Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 868 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V524000

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Component
Exterior lighting: turn signal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
256,025
Reported to NHTSA
2004-11-01
Owners notified
2005-01-18

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel system, gasoline19370,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump16264,000 mi
Electrical system5875,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel3160,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal3112,484 mi
Engine and engine cooling2870,000 mi
Fuel system, other2364,301 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights186,500 mi
Steering1576,000 mi
Suspension136,500 mi
Air bags: frontal1212,603 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1261,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic117,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine102,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1018,500 mi
Exterior lighting962,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls948,760 mi
Unknown or other824,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system844,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system770,000 mi
Air bags645,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner612,484 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights636,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring5700 mi
Equipment525,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights56,500 mi
Structure: body590,000 mi
Vehicle speed control535,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control516,748 mi
Visibility530,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element540,814 mi
Engine440,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.45,407 mi
Power train488,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission410,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission42,600 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator31,392 mi
Electrical system: horn39,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash341,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)359,925 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit321,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system335,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock321,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly3500 mi
Seat belts38,000 mi
Seat belts: front312,603 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip31,392 mi
Structure31,666 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3109,801 mi
Suspension: front355,000 mi
Tires31,666 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch250,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system255,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control227,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2101,000 mi
Service brakes277,700 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light21,666 mi
Suspension: rear249,238 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core215 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2200 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery144,975 mi
Electrical system: ignition11,050 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module124,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys11,392 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1128,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights112,125 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system155,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly173,390 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats1
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module17,153 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper132,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads11,666 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum142,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device17,153 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump155,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion152,028 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack155,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm112,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension: lines and fittings1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing155,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1133,718 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility/wiper1189,587 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor189,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior121,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer158,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages163,000 mi
Wheels1127,000 mi
Wheels: hub1
Wheels: rim15 mi

The 2002 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.