2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 27,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, 3% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 27,000 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2003 Chevrolet Cavalier- at 64,000 miles fuel pump died while parked at a store upon restart $700.00 replacement. At approximately 60,000 miles front clunking noise started, dealer could never find a problem, now at 76,000 miles, having front upper strut mounts replaced. Found alot of complaints online about same issues. I determined cause of front clunk on my own. Also, was in collision that involved front driver side, down driver side front fender, airbags did not deploy, don't know if they should have. Noone was hurt, was slow speed crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10339834, filed 2010-06, 60,000 miles“Mva occurred while swerving to miss a deer. Driver unable to negotiate the right hand turn resulting in a head on collision in an embankment. Car skidded across the road over a ditch appx 3 feet wide and apxx 1-2 feet deep, then hit the embankment head on at an unknown speed. Driver stated she was going appx 40-50 MPH prior to swerving for the deer, she thinks she might have slowed down to appx 30-40 MPH prior to hitting the embankment. After the initial impact with the embankment the car rolled appx 1.5 - 2 times landing on the driver side door. …”
NHTSA complaint #10392550, filed 2011-03, 167,000 miles“While driving approximately 20 MPH consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle, and the front air bags did not deploy. Driver's chest hit the steering wheel, causing muscle spasms from the neck down. The seat belts also failed to lock.”
NHTSA complaint #10042348, filed 2003-11, 12,603 miles“While driving at 30 MPH, the consumer had a front end collision and neither of the air bags deployed and the seat belt did restrain the driver. No air bag light warning prior to the crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10065541, filed 2004-04, 8,000 miles“While driving at 45 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, front air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained serious neck and back injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10042047, filed 2003-10, 4,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 21 | 9% |
| 2000 | 18 | 6% |
| 1999 | 24 | 10% |
| 1998 | 34 | 10% |
| 1997 | 78 | 14% |
| 1996 | 73 | 15% |
| 1995 | 20 | 7% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
383 complaintsElectrical system
106 complaintsExterior lighting
57 complaintsEngine cooling
43 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsEquipment
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology