Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: the consumer owns a 2003 Chevrolet caviler. Was losing control of the steering and the brakes. It started in the winter. The consumer stated the direction that car was headed was the way it stayed. Also, she noticed that there was a hum in the steering wheel which lasted a couple of seconds each time. The consumer contacted the dealer, and they said that it did not sound to them as dangerous. A couple of months later the problem finally came to ahead in June. Lights came on the dashboard. The belt broke, and the alternator seized. When the car was repaired by the dealer they concluded the alternator and the belt malfunctioned. Also heard a grinding noise in the brakes. The dealer never did any repairs to the steering. The consumer said that the key was hot after it had been in the ignition. And the steering wheel was tight when turning to the right. …
Went to start car to go to store and it would not start. Luckily it was at home when it decided to stop working. Towed to garage and they said it was the fuel pump. The garage replaced the fuel pump and it fixed the no start issue. I had no idea that this was the process to start a recall investigation or I would have said long ago. There has been lots of recalls lately on GM and this same Cavalier decided not to start twice after the fuel pump, once in 2011 was the timing chain then again December 2012 that I still have to diagnose which LED me to research recalls. Each time the car stopped working luckily it was in my driveway each and every time. The timing chain there was some warning, it would sometimes buck, other times it was fussy on starting and it would stall at stop lights. I will report a new issue if I can find out the 3rd unknown 2012 issue.
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. Burned through 4l of oil and puffed out black smoke. Dealer couldn't locate problem. Happened again approx. 2000 kms later. Faulty piston rings, engine replaced entirely. At 61,000 kms. Now at over $11,000 cdn warranty repairs on a well maintained low mileage car. 5. Random clunking noise in front is back. Going to dealer tomorrow. Warranty: expired.
Coming home from milwaukee at 12:30 am with son after seeing race in slinger, wi. On interstate, car lost complete engine power and became dead. Closest GM dealership in watertown, wi went out of business last year (per tow truck driver). Had towed to dealership where they diagnosed a bad fuel pump and a price of over $800. Came to pick up with a trailer and asked for help pushing car on trailer. They said you could drive it up as the mechanic tapped the fuel tank and it started. Drove around the block a few times last week with no problems. I explained this to GM, told them about their poor design and that this is not safe because it will fail at any time and could cause a major accident. Was given case #71-648948392 (told no recalls were available per my VIN #). Checked on internet (topix.com) and over 400 have had similar problems.
4/1/2004-check engine light came on. Fucillo stated that it was the emission control and that the part was on national backorder. Terry stated he did not know when part will be in. Rear axel rattles and tires are worn on the inside. Fucillo stated that there is another Cavalier in with the same problem and they have no idea what it is. They changed defective muffler and replaced brackets. 4/5/2004-took car to bresee Chevrolet. They will not work on it because fucillo did so much work on it. Bresee had no idea of national back order on part. They said they would ship the part up to fucillo. Svc mgr stated that the rear axle is not aligned. They said that we have a lemon and that if they had sold this car to us, they would have replaced it by now. Called fucillo back & talked to terry riordan and got nowhere.
The catalytic converter has been damaged and needs to be replaced. The repair shop says that the damage was a result of unburned gasoline going into the catalytic converter when the coil failed. The coil assembly failed and two cylinders stopped firing. I only drove the car about one-mile to the repair shop after the failure (which happened suddenly). The coil assembly had to be replaced at a cost of about $400. After it was replaced, the "check engine" light came on and the repair shop says that the on-board computer diagnostics indicates that the catalytic converter has failed. The car cannot have its registration renewed without a functioning catalytic converter, which will cost about $500 to replace.
1. Both brake lights went out w/in month of each other. In the months of July and August. 2. Brakes noisy, September 3. Trunk would not open, October 4. Brakes noisy, again, November 5. Car turns off in the middle of an intersection after making a complete stop and trying to speed up. Freaking out, I pressed the gas and moved the key in the ignition, then put car in park and got it to start, November. It just seems to me that I have a disfunctional car that when I dont have something wrong with one thing I have to go in to the dealer for another. Its a new car and its costing me more problmes and inconviniences than the old '96 I had till I bought this one.
My son was pulling into a parking lot and as he describes it, everything but the radio went dead all by itself (the engine died and there was no power steering or brakes). Obviously the same symptoms as the current recalls. I called the dealer and was told the car isn't on the list. I've complained to Chevy and am getting the runaround by multiple members of their "consumer support team" (we've assigned you a service request number but I am to wait until it happens again and then bring it in "so we could start reviewing on your case"). I took it to my own mechanic and he ran a bunch of tests but couldn't find anything that would cause the car to die.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving 65 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle shut off and the brakes failed. She then noticed that the steering became stiff. She was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder and had it towed to her destination. The contact did not notice any warnings prior to the failure. She is in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. She would not be compensated for the repairs because there was no recall available. The failure mileage was 79,000.
My 2003 Chevy Cavalier has been experiencing intermittent startup issues and occasional "chugging" while driving - seemed like the car would lurch ahead at times, has also briefly stalled at lights. On 10/11/08, the car would briefly turn over and start for less than a minute, shut off, and afterwards refused to start. Had car towed from my residence to mechanic shop who alerted me that fuel pressure was low. Fuel electronics were functioning as per computer check, turned out to be a bad fuel pump. Car is at ~110,300 miles. Had spark plugs, fuel filter, engine belt replaced in March & April of 2008.
Engine complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, 7% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is engine (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.