2003 Chevrolet Cavalier: harsh or hard shifting

5 of the 678 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 31 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2005
1
2003
5
2001
4
2000
5
1999
3
1998
1
1997
3
1996
3
1995
3

What owners say

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 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 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 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.

Filed Feb 23, 2004 · Lights, Steering · GA

I bought the car brand new arround 04/2003 chevrolet cavalier 2003 since then I reported several times back to the dealer ship with the following problems:drivetrain - clunk noise during low speed turns A/C - difficult mode/temperature setting operation . Steering - momentary loss of power assist. Steering - rattle/knock when turning wheels - front/rear wheel squeaking noise ---all those complaints are never been taken care off - they allways had some "low excuses for me - like the wheater/rain/dirt on the wheels (I live in the city ...not on a dirt road..) anyway the only complaint they taken serious is that I brought in the car now for the 3rd time to repair the right signal light - last time just today! I reported again all the other problems, with the sucess that they at least orderd now a "new part" for the A/C, everything else is again been "played" down. Honestly, I'm getting tired of having so much trouble with a new car. Bringing it to the dealership always cost me a nearly a whole day of missing work. I would like to know if there is any way to fix all tjose problems for once and all or does a customer from chevrolet just has to suffer and put up with such a poor quality?!