Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
280–25K
1625–50K
3150–75K
1275–100K
9100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
196 reports
4,721 miles · Jan 23, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, AirCrash
DURING FIRST SNOW IN DEC 02, THE ABS IN MY 2MO OLD CAR ACTIVATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE NORMAL PEDAL VIBS OCCURED, BUT THERE WAS A PATTERNED PINGING OF A SPRING AT THE PEDALS LOCATION. ALL BRAKING POWER WAS LOST DURING THIS, AND I HAD TO RUN A RED LIGHT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP, EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE AGAIN, WITH THE SA…
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DURING FIRST SNOW IN DEC 02, THE ABS IN MY 2MO OLD CAR ACTIVATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE NORMAL PEDAL VIBS OCCURED, BUT THERE WAS A PATTERNED PINGING OF A SPRING AT THE PEDALS LOCATION. ALL BRAKING POWER WAS LOST DURING THIS, AND I HAD TO RUN A RED LIGHT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP, EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE AGAIN, WITH THE SAME EFFECT (THIS ALSO OCCURED WHILE PULLING INTO MY GARAGE ON A DRY SURFACE, SO I HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO THE BACK WALL). I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY CHECKED IT TWICE ON THE ROAD, AND ONCE WITH THE SENSOR CHECKS (NO CODES WERE FOUND, THEY SAID). OF COURSE I HAD THEM DOCUMENT THIS. ON JAN 21 '03, I WAS FORCED TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED TOO FAST. ALTHOUGH THE PEDAL FELT PRESSURIZED AS IT SHOULD BE, THERE WAS AGAIN NO BRAKING POWER, ALTHOUGH THE ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE. NO DECELLERATION WAS FELT UNTIL I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (AT APPROX. 30MPH). NOONE WAS INJURED ALTHOUGH THERE IS $4000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR (AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALTHOUGH THE FRONT CENSOR WAS IMPACTED HARD). THERE IS DEFINATELY SOMETHING WRONG, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10003279
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THERE IS A GRINDING AND A FLAPPING NOISE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PH *TT
NHTSA ODI #10004308
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT ANY SPEED REAR BRAKES SQUEAL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB...*AK
NHTSA ODI #10002526
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2003
Air Bags
DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT REPAIR SHOP TWICE, AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED . *NLM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10002437
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2002
Visibility
I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. GLASS WENT IN THE CAR AND OUT, THE GLASS THAT WAS LEFT IN THE SUNROOF WAS ALL POINTED UP . IT WAS AROUND 35-40 DEGREES NO RAIN/HAIL. DEALER SAYING A ROCK HIT IT, NO ROCK FOUND AND THE GLASS WOULD BE POINTED DOWN IF SOMETHING STRUCK IT.
NHTSA ODI #10000599
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN, MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED, THE FIRST TIME DEALER STATED IT WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WOULD BE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. THE THIRD TIME DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE STILL WORKING ON REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE IN…
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WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN, MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED, THE FIRST TIME DEALER STATED IT WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WOULD BE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. THE THIRD TIME DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE STILL WORKING ON REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA ODI #8024001
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2002
Suspension
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION BOUNCES EXCESSIVELY AND IS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED OPERATION IS NORMAL, BUT NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF NOISE. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. TS
NHTSA ODI #8022835
1,600 miles · Nov 15, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN LEAVING DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND TURNING RIGHT ONTO BUSY 4-LANE HIGHWAY CAR ACCELERATED FROM CREEPING SPEED TO FULL THROTTLE. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY MADE A TERRIBLE SOUND AND WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 TO ARTEMIS---…
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WHEN LEAVING DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND TURNING RIGHT ONTO BUSY 4-LANE HIGHWAY CAR ACCELERATED FROM CREEPING SPEED TO FULL THROTTLE. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY MADE A TERRIBLE SOUND AND WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 TO ARTEMIS------769747. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10008560
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2002
Tires
SPARE TIRE--UNIROYAL T115/70D14---CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE WITH ONLY 2.5" ROAD CLEARANCE AT LEFT FRONT
NHTSA ODI #566345
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2002
Tires
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING ALL FOUR TIRES ARE WORN AND IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HEAVY VIBRATE AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAME SIZE AND DOT# OF THE TIRE. MR
NHTSA ODI #8020715
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.
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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