CarRecallDB

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls and problems

1 recall and 678 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier.

1
recalls
678
owner complaints
31
complaints mentioning a crash
6
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls

Exterior lighting: turn signal

NHTSA campaign 04V524000 · reported November 1, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 256,025 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 7, 2025 · Electrical system

There is a recall on the vehicle I need to get fixed.

May 2, 2021 · Steering · 50,000 miles

THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. PINS ON TILT MECHANISM ARE GONE. DON'T KNOW WHEN IT FELL OUT. NOTICED WHEN CLEANING CAR WHEN I TILTED THE STEERING WHEEL UP.

May 2, 2021 · Electrical system · 50,000 miles

MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT WAS RECALLED FOR OTHER GM VEHICLES. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, RPM, SPEEDOMETER.... NONE OF MY GAUGES WORK. THEY GAVE THE WRONG READINGS, THE HAND WOULDN'T RETURN TO THEIR STARTING POSITIONS, THEN THE HANDS WENT LOWER THAN THEIR STARTING…

Apr 5, 2018 · Unknown or other · 200,000 miles

TAKATA RECALL

Jan 28, 2018 · Electrical system · 198,000 miles

CLUSTER OF DASHBOARD INDICATORS (SPEEDOMETER, GAS GUAGE , ENGINE TEMP, RPM) ALL ARE NOT WORKING NOW. THEY WERE GOING OFF AND ON AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING BUT NOW NOTHING WORKS...MY MECHANIC INFORMS ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. NO RECALL FOUND. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHY WASN'T THIS COMMON PROBLEM…

Cavalier model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 2315258
2001 1243238
2002 0196244
2003 1678316
2004 1330176
2005 028770

Across all years, the 2003 Cavalier has the most complaints (678). All Chevrolet Cavalier years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, the most recent reported on November 1, 2004 (Exterior lighting: turn signal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Owners have filed 678 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel system, gasoline (340 complaints), followed by electrical system (106).
How many 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier complaints mention a crash or fire?
31 of 678 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 18 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 7, 2025.