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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

196 reports
72,000 miles · Mar 28, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AUTOMOBILE ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON A WELL MAINTAINED MOTOR. GM INSTALLED FAULTY OIL NOZZLE AS WELL AS TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IN MOTOR ORIGINALLY BUT REFUSES RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH CHECKED AT GM CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER 4 MONTHS PRIOR COM…

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TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AUTOMOBILE ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON A WELL MAINTAINED MOTOR. GM INSTALLED FAULTY OIL NOZZLE AS WELL AS TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IN MOTOR ORIGINALLY BUT REFUSES RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH CHECKED AT GM CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER 4 MONTHS PRIOR COMPLAINING OF TIMING SYMPTOMS. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE AT THIS TIME. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL VEHICLES FROM 2002 AND 2003 THAT HAVE 2.2L ECOTEC MOTORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393539

171,000 miles · Dec 27, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I DROVE MY 02 CHEVY CAVALIER ON THURSDAY BACK FROM TAHOE,CA AND MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK DOWN AND KEPT INCREASING IN SPEED, SO I PRAYED AND THEN STARTED TO MESS WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL AND FINALLY CAME BACK UP, THIS MORNING SAME THING HAPPENED, SO I CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE REP-ERIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO PAY FOR A…

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I DROVE MY 02 CHEVY CAVALIER ON THURSDAY BACK FROM TAHOE,CA AND MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK DOWN AND KEPT INCREASING IN SPEED, SO I PRAYED AND THEN STARTED TO MESS WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL AND FINALLY CAME BACK UP, THIS MORNING SAME THING HAPPENED, SO I CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE REP-ERIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSES BEFORE I CAN GET ANY ANSWERS, HE CALLED UP THE CLOSEST DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT GIVE HIM A QUOTE, I WOULD RATHER BUY A NEW CAR IF I HAVE TO PAY MONEY FOR A DIAGNOSES. THIS INCIDENT IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WHICH OCCURS ON ITS OWN. I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AS OF RIGHT NOW AND AM STILL USING MY CAR FOR WORK. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY I SHOULD DO?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372599

80,000 miles · May 14, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS WHEN A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REMOVED BY HIS INSURANCE COMPANY AND HE COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED OR WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS WHEN A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REMOVED BY HIS INSURANCE COMPANY AND HE COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED OR WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000. UPDATED EVOQ 06/08/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10330400

68,000 miles · May 10, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329719

77,115 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingSuspension

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 PAY FOR THEM …

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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 PAY FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED, THE BEARINGS ON THE TIRES CAUSED DRY ROT AND I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THOSE, BOTH WERE ON THE RECALL LIST. THE ENGINE WOULD OVER HEAT IN THE IDLE POSITION, AND THEY REPLACED AN AIR FILTER SITTING THAT AS THE PROBLEM AND IT WASN'T. THE PEDAL STICKS WHEN I ACCELERATE AND SOMETIMES GETS STUCK, THE ROCKERARMS HAVE STARTED TO GO BAD AND IT HAS CAUSED THE VALVE STEMS TO BEND,THUS CAUSING THE OILPUMP TO SEIZE UP AND NOW MY CARS ENGINE HAS A BLOWN GASKET,THIS IS UNDER THE ENGINE COMPONENT SYSTEM RECALL, WHICH WAS REPORTED IN 2007. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. AND NOW IM PAYING 350 PER MONTH FOR A CAR THAT IS NOT RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315340

100,000 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHEEL EXHIBITED SEVERE LOOSENESS. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE SPEED RATE WAS REDUCED AND CONTINUED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURES. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHEEL EXHIBITED SEVERE LOOSENESS. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE SPEED RATE WAS REDUCED AND CONTINUED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURES. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10281286

147,000 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. A LOCAL MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS FUEL PUMP FAILED AND HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $500 TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #10281106

60,000 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279492

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

75,000 miles · Apr 27, 2009
Seat BeltsSeats

I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT MADE WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY THE LOWER ANCHORS IN THE FOLDS OF THE SEAT, SO I CAN INSTALL A CAR SEAT. THE CAR ALSO DOES NOT COME WITH THE CHILD LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE 3 POINT LAP AND SHOULDER BELT. AT THIS POINT I AM UNABLE TO USE MY VEHIC…

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I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT MADE WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY THE LOWER ANCHORS IN THE FOLDS OF THE SEAT, SO I CAN INSTALL A CAR SEAT. THE CAR ALSO DOES NOT COME WITH THE CHILD LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE 3 POINT LAP AND SHOULDER BELT. AT THIS POINT I AM UNABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY 2 CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE CAR SEATS AS THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY INSTALL THE CAR SEAT. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND THIS PART (LOWER ANCHOR OR SEATBELTS WITH CHILD LOCKING MECHANISM). I CALLED GM AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PARTS AND I HAVE CALLED AFTERMARKET PARTS STORES WHO ARE UNABLE TO FIND PARTS. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NO SOLUTION. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266856

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.