2002 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls & problems

5 recalls 196 complaints

5recalls
196owner complaints
24crashes reported
4fires reported
42 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier and 196 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is electrical system (35 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (23). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

Problem: 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.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

16,270 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Steering · NHTSA 08E063000 · Oct 17, 2008

Problem: 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…

Risk: If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on october 16, 2008. Owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.

3,855 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 08E050000 · Aug 11, 2008

Problem: 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."

Risk: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact k2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

1,921 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Fuel System, Other · NHTSA 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.

Fix: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

742 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

Problem: 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.

Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

61,944 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System 35
134
Engine and Engine Cooling 23
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 22
301
Visibility 18
001
Steering 17
412
Air Bags 15
9015
Exterior Lighting 14
000
Fuel System, Gasoline 13
000
Power Train 13
100
Vehicle Speed Control 11
206
Suspension 10
201
Seat Belts 9
303
Structure 9
000
Unknown or Other 7
000
Tires 6
101
Seats 6
306
Equipment 5
000
Wheels 3
102
Service Brakes, Air 3
300
Service Brakes 3
200
Fuel System, Other 3
010
Parking Brake 2
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 2
000
Traction Control System 1
000
Electronic Stability Control 1
000
Child Seat 1
000

Latest owner complaints

Unknown or Other · Jun 7, 2023 · IL

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

Air Bags · Jun 7, 2023 · IL

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

Air Bags · Jun 7, 2023 · AR · crash · 1 injured

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

Seat Belts · Jun 7, 2023 · AR · crash · 1 injured

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

Steering · May 6, 2021 · FL

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 some assistance??

Fuel/Propulsion System · May 6, 2021 · FL

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 some assistance??

Exterior Lighting · May 6, 2021 · FL

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 some assistance??

Exterior Lighting · Jul 19, 2020 · 170,000 miles · GA

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 side but now having issues with driver's side. Online forums suggest many others are having this…

Electrical System · Aug 12, 2017 · 150,000 miles · FL

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.

Structure · Nov 4, 2016 · 60,000 miles · VA

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 being unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.…

Service Brakes · Jan 22, 2015 · 70,000 miles · FL

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

Electrical System · Nov 30, 2014 · 165,000 miles · OH

Car would just not turn over. Can not hear fuel pump running. *tr

Other Chevrolet Cavalier years

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, the most recent one (09E012000) for exterior lighting. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Based on 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are electrical system (35), engine and engine cooling (23), service brakes, hydraulic (22).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Owners reported 24 crashes, 4 fires, 42 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.