Page 2 of 14 · complaints 51–100 of 678

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Jul 3, 2012200,000 milesNC

MY GAUGE CLUSTER WENT OUT WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. VERY UNSAFE, I WAS UNSURE OF THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE AND IT IS ONE OF THE HOTTER DAYS OF THE YEAR!!!! LOOKED ON-LINE AND FOUND HOW COMMON THIS ISSUE IS. I CANT SEE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, HOW HOT MY CAR IS, HOW FAST IM GOING, OR HOW HARD MY CAR IS WORKING. IF THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IS FAILING SO WIDELY IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!!!!!!!! VERY VERY VERY UNSAFE. TRIED TO TAKE TO ADVANCED AND THEY WONT READ THE CODE AS ITS NOT A STANDARD CODE (?) GM YOU ARE LOOSING CUSTOMERS FAST AND PUTTING THOUSANDS OF LIVES AT RISK BY LETTING THIS CONTINUE TO GO PAST YOU AND ALL FOR THE SAKE OF A LITTLE MONEY TO FIX A PROBLEM YOU SOLD TO US? IF YOU CAN RECALL THE SAME ISSUE ON SOME OF YOUR TRUCKS YOU CAN ON THIS CAR AS WELL, DISCONTINUED OR NOT. *JS

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed May 13, 2012AL

SPEEDOMETER STOPED WORKING! SAFTEY ISSUE! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 201251,900 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,900.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 17, 201264,640 milesNY

OWNER OBJECTS TO GM'S ASSERTION THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT NOTICE AND LEFT AUTO OCCUPANTS IN A DANGEROUS POSITION. ENGINE STUMBLED ONCE AND THEN STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN SNOW- COVERED ROAD. HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY AND IN-TANK FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. OWNER HAS ALWAYS BEEN CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 1/4 TANK LEVEL AS THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN WIDELY PUBLICIZED. EARLIER MODEL 1993 CAVALIER WENT TWICE THIS MILEAGE WITHOUT ANY FUEL PUMP FAILURES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 4, 2012155,000 milesSC

SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND IS STUCK ON 52 MPH. FUEL GAUGE IS STUCK ON FULL, TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS POINTING TO NOWHERE, AND THE TACOMETER IS POINTING AT ZERO. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 3, 201239,000 milesIN

SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING LOOKS LIKE THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER CHEVROLET CAVALIERS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Dec 28, 2011123,769 milesMO

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK OIL AND BATTERY WARNING LAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO TEH CONTACT WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,769. KMJ UPDATED 01/25//12 *BF UPDATED 01/27/12

Electrical System
Filed Nov 29, 201189,000 milesOH

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING. I ORDERED 2 USED ONES THEY DID NOT WORK. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REBUILD IT AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. GM HAS RECALLED THIS ITEM ON SEVERAL MODELS BUT NOT ON THE CAVALIER AS OF YET. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS AND STILL HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. NO SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE. *KB

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 16, 201160,000 milesKY

DARK GREEN EXTERIOR PAINT STARTED FADING IN 2008 NOW IS SEVERE & COVERS ROOF & HOOD. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 14, 201145,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE HORN, BUT IT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CANCELING CAM. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Oct 12, 2011275,200 milesFL

AT APPROX. 67K MY FUEL PUMP FAILED. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A NEW FUEL PUMP, ADHERING TO THE MANUFACTURERS INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS. LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER THE NEW PUMP FAILED. THE HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM NOW FOR AT LEAST 10 FUEL PUMPS. THIS INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE NOT CHANGED AND I HAVE HAD THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT POWERS THE PUMP CHECKED OUT AS WELL. IN EACH CONDITION IT WAS A NO START "FAILURE", LEAVING ME STRANDED IN EACH CASE AND COSTING ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN TOWING FEES THAT ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. EVEN THOUGH THE AUTO PARTS STORES HAVE BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO HONOR THE WARRANTY MOST TIMES I HAVE STILL HAD TO PAY FOR AT LEAST 5 OF THE 10 FUEL PUMPS. THAT'S A 1 TO 1 RATIO. I HAVE ALSO READ ABOUT THE CONDITION WITH BRUSHES IN THE MOTOR WEARING OUT. SOME OF THESE PUMPS HAVE PROVIDED 30K MILES OR MORE AND OTHERS NOT 3K MI. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND I FOR ONE WILL NOT BE SHOPPING FOR ANOTHER CHEVY UNTIL THIS PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED AND RESOLVED. I AM RESEARCHING MY PURCHASES/EXCHANGES TO VERIFY THE DATES AND WILL REGISTER EACH ONE OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY. *KB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 17, 201187,738 milesNC

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. *TT

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Sep 7, 201160,000 milesNY

SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. OTHER GAUGES (FUEL, TEMP) ALSO ERRATIC. SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY GM VEHICLES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 6, 2011100,000 milesNV

MY CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER I TURNED IT OFF. I BANGED ON THE GAS TANK WITH A HAMMER, WHILE A COWORKER CRANKED THE ENGINE OVER AND THE FUEL PUMPED KICKED IN. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR STARTING; HOWEVER I PLAYED IT SAFE AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. STILL UNFORTUNATE THAT THE FUEL PUMP BARELY LASTED 100K. I BELIEVE CHEVY SHOULD GIVE YOU A FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE IF THERE IS A FAILURE WITHIN THE FIRST 200K MILES. PLAIN AND SIMPLE FUEL PUMPS SHOULD NOT FAIL AS OFTEN AS THEY DO WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. IT'S IS DANGEROUS TO EVERYONE'S HEALTH, AND I HOPE NO ONE EVER GETS HURT FROM IT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 3, 201161,246 milesKY

I HAD LEFT MY MOTHERS AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES AND STARTED SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN INTO OUR LOCAL GROCERY STORE WHEN MY 2003 CAVALIER STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART BACK. UPON CHECKING I DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO FUEL TO THE FUEL RAIL.I HAD JUST OVER 1/2 TANK OF FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAD ANOTHER TURN KEY AND THERE WAS NO WHIRRING TO INDICATE FUEL PUMP WAS OPERATING. I CALLED TOW SERVICE AND TOWED IT HOME. I DROPPED THE TANK AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. ANOTHER SYMPTOM NOT LISTED IN THE COMPLAINTS WHEN MY PUMP FAILED ALL THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD REGISTER (FUEL GAUGE AND TEMP GAUGE) THEN WOULD DROP TO 0 AND WOULD FLICKER CONTINUOUSLY WHEN KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. UPON PURCHASING NEW PUMP ASSEMBLY THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AS WELL. YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE A NEW HARNESS TO RESOLVE ISSUE HAD TO CUT THE FUEL PUMP LEADS OFF OF PUMP WIRING HARNESS AND PURCHASE A NEW CONNECTOR AND SPLICE THEM TOGETHER. I FEEL THERE MAYBE MORE CUSTOMERS WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT HAD SERVICE DONE IN A LOCAL SHOP THAT WAS NOT REPORTED TO NHTSA OR TO GM. AS THIS REPAIR WAS VERY EXPENSIVE AT THE TIME AND MANY WOULD SEEK REPAIRS FOR LOWER RATES THEN OFFERED BY A DEALERSHIP. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 3, 2011AZ

MY HUSBAND AND I WENT LOOKING FOR A CAR AT THIS DEALERSHIP ON OCT. 31, 2010. WE FOUND THIS CHEVROLET CAVALIER (2003). WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAD NO INFORMATION ON IT; SO I CHECKED ON CARFAX AND FOUND THAT IT HAD COUPLE OF RECALLS ON IT; BUT NOTHING ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP. SO NOW THE CAR GO'S OUT WON'T START. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS. WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD THIS RIGHT NOW. THERE WAS A RECALLED THE CARS FROM 1998 TO 2002 AND FIXED THE PROBLEM. WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT FIXED OR GET RID OF IT OR TRADE IT IN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 26, 201163,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING MPH AND ABOVE, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac SystemFire
Filed Aug 22, 201190,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED AND THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SEE BLACK SMOKE COMING THE VENTS. THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SIDE SHOULDER AND SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN UPDATED 3/29/12 *CN

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 16, 201167,800 milesTN

2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER GIVING OFF FUMES FIRST TIME I FILLED IT TO THE TOP WITH GASOLINE. THAT EVENTUALLY SET OFF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASH. I USED MY OBD2 SCANNER AND IT WAS A CODE FOR A HIGH EVAP LEAK. IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO FIND THE LEAK AT MY HOME, SO I HAD THE DEALERSHIP DO A SMOKE TEST AND REVEALED A CRACK AT THE SEAMS OF THE GAS TANK. DEALERSHIP SAID NO RECALL FOR THAT MAKE AND MODEL. ESTIMATE FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR WAS $1,000. I FOUND A SALVAGE YARD GAS TANK FROM A LOW MILEAGE OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED IT. MECHANIC MENTIONED IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE TO FIND A CRACK AT THE SEAMS OF A NEWER GM SMALL CAR WITH A PLASTIC GAS TANK. I RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE MYSELF AND THE PROBLEM NEVER REAPPEARED. *KB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 14, 201180,340 milesNY

FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 80,340 MILES. PUMP FAILED IN THE DRIVEWAY. REPAIR COST: $695 + TOWING. *TR

Equipment
Filed Aug 7, 201125,000 milesNY

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. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH A PORTABLE GARMIN NUVI GPS SINCE 2008, JUST TO USE THE ESTIMATED SPEED IN THE HOPES I WILL NOT GET A SPEEDING TICKET. THE FIRST TIME I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW MY SPEEDOMETER AT 85 MPH, I INSTINCTIVELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, AND WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. I WAS ONLY GOING 50 MPH AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED. I NOW HAVE A TEEN DRIVER, AND I CANNOT ALLOW HER TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE SHE IS NOT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO ESTIMATE HER SPEEDS. I WILL NEVER KNOW IF MY CAR TRULELY OVERHEATS BECAUSE IT OVERHEATS ON THE GAUGE 3-5 TIMES A WEEK. I HAVE TO FILL MY GAS BASED ON WHEN I FILLED IT LAST & HOW MANY MILES I HAVE DRIVEN SINCE AS I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, THAT CAN LEAD TO DEATH AND INJURY, AS A TOLD YOU MY EXPERIENCE WITH INSTINCTIVELY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF I RUN OUT OF GAS UNKNOWINGLY IN THE 3RD LANE OF AN EXPRESSWAY. I ALSO OWN A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER WHOSE GAS GAUGE REGISTARS 1/4

Electrical System
Filed Jul 27, 2011NC

ALL GAUGES WORK ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM. READ THERE STORIES HERE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/CAVALIER/2005/ELECTRICAL/GAUGES_HAVE_GONE_HAYWIRE.SHTML. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 13, 2011168,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOWER BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V524000; EXTERIOR LIGHTING, TURN SIGNAL. ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE NEW REPAIRS SINCE THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 5, 201130,000 milesTX

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER AND I HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLS AS THERE ARE MANY WITH THE SAME 2 PROBLEMS, FIRST EVERY GAUGE IN MY CAR QUIT WORKING NO RPM, NO GAS GUAGE AND NO SPEEDOMETER. SECOND EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR FOR NO REASON AT ALL IT WOULD JUST STALL AT REDLIGHTS WHEN I WOULD TAKE OFF, DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM, I HAVE NEARLY WRECKED MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS, THE LATEST WAS TODAY I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS THAT SAY THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE FAULTY PLASTIC FUEL PUMP, WHY NO RECALL THIS IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. *KB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 29, 201160,000 milesMO

ON MAY 31, MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS SPORT STALLED ON A HIGHWAY. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT, BUT I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY EXITED MY VEHICLE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A TOW. AFTER RECEIVING DIAGNOSTICS AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THIS AND REPLACING A FUEL FILTER WAS CLOSE TO $1,000. MY CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT, I HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER 1 YEAR BEFORE AT ANOTHER GM DEALERSHIP, AND I PERFORMED REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE USER MANUAL. WHEN I WENT HOME I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE WITH THE CAR, AND LO AND BEHOLD I CAME ACROSS HUNDREDS OF PAGES WHICH DESCRIBED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I HAD. ON ONE FORUM ALONE, THERE WERE OVER 700 POSTS WHERE OWNERS OF THE 2003 MODEL CAVALIER HAD FUEL PUMPS GO OUT AT AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE AS MY CAR, WITH REPAIR COSTS RANGING FROM $300-$900. I CONTINUED TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE, AND FOUND THAT THE NHTSA HAD RESEARCHED A LARGE NUMBER OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING FUEL PUMP FAILURES WITH THE 2003 MODEL CAVALIER ' INVESTIGATION #EA07015 AND #PE07033. GM DOCUMENTS IN BOTH OF THESE CASES INDICATED A LARGE NUMBER OF MALFUNCTIONS IN MODELS UP TO 2003, THEN A SHARP DECREASE IN FAILURES IN THE 2004 MODEL. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jun 17, 201155,817 milesHI

2003 CHEVY CAVALIER 2DR/STANDARD. TWO MONTHS AND COUNTING MY CAR STALLS ON STOP LIGHT. OCCASIONALLY, SHAKES WHEN I START, AFTER PUTTING GAS IN, IT WON'T START RIGHT AWAY (IT TAKES FIVE MINS OR LESS)...CHK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON...YES, OIL CHANGE REGULARLY, TUNED-UP DONE, NEW BATTERY, NEW IDLE VALVE, IT HAS BEEN CHECKED, BUT MY CAR STILL STALLS AND I CAN SMELL BURNED OIL WHEN I'M WARMING MY CAR AND GIVE SOME REV...PLEASE NEED HELP MY CAR IS IMPORTANT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER AND BY THE WAY I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO BUY EXPENSIVE PARTS IF THE MANUFACTURER MESSED THIS MODEL...HELP PLEASE . *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 24, 2011120,000 milesAR

MY FIANCE PURCHASED A USED 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND WE HAD THE FUEL PUMP GO OUT ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. I INSTALLED A USED ONE FROM A JUNK YARD AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN LAST WEEK. I REALIZE THAT I CAN'T NECESSARILY EXPECT A USED FUEL PUMP TO LAST FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME, BUT I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO FUEL PUMPS ON THIS YEAR MODEL. I HAVE OWNED A FEW CARS MUCH OLDER THAN THIS ONE AND WITH HIGHER MILEAGE AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO MESS WITH A FUEL PUMP. IT CURRENTLY HAS 120K MILES. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 7, 201181,075 milesAR

I WAS DRIVING AND HAD BEEN IN MY CAR FOR ABOUT FIVE MIN AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF WHERE THE RADIO AND HEATER CONTROLS ARE..AT THAT TIME I PULLED OVER AND SAW FLAMES IN THE DASH AND IT WAS GROWING AND I CALLED 911 FIRE AND WE CLOSED THE DOORS AND WAITED TIL THE FIRE TRUCK GOT THERE AND HANDLED THE FIRE. IT COMPLETELY DESTROYED MY DASH STEERING COLUMN FRONT WINDSHIELD AND HEAD LINER...ALL MY INSTRUMENT PANELS AND WIRING ARE FRIED. I BELIEVE IT WAS A FAULTY WIRING SYSTEM...IF NOT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED AND HOW DO I FIX MY CAR.. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 27, 2011180,000 miles00

I STOPPED AT A CONSTRUCTION STOP SIGN AND MY CAR JUST STARTED TO STALL. I TRIED RESTARTING IT A FEW TIMES BUT IT WOULD JUST PUTTER OUT AFTER RUNNING FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $800. THANKS A LOT GM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 17, 201185,000 miles00

FUEL PUMP DEAD WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, 60 MI/HR. HAD TO REPLACE IT FOR 700$. NO MORE GM'S PRODUCTS FOR ME !! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 6, 201190,000 milesOK

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. IT HAS 120000 MILES ON IT. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I NOTICED MY GAS GAGE SEEMED TO BE STUCK, THE CAR HAD APPROX 90000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER MY RPM GAUGE STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THAT MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO ALSO GO HAYWIRE FOLLOWED BY MY OIL GAUGE. MY WHOLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NO LONGER WORKS. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT AND IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. BUT AFTER LOOKING AT HOW MANY CAVALIER HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 22, 2011167,000 milesPA

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. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, UNRESTRAINED DRIVER HIT THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING BRUISING, CONCUSSION, ABRASIONS, LACERATION TO THE SCALP. NO PASSENGERS NOTED TO BE IN THE VEHICLE OTHER THEN DRIVER. CAR IS TOTALED. DRIVER IS CURRENTLY OFF OF WORK DUE TO CLOSED HEAD INJURY AS ADVISED PER ER PHYSICIAN. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 21, 201192,800 milesTX

THE CAR JUST WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING AFTER NO WARNINGS! I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER AND SOME TYPE OF MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF $900.00!!! *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 19, 201195,000 milesCA

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. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 7, 201185,000 miles00

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND WITH NO WARNING IT STALLED OUT. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE GARAGE WITH AN ESTIMATE OF 700-900 TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. I DO NOT HAVE THIS MONEY SO I AM NOW A SINGLE PARENT WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED PREVIOUSLY. I THANK GOD MY CHILD WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 16, 201178,000 milesAZ

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND LOSE ACCELERATION. I GOT OFF AT THE NEAREST EXIT AND AS I PASSED THROUGH THE EXIT INTERSECTION, THE ENGINE DIED. I COASTED INTO A GAS STATION, WHERE THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER AND THEN DIE RIGHT AWAY. AFTER 15 MINUTES IT NO LONGER TURNED OVER....THE TOW TRUCK MAN TRIED IT. TURNS OUT THE FUEL PUMP IS SHOT AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 03 CAVALIERS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 15, 201150,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/13/11

Electrical System
Filed Jan 28, 201168,244 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL FAILED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WOULD TAKE TWO WEEKS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,244.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 20, 201160,000 milesMN

FUEL PUMP FAILURE RESULTING IN THE ENGINE DYING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO RESTART. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE WITH ABOUT A HALF TANK OF GAS WHEN THE ENGINE DIED IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE CAR BUT NOT IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD THAT BE POSSIBLE. THE CAR AS AROUND 60,000 MILES ON IT AND A COMPLETE FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE IN OPERATION IS UNACCEPTABLE ON A VEHICLE UNDER TEN YEARS OLD WITH UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 19, 201170,000 milesCA

SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS OVER 120 MILES AND BEYOND EVEN WHEN STOPPED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 8, 201175,000 miles00

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. *LN

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors
Filed Dec 28, 2010GA

2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING RUPTURE OF FUEL INJECTOR *TGW THE DEALER REPLACED THE #4 FUEL INJECTOR DUE TO IT LEAKING EXTERNALLY. *JB

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Dec 22, 2010115,000 milesFL

VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NO LONGER WORKS ACCURATELY. STARTED WITH TACHOMETER BUT NOW EFFECT ALL GAUGES - FUEL, SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND TEMPERATURE. ELECTRICAL OUTLET ON DRIVER SIDE ALSO DOESN'T WORK AND DOME LIGHT TURNS ON SPORADICALLY. THE FAILURE IS NOW CONSTANT AND I AM UNABLE TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE, IF MY VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING OR HOW FAST I AM TRAVELING. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PANEL TO THE COST OF $800! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 201063,000 milesPA

WHILE IN PARK MY 2003 CAVALIER TACHOMETER READS AT 5 RPM WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH MY TACHOMETER READS OVER 7 RPMS. THE ENGINE SOUNDS NORMAL CONTACTED CHEVY AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO DO A RECALL WHEN IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IT SHOULD NOT MATTER THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY 500 TO FIX THIS WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WILL WORK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 11, 201088,478 milesMO

DRIVING AT 60 MPH JUST DIED ON THE INTERSTATE,PULLED OVER STARTED BACK UP ALSO AT 60,000 MILES FUEL PUMP WENT OUT NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS 2003 CAVALIER THEY ARE A LEMON,WHY ISN'T SOMETHING DONE????? BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 10, 201080,000 milesTX

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MY SPEEDOMETER WENT CRAZY (~80,000 MILES), AND A FEW DAYS AGO MY FUEL GAUGE FOLLOWED SUIT (117,000 MILES). I SAW THE SAME PROBLEM WIDELY MENTIONED ON THE INTERNET, INCLUDING AN ACTUAL RECALL ON THE TRUCKS WHICH USE THE SAME INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DEALER SAID REPAIRS WOULD BE $300-$500 WHICH I COULDN'T AFFORD, SO I JUST USED THE TACHOMETER TO GAUGE MY ROADSPEED. CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THE FUEL GAUGE THOUGH. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 2, 201082,100 milesTX

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER THAT IS ON IT'S SECOND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND NOW IT HAS GONE BAD, NO SPEEDOMETER, NO FUEL GAUGE AND NO TEMPERATURE. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS. IF GM IS IN SUCH GREAT SHAPE AS RECENTLY REPORTED, THEN WHY CAN'T YOUR ORGANIZATION INSTRUCT THEM TO MAKE GOOD ON THE SAFETY OF THEIR VEHICLES? I CAN'T SELL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BUY A VEHICLE THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA OF HOW FAST THEY ARE GOING OR HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 29, 201060,000 milesTN

MY SPEEDOMETER BEGAN OPERATING ERRATICALLY ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS IT HAS NOT OPERATED AT ALL STAYS BELOW 0 AT ALL TIMES. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 12, 201069,214 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE OIL AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,214.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 29, 2010115,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON MAIN ROADS, IT TENDS TO STALL OUT OF NO WHERE. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AROUND 70,000 MILES. AT 115,000 MILES IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I NEED TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING, IN TRAFFIC, BUT THEN STARTS RIGHT BACK UP. IT IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE IT A SHOP YET AGAIN TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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