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2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 196 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the electrical (18% of complaints, typically around 64,500 miles). It is 6th of 6 Cavalier model years by number of complaints.

Complaints196
Recalls0
Crashes reported24
Fires reported4
Injuries reported33

Most common 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

  1. Electrical

    35 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, starter assembly.

    Due to electrical problems in the vehicle, the dealership informed the consumer that the wires under the dashboard had melted. The problem has been repaired. Please provide more information.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 64,416 miles
    2002 Cavalier- rear right turn signal and stop light become inactive- I thought that the bulb burned out. When I replaced the bulb, it stopped working again after a while. I put electrical grease into the socket as advised by my dealer, but it stopped working nonetheless. When I pulled out the bulb and re-inserted it…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 60,000 miles

  2. Brakes

    29 complaints · 15%

    Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, disc.

    Since purchasing my 2002 Cavalier I have had to have my rotors turned (2) times and they are in need of it again (third time). I have only put 39450 miles on my car and after the second time I began to be very careful about braking for any length of time. I have been downshifting when going down hills instead of…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 17,350 miles
    At 13,000 miles my car would shake violently when applying the brakes. The dealer said the rotors were warped, the dealer turned them and the shaking stopped. The dealer said this component was only warranted for 12,000 miles, but repaired the car at no cost. At about 26,000 miles the car began to shake again when the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 13,000 miles

  3. Engine

    22 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.

    Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. The engine light illuminated intermittently. The dealer was informed that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The contact was charged $600 for the repair. She took a long trip and the light did not illuminate. On a shorter trip, the engine light began illuminating…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 54,000 miles
    Dt: the consumer complained that the 2002, Chevrolet Cavalier had a dash cluster problem. The dash cluster had to be repaired, and the consumer could not tell them how much gas she had. The consumer wanted satisfaction and the truth about the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and had it repaired.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 54,033 miles

  4. Fuel system

    18 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.

    My 2002 chevy looks like it needs a fuel pump. 3years ago I had this same problem and the tow said it was the fuel pump and I had the fuel filter changed now since then it ran ok. I still experienced hesitation but after hearing the complains. I want to add my concern.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 60,000 miles
    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 68,000 miles

  5. Visibility and wipers

    16 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, sun/moon roof assembly, windshield wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system.

    Power windows fail-this is the second time with one year that the power window has failed, originally the left driver's side window failed, had the motor replaced, now the right front passenger has failed and at times the left driver's window stops working.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 30,000 miles
    : the contact stated the motorized windows did not move up or down on two occasions. The dealership determined a new motor was needed to repair the power windows. Updated 8/29/2006 -
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 21,493 miles

  6. Steering

    16 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist system, hydraulic power assist.

    Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving in reverse at 15 MPH, the contact could not control the vehicle's steering wheel. The steering wheel moved from side to side. The contact was able to move it by lifting up the wheel. The dealer was notified, but only stated how much it would cost to repair the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 72,810 miles
    Two years ago my 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier(then two years old) had the barrel that the key goes into on the steering column break. Now, two years later it has happened again.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 80,000 miles

  7. Air bags

    14 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    I was broadsided while making a left turn into a shopping center on july 8, 2005. My passenger side doors were completely pushed in. The car was considered a total loss by the insurance company. Driver's air bag and passenger air bag did not deploy. I suffered serious damage to my stomach area, resulting in 3 days of…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 33,000 miles
    My airbag system has been worked on 6 different times and is now flashing the air bag lights again. This is a serious safety issue and should be looked into.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 10,297 miles

  8. Lights

    14 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, brake lights, tail lights, turn signal.

    : the contact stated the tail lights and turn signals were observed to be inoperable. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the tail light circuit board needed to be replaced.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 61,000 miles
    I bought this car a 2002 chevy Cavalier in 2005, and at the time there was 25k original miles so I was told. Since then I have found out there has been 5 recalls on this car for various safety hazards, none of which I was ever told about prior or during my purchase of this vehicle. The signals have failed, I had to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 77,115 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (35 complaints, typically around 64,500 miles); brakes (29 complaints, typically around 18,500 miles); engine (22 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2002 a bad year for the Chevrolet Cavalier?
It is 6th of 6 Cavalier model years by number of complaints, with 196 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Chevrolet Cavalier years

Chevrolet Cavalier problems by year