Is the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier a bad year?
196 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cavalier years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier are in line with other Cavalier years.
1st quietest of 6 Cavalier years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Cavalier owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 63,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 35 (18%) | 37k–96k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 18 (9%) | 55k–85k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 17 (9%) | 23k–87k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 16 (8%) | 33k–90k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipers | 16 (8%) | 21k–67k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 14 (7%) | 10k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 13 (7%) | 10k–90k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Equipment | 8 (4%) | 21k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 27 (14%) | 10k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (7%) | 9k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 10 (5%) | 8k–59k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 63,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 196 complaints: 24 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 19 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier: 5
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 110
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Neighbouring years
2001 Cavalier: 243 complaints, keep it · 2003 Cavalier: 678 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Cavalier year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · All Cavalier years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier a bad year?
196 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cavalier years. At 63,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (35), fuel system (18), engine (17), steering (16), visibility and wipers (16).
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Steering (NHTSA 08E063000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000), Fuel system (NHTSA 07E021000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.