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.
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 106, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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
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).
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
Speedometer stoped working! Saftey issue!
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.
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.
Speedometer is not working looks like there's been several complaints on the internet about this issue with other chevrolet cavaliers.
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.
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!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that while driving MPH and above, the speedometer and temperature gauges would not illuminate. In addition, the fuel gauge was providing inaccurate fuel level readings. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
All gauges work erratically or not at all. Lots of other people having similar problem. Read there stories here: http://www.carcomplaints.com/chevrolet/cavalier/2005/electrical/gauges_have_gone_haywire.shtml.
I am the owner of a 2003 chevy cavalier and I have 2 complaints that should have been recalls as there are many with the same 2 problems, first every gauge in my car quit working no RPM, no gas guage and no speedometer. Second ever since I bought my car for no reason at all it would just stall at redlights when I would take off, dealer said no problem, I have nearly wrecked many times because of this, the latest was today I have read many forums that say they found out it was the faulty plastic fuel pump, why no recall this is going to get someone killed.
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..
I am the original owner of a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. It has 120000 miles on it. A couple of years ago I noticed my gas gage seemed to be stuck, the car had approx 90000 miles on it at the time. A couple of months later my RPM gauge started doing the same thing. About a year after that my speedometer started to also go haywire followed by my oil gauge. My whole instrument cluster no longer works. It has not been fixed because I can't afford it and it has not been recalled. But after looking at how many cavalier have had this same problem I believe it should be recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the instrument cluster panel failed while driving 35 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the parts needed for repairs would take two weeks to become available. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 68,244.
Speedometer registers over 120 miles and beyond even when stopped.
Vehicle instrument panel cluster no longer works accurately. Started with tachometer but now effect all gauges - fuel, speedometer, tachometer and temperature. Electrical outlet on driver side also doesn't work and dome light turns on sporadically. The failure is now constant and I am unable to tell how much fuel I have, if my vehicle is overheating or how fast I am traveling. I will have to replace the entire panel to the cost of $800!
While in park my 2003 cavalier tachometer reads at 5 RPM while driving at 30mph my tachometer reads over 7 rpms. The engine sounds normal contacted chevy and was told they did not have enough complaints to do a recall when it is a safety issue it should not matter the number of complaints I can not afford to pay 500 to fix this with no guarantee it will work.
Driving at 60 MPH just died on the interstate,pulled over started back up also at 60,000 miles fuel pump went out nothing but problems with this 2003 cavalier they are a lemon,why isn't something done????? Before someone gets killed if they haven't already!!
About a year ago, my speedometer went crazy (~80,000 miles), and a few days ago my fuel gauge followed suit (117,000 miles). I saw the same problem widely mentioned on the internet, including an actual recall on the trucks which use the same instrument cluster. Dealer said repairs would be $300-$500 which I couldn't afford, so I just used the tachometer to gauge my roadspeed. Can't live without the fuel gauge though.
I have a 2003 chevrolet cavalier that is on it's second instrument cluster and now it has gone bad, no speedometer, no fuel gauge and no temperature. I've researched this problem and there are hundreds of complaints like this. If gm is in such great shape as recently reported, then why can't your organization instruct them to make good on the safety of their vehicles? I can't sell the vehicle because no one wants to buy a vehicle that they have no idea of how fast they are going or how much fuel is in the tank.
My speedometer began operating erratically about 1 year ago for the last 3 months it has not operated at all stays below 0 at all times.
2003 cavalier, the defroster knob cable has gone bad 2x's before it is gone again, the driver side window motor went last year, last month the fuel pump went, the passenger side motor is going, the speedometer is messed up along with the tack, it sticks. My daughter drives this car just turned 17, the speedometer said she was going 105, when she shuts the car off it says she's still doing 35, at times the car wont start, don't know exactly why, this is bs, there is only 72000 miles on it, gm needs to start fixing these problems, some one is going to get killed.
My entire instrument panel on my 2003 chevy cavalier has stopped working. First it was the gas gauge that stopped about 2 years ago. I just learned to live it. Then recently my speedometer and RPM meter stopped working as well. I have had multiple price estimates done and none have been under $500 and I just plain and simple can't afford to have it done while I'm currently unemployed. I have researched other cases of faulty instrument panel and there are literally thousands of complaints on gm models including the cavalier. This is certainly not safe and I'm assuming it's illegal to drive without a speedometer but still after years of complaints to gm of faulty instrument panels there has been no recall.
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