2003 Chevrolet Cavalier: loss of power steering

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 77,700 miles · WA

My son was pulling into a parking lot and as he describes it, everything but the radio went dead all by itself (the engine died and there was no power steering or brakes). Obviously the same symptoms as the current recalls. I called the dealer and was told the car isn't on the list. I've complained to chevy and am getting the runaround by multiple members of their "consumer support team" (we've assigned you a service request number but I am to wait until it happens again and then bring it in "so we could start reviewing on your case"). I took it to my own mechanic and he ran a bunch of tests but couldn't find anything that would cause the car to die.

Filed Jun 29, 2011 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · MO

On may 31, my 2003 chevrolet cavalier ls sport stalled on a highway. I was in heavy traffic and my power steering went out, but I was luckily able to make it to the side of the road. I immediately exited my vehicle and called roadside assistance for a tow. After receiving diagnostics at a chevy dealership, it was determined that my fuel pump had gone out and had to be replaced. The cost of this and replacing a fuel filter was close to $1,000. My car only has 60,000 miles on it, I had previously replaced the fuel filter 1 year before at another gm dealership, and I performed regular maintenance on the vehicle in accordance with the user manual. When I went home I researched the issue with the car, and lo and behold I came across hundreds of pages which described the exact same problem I had. On one forum alone, there were over 700 posts where owners of the 2003 model cavalier had fuel pumps go out at around the same mileage as my car, with repair costs ranging from $300-$900. I continued to research the issue, and found that the federal safety agency had researched a large number of consumer complaints regarding fuel pump failures with the 2003 model cavalier ' investigation #ea07015 and #pe07033. Gm documents in both of these cases indicated a large number of malfunctions in models up to 2003, then a sharp decrease in failures in the 2004 model.

Filed May 17, 2010 · Fuel system · 111,000 miles · WV

2003 chevrolet cavalier, died while driving lost power steering and almost drove into ditch because I couldn't easily turn steering wheel! I think it is a problem with the fuel pump because the car would not start after incident. Starter will turn the engine over but will not start...

Filed May 13, 2010 · Fuel system · 112,000 miles · VA

Fuel pump went out on 2003 chevrolet cavalier. Left my wife stranded in the middle of the road! She almost wrecked because there was no power steering after the motor quit.

Filed May 2, 2009 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · WA

Car died on road - no warning. Bad fuel pump...problem is widespread from what I've heard and dangerous...lost power steering and power brakes at 50+ MPH.

Filed Apr 16, 2009 · Engine · 79,000 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. While driving 65 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle shut off and the brakes failed. She then noticed that the steering became stiff. She was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder and had it towed to her destination. The contact did not notice any warnings prior to the failure. She is in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. She would not be compensated for the repairs because there was no recall available. The failure mileage was 79,000.

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 Feb 2, 2009 · Fuel system · 56,000 miles · PA

2003 chevy cavalier shut off on me while driving down steep hill. No power steering and brakes, luckily made it to safe space at bottom of hill. Car would not restart. Now in garage. Diagnosed with bad fuel pump. It will cost $600.00 to fix when part comes in. This is ridiculous, car has only 56,000 miles on it! This is a severe safety hazard. I searched on-line and it is a common complaint with this vehicle. Something must be done before a fatality occurs, if it has not already!

Filed Jan 1, 2009 · Fuel system · 35,000 miles · IN

Manual transmission model - problem began @ 35,000 miles, current miles 38,000. Engine rough idles/stalls when clutch is engaged. I was nearly struck by oncoming traffic while turning left when engine stalled after clutch was engaged. Lost power steering and breaks, wound up riding over curb and onto sidewalk before vehicle stopped. Noone was injured, however this was on a college campus in the evening, had it occurred earlier in the day almost certain pedestrian would have been struck by my out of control car. Will be replacing the pump as soon as I can. This is a serious danger to the driver and other drivers on the road.

Filed Aug 21, 2008 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. While driving 65-70 MPH, the fuel pump failed. The vehicle lost power steering ability and then shut off. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road, and later towed to a mechanic. The vehicle has not yet been diagnosed. The current and failure mileages were 85,000.

Filed Oct 10, 2007 · Fuel system · 55,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. While driving 55 MPH the vehicle stalled. There was a loss of power steering and the brakes failed. The engine shut off and the vehicle would not restart. The oil warning indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The road conditions were not a factor. The dealer information is unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 55,000. Updated 1/02/08 . *lj updated 12/12/07