Problems with 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier POWER TRAIN

When shifting auto transmission into reverse gear from park the clip that holds the shift cable onto the shift lever on the transmission broke. dealer told me that entire shift cable must be purchased to get the small clip that holds cable end to transmission shift lever. i went to a local junk yard to find this small clip (part) and was astonished to find that every auto of this year and make had the similar problem. all of these autos has the cable wired to the shift lever. some used a wire tie to secure the lever to cable. the tow truck driver who responded to tow my vehicle said he sees this problem "all the time". when i called the local chevy dealer they said they were out of stock for this cable and clip and had to order it. this may also indicate that this problem is wide spread. if this shift cable were to fall off while trying to manually shift the auto transmission, well, i am sure you understand the results. *tr

Drove 54 miles last veneing to safeway, bought milk there. drove home, then went to leave for work today, and my clutch had failed overnight. it is the clutch hydraulic system that has failed. *tr

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. *jb

Dt: the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. safety defect is automatic transmission. vehicle rolls back while on a hill. while it is in drive it acts as if it was standard transmission. happened on and off since 2003. *ak the consumer stated the vehicle idles too low which caused the vehicle to roll backwards. *jb

9-17-2005 - clutch pedal pressed to floor and stayed on floor, car would not go in gear. clutch master cylinder found at fault and replaced under warranty. 7-19-2006 - clutch pedal pressed to floor and barely came up off floor. very difficult to put into gear without grinding gears. clutch master cylinder found at fault and replaced. customer and dealer split cost of repairs. 7-25-2006 - clutch pedal pressed to floor and barely came up off floor. very difficult to put into gear without grinding gears. suspect master cylinder is again at fault, car is presently being repaired. **very nearly caused and accident when clutch would not engage. note: nhtsa # 10005459 and 10019423 for same problems. *nm

Vehicle idled while in neutral. this vehicle was equipped with a 5 speed transmission. consumer took vehicle to the dealer. however, dealer was unable to duplicate the problem, and sent the consumer on his way. *ak

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. the contact stated that the vehicle could not be shifted out of park. when the contact inserted the key into the ignition switch, it became difficult to turn and the overhead light did not turn off. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 8,161.

Will be driving down the road and go to press the brake to turn or stop and the car stalls in the middle of the road. happens very randomly every so often. have taken it to the dealership 4 times for this problem and can't find anything wrong or duplicate the problem. this has happened to me with others in the car, including a one year old, and have almost gotten in severe accidents. once with an eighteen wheeler!! this is a very dangerous and scary problem!!

Manual transmission went for the 3rd time. dealer won't honor warrenty. states that that car was abused.

Vehicle currently at dealership for multiple reasons. front end has popping noises when turning. rear end make loud noise when weight in put on it (ex. entering and departing vehicle cabin). also have had trouble with vehicle stalling when slowing down (manual...put in neutral and rpm's drop-off causing a stall). technicians have not been able to duplicate latter problem.

When driving and press clutch to slow down rpm's drop below 300 and vehicle dies. doesn't happen all the time took it to dealership when happening and couldn't get it in to check . vehicle stopped doing it and has spells. *ak

Consumer states that while driving at any speed and without warning transmission will start to make a loud noise. dealer notified. *ak

My 2003 chevrolet cavalier has a problem of stalling ( engine dies)at low speed when clutch is depressed. other owners have had this problem as noted in complaint section of this website. when this happens you must keep engine revs high in order to keep this from happening over and over. this happened in june of 2003 and again jan. 15 2004. dealer and chevrolet customer service say more or less, sorry about your bad luck. i am not happy about this and i am quite sure i am not the only one. this condition could get you killed. *la

While driving at 45 - 50 mph on the highway the transmission completely failed, without warning and the wheels on the car locked up. the car came to a complete stop without warning and 3 cars swerved off the road to avoid a rear end collision. once out of the car it could not even be pushed off the road. the mechanic noted that all the egears were broken and the transmission could not even be rebuilt. a transmission had to be pulled from totalled cavalier and rebuilt to get my car running. without the rebuilt transmission, parts could have cost up to $2500 plus labor. i was disappointed/scared that such a thing could happen without warning. had i been driving on the interstate i could have been killed or seriously injured if another car had hit us. i was disappointed because i take very good care of my car and have never had any serious problems with it.

On moderate inclines the automatic transmission rolls backwards and continues, even accelerates until you brake. dealer and manufacturer both say this is a design feature and is not a defect. the computer module has already been replaced for other reasons but this unsafe defect continues. *jb

The clutch assembly made a vibration noise, the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.*jb