2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 2%of 678 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2% of the 678 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When shifting auto transmission into reverse gear from park the clip that holds the shift cable onto the shift lever on the transmission broke. Dealer told me that entire shift cable must be purchased to get the small clip that holds cable end to transmission shift lever. I went to a local junk yard to find this small clip (part) and was astonished to find that every auto of this year and make had the similar problem. All of these autos has the cable wired to the shift lever. Some used a wire tie to secure the lever to cable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10568096, filed 2014-03, 88,000 miles“My 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier has a problem of stalling ( engine dies)at low speed when clutch is depressed. Other owners have had this problem as noted in complaint section of this website. When this happens you must keep engine revs high in order to keep this from happening over and over. This happened in june of 2003 and again jan. 15 2004. Dealer and Chevrolet customer service say more or less, sorry about your bad luck. I am not happy about this and I am quite sure I am not the only one. This condition could get you killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10054836, filed 2004-01, 500 miles“Drove 54 miles last veneing to safeway, bought milk there. Drove home, then went to leave for work today, and my clutch had failed overnight. It is the clutch hydraulic system that has failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10501887, filed 2013-03, 108,600 miles“Dt: the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. Safety defect is automatic transmission. Vehicle rolls back while on a hill. While it is in drive it acts as if it was standard transmission. Happened on and off since 2003. The consumer stated the vehicle idles too low which caused the vehicle to roll backwards.”
NHTSA complaint #10137677, filed 2005-10, 10,000 miles“Vehicle currently at dealership for multiple reasons. Front end has popping noises when turning. Rear end make loud noise when weight in put on it (ex. Entering and departing vehicle cabin). Also have had trouble with vehicle stalling when slowing down (manual...put in neutral and RPM's drop-off causing a stall). Technicians have not been able to duplicate latter problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10039337, filed 2003-09, 2,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 7% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
| 2001 | 34 | 14% |
| 2000 | 26 | 8% |
| 1999 | 20 | 8% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1997 | 26 | 5% |
| 1996 | 54 | 11% |
| 1995 | 17 | 6% |
| 1994 | 16 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 7% |
| 1992 | 7 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 5 | 9% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1987 | 2 | 8% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
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 complaintsEquipment
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