The Lemon Index
200120033rd generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
132 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Honda Civic 592002 Toyota Corolla 192002 Hyundai Elantra 93
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
- Fuel pump15 complaintsmostly at 48,000–150,000 miles (76,000–241,000 km)
- Engine stalling15 complaintsmostly at 16,000–72,000 miles (26,000–116,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,700 and 50,000 miles (16,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 47 complaints, of all 132 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights), 08E063000 (steering) and 08E050000 (lights) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Chevy sent dealers 444 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may complain that the service engine soon (ses) indicator is illuminated with…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 132 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 9K to 50K miles (16K to 80K km) on the car (47 of all 132 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Trac off warning light ets (electronic traction system) came on. Repairs did not correct the problem with the ets.
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier owner · NHTSA complaint 10107112
More owner reports
2nd Cavalier where could not get horn to sound in emergency situation.
NHTSA complaint 766918
There were enhanced traction system problems which were continuous. The fuel pump was replaced and did not resolve the problem with the ets.
NHTSA complaint 10103589
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 11.1M views · 1995–2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
Most-watched topics
- Cooling system838K views
2002 Cavalier Water Pump Replacement (Part 1) - EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 260K views · 9 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank622K views
Fuel Pump & Fuel Filter Replacement Chevrolet Cavalier 1995-20052CarPros · 159K views · 10 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical585K views
1995 - 2005 Chevy Cavalier Radio InstallProvo Beast Audio Installation · 291K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter468K views
2003 04 05 Chevrolet Cavalier & Pontiac Sunfire Broken Auto Transmission Shift Cable Bushing RepairDrShock · 147K views · 7 videos
Show 3 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition378K views
2002 chevy cavalier . pontiac sunfire remove ignition lock cylinderSilent Mechanic · 205K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring252K views
Combination switch replacement Turn signal switch Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Pontaic SunfireFixing cars and stuff · 102K views · 6 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors247K views
2002 Chevy Cavalier Power Window Repair - EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 237K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
MotorWeek | Retro Review: '95 Chevrolet CavalierMotorWeek · 212K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2002 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 444 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may complain that the service engine soon (ses) indicator is illuminated with…
- Subject regarding product feedback request with 2.2l ln2 engines exhibiting an oil filter leak
- Customers may comment that the engine lags power, stalls, won't start or is hard to start
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Lights · recall issued 2009
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2008
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" B…
- Lights · recall issued 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Cavalier recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★☆☆☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,400–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Cavalier year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (1996–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Chevrolet Cavalier years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-cavalier/?y=2002" title="Chevrolet Cavalier reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-cavalier/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Chevrolet Cavalier reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 54; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Cavalier year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (17%), brakes (14%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
5 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
21 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,700 and 50,000 miles (16,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 47 complaints, of all 132 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Cavalier year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works