Fuel Pump Problems of Chevrolet Cavalier - part 1

Chevrolet Cavalier owners have reported 332 problems related to fuel pump (under the gasoline fuel system category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Chevrolet Cavalier based on all problems reported for the Cavalier.

1 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 12/22/2011

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the check oil and battery warning lamps. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance to teh contact with repairs. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 123,769. Kmj.

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2 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 10/12/2011

At approx. 67k my fuel pump failed. I purchased and installed a new fuel, adhearing to the manufacturers installation recommendations. Less than 6 months later the new pump failed. The has been a reoccurring problem now for at lease 10 fuel pumps. This installation recommendations have not changed and I have had the electrical system that powers the pump checked out as well. In each condition it was a no start "failure", leaving me stranded in each case and costing me hundreds of dollars in towing fees that are non-refundable. Even though the auto parts stores have been kind enough to honor the warranty most times I have still had to pay for at least 5 of the 10 fuel pumps. That's a 1 to 1 ratio. I have also read about the condition with brushes in the motor wearing out. Some of these pumps have provided 30k miles or more and others not 3k mi. This is a huge problem and I for one will not be shoppin for another chevy until this problem acknowledged and resolved. I am researching my purchases/exchanges to verify the dates and will register each one of them individually.

3 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 08/03/2011

Fuel pump failure at 80,340 miles. Pump failed in the driveway. Repair cost: $695 + towing.

4 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 07/05/2011

My car would not start after I turned it off. I banged on the gas tank with a hammer, while a coworker cranked the engine over and the fuel pumped kicked in. This resulted in the car starting; however I played it safe and had it towed home. I replaced the fuel pump and have not had any problems since. Still unfortunate that the fuel pump barely lasted 100k. I believe chevy should give you a fuel pump free of charge if there is a failure within the first 200k miles. Plain and simple fuel pumps should not fail as often as they do with this make/model. It's is dangerous to everyone's health, and I hope no one ever gets hurt from it.

5 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 07/04/2011

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.

6 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 05/31/2011

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 NHTSA 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.

7 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 04/23/2011

I stopped at a construction stop sign and my car just started to stall. I tried restarting it a few times but it would just putter out after running for a few seconds. I have been informed that the fuel pump needs to be replaced for about $800. Thanks a lot gm.

8 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 04/10/2011

Fuel pump dead while driving on the highway, 60 mi/hre. Had to replace it for 700$. No more gm's products for me !!.

9 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 04/04/2011

My husband and I went looking for a car at this dealership on oct. 31, 2010. We found this Chevrolet Cavalier (2003). When we bought the car it had no information on it; so I checked on carfax and found that it had couple of recalls on it; but nothing about the fuel pump. So now the car go's out won't start. I don't know what to do about this. We are on a fixed income and can't afford this right now. There was a recalled the cars from 1998 to 2002 and fixed the problem. We will have to have it fixed or get rid of it or trade it in.

10 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/20/2011

The car just would not start one morning after no warnings! I had it towed to the shop and was told the fuel pump, fuel filter and some type of module would have to be replaced, at a cost of $900. 00!!!.

11 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/17/2011

My wife was picking our children up from school. When she pulled out into the flow of traffic her car died in the middle of the road. This of the second time the fuel pump has gone out the first time was about 60k miles the car now has 95k and I already have to replace it. I've read about many other people having the same problem and everyone is wondering why no recall.

12 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/09/2011

My fiance purchased a used 2003 chevy Cavalier about two years ago and we had the fuel pump go out about two months ago. I installed a used one from a junk yard and it went out again last week. I realize that I can't necessarily expect a used fuel pump to last for a significant amount of time, but I noticed that there have been many others complaints in regards to fuel pumps on this year model. I have owned a few cars much older than this one and with higher mileage and have never had to mess with a fuel pump. It currently has 120k miles.

13 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/07/2011

Was driving vehicle and with no warning it stalled out. It is currently at the garage with an estimate of 700-900 to replace the fuel pump. I do not have this money so I am now a single parent without a vehicle for a problem that should have been recalled previously. I thank god my child was not in the vehicle.

14 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 02/15/2011

Driving down the highway at 70 mph. The car began to shudder and lose acceleration. I got off at the nearest exit and as I passed through the exit intersection, the engine died. I coasted into a gas station, where the engine would turn over and then die right away. After 15 minutes it no longer turned over. . . . The tow truck man tried it. Turns out the fuel pump is shot and apparently this is a common problem for 03 Cavaliers. The car only has 78,000 miles on it.

15 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 01/26/2011

Owner objects to gm's assertion that this is not a safety-related defect. Vehicle suddenly stalled without notice and left auto occupants in a dangerous position. Engine stumbled once and then stalled while driving down snow- covered road. Had to be pushed out of traffic. Engine would not restart. Was towed to repair facility and in-tank fuel pump had failed. Owner has always been careful to maintain at least 1/4 tank level as this failure has been widely publicized. Earlier model 1993 Cavalier went twice this mileage without any fuel pump failures.

16 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 01/20/2011

Fuel pump failure resulting in the engine dying and not being able to restart. The car was running fine with about a half tank of gas when the engine died in traffic. I was able to safely stop the car but not in all circumstances would that be possible. The car as around 60,000 miles on it and a complete fuel pump failure while in operation is unacceptable on a vehicle under ten years old with under 100,000 miles on it. I understand that this is a common problem.

17 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 12/13/2010

I was driving at approximately 6 am on a December morning in 2010 when the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier I was driving cut off in the middle of the road. I had to push the vehicle into a parking lot to be towed to a body shop. I was informed that the fuel pump had went out and it would cost roughly $450 to fix. The mileage at the time of the incident was roughly around 87,000 miles.

18 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 11/11/2010

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving 72 mph, the vehicle stalled and the oil and seat belt lights illuminated. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed to an authorized dealer; the dealer stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The current and failure mileages were 69,214.

19 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 09/29/2010

While driving my car on main roads, it tends to stall out of no where. I have had the fuel pump replaced around 70,000 miles. At 115,000 miles it seems as though I need to replace it again. It stalls while driving, in traffic, but then starts right back up. It is not safe. I have it a shop yet again to see what's wrong.

20 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 09/22/2010

I have a 2003 chevy Cavalier and the fuel pump continues to go out. It is extremely frustrating. It has gone out once before and cost me 800 dollars to replace. I wish I knew about how frequent this happens with this car before purchasing it.

21 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 09/11/2010

Fuel pump broke at 70,000 miles.

22 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 08/17/2010

Driving on highway. 2003 chevy Cavalier just started losing power and then died on highway. Had to wait 1 hr. For aaa to come to tow in 111 degree heat. Turns out to be a faulty fuel pump.

23 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 07/24/2010

The car was stopped at a stop sign and stalled when pulling out into traffic. It seems the fuel pump failed. The fuel pump was replaced and car seems to be running.

24 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 05/11/2010

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.

25 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 05/10/2010

Fuel pump and check engine light.

26 Fuel Pump problem of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 05/07/2010

The engine quits running while driving at highway speeds without any warning. After pulling off to the side of the road,the engine may restart immediately or after a few minutes. A technician diagnosed this as a faulty fuel pump.

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27 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 04/13/2010

I was heading out of my house in the evening and got about 2 or 3 miles from my home when I went to make a left turn through an intersection. Middle of the intersection my vehicle started to sputter and would not accelerate when I applied pressure to gas pedal. I was only able to coast just enough to clear the intersection and my vehicle ended up shutting down in the middle of the road. This problem occurred with out warning, no signs, no lights my vehicle just gave out on me in the middle of an intersection had it occurred just 5 seconds before I cleared the intersection I may have been seriously injured or worst it could have been a fatal accident. I do know that there are plenty of 2003 chevy Cavalier owners who have experienced this same problem and it needs to be addressed. Carcomplaints. Com and other consumer review sites give detailed scenarios of this dangerous fuel pump failure and its abrupt occurrence. This problem has occurred at mileage as low as 7,000 and works its way up. I would like to be spoken with personally by someone on the board and for reasons why this problem doesn't seem to be an important safety issue. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

28 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/20/2010

The fuel pump failed on my 2003 chevy Cavalier leaving my car power less (off) at 65 mph. Then would not start, leaving me stranded on a busy highway. I am having to buy a new fuel pump costing around $200 and take time off of work to fix it.

29 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/15/2010

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. . .

30 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/15/2010

Have a 2003 Cavalier 66,000 miles and was working beautifully drove into work and was coming home stopped to get groceries and came out to start my car and fuel pump was dead. There was no warning for this problem at all would like to find if gm is doing anything about this since there are a lot of complaints for the same issue.

31 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/14/2010

I own a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. 65,000 km (not miles on it). Works great, one minute, then the next won't start. Have had it towed twice . . . Told no real problem, then told that the fuel pump is gone. Checked online and there are hundreds of complaints, but no recall. Seems absolutely unreasonable, especially when it appears to be happening while driving . . . That would seem to me to be a safety issue.

32 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 03/10/2010

Fuel pump broke.

33 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 02/22/2010

Fuel pump failure - car stalls just inside a parking lot of a large shopping area. Driver has to have help moving the 2003 Cavalier into a parking spot until a tow truck comes to move the car to the garage for repairs. The fuel pump has failed at 72,441 miles without any warning; just a stall and then completely dead. It's said the fuel pump should last the life of the vehicle. This vehicle is pristine and always serviced at or before 3000 mile intervals. There is no reason this should have happened. The repair cost over $700. It's good this did not happen in traffic or there could have been a possible fatality.

34 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 02/22/2010

Started the car up in the morning as normal to warm the car up ( about 5 mins). Drove about 1 mile to royal farms. I shut down the car to go inside and I returned to the car to start it up. At first it started up but very ruff and then stalled out after that it did not fire up anymore. I had the car towed home where I found out that the fuel pump has gone up. I have had idle problems with the car since I had bought the car and the dealership could not find any problems with it. I do not know if these problem go side by side.

35 Fuel Pump problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Failure Date: 02/20/2010

I was returning home and when I pulled into my driveway my car had an extreme loss of power. I was surprised by this because it was a sudden change in my cars performance. I had not been having any trouble before this. After I parked my car and turned it off I later attempted to leave. It would not start. The engine and everything turned over fine it just did not seem to be getting fuel. I then turned the key on and off and realized that the fuel pump was not running. I researched online and found this to be a very common issue with the 2003 Cavaliers. Thankfully I was in my driveway when this happened and not in the left lane of the freeway in rush hour. I will be spending my weekend replacing my fuel pump. I will keep the dead pump if it is needed for investigation.


Other Common Gasoline Fuel System related problems of Chevrolet Cavalier


Fuel Economy of Cavalier Vehicles
Cavalier Service Bulletins
Cavalier Safety Recalls
Cavalier Defect Investigations