Before you buy
This 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier has 210 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 7 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 7 trims analysed.
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR.Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2002 has 210 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls. Electrical faults (39) and brake system issues (30) are the most reported problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Cavalier
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 210
- Crash-related complaints
- 26
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 24
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 21 / 30
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Brake System
Hydraulic
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Brake System, Hydraulic. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The 2002 Cavalier has a high complaint count relative to its single model year, with electrical and brake problems being frequent. Buyers should proceed with caution and prioritize a thorough inspection.
Electrical faults and brake issues can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards, making pre-purchase inspection critical.
May Suit
Budget-conscious buyers willing to invest time in inspecting and potentially repairing common issues.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a reliable, low-maintenance used car without known electrical or brake problems.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
Inspection Focus
- Inspect all electrical components, especially wiring and fuses.
- Check brake system for leaks, wear, and hydraulic function.
- Test steering for play or noise.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect electrical system for faults, including lights and accessories.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier shows 210 complaints and 5 recalls. Electrical faults (39 complaints) and brake system issues (30 complaints) are the top concerns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, 2002 has a high complaint count, but data for other years is not provided.
Recall context: With 5 recalls, verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase.
- Electrical faults account for 39 complaints, the highest count.
- Brake system issues total 30 complaints.
- 26 crash-related complaints indicate safety concerns.
- Electrical faults (39 complaints) including wiring and component failures.
- Brake system (30 complaints) with hydraulic issues (24 complaints).
- Engine problems (23 complaints) and steering defects (18 complaints).
Full breakdown
All 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 39 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Brake System | 30 | 8 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 24 | 4 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 23 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 18 | 4 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 17 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 16 | 11 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 9 | 3 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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
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
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 …
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 S…
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.
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 BEI…
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
CAR WOULD JUST NOT TURN OVER. CAN NOT HEAR FUEL PUMP RUNNING. *TR
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…
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 …
WHILE ACCELERATING ON AN ON-RAMP ONTO AN INTERSTATE, I WAS USING MY MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE (SIGNALING MY MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THEN ONCE AT 65MPH SETTING CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT BEFORE THE WHEEL LOCKED. I…
PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DEALER 7/12/13 WITH THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: NON-WORKING ODOMETER, BLINKERS, BRAKE LIGHTS THAT FREQUENTLY "SHORT" OUT & A NON-WORKING WINDSHIELD FLUID FUNCTION. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER TO TAKE VEHICLE HOME & RETURN IT THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR THE REPAIRS…
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 …
MY 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER WAS IN FOR FRONT BRAKES....MECHANIC PHONED AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR'S SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL CAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR (2002) AND MILEAGE (64,500) THAT THERE WAS NO…
ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON RIGHT SIDE. LOW MILEAGE, CAR IS PARKED IN A GARAGE, SO IT DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE ALL DAY AND NIGHT. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME HE HAS SEEN THIS A LOT WITH CHEVYS. HE SAYS IT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WITH GM CARS DRIVEN IN THE NORTH BECAUSE OF THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VECHILE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ABNORMALLY COLLAPSED BACKWARD AND BOTH THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BA…
MULTIPLE TIMES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WOULD NOT FLOW ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. I WOULD FILL THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TANK SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH. FINALLY, I NOTICED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUIDS TUBING INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WAS FLAWED. THE TUBING IS ROUT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SUDDENLY THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFT AND ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE WITH C…
WHEN THE CD PLAYER HAVE BEEN ON FOR A FEW MINUTES IT WILL STOP PLAYING BECAUSE IT HAVE GOT OVER HEATED. AN I CANNOT USED IT FOR A LONG TIME. *TR
MY 2002 CAVALIER HAD THE FUEL PUMP GO. WHEN THE GARAGE FIXED IT THEY SAID THE CLUSTER DOESN'T WORK. THEY KEPT TRYING TO IMPLY THAT IT WAS ALREADY BROKE BUT IT WASN'T. I HAD 2 LIGHT BULBS GONE BUT THAT'S IT. THEY REPLACED IT AND WITHIN A WEEK THE SAME 2 LIGHT BULBS ARE BURNT OUT A…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Safety recalls
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. With 5 recalls, verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
STEERING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 210 owner complaints, 26 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 Cavalier has a high complaint count relative to its single model year, with electrical and brake problems being frequent. Buyers should proceed with caution and prioritize a thorough inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (39 complaints). #2: Brake System (30 complaints). #3: Hydraulic (24 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, NHTSA complaints include 26 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 210 total complaints. 34 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. A major recall area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. With 5 recalls, verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?▾
The 2002 Cavalier has a high complaint count relative to its single model year, with electrical and brake problems being frequent. Buyers should proceed with caution and prioritize a thorough inspection. Electrical faults and brake issues can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards, making pre-purchase inspection critical. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cavalier reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.