2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER Suspension Problems
13 NHTSA complaints on file
Suspension Issues in the 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
13 suspension complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.
13
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Suspension Complaints
MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER RECENTLY BEGAN TO MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE, WHICH CAN ALSO BE FELT, IN THE FRONT END. WHEN I PUT IT UP ON A LIFT, I NOTICED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTING (DETERIORATING). I KNOW IT IS 13 YEARS OLD, BUT MY PARENTS OWNED A 1989 CAVALIER Z24 FOR 20 YEARS, AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH ITS FRAME. I'VE READ THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2003 CHEVY CAVALIERS. WHY IS THIS? WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? MY FAMILY HAS OWNED SEVERAL NEW AND USED VEHICLES, ALL GM, AND WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A SUB-FRAME RUST TO THIS EXTENT. WE ARE A GM FAMILY AND ARE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN GM'S LACK OF RESPONSE TO THIS SAFETY HAZARD.
INSTRUMET CLUSTER PROBLEMS FOR A FEW YEARS. FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED AT ABOUT 52,000 MILES AFTER QUITING TWICE WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH. DEALER CLAIMED THE CAR QUIT BECAUSE OF A BAD BATTERY THE FIRST TIME AND DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY. IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT INTERMITTENTLY READS WELL BEYOND FULL AND INTERFEARS WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAGE FUNCTION. NOW SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 85 MPH WHILE TURNED OFF. I WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE DOING 67 MPH, I SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AT AN AT GRADE INSECTION TO A ROAD POSTED AT 55 MPH. I COMPLETED THE TURN AND SPED UP. THE SPEEDOMETER READ 58 MPH BUT IT FELT LLIKE I WAS GONG ABOUT 30 MPH. I STOPPED AT ANOTHER INTERSECTION AND THE SPEED DROPPED TO 40 MPH. I MADE THE TURN AND ACELERATED AND THE SPEED WENT...
I HAVE NOTICED A LOT AND I MEAN A LOT OF THESE CAVALIERS HAVE HAD HORRIBLE FRAME PROBLEMS I USE TO WORK ON CARS EVERYDAY UNTIL THE LAST YEAR WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE MECHANICS FIELD AN NOW I OWN A 03 CHEVY CAVALIER ITS A TWO DOOR 5 SPEED 2.2 I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE STORE AND I FELT SOMETHING RUBBING SO I STOPPED AN GOT OUT TO FIND OUT MY K FRAME WAS HORRIBLY ROTTED AN BROKE NOW THIS VEHICLE IS 13 YEARS OLD BUT AS ROTTED OUT AS IT WAS IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENED ITS BEEN BAD I WAS JUST THE LUCKY OWNER THAT THE FRAME GAVE OUT ON AN I DEMAND TO KNOW WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL ANOTHER THING IS I OWNED A 98 FORD F150 WHICH HAD RECALLS AN WHEN I WAS SENT THE LETTER ABOUT THE RECALLS...
METAL ON METAL NOISE FOUND OUT SHOES AND ROTORS ARE DAMAGEDDAMAGED. I HAVE NO MONEY. V CAN'T FIX THIS. SMELL INSIDE OF LEAK. TEMP RUNNING HIGH. 200.
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...
CHEVROLET CAVALIER Z 2003, MULTIPLE FAILURES. *BF THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS, THE HEATER DID NOT WORK, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS REPLACED, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER LUBED THE FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHING. THE TIRES WERE OVER INFLATED, SO THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, THE BLOWER MOTOR, AND HEATER CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE ABS LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE PADS. THERE WAS MOLD ON THE DRIVERS FRONT DOOR. THE AC COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. THE WINDOW WENT DOWN EXTREMELY SLOW, THE DEALER LUBED THE WINDOW TRACK AND REGULATOR. THE FOG LIGHT BULB WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM TO A SOFTER SHADE OF LIGHT. I HAVE ALSO CHANGED THE REAR SINGLE LIGHTS IN MY CAR THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THIS CAR HAS A BAD BRAKE PROBLEM. THE FRONT OF THE CAR SHAKES VERY BAD WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY. CITY DRIVING IS NOT AS BAD, BUT WHEN THE BRAKES GET WARMED UP THEY PULSATE WHEN I COME TO A STOP. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I PULL MY CAR INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE FIRST THING I SMELL WHEN I GET OUT IS A BURNING SMELL FROM THE BACK BRAKES. I CALLED THE FUCILLO CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER 2003. I TALKED TO A SERVICEMAN ABOUT MY BRAKE PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT MY PULSATING BRAKES IS THE ABS SYSTEM WORKING IN THE SNOW. NOW THE ROADS ARE...
THE TIRES SHAKE AND VIBRATE AROUND SIXTY MILES/HR. SO I TOOK THEM TO SAM'S CLUB TO THEIR TIRE CENTER IN DECEMBER OF 2003. THEY ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ONE MONTH, THEN THE TIRES STARTED DOING THE SAME THING OVER AGAIN. ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER, I WENT BACK TO SAM'S CLUB AND THEY BALANCED MY TIRES AGAIN. SO HERE IT IS MARCH OF 2004, THE TIRES ARE DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN SHAKING AND VIBRATING AROUND SIXTY MILES/HR. I CALLED GOODYEAR , THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN. THEY LOOKED AT THE TIRES, AND SAID THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE WORN ON THE INSIDE, AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE TIRES FIXED. THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE SPECIFIC ORIGIN OF THE VIBRATION. BASICALLY, FOR A BRAND NEW CAR, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE...
WITH ONLY .5 INCHES OF SNOW MY CAR (A 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER) LOST COMPLETE CONTROL AND SMASHED INTO THE CURB. THIS WAS WHILE TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 10MPH. I FEEL THE COMBINATION OF 16" TIRES AND THE SPORTS SUSPENSION (BOTH STANDARD ON THE CAR) WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *AK
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.
THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A REGULAR OIL MAINTENANCE AND THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED FRONT ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS. THE VEHICLE HAD 3700 MILES. *AK NOISE HAD COME FROM THE DASHBOARD, WHEN THE LEFT DOOR WAS CLOSED, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, AND WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THERE WAS STATIC IN THE RADIO DUE TO LOOSENESS, AND THERE WAS A RATTLE NOISE IN THE REAR, NEAR THE EXHAUST, WHEN CLOSED. *SCC THE HINGES WERE REPAIED, DUE TO A NOISE IN THE DOOR. *JB
WHEN DRIVING AT 70MPH VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE TIRES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Other 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER Problem Areas
Fuel System Gasoline
193 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
162 complaints
Electrical System
57 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
31 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
31 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
28 complaints
Fuel System Other
23 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
18 complaints
Steering
15 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
12 complaints
Fuel System Otherdeliveryfuel Pump
12 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
11 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
10 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
10 complaints
Exterior Lighting
9 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
9 complaints
Unknown Or Other
8 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
8 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
7 complaints
Air Bags
6 complaints
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
6 complaints
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
6 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
5 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
5 complaints
Structurebody
5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
5 complaints
Visibility
5 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
5 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
4 complaints
Power Train
4 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
4 complaints
Power Trainmanual Transmission
4 complaints
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
3 complaints
Electrical Systemhorn
3 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
3 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
3 complaints
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
3 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock
3 complaints
Power Trainclutch Assembly
3 complaints
Seat Belts
3 complaints
Seat Beltsfront
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
3 complaints
Structure
3 complaints
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
3 complaints
Suspensionfront
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
2 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systeminjectors
2 complaints
Service Brakes
2 complaints
Service Brakes Airantilock
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
2 complaints
Suspensionrear
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcables
2 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
2 complaints
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignition
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
1 complaint
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
1 complaint
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
1 complaint
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
1 complaint
Power Trainclutch Assemblypedalhand Levermotorcycle
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
1 complaint
Seat Beltsrearother
1 complaint
Seats
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockwheel Speed Sensor
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfluid
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumdrum
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumshoeslinings
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
1 complaint
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
1 complaint
Steeringrack And Pinion
1 complaint
Steeringrack And Pinionrack
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontmacpherson Strut
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontspringsair Suspensionlines And Fittings
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
1 complaint
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1 complaint
Tiressidewall
1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwashermotor
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesinterior
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherlinkages
1 complaint
Visibilitywiper
1 complaint
Wheels
1 complaint
Wheelshub
1 complaint
Wheelsrim
1 complaint