Complaints
254
Crashes
35
Fires
5
Injuries
42
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#120 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:103,710 mi
Fires:2
#211 complaints
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
Avg mileage:35,562 mi
#310 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:66,421 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 20 | — | 2 | 103,710 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 11 | — | — | 35,562 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | 3 | — | 66,421 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 5 | — | 100,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 | — | — | 31,423 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 | — | — | 13,946 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | — | — | 85,730 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 7 | — | — | 63,494 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | 1 | — | 72,750 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 | 4 | — | 33,130 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | — | — | 51,375 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | 83,238 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | 48,754 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | 2 | — | 66,000 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | 74,582 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering:Column | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 2 | — | 1 | — |
Electrical Faults
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
103,710
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,562
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,421
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,423
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
13,946
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,730
Fuel Pump
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,494
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,750
Air Bags:Frontal
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,130
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,375
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,238
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,754
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,000
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,582
Electrical System:Ignition
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Column
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Sunroof/Moonroof
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Cavalier Years
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier has 254 NHTSA complaints, 35 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 20 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (20 complaints, avg 103,710 mi); Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls (11 complaints, avg 35,562 mi); Steering Defects (10 complaints, avg 66,421 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 65,542 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier include 35 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 42 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cavalier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
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