2003 Chevrolet Cavalier: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 678 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (48% of complaints); the 2001 and 2002 and 2004 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 678 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cluster of dashboard indicators (speedometer, gas guage , engine temp, rpm) all are not working now. They were going off and on at times when driving but now nothing works...my mechanic informs me this is a common problem with this make and model. No recall found. Very dangerous to drive why wasn't this common problem listed as a recall when many have complained??”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2017
“My 2003 chevrolet cavalier recently began to make a clunking noise, which can also be felt, in the front end. When I put it up on a lift, I noticed that the sub-frame was rusting (deteriorating). I know it is 13 years old, but my parents owned a 1989 cavalier z24 for 20 years, and they didn't have any problems with its frame. I've read that other people have had this same issue with their 2003 chevy cavaliers. Why is this? Why has there not been a recall? My family has owned several new and used vehicles, all gm, and we have never seen a sub-frame rust to this extent. We are a gm family and are extremely disappointed in gm's lack of response to this safety hazard.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2016
“Metal on metal noise found out shoes and rotors are damageddamaged. I have no money. V can't fix this. Smell inside of leak. Temp running high. 200.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed. The contact was unable to turn the key to the on function and had to wiggle the key to be able to release the key from the ignition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Oct 2015
“July 2009 ignition lock cylinder was stuck. I had it replaced for $362.75 at chevrolet dealership. August 2014 ignition lock cylinder was stuck. I had it replaced for $488.83 at chevrolet dealership. September 2015 ignition lock cylinder was stuck, my key came out of lock and the car was still running. I had to come off of the clutch to purposely make the car cut off and had to unplug the battery. The 2003 chevrolet is not included in the recall but it needs to be. My ignition lock cylinder has failed me 3 times in the past 6 years. Thankfully, I'm alive and able to tell you all about this. Chevrolet & gm knew about the lock cylinder recall when I had mine replaced last year.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2015
“I was one block from home and my car stalled it wouldn't start back up. I found my self at the intersection. The mechanic said it is a bad fuel pump. The car only has 60,000 miles. This happened about this time last year . Also last year my gauge to my engine temperature went out of control. I can't tell the engine temp. Anymore.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Aug 2015
“Steering wheel and shroud became totally disengaged and fell into my lap while trying to turn onto livernois road making it impossible for me to steer vehicle.lucky I was leaving post office after mailing letters and not while on freeway. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. While driving 5 mph entering the highway, the turn signal lamps failed to illuminate when activated and resulted in a crash. The contact's vehicle was struck on the rear driver side and spun onto the roadside. The air bags did not deploy and a police report was filed. All three occupants in the vehicle were severely injured and required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v524000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. ...updated 02/19/16 *bf updated 09/20/16*lj *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. While driving 40 mph, the left and right turn signals became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v524000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2014
“Instrument cluster gauges malfunction periodically and lock into one position or don't work at all. Cant tell what your speed is , temp is, rpm etc! This I think is a safety issue and should be addressed. I see this is happening to many people as I have investigated it on line. This is pretty much what's happening... Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzily3gxexa. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 31 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cavalier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
NHTSA has 678 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,500 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.