2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 35 of 196 complaints (18%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (17) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 243 in 2001 to 196 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–2,600 | 2,300–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–24 | 21–24 | 21–25 | 24–25 | 24–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 25–31 | 18–21 / 26–30 | 18–22 / 26–30 | 21–22 / 30 | 21–23 / 29–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–404 | 370–423 | 355–423 | 355–370 | 329–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 315 | 243 | 196 | 678 | 330 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 23 | 24 | 31 | 17 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 24 | 33 | 18 | 19 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Electrical: 35 of 196 NHTSA complaints (18%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
EPA rates it 21–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 29 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or natural gas | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 35 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Brakes | 31 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 17 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 11 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING · Campaign 08E063000 · Oct 20, 2008
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 08E050000 · Aug 14, 2008
Defect: 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."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.