Skip to content

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Recalls, Complaints & Specs

No safety recalls list the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, and owners have filed 196 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

0
safety recalls
196
owner complaints to NHTSA
24 / 4
complaints citing a crash / fire
21–25
MPG combined (EPA)

No safety recalls on record

NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.

196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have filed 196 complaints with NHTSA; 24 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 33 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 56,083 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 43 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 wha”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 7, 2023 · Air bags

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 7, 2023 · Air bags

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier (Cavalier Dual-fuel). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined21–25 mpg
City / Highway18–22 / 26–30
FuelGasoline or natural gas, Regular
EPA classCompact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engine4 cyl, 2.2/2.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Chevrolet Cavalier model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Cavalier model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1982 Chevrolet Cavalier11
1983 Chevrolet Cavalier53
1984 Chevrolet Cavalier28
1985 Chevrolet Cavalier24
1986 Chevrolet Cavalier218
1987 Chevrolet Cavalier224
1988 Chevrolet Cavalier212
1989 Chevrolet Cavalier143
1990 Chevrolet Cavalier055
1991 Chevrolet Cavalier255
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier1134
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier1146
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier1212
1995 Chevrolet Cavalier4270
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier7503
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier7540
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier4345
1999 Chevrolet Cavalier2240
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier2315
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier1243
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier0196
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier1678
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier1330
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier0287

Checking a specific 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

How do I know if my 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.