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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,575 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments (Page 4 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #133

Mar 082007

Cavalier

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fuel pump failure during heavy morning traffic on an eight lane highway. Car only had 66,000 miles on it, and it cost $980 for repair. I have recently learned that this seems to be a common occurrence with this part, and that GM is pretending it doesn't have a problem. The last part to go on a vehicle should be the fuel pump. I had a 73 olds delta 88 with 380,000 miles on it, and the fuel never had to be replaced. GM should be forced to have a recall on this defective part, especially considering it creates a real safety hazard as well as an unnecessary expense.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #132

Aug 142009

Cavalier

  • 108,000 miles
I own a 2003 Cavalier sedan. Three wks ago it started stalling. Had it towed to a garage. They kept it for a week and said the computer was bad. Then they came back next day and said contacts were dirty. They cleaned them, I got car back and it ran fine for 2 wks. Again, it started stalling on the road or not starting. Took to garage this am and he is saying fuel pump for another $500 on top of $300 already spent. I realize this car is 6 years old but this is ridiculous. I have always had Chevy's and never had this problem with any of them. I spent the week-end on-line and discovered that this is a recurring theme with the Cavalier from 1998 onward. We who are seniors and have little money for these types of repairs, need someone in our corner. Never will I purchase a Chevy vehicle again!

- Whitefield, NH, USA

problem #131

Jul 252009

Cavalier

  • 77,324 miles
Fuel pump on 2003 Chevrolet goes out without warning. Have seen several hundred complaints about this online.

- Lebanon, TN, USA

problem #130

Jul 172009

Cavalier

  • 65,192 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. Fuel pump went out had to be replaced at a cost of 467 dollars. The car only has 65192 miles on it.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #129

Jul 172009

Cavalier

  • 60,000 miles
At a driving speed of 55 the car stalled and would not restart. There were no prior warnings such as stalls or sluggish engine, etc. Was diagnosed as a fuel pump failure.

- Lachine, 00, USA

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problem #128

Mar 012009

Cavalier

  • 70,000 miles
I was driving home from my daughters track meet and was in the passing lane when I felt a strong hesitation. I quickly got into the driving lane and tried to give it gas, but it wouldn't go. I pulled over to the side and it stalled, and I could not get it restarted. After waiting 40 min. For a tow(over 40 miles) we got it to my dealer. The dealer called the next day and told me it was the fuel pump at a cost of $900.

- Catasauqua, PA, USA

problem #127

Jul 012006

Cavalier

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have replaced fuel pump 3 times. Cluster panel works occasionally.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #126

May 012009

Cavalier

  • 55,000 miles
I was driving about 15 mph, entering a roundabout, when my car shut off. I could not restart it. After getting it towed home, I got a mechanic to take a look at it, and he says my fuel pump failed. I have read several reports that others with the same make and model have complained of this issue, and I thought it best to add mine to the list. The cost to replace the part is going to be $700.

- Arlington, MA, USA

problem #125

Jul 072009

Cavalier

  • 31,000 miles
I drive a 2003 Chevy Cavalier with only 31,000 miles. I was driving home and the car sputtered and died in the middle of a busy highway. I had to wait for a tow truck to tow my car over 30 miles to the nearest service center to my home to have it fixed. I paid for a diagnostic and was told that it was the fuel pump. The total cost for labor and parts was $799, plus $135 for a rental car during the time it took for the car to be fixed. The next day, the "trac off" light came on. I had never had any problems with my car before. My extended warranty had just run out earlier in the year. I have been conducting an internet search and it seems that these cars are prone to this problem and the fuel pumps are under investigation for recall.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #124

Jul 072009

Cavalier

  • 60,000 miles
My 19 year old daughter during regular driving from work, car just died on the highway. Car has 60,000 miles on it turns out to be the fuel pump and after researching the removal process.I noticed that every Cavalier from 01 on has the same issue with the fuel pump. This is obviously a manufacture defect and should be recalled immediately.

- Richmond , VA, USA

problem #123

Jul 022009

Cavalier

  • 86,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier ls sedan with approximately 86,300 miles on it. Without warning the car died and would not start on a busy July 4th weekend along I-55 North bound near litichfield, il. I T would not restart, and subsequent investigation resulted in the fact finding that it was the fuel pump. Apparently this is a major problem with this make and model vehicle. I request that GM be required to recall this make and model to address the problem and reimburse owners for out of pocket expenses. I have always owned american cars, but an serious considering a Toyota next year.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #122

Jun 192009

Cavalier

  • 61,006 miles
My 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier with ~61000 miles needs a new fuel pump; a fuel pump should last much longer than that.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #121

Jun 172009

Cavalier

  • 85,000 miles
My Cavalier ran perfectly until the other day when my husband tried to start it and it would start and the die. He tried starting it a couple of times. Sometimes it wouldn't start and then sometimes it would start then die. The fuel pump had to be replaced. My car has 85,000 miles on it and I bought it with a salvage title in January 2006. The fuel pump my car has it the original manufacturers.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #120

May 222009

Cavalier

  • 90,000 miles
I have a 2003 Cavalier and I had to replace the fuel pump at 90,000miles again !!!this is shameful 4 Chevy, I saved my recipe because it cost me 600 dollars to fix it, good bye summer school looks like my graduation is going be delayed half year.

- Longview , TX, USA

problem #119

Jun 022009

Cavalier

  • 58,000 miles
2003 Cavalier cut off and would not restart. Car has 58,000 miles on it. Fuel pump had to be replaced.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

problem #118

May 272009

Cavalier

  • 55,000 miles
Several times my vehicle has been unable to start due to the fuel pump. The fuel pump had to be replaced twice in the past 3 years, and again today. If the vehicle has less than a 1/4 of a tank of gas and it is parked on an incline with the front of the vehicle above the rear, it usually won't start. When I am below a quarter of a tank, I have to park it with the rear above the front on an incline.

- Rockwall, TX, USA

problem #117

May 232009

Cavalier

  • 66 miles
Driving on highway and went to accelerate and car just stopped. Had to have it towed to dealership and told fuel pump needed to be replaced. Cost was $875. Car has 66,000 miles.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #116

May 102009

Cavalier

  • 44,000 miles
I have a 2003 Chevy Cavalier. It only has 43000 miles on it. The car suddenly died in the middle of the road with no warning and I almost got hit by the car that was behind me. Had to have it towed and they said it was the fuel pump. Cost $800. At 44000 miles you should not be replacing the fuel pump.

- Findlay, OH, USA

problem #115

May 052009

Cavalier

  • 57,449 miles
Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 fuel pump failure stalls vehicle in heavy traffic. There are hundreds of instances of this failure in the 2003 model stranding motorists in unsafe conditions.

- Otis Orchards, WA, USA

problem #114

May 012009

Cavalier

  • 70,000 miles
Car died on road - no warning. Bad fuel pump...problem is widespread from what I've heard and dangerous...lost power steering and power brakes at 50+ mph.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

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