2002 Chevrolet Cavalier: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 196 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was in a horrible car wreck yesterday and none of my airbag is avoid but yet my no check engine light none of my lights were on so I don't understand the problem you could have nearly killed me is what I got spent around three times and put back at the gas station that I left”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2023
“Just purchased a 2002 chevy cavalier for our daughter and have been trying to find out if any of the 5 recalls were performed on this vehicle or not. The NHTSA recall page isn't working at this time and the chevy local dealership isn't willing to help. Can someone please provide some assistance??”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2021
“Problem with electrical system that operates rear blinkers and brake lights. I have changed bulb which are not the problem. I have changed the electrical connectors. Works fine for short period of time when either of these are changed but still not fixed. Started with passenger side but now having issues with driver's side. Online forums suggest many others are having this issue as well. Cant find a permanent fix. Please help. Is not blowing the bulbs, just stops working for no apparent reason.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Key get stuck in ignition in the on position. Cannot shut the car off or remove the key. Must pull ignition fuse to shut off engine and then disconnect the battery. Gm acknowledge this as a problem in 2014 but never issued a recall.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2017
“Horn doesn't work..replaced fuse still not working..so I wonder if my air bag will work...how do I fix it no body know not even the dealer”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Brake lines are corroded way too early. Began leaking. I'm trying to replace them myself, because I don't have 1500-2000 dollars for parts and labor. Luckily the brakes pedals went to the floor in the driveway when I found the leaks. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the dashboard of the vehicle was fractured and deteriorating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts being unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 01/25/17*lj updated 7/3/18*jb *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2014
“Driver was heading south on i684, on the exit ramp to 287 west, in heavy traffic. Vehicle suddenly appeared to shut off, making it impossible to steer and brake. Driver ran off the road and went nose first into a ditch, damaging the frame, radiator, airco and nose of vehicle. The vehicle was totaled as a result. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
“I was driving on the highway and a driver traveling well under the posted speed limit cut in front of me. I stepped on the brakes and the car started sliding and when I attempted turn the wheel to avoid collision, the wheel was locked and would not turn causing me to hit the car square in the rear. Upon impact, both airbags deployed. Airbags never touched me, but the driver's side cover shattered the windshield and the passenger side cover shattered the passenger window. *js”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2014
“The ignition switch locked and would not operate. First there was a problem with the ignition turning on and shutting off. Then after the vehicle was parked, the ignition would not switch on. Just like the information disseminated about the chevy cobalt, but a year before the announced recall. I contacted gm but they indicated that my make, model and year was not part of the recall. However, I had to install a ignition cylinder and key kit according to my repair invoice. I believe that should a total review of gm vehicles of the ignition part as a defective product. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 33 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cavalier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
NHTSA has 196 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. The most complained-about area is electrical system (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 53,906 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.