7.0
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$50.00
Average Mileage:
75,500 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (5 reports)
- replace gauge cluster (3 reports)
electrical problem
Helpful Websites About 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier gauges gone haywire
2009May 01
Cavalier 2.2L Ecotech
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
the plastic covering my gauges has been broken since i got my car, so i could just reach in and move it back once i came to a stop, but i never knew how fast i was going while i was moving, when this happened. this was especially bad at night because there weren't many other cars around to gauge my speed off of.
2009Sep 07
Cavalier V4
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
my car just didn't start, I took the key out of the ignition after trying to start it and (while the key was NOT in the ignition) the dashboard lights went off and the gauges were fluttering. I looked at all the fuses but I know its the computer that is causing everything to go haywire but I don't know the cheapest way to fix it. and its not the battery because its been checked and its perfectly fine...I need some advice and help pleaseeeee
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Nov 05
Cavalier
- Automatic transmission
- 49,000 miles
The gas gauge is no longer working. This was after the speedometer stopped working and several light (service, theft system and check engine) continue to show up and then go away!
2008Jun 15
Cavalier
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
Sorry chevy wasn't man enough to issue recall, if you take care of your car they should cover it for at least 100,000 miles if you thing your product is good enough.
2005Jan 01
Cavalier 2.2L Ecotec
- Manual transmission
- 50,000 miles
Not sure of exactly when this happened as it was during the tenure of prior owner. This is a typical Chevy problem very common. Gauges going way past limits ( fuel and temp) very easy to destroy a very expensive engine to replace operating it this way. Get this one fixed right away or you get what you deserve if a hose breaks, until then treat it like an airplane and lift the hood each day and verify you have no leaks ect!
Only fix is a new or rebuilt cluster. Company online sells rebuild for a couple hundred bucks. They also furnish a very nice detailed explanation of how to remove the dashboard on the site. Someone sells new surplus clusters on Ebay for around 50. I ordered one and used the diagram online to tear out the whole dashboard down to the cluster. 2 hours work and $50 to fix. Note, the computer sets the mileage so everything will automatically set to exactly the existing proper readings when its turned on, Neat.
2006May 10
Cavalier 2.2L Ecotec
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
My girlfriend's 2003 cavalier loses its speedometer constantly. One minute it works, the next it points straight down or says she's doing 110. She's actually had several tickets due to this, and I've considered contacting GM over this. Her temp gauge reads hot sometimes as well, even though she has no problem with a coolant leak or water pump being bad. She also gets a lot of warning lights popping on and off. She gets an abs/trac light, and a service light occasionally, which go away while driving or the next day. Seems the whole cluster is bad. GM says there are no TSB's or recalls for this problem.
2007Jul 25
Cavalier LS Sport 2.2L Ecotek
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
I'm having the same problem in my 03. Speedo doesn't work or works part of the time or indicates the wrong speed. Also, the temp gauge has started doing the same thing. After doing some searching on the net, found out that I am not the only one with this problem (at least with the 03-04 models). Found out that Chevy is having problems with the stepper motors that they are using to control the gauges in the higher end SUV's and trucks. Took the gauge cluster apart and found...stepper motors. If you search Google, you will find that there is a service bulletin (as well as lots of complaints and legal action) for this BUT it doesn't include Cavaliers. I'm searching high and low for the replacement motors (currently to no avail) and will post once I find some. Currently the only solution is to replace the gauge cluster.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 04
Cavalier LS Sport 2.2L Ecotec
This seems to be a fairly common complaint with GM vehicles. Mine only acts up when it is either really hot (car parked in the sun during summer) or really cold (below freezing). I have not fixed the problem yet but it is inevitable. I have read other places that GM will fix the problem free only if you own a pickup or SUV since they judge those customers to be more likely repeat buyers, in spite of the poor product. I think it is sad that GM plays favorites with such an obvious widespread problem.
Andrew M.
Cincinnati, OH, USA
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