Model year guide

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 78 on record.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints210
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$1,179

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls 5

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #08E050000 · 11/08/2008

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."

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.

Steering NHTSA Campaign #08E063000 · 17/10/2008

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" 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 WEL…

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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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. 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.

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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

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.

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.

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices NHTSA Campaign #07E021000 · 12/03/2007

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,617

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,179
High
$2,250

From 61 comparable 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,085
Depreciation (5 yrs)$200
Total$13,285
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,179) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,002), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · LS · Z24 · LS Sport
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl · 2.2L 4-cyl 170 hp

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier vehicles on record

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC524327421111 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC124027265571 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC124827376501 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JF524227266431 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JS124X27230801 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Z241G1JH12T827130198 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC524027134809 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC524627345951 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC124X27104872 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base3G1JC52412S125280 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JF524X27452279 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC124227204142 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC124827147283 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC524227332243 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JS124727321749 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JS124527242399 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC524127490587 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC524X27279243 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC524627272242 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport1G1JH52F227291731 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC524527131775 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS1G1JF524027340395 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base1G1JC124227165455 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Z241G1JH12T127171188

Other Chevrolet Cavalier model years

2005 2004 2003 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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

Based on 210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, electrical system, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier at about 24 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier worth?

Comparable 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier listings run roughly $600–$2,250, typically around $1,179 (from 61 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.