What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

No clear pattern

20.1% of complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2002 vehicle, but with only 234 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is electrical system (33 complaints), typically at 3.3 yr or about 64,416 miles.

Complaints
234
Median age at failure
3.1 yr
Median mileage
56,000 n=129
Crash / fire / tow
17.9% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
33 reports · 64,416 mi
3.3 yr
12.1%
Engine cooling
22 reports · 54,033 mi
3.3 yr
0%
Service brakes, hydraulic
20 reports · 17,350 mi
2.2 yr
15%
Steering
17 reports · 72,810 mi
3.9 yr
29.4%
Visibility
16 reports · 40,000 mi
3.3 yr
6.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.

08E063000 2008-10-17
Steering

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. 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.

08E050000 2008-08-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. 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.

07E021000 2007-03-12
Fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices

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.

06E026000 2006-03-23
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

In owners’ own words

Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 5 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP. AFTER INSPECTIING VEHICLE, DEAELR DETERMINED THAT SPACE BEHIND THE FIREWALL WAS OMITTED DURING MANUFACTURING. *AK
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 5 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL OUT AND DIE . AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, DEALER DETERMINED THAT SPACES BEHIND FIREWALL WERE OMITTED DURING MANFACTURING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 9 mo in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING ABS FAILED, CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT.*AK. CONSUMER STATED HE WAS TRAVELING ON A DRY STREET, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM BRAKED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE, TO AVOID A COLLISON, CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR, NOTICING THE ABS LIGHT WAS LIT, CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO A PRIVATE FRONT YARD STRIKING A LARGE ROCK, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT TIRE, WHEEL, HUB CAB, RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR, BUMPER, FENDER, ROCKER PANEL, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *JB
Electrical system mileage not reported 8 mo in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING REVERSE BULB EXPLODED, CAUSING BACK UP LIGHTS TO CATCH ON FIRE.*AK

Other Cavalier model years

20052004200320022001200019991998

How to read this