Sell your 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier for cash

The 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier is a small car that came with a 2.2L 4-cyl engine. At 23 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

Free offer for your 2003 Cavalier in about 30 seconds
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ChevroletCAVALIER2003

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at a glance

Body style	Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engines	2.2L 4-cyl
Transmissions	Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
Drive	Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel	Regular Gasoline
Fuel economy	21–22 city / 30 highway / 24–25 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost	$2,700–$2,800 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂	355–370 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA	3 configurations: Cavalier, Cavalier Dual-fuel
Age	23 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

Age: at 23 years old, most of a 2003 Cavalier's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
Weight: as a small car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
Recalls: NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Cavalier. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the fuel system, gasoline, typically around 70,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall covering the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Exterior LightingNov 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V524000

On certain passenger vehicles, the rear lamps that provide stop and turn signals and tail lamp functions stop working because of inadequate contact between the bulb and socket. In addition, if one bulbs were to become inoperative while the vehicle was operating in cruise control, the cruise control would disengage when the remaining…

Risk: An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of

Common 2003 Cavalier problems

Owners have filed 678 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier with NHTSA. 31 reports involved a crash and 6 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 18 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

Fuel System, Gasoline193
Fuel System, Gasoline162
Electrical System57
Electrical System31
Exterior Lighting31
Engine and Engine Cooling28

Typical mileage when problems were reported

Fuel System, Gasoline70,000 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline64,000 mi
Electrical System75,000 mi
Electrical System68,000 mi
Exterior Lighting12,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling70,000 mi

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 477 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

Equipment58
Equipment54
Electrical System34
Engine and Engine Cooling31
Equipment20
Unknown or Other19

Recent bulletins

Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2025 · PIP5601C
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2025 · 23-NA-001
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2025 · PIP5358D
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpo
Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsOct 2024 · PIP4723J
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 4 defect investigations covering the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier.

Fuel System, GasolineEA07015 · opened Nov 2007, closed Oct 2008

Engine stalling - fuel pump failure

Odi's analysis of the stalling incidents that have resulted from subject component failures found that they can occur at any speed and generally result in a no restart condition.these are generally considered to be factors that increase the potential severity of stalling incidents.however, these incidents have occurred

Fuel System, GasolinePE07033 · opened Jun 2007, closed Nov 2007

Fuel pump failure

An engineering analysis has been opened to further investigate the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged defect.general motors (gm) has identified an issue with accelerated motor brush wear in the fuel pump assembly of model year (my) 2001 through 2003 Chevrolet vehicles that can cau

Exterior LightingEA04028 · opened Sep 2004, closed Nov 2004Led to recall 04V524000

Turn signal malfunction

On may 14, 2004 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-043) based on consumer complaints alleging that the brake/tail turn signal lamps would not operate properly when either the tail lights were turned on, the brake pedal was depressed, or when the turn signal switch was activa

Exterior LightingPE04043 · opened May 2004, closed Sep 2004

Turn signal malfunction

Complainants allege that the rear turn signals fail to illuminate and do not provide a signal to drivers in following vehicles.odi has received one report of a crash where the complainant braked and attempted to make a left turn and the following vehicle impacted the complainant's vehicle in the driver-side door.in may

Other Chevrolet Cavalier years

‹ Sell a 2002 Cavalier · Sell a 2004 Cavalier › · All Chevrolet Cavalier years

Other 2003 Chevrolet models

Selling a 2003 Cavalier: questions

How much is a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2003 Cavalier that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2003 Cavaliers that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2003 Cavalier with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2003 Cavalier?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

EPA fuel economy data (specs and MPG)fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA recallsnhtsa.gov
NHTSA complaints, service bulletins and investigationsnhtsa.gov

Data retrieved October 2026.

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