2003 Chevrolet Cavalier: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 5, 2014 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · NM

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.

Filed Aug 22, 2011 · Visibility · 90,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. The contact was driving 30 MPH when the defroster was engaged and the contact began to see black smoke coming the vents. The contact merged onto the side shoulder and seconds later, the vehicle caught fire from the ventilation system. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 9/27/11 *cn updated 3/29/12

Filed May 7, 2011 · Electrical · 81,075 miles · AR · fire

I was driving and had been in my car for about five min and smoke started coming out of the bottom of where the radio and heater controls are..at that time I pulled over and saw flames in the dash and it was growing and I called 911 fire and we closed the doors and waited til the fire truck got there and handled the fire. It completely destroyed my dash steering column front windshield and head liner...all my instrument panels and wiring are fried. I believe it was a faulty wiring system...if not would like to know how this could have been prevented and how do I fix my car..

Filed Oct 2, 2009 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · PA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that within a few minutes after parking her vehicle, it caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated that the electrical system caused the fire. Prior to the failure, she noticed that the windows opened after the vehicle was turned off. When she turned the air conditioner off green smoke emitted into the vehicle and the fire started immediately after the green smoke was present. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The vehicle identification number is unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 75,000. Updated 10/21/09 *bf the consumer stated when she turned the AC switch to off, smoke began to emit from the vehicle. The consumer stated even though the car was off, the AC was still on. Updated 10/20/09

Filed May 11, 2009 · Electrical · 10,000 miles · NC · fire

January 14,2009 my car almost caught on fire due to acid from my battery liking into the battery pan. I had to unhook the battery and take it out of the car. My step son was driving by my house when my cars lights were on andthe car had been sitting for about 3 hours. I went outside and the lights were very dim. I tried to start it up and the car started smoking and I immediately turned the car off. There were sparks so I had to put out the small flame and remove the battery. I had the car towed to parker pontiac buick gmc that same day. The small fire burned through my windshield washer fluid line the cost to me for repair of the small fire was about 487.00.

Filed Mar 7, 2009 · Fuel system · 51,000 miles · FL

Bought 2003 cavalier 7-26-2003, brand new. Stalled while driving 3-31-04 - smelled burning/chemical smell- car restarted - took to dealer - dealer found no problem. To dealer 3 times to fix detective exterior lighting 2004/2005. Several additional engine stalls 2004-2009 - car restarted. On 3-6-09 stalled while driving - wouldn't start - towed to dealer- dealer said fuel pump went bad - will repair at my expense - over $1,000. Dealer asked if I have extended warranty - I don't. When the car stalls out I have no brakes, no power steering - it is terrifying and very unsafe. And if the car is repaired is it going to be any safer? Will the same problem keep recurring as it did with the lighting signals? I am a safe driver, I am the only driver of this car, the car has only 51,000 miles on it, I only drive 10 miles to and from work, it is garage kept. I have owned several cars and have kept them all for many years and I have never had a major repair such as this occur on such a young car. This problem has been apparent since I bought the car but the dealer has ignored and neglected it at the expense of me and my family's health. I have children and grandchildren that are driven in this vehicle and could be victims of this defect. For the public safety in the u.s. Please request a recall of this component (fuel pump). This is a serious matter and should be remediated as soon as possible. Please help before a deadly accident occurs.

Filed Jan 14, 2005 · Electrical · 33,033 miles · OH

Consumer experienced electrical problems with vehicle. While driving, all the lights cut off including the interior lights. The consumer took the vehicle to be serviced three times within the last two weeks. They explained to her that they could not find the glitch and until they do she would have to drive the vehicle as it is. *jb the theft service shuts down in the vehicle. The airbag light came on. When the defroster or heater is on the consumer smells a burning smell.

Filed Dec 30, 2004 · Lights · 100 miles · MN

Headlights are going out completely on 2003 chevrolet cavalier. Ok, whom, has what legislator, in, whom's back pocket? There was a recall by chevrolet in november, of 2004- I am betting completely voluntary, of course. This recall, was, for taillights and lightbulb grease. Right, somebody going to get killed in those vehicles, if the headlight problems are not corrected. Here is a hint, read thier tsb regarding the headlights dimming problem. What a load that is. I will tell you why, I think they put that tsb out. It was just simply to cover thier own you know what. I wonder how many fires, or deaths have occured due to the light hearted approach gm has towards the lighting problems on the 2003 models? Don't you love huberous. Have you gone to your dealer about a safety issue lately. Oh, check out the brake rotors there is stress and heat fractures at less than thirty thousand miles. Come on! Are we waiting for 1000 wheels to catch on fire, or just my pregnant wife loosing control due the shimmy. Ah heck, I'll just go buy a an old pinto and have real expensive lawn ornament fully insured of course, for the next three long years. Did I mention the stereo face burning ones fingers, but the dealer says, that was ok too. Forget the kickbacks and do your jobs. Remember the taxpayer and public servent, not corporation and public servent. Sleep well, I am glad someone can. I got go change some diapers now. Yeh, three kids; none of them ride in that death trap.

Filed Oct 19, 2004 · Lights · 45,000 miles · MD

When in use smoke came out from the rear driver's side turn signal socket. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak left rear brake light will not light tried new bulb but still will not light. The consumer was told she needed a new socket.

Filed Sep 17, 2004 · Engine · VA · fire

Fire in driver side engine compartment of chevrolet cavalier. Driver stated vehicle shut off in traffic. Upon re-starting, noticed smoke coming from under engine hood, driver side. Driver got out and saw flames in area of driver side eng. Compt.

Filed Mar 24, 2004 · Brakes, Lights · 6,500 miles · NY

When applying the brakes at night, the headlights and dash lights dim to a softer shade of light. I have also changed the rear single lights in my car three times in the past 6 months. This car has a bad brake problem. The front of the car shakes very bad when you apply the brakes while exiting a highway. City driving is not as bad, but when the brakes get warmed up they pulsate when I come to a stop. At the end of the day, I pull my car into my driveway and the first thing I smell when I get out is a burning smell from the back brakes. I called the fucillo chevy service department in december 2003. I talked to a serviceman about my brake problem. He told me that my pulsating brakes is the ABS system working in the snow. Now the roads are dry and my brakes are still pulsating. I could not find anything in my original paperwork on my car showing that it has the ABS system. Now my brakes are shot. The car had only 6500 hundred miles on it when I first called in december of 2003. In june of 2003, I bought this car and test drove it. The car seemed to be a good car, except for the noise that I heard coming from the front left tire area. It sounded like a rubber band when it snaps. I brought it up to my salesmen rocky from the chevy department. He told me that it's a new car. Now when the front tires are turned to the right, it makes a crunching noise. When I drive over any bump at any speed, it feels like there are no shocks or struts on this car and makes a bad clunking sound.