2003 Chevrolet Cavalier suspension problems

Filed Jun 26, 2016 · Suspension · 113,000 miles · PA

My 2003 chevrolet cavalier recently began to make a clunking noise, which can also be felt, in the front end. When I put it up on a lift, I noticed that the sub-frame was rusting (deteriorating). I know it is 13 years old, but my parents owned a 1989 cavalier z24 for 20 years, and they didn't have any problems with its frame. I've read that other people have had this same issue with their 2003 chevy cavaliers. Why is this? Why has there not been a recall? My family has owned several new and used vehicles, all gm, and we have never seen a sub-frame rust to this extent. We are a gm family and are extremely disappointed in gm's lack of response to this safety hazard.

Filed Mar 17, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 130,000 miles · WI

Instrumet cluster problems for a few years. Fuel sending unit has been replaced at about 52,000 miles after quiting twice while driving highway speed of 55 MPH. Dealer claimed the car quit because of a bad battery the first time and did not diagnose the problem correctly. It was not the battery. The fuel sending unit intermittently reads well beyond full and interfears with the temperature gage function. Now speedometer is stuck at 85 MPH while turned off. I was driving with the cruise doing 67 MPH, I slowed down to make a turn at an at grade insection to a road posted at 55 MPH. I completed the turn and sped up. The speedometer read 58 MPH but it felt llike I was gong about 30 MPH. I stopped at another intersection and the speed dropped to 40 MPH. I made the turn and acelerated and the speed went to 110 MPH but I was not going near that fast. The car is in driveway turned off but the speedometer reads 85 MPH. Most recent issue is steering rack and k-frame rusted out and needed to be replaced. Mechanic stated he never saw a steering rack rust out or a k frame rusted as bad as the one on this vehicle. We are the original owners.

Filed Feb 9, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 200,000 miles · OH

I have noticed a lot and I mean a lot of these cavaliers have had horrible frame problems I use to work on cars everyday until the last year when I got out of the mechanics field an now I own a 03 chevy cavalier its a two door 5 speed 2.2 I was on my way home from the store and I felt something rubbing so I stopped an got out to find out my k frame was horribly rotted an broke now this vehicle is 13 years old but as rotted out as it was it wasn't something that just happened its been bad I was just the lucky owner that the frame gave out on an I demand to know why this isn't a recall another thing is I owned a 98 ford f150 which had recalls an when I was sent the letter about the recalls I asked ford why the frames on the f150 or ranger wasn't a recall they had no answer. I put my child in these auto makers cars and trust their work to keep him safe but they have no answer for why one of the most important part on the whole vehicle is falling apart. I don't know if they need to use stainless steel, aluminum, or what but it needs fixed or the vehicles need reimbursed an crushed. I could of been doing 70 MPH down the highway with my woman an son in the car an the frame could of went and killed us all. Is that what its gonna take to get this [xxx] fixed someone else to die/hurt. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 14, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · GA

Metal on metal noise found out shoes and rotors are damageddamaged. I have no money. V can't fix this. Smell inside of leak. Temp running high. 200.

Filed Jun 24, 2010 · Airbags, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · MA · crash

2003 chevrolet cavalier- at 64,000 miles fuel pump died while parked at a store upon restart $700.00 replacement. At approximately 60,000 miles front clunking noise started, dealer could never find a problem, now at 76,000 miles, having front upper strut mounts replaced. Found alot of complaints online about same issues. I determined cause of front clunk on my own. Also, was in collision that involved front driver side, down driver side front fender, airbags did not deploy, don't know if they should have. Noone was hurt, was slow speed crash. Still cannot believe no recall on fuel pump or front suspension. Apparently gm doesn't want to foot the 700.00 bill for the fuel pump defect.

Filed Aug 22, 2008 · Suspension · 49,238 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. The contact's daughter had a flat tire and went to a tire shop. Both rear tires had to be replaced because they were worn down to the metal. The auto shop could not align the vehicle because the rear axle was bent. Since the vehicle was purchased in november of 2007, both rear tires have been replaced twice. The rear axle was bent beyond the point where it could be adjusted; therefore, it needs to be replaced. The axle was the cause of the rear tire failure. The current mileage was 52,000 and failure mileage was 49,238.

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Suspension · 55,000 miles · AZ

I have had a continuing problem with a single part on this vehicle that is prematurely wearing out. I called chevrolet to express my concern about this issue and that I was 99% sure that it had failed again (for the 4th time), and was in need of replacement (for the 4th time). Because I had the 'right upper strut mount & bearing' replaced 3 previous times, I felt that chevrolet should be made aware of a defective part and also hoped that chevrolet would pay for this replacement. It is my opinion (and have not been proven otherwise by chevrolet or anybody at chevrolet), that the upper strut mount is an automotive part that should at least last 100,000 miles if not longer. It is also my opinion that this part should not have to be replaced 4 times in less than 60,000 miles.

Filed Feb 24, 2007 · Suspension, Visibility · 40,000 miles · VA

Front driver side window failure, started going down a quarter to half way down and stopping then when you try to put it up it only goes up like a inch and you have to wait a little while and keep doing that until the window is completely up. Second there is a clucking noise coming from the front at low speeds including when turning or going over a bump.

Filed Sep 28, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 55,000 miles · 00

1. Vehicle made a moaning noise when turning at approximately 55,000 kms (and 3 years old). Replaced power steering pump and steering rack. 2. Random clunking from the front end at approx. 56,000 kms. Replaced front bearings and transmission mount. 3. Car lost power, had to be towed to dealership. Dealer couldn't find a problem, insisted the car was fine. I insisted on them taking it out again. Car broke down, had to be towed back to dealer again. Replaced catalytic converter and fuel ignition switch. 4. Burned through 4l of oil and puffed out black smoke. Dealer couldn't locate problem. Happened again approx. 2000 kms later. Faulty piston rings, engine replaced entirely. At 61,000 kms. Now at over $11,000 cdn warranty repairs on a well maintained low mileage car. 5. Random clunking noise in front is back. Going to dealer tomorrow. Warranty: expired.

Filed Aug 16, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 1,392 miles · NY

Dt: the consumer owns a 2003 chevrolet caviler. Was losing control of the steering and the brakes. It started in the winter. The consumer stated the direction that car was headed was the way it stayed. Also, she noticed that there was a hum in the steering wheel which lasted a couple of seconds each time. The consumer contacted the dealer, and they said that it did not sound to them as dangerous. A couple of months later the problem finally came to ahead in june. Lights came on the dashboard. The belt broke, and the alternator seized. When the car was repaired by the dealer they concluded the alternator and the belt malfunctioned. Also heard a grinding noise in the brakes. The dealer never did any repairs to the steering. The consumer said that the key was hot after it had been in the ignition. And the steering wheel was tight when turning to the right. The car went back to the dealer , and she did not have the tightness to the steering. But, the car was still pulling to the right. The brakes were spongy. There was a popping sound in the front wheel. There was a delay in the speed of the car. And almost had a collision.