2003 Chevrolet Cavalier: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 866 complaints
866
Total Complaints
60,000mi
Median Mileage
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Top Issue
53
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

33,900 25th Percentile
60,000 Median Mileage
82,350 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
192
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
162
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
57
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
31
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
31
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
28
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
23
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
18
STEERING
15
SUSPENSION
13

Severity Assessment

53
Crashes
7
Fires
27
Injuries
1
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"WHILE JACKING UP VEHICLE WITH A FACTORY INSTALL JACK. JACK SUDDENLY BROKEN INTO THREE PIECES, CAUSING THE MOTOR MOUNT TO SNAP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION."
"CONSUMER STATES THAT GASOLINE CAN BE HEARD IN THE TANK WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS"
"THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY MADE A VIBRATION NOISE, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28