2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 383about this part
- Share
- 56%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 383 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, 56% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles. 3 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 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10899679, filed 2016-08, 59,925 miles“I have a 2003 chevy Cavalier stalls : changed the fuel pump , pressure solenoid switch ,torque converter clutch solenoid .tired of this and no one doing anything about it still stalls and all everyone can do is guess at what it is I hate my Cavalier the last three years I had problems with the catalytic converter got that fixed after three converters help.”
NHTSA complaint #10478854, filed 2012-10, 130,000 miles“I've owned two different 2003 chevy cavaliers and in both cars the fuel pump went out after a year of owning the vehicles. I went through two fuel pumps in my first Cavalier and I bought another Cavalier after the first was wrecked and my second cavi lost its pump now. I know of cars with 3 times the amount of miles on it without having a single fuel pump problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10466967, filed 2012-07, 127,000 miles“My wife was picking our children up from school. When she pulled out into the flow of traffic her car died in the middle of the road. This of the second time the fuel pump has gone out the first time was about 60k miles the car now has 95k and I already have to replace it. I've read about many other people having the same problem and everyone is wondering why no recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10392207, filed 2011-03, 95,000 miles“I was driving at approximately 6 am on a december morning in 2010 when the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier I was driving cut off in the middle of the road. I had to push the vehicle into a parking lot to be towed to a body shop. I was informed that the fuel pump had went out and it would cost roughly $450 to fix. The mileage at the time of the incident was roughly around 87,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10425854, filed 2011-09, 87,738 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10199281May 25, 2021This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or…
- 10190437Mar 30, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10176310May 8, 2020This Preliminary information communicates the use of Winter grade fuel during the warm months of 2020 and the potential rivability issues that it can cause. The ongoing…
- 10171878Jan 2, 2020This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended…
- 10160637Apr 4, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about a customer?s request to remove or disable the Bi-Fuel Compressed Natural Gas system…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10137635May 10, 2017This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves, and explains how toptier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build up.
- 10114831Nov 15, 2016This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block that have a possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 383 | 56% |
| 2002 | 18 | 9% |
| 2001 | 29 | 12% |
| 2000 | 43 | 14% |
| 1999 | 17 | 7% |
| 1998 | 14 | 4% |
| 1997 | 23 | 4% |
| 1996 | 18 | 4% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 5 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 4 | 7% |
| 1989 | 6 | 14% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
106 complaintsExterior lighting
57 complaintsEngine cooling
43 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsAir bags
18 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 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