2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 383 of 678 complaints (56%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 196 in 2002 to 678 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–2,600 | 2,300–2,600 | 2,400–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–24 | 21–25 | 24–25 | 24–27 | 25–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–21 / 26–30 | 18–22 / 26–30 | 21–22 / 30 | 21–23 / 29–33 | 21–23 / 31–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–423 | 355–423 | 355–370 | 329–370 | 342–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 243 | 196 | 678 | 330 | 287 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 23 | 24 | 31 | 17 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 24 | 33 | 18 | 19 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Fuel System: 383 of 678 NHTSA complaints (56%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
EPA rates it 24–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or natural gas | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 47 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 383 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 106 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 37 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 19 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 28 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 90 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Other | 23 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
STEERING · Campaign 08E063000 · Oct 20, 2008
Defect: DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Consequence: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · Campaign 04V524000 · Nov 3, 2004
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR LAMPS THAT PROVIDE STOP AND TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LAMP FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET. IN ADDITION, IF ONE BULBS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DISENGAGE WHEN THE REMAINING BULB WAS ACTIVATED. IF BOTH LAMPS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE.
Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY GREASE OR REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.