2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 2%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,742miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the equipment of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,742 miles. 1 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.
“I want to make it clear I have taken over payments of this car and will have title when it is paid off. The car had been running great except for the A/C no longer works, and I was driving getting up to 40 MPH and the car just died, I couldn't get it to restart it ended up being the fuel pump went out, it was quite expensive to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10243485, filed 2008-09, 86,000 miles“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, shoes etc. My steering has seized while driving. This car has been a very expensive inconvenience.”
NHTSA complaint #10375199, filed 2011-01, 75,000 miles“The tires shake and vibrate around sixty miles/hr. So I took them to sam's club to their tire center in december of 2003. They rotated and balanced the tires. I drove the car for one month, then the tires started doing the same thing over again. About one month later, I went back to sam's club and they balanced my tires again. So here it is march of 2004, the tires are doing the same thing again shaking and vibrating around sixty miles/hr. I called goodyear , they told me to bring the car in. …”
NHTSA complaint #10063762, filed 2004-03, 6,500 miles“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, dealership turned rotors, under warranty back brakes squealed real loud they said it was dust I had to pay for that. Back brakes still squeal, front end still pops like a bad cv joint. Trunk wouldn't shut had to keep slamming it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10113912, filed 2005-03, 21,000 miles“Speedometer sticking at 80 to 160 MPH, even though the car has never ever been driven at those speeds, speedometer registars anwhere from 10mph to over the limit of the speedometer (180mph) when the car is shut off or stopped. This started at 25,000 miles on the odometer. The temperature gauge started registering over the red (and has actually touched the speedometer gauge needle) approximately 1 year later started at 32,000 miles. At 39,000 the gas gauge started doing the same thing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10417842, filed 2011-08, 25,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249590Jan 16, 2024This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 10249980Jan 12, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately…
- 10247552Dec 12, 2023This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
- 10244201Sep 26, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only).
- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10240793Jul 18, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10232156Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 10232811Feb 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10230605Jan 6, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 3% |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% |
| 1996 | 19 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 8 | 5% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
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 complaintsAir bags
18 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 30, 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