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2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 140.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

102 reports with mileage · 94 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports4 fire reports19 injury reports

Traction Control System complaints

1 reports
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75,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Traction Control System

HELLO. I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2003. I HAVE AROUND 75,500 MILES ON THE CAR. SINCE OWNING THE CAR MY 'TRAC OFF" LIGHT HAS COME ON FROM TIME TO TIME. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY CAR JERKS EVERYTIME THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS. IN THE PAST MONTHS IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND IT NOW IS A…

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HELLO. I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2003. I HAVE AROUND 75,500 MILES ON THE CAR. SINCE OWNING THE CAR MY 'TRAC OFF" LIGHT HAS COME ON FROM TIME TO TIME. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY CAR JERKS EVERYTIME THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS. IN THE PAST MONTHS IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND IT NOW IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. ON TWO RECENT OCCASIONS, WHEN THE LIGHT HAS COME ON, WHEN I WAS MAKING A TURN MY CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND MY STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC BUT LUCKILY IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND READ ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE CALLED CHEVROLET BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM THAT CONCERNED WITH THE ISSUE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY WORK ON THE CAR DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM A STUDENT TRYING TO PAY MY WAY THROUGH GRADUATE SCHOOL SO I CAN'T EXACTLY AFFORD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM PAYING TO GET IT FIXED BUT I FEEL THAT SINCE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE EFFECTED BY THIS THAT IT IS CHEVROLET'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE DEFECTIVE CARS FIXED SO THAT OUR ROADS ARE SAFER. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED SOON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274643

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.