Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

196Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

40Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

No recall campaigns cover this model year.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20012

200230

200343

200430

200527

200615

200711

20083

200910

20104

20116

20121

20131

20146

20151

20161

20171

20201

20211

20232

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.