Odi's analysis of the stalling incidents that have resulted from subject component failures found that they can occur at any speed and generally result in a no restart condition.these are generally considered to be factors that increase the potential severity of stalling incidents.however, these incidents have occurred at relatively low rates in the subject vehicle population when compared with prior investigations involving similar categories of engine stall consequences.even for the early my 2003 production, where higher failure rates were noted, the rates of pump failures resulting in engine stall are lower than rates recorded in prior investigations of populations that were not recalled.
Fuel pump failure
Summary
An engineering analysis has been opened to further investigate the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged defect.general motors (gm) has identified an issue with accelerated motor brush wear in the fuel pump assembly of model year (my) 2001 through 2003 chevrolet vehicles that can cause the pump to stop operating.general motors indicated that peroxide or sulfur, which are both present in varying amounts in gasoline, can react with the copper commutator of the pump motor and corrode/roughen the surface.a rough commutator surface increases the rate of brush wear.the increased electrical resistance caused by degradation of the brush-commutator interface inhibi
Turn signal malfunction
Summary
On may 14, 2004 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-043) based on consumer complaints alleging that the brake/tail turn signal lamps would not operate properly when either the tail lights were turned on, the brake pedal was depressed, or when the turn signal switch was activated.on september 14, 2004 odi upgraded pe 04-043 to an engineering analysis (ea04-028).gm states that some brake/tail/turn signal lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to excessive heat buildup within the bulb sockets.the cause of the excessive heat build up was determined to be a lack of thermal grease placed in between the bulb and the socket. By letter dated octo
Turn signal malfunction
Summary
Complainants allege that the rear turn signals fail to illuminate and do not provide a signal to drivers in following vehicles.odi has received one report of a crash where the complainant braked and attempted to make a left turn and the following vehicle impacted the complainant's vehicle in the driver-side door.in may 2002, gm's supplier made changes to the bulb socket that included stopping the use of thermal-mastic grease in the bulb socket.gm reports that the grease reduces arcing at the contacts and dissipates heat thus preventing melting of the socket material or burning of the contacts.most of the subject vehicles were produced without grease applied to the bulb socket.in june 2003, g
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (383 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); electrical (106 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); lights (57 complaints, typically around 13,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 1, 2004 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chevrolet Cavalier?
- It is the most complained-about Cavalier model year since 2000, with 678 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.