RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
106
Latest Jul 7, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 678 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 106 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 106, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2025

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

NHTSA ID
11671800
Incident
Jan 9, 2005
ElectricalSteering
Filed May 2, 2021

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 POSITIONS TO THE POINT THEY ALL DIDN'T WORK ANYMORE. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE GM RECALL LIST FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11414789
Incident
May 3, 2012
Mileage
50,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 28, 2018

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 LISTED AS A RECALL WHEN MANY HAVE COMPLAINED??

NHTSA ID
11065548
Incident
Nov 10, 2017
Mileage
198,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed May 6, 2016

"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON FOR THE SAME ISSUE, SUPPOSEDLY THE "AIR INTAKE TEMP SENSOR, REPLACED THAT ONE AND SEVERAL SENSORS REPEATEDLY, HAD THE COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTIONS CHECKED AND CLEANED, EVEN REPLACED MY ECM AND BCM [NEITHER OF WHICH WAS CHEAP], AND STILL HAS "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT, EVEN AFTER BEING "CLEARED" OVER AND OVER AGAIN -- THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE BODY AND SUB-FRAME ARE SEVERELY ROTTING OUT LEFT AND RIGHT -- HAD A WEIRD LEAK ON THE PASS. SIDE FRONT, UNDER THE DASH. IT COMES AND GOES. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE AN OLD SNEAKER INSIDE. WATER WOULD POUR OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATER DUCT, BUT THERE WAS NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. ONE I EVEN HAD SOAP FOAM FROM A DRIVE THRU CAR WASH LITERALLY COME BLOWING IN TO THE CABIN, THRU THE VERY SAME HEATER DUCT. THANKFULLY IT HAS SEEMINGLY CLEARED UP, BUT IT IS STILL A HEAD SCRATCHER. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, PRIVATELY OWNED SHOPS, AND EVEN HAD SOME "CAR SAVVY" FRIENDS LOOK HER OVER, AS WELL AS MY DAD [ANDS ASE CERTIFIED TECH], AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES BACK EVERY TIME. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN I'D PUT THIS MUCH MONEY INTO A CAR THAT LITERALLY READY TO BREAK APART, I WOULD HAVE SAVED MY MONEY TO PUT TOWARDS ANOTHER CAR. LIVE AND LEARN, I GUESS. SHE WAS DOING SO WELL FOR 10 OR 11 YEARS AND IT'S LIKE SHE JUST STARTED "GIVING UP" ON ME. SHE'S GOT 165K ON HER AND THE PAIN HAS GONE TO CRAP, BUT THAT'S GM FOR YOU, KEPT HER GARAGED, WAXED REGULARLY, HAD HER LOOKING SHOWROOM NEW, UNTIL RECENTLY, THE PAINT'S CLEAR COAT STARTED TO "STIPPLE" [SHARP BUMPS] AND BUBBLE ALL OVER TOP PANELS, STARTING WITH THE ROOF, THEN HOOD, AND NOW TRUNK. IT'S EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE HER, AND I AM NOT PAYING TO REPAINT HER, I ALREADY HAVE WAY TOO MUCH INTO A CAR THAT LIKELY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION COMING UP IN AUGUST. I'M NOW HANDICAP'D AND DISABLED, FIXED INCOME, CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR.

NHTSA ID
10863655
Incident
May 1, 2010
ElectricalSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 17, 2016

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 TO 110 MPH BUT I WAS NOT GOING NEAR THAT FAST. THE CAR IS IN DRIVEWAY TURNED OFF BUT THE SPEEDOMETER READS 85 MPH. MOST RECENT ISSUE IS STEERING RACK AND K-FRAME RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MECHANIC STATED HE NEVER SAW A STEERING RACK RUST OUT OR A K FRAME RUSTED AS BAD AS THE ONE ON THIS VEHICLE. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS.

NHTSA ID
10850333
Incident
Mar 16, 2016
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 25, 2016

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CLUSTER BLINKS IN AND OUT

NHTSA ID
10838183
Incident
Feb 18, 2016
Electrical
Filed Oct 1, 2015

JULY 2009 IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS STUCK. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR $362.75 AT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. AUGUST 2014 IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS STUCK. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR $488.83 AT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. SEPTEMBER 2015 IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS STUCK, MY KEY CAME OUT OF LOCK AND THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. I HAD TO COME OFF OF THE CLUTCH TO PURPOSELY MAKE THE CAR CUT OFF AND HAD TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY. THE 2003 CHEVROLET IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT IT NEEDS TO BE. MY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAS FAILED ME 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 YEARS. THANKFULLY, I'M ALIVE AND ABLE TO TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THIS. CHEVROLET & GM KNEW ABOUT THE LOCK CYLINDER RECALL WHEN I HAD MINE REPLACED LAST YEAR.

NHTSA ID
10779168
Incident
Sep 30, 2015
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 25, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE OVERHEAD LIGHT DID NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,161.

NHTSA ID
10701610
Incident
Aug 31, 2004
Mileage
8,161 mi
Body & structureElectricalSteering+1 more
Filed Jan 31, 2015
Crash reported

POWER SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL, WHICH MADE ME WRECK INTO A DITCH. IT ALSO CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY AND PREVENTED SEATBELTS FROM LOCKING INTO PLACE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE HIT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10680126
Incident
Jan 3, 2012
Mileage
189,587 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 19, 2015

I HAD BEEN READING ABOUT RECENT RECALLS WITH GM, ESPECIALLY IGNITION SWITCHES. I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BAD IGNITION SWITCH. I FIRST NOTICED WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING, A DAY AFTER COMING HOME FROM WORK. GOOD THING IT HAPPENED THEN BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED OFF SITE. I WENT TO START THE CAR, NOTHING HAPPENED EXCEPT WIPERS AND RADIO DID NOT WORK AS WELL WHICH I THOUGHT WAS STRANGE. FINALLY THE RADIO AT LEAST CAME ON AT SOME POINT, BUT CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. AFTER IT WAS FIXED THEY SAID THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD AND THE MECHANIC ASKED IF I HAD LOOKED FOR THE RECALL ON IT. I SEARCHED ONLINE BUT DID NOT FIND IT. I KNOW MY CAR IS OLDER, HOWEVER OF ALL THE CARS I EVER OWNED AND I HAD MANY, I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IGNITION SWITCHES! I THINK I HAD ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE SWITCHES AND WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. UNFORTUNATELY I PROBABLY CAN'T GO BACK TO GET THE PHYSICAL IGNITION SWITCH AT THIS POINT, TOO LATE. I HAVE THE PROPER PAPERWORK FOR IT HOWEVER. ALSO ON ANOTHER NOTE, MY REAR DRIVER SIDE SIGNAL KEEPS GOING OUT, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I REPLACE IT. THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING GM SHOULD LOOK INTO AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10676476
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
Mileage
115,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 11, 2014

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES MALFUNCTION PERIODICALLY AND LOCK INTO ONE POSITION OR DON'T WORK AT ALL. CANT TELL WHAT YOUR SPEED IS , TEMP IS, RPM ETC! THIS I THINK IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I SEE THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE AS I HAVE INVESTIGATED IT ON LINE. THIS IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT'S HAPPENING... HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=RZILY3GXEXA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663613
Incident
Aug 13, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 19, 2014

2006 CHEVROLET COBALT & 2003 CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BOTH VEHICLES POWER STEERING AND CUTTING OFF PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAVALIER, CUT OFF, JUST LIKE THE COBALT. HOWEVER, THE COBALT WAS RECALLED. THE CAVALIER CUT OFF WEEKLY SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED DURING A RECALL. IT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 68,000. *JB UPDATED 08/07/14 *JB UPDATED 09/24/14. *JB

NHTSA ID
10598217
Incident
May 6, 2005
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT

NHTSA ID
10599171
Incident
Jun 17, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 12, 2014

CLUSTER DEFECT: PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN DECEMBER OF 2002. JUST AFTER 5 YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES, WE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING SNOWFALL WHILE THE SPEEDOMETER STATED WE WERE TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, WE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY UNTIL WE GOT TO A CORNER AND THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN WE WERE FLYING AT ATLEAST 50 MPH WHICH INDICATED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ABOUT 30 MPH OFF. THEN THE TACHOMETER WOULD STOP WORKING, GET STUCK, OR NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. I THEN BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ALL OF THE GAUGES, THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD GO BACKWARDS ON TOP OF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE CAUSING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO STOP WORKING THEN ALL GAUGES WOULD MALFUNCTION, THEN THEY WOULD STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. I TOOK IT INTO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THEY CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID IT'S WORKING FINE, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN THE GAUGES CONTINUE TO GO HAYWIRE CHEVY STATED WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A COMPLAINT AND I TOLD THEM TO LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE HUNDREDS/THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. CURRENTLY NONE OF MY GAUGES ARE WORKING AND AM HAVING TO USE A GPS TO NAVIGATE SPEED AND FILL MY VEHICLE UP EVERY 4 DAYS BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE CAR IS ON EMPTY. IT IS HIGH TIME SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS. CHEVY RECALLED A BUNCH OF OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT THE CARS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. OR DOES IT TAKE A DEATH OR MANY MORE TO GET SOMEONE'S ATTENTION THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS DEFECT FURTHER. THERE ARE TOO MANY OF US OUT THERE THAT ARE DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM AND ARE JUST KEEPING QUIET ABOUT IT. THIS PROBLEM DEFINITELY WARRANTS A RECALL AND FAST. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10587710
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
55,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 6, 2014

ERRATIC INSTRUMENT PANEL..SOMETIMES AFTER TURNING IGNITION KEY ON ALL PANEL LIGHTS STAY ON (BEYOND NORMAL)AND ALL GAUGES GO OFF..SOMETIMES OK WHEN STARTING BUT SOME LIGHTS COME ON (AIR BAG, SERVICE ENG, ABS GAS GAUGE, ETC) AFTER DRIVING ..SOMETIMES ALL INSTR GAUGES GO OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER...THEY SOMETIMES COME BACK ON AND SOMETIMES NOT...I ENTERED MY MAKE AND YEAR ON GOOGLE TO SEE IF OTHER OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT MANY DO..INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT WHILE RESEARCHING ON GOOGLE I FOUND OUT CHEV TRUCKS IN YEAR 2003 HAD A RECALL DUE TO FAULTY INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTROLS BUT THE AUTOS WERE NOT RECALLED.. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I SOMETIMES HAVE TO DRIVE WITH NO SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE AND AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT STAYS ON. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME AND HAVE TO RESORT TO ONLY SHORT TRIPS (GROCERY STORE, DR APPTS, ETC) I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY GM HAS NOT RECALLED THIS 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER..ESP WHEN THEY HAVE RECALLED THE SAME YR AND MAKE TRUCKS FOR FAULTY INSTR PANELS.. I FEEL THIS FAULTY INSTR PANEL IS PLACING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION EACH TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AND NEEDLESS TO SAY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS AUTO AT ALL... *TR

NHTSA ID
10577775
Incident
Feb 4, 2013
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 5, 2014

THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL COMPLETELY WENT HAY WIRE AND THE SPEED WOULD INCREASE AND DECREASE. EVERYTHING WAS FLASHING TO THE POINT IT WAS ACTUALLY SCARY. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT STILLED CONTINUED. I FINALLY DECIDED TO CONTINUE HOME AND AFTER ABOUT 6 MILES IT FINALLY JUST STOPPED. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT SO MANY MORE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING HAPPENING BUT SOME HAVE HAD THEIR CAR ACTUALLY START ON FIRE. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS ANY RECALL IN THE NEAR FUTURE BEFORE SOMEONE HAS TO LOSE THEIR LIFE OVER THIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567491
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Mileage
115,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL OF THE ILLUMINATED GAUGES AND INTERIOR LIGHTS SWITCHED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 710,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10503492
Incident
Oct 10, 2012
Mileage
710,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 19, 2013

WHEN DRIVING ON A LONG TRIP, I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER KEPT INCREASING AFTER EACH TIME I STOPPED THE CAR. WHEN I STOPPED, THE SPEED READ 25. I WENT 45 MPH, IT WENT TO 70 MPH. ETC. IT NOW RESTS IN VERTICAL POSITION FACING DOWN. THE GAS GAUGE HAS ALSO BEGUN TO GO HAYWIRE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD LONGER CAN GO INTO CRUISE CONTROL (WITHOUT WORKING FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN SHUTTING OFF), I AM THINKING BECAUSE OF THE SPEEDOMETER OR CLUSTER. EITHER WAY, IT NOW NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL. SEEING EVERYONE'S COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND WITH "GOVERNMENT MOTORS" NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I WILL NOT PUT MY TRUST IN THEIR BRAND ON ANY FUTURE VEHICLES. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON MY 2005 CAVALIER. GOOD THING FOR A GPS... *TR

NHTSA ID
10499236
Incident
Jan 20, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2013

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. I WAS TRAVELING AT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ABOUT 40 MPH AND I LOOKED DOWN AND MY SPEEDOMETER SHOWED 65 MPH. WHEN I CAM TO A STOP MY SPEEDOMETER ONLY WENT DOWN TO 25 MPH. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DOWN TO 0. ONE WEEK LATER IT WENT UP AND DIDN'T GO BELOW 35 MPH AND IT HAS KEPT INCREASING. NOW WHEN I GET IN THE CAR THE SPEEDOMETER IS AT 95MPH. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THESE ITEMS. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $500 AND MAKES IT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR IT TO BE FEASIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490974
Incident
Dec 10, 2012
Mileage
84,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 13, 2012

SPEEDOMETER STOPED WORKING! SAFTEY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ID
10458255
Incident
Mar 3, 2011
Electrical
Filed Mar 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,900.

NHTSA ID
10451463
Incident
Jun 1, 2011
Mileage
51,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 4, 2012

SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND IS STUCK ON 52 MPH. FUEL GAUGE IS STUCK ON FULL, TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS POINTING TO NOWHERE, AND THE TACOMETER IS POINTING AT ZERO. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442330
Incident
Jan 3, 2012
Mileage
155,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2012

SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING LOOKS LIKE THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER CHEVROLET CAVALIERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442233
Incident
Dec 13, 2011
Mileage
39,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 29, 2011

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING. I ORDERED 2 USED ONES THEY DID NOT WORK. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REBUILD IT AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. GM HAS RECALLED THIS ITEM ON SEVERAL MODELS BUT NOT ON THE CAVALIER AS OF YET. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS AND STILL HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. NO SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10437773
Incident
Jun 30, 2010
Mileage
89,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 7, 2011

SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. OTHER GAUGES (FUEL, TEMP) ALSO ERRATIC. SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY GM VEHICLES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10424123
Incident
Jun 8, 2011
Mileage
60,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .