2003 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Owners have filed 867 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. Fuel system is the most reported problem area, at 47% of complaints. Next are electrical system (13%) and lighting (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 867 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 47% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 53 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 27 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 696 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 121 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 82 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 127 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 181 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 91 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 50 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 21 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 7 |
| 200k+ miles | 6 |
What the data shows
Of the 696 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 60,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 66,000 miles (380 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 53 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 27 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Chevrolet Cavalier with enough data (616 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 100 MPH control of the vehicle was lost resulting in a crash into an embankment and the vehicle flipped over. Although seat belts were worn, the driver was ejected from the vehicle which resulted in a fatality. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. Since the contact was not the owner of the vehicle, no other information was available. The dealer has not been alerted.
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).
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.
1. Vehicle made a moaning noise when turning at approximately 55,000 kms (and 3 years old). Replaced power steering pump and steering rack. 2. Random clunking from the front end at approx. 56,000 kms. Replaced front bearings and transmission mount. 3. Car lost power, had to be towed to dealership. Dealer couldn't find a problem, insisted the car was fine. I insisted on them taking it out again. Car broke down, had to be towed back to dealer again. Replaced catalytic converter and fuel ignition switch. 4.