Model year guide

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 61 on record.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints705
Combined25 mpg
Typical price$1,233

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls 2

Steering NHTSA Campaign #08E063000 · 17/10/2008

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WEL…

Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #04V524000 · 01/11/2004

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 W…

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 705 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier MPG & running costs

Combined25 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,450

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,233
High
$2,400

From 45 comparable 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,250
Depreciation (5 yrs)$350
Total$12,600
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,233) with the same model 5 model-years older ($908), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · LS · LS Sport
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl 170 hp

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier vehicles on record

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC12F537219740 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F937196762 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JF54F437157579 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F537224122 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC12F737222655 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F437219574 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport1G1JH12F237331333 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F837241464 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F037252863 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JF12FX37225637 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JF52F937103715 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52FX37275843 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport1G1JH12F437320673 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F537347886 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JF52F637118169 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F637133098 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F237319494 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC12F737244588 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F637183791 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport1G1JH12F237345099 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52FX37163687 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC52F437355817 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JF14F937174130 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport1G1JH12FX37362457

Other Chevrolet Cavalier model years

2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Based on 705 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, steering, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at about 25 mpg combined (22 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier worth?

Comparable 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier listings run roughly $500–$2,400, typically around $1,233 (from 45 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.