NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 209 owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Most complaints involve electrical system (39) and service brakes, hydraulic (24). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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. 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 CAUTION. THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, 4 VALVE · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Cavalier Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Cavalier Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, 4 VALVE · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Cavalier Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Cavalier Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Cavalier Dual-fuel Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Cavalier Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 209 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (39), service brakes, hydraulic (24), engine and engine cooling (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).