Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated the vehicle had been parked for approximately 4 hours when a fire started under the dashboard. The contact stated the vehicle was removed by his insurance company and he could not confirm if the vehicle was destroyed or what started the fire. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 80,000. Updated evoq 06/08/10.
According to the overland park police department an electrical fire started near the passenger floor board on my sons 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier z model. The car was totally engulfed before fire/rescue could arrive. I want to make sure that this is not a problem with the vehicle that can injure others.
I have a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier and I almost had a bad accident with this car. The ignition switch and wheels locked up on me and I was still in one place and a eighteen wheeler ran into me. I have been having trouble with this car everytime I look up.
Key get stuck in ignition in the on position. Cannot shut the car off or remove the key. Must pull ignition fuse to shut off engine and then disconnect the battery. GM acknowledge this as a problem in 2014 but never issued a recall.
Bought my 2002 Chevrolet ls sport cavailer on 5/27/02. Since then the rack and pinion went in March 2003--which they did not discover until May, and when driving I get a loud grinding noise still which is metal on metal. I asked another mechanic not affiliated w/ the authorized dealership (that told me after 5 attempts this can not be fixed-and that they have a pi out on it), if this could pose a problem. He said the continuous grinding w/ metal on metal when steering, can cause too much friction and heat up and potentially cause a fire, etc. I am having my husband drive this vehicle that only has 13,300 miles now. I am scared to drive it, and the dealership, nor GM can tell me or sign off in in writing that this won't cause a problem. They (GM) believe steering problems, and noises you hear when steering like metal on metal are not dangerous. …
While accelerating on an on-ramp onto an interstate, I was using my multi-function device (signaling my merge into traffic, then once at 65mph setting cruise control) when the car lost power. I was able to turn the steering wheel slightly to the right before the wheel locked. I turned my emergency flashers on and coasted/braked my way to the shoulder of the road. The car was towed to a mechanic who tried to find the source of the problem. The incident was on a Saturday. On Monday when the shop was open for business, they tried the car and it started/ran just fine. They couldn't duplicate the problem so they charged me for the tow only. Previously, the car would fail to start. Similarly dead. I have been told it was the ignition - replaced that twice. I was told it was the fuel pump - replaced that. I was told it was the multi-function switch-replaced that three times. …
Purchased vehicle from dealer 7/12/13 with the following issues: non-working odometer, blinkers, brake lights that frequently "short" out & a non-working windshield fluid function. I was informed by the dealer to take vehicle home & return it the following day for the repairs of all the above notations that were discovered during a test drive. Upon the time of return, I was sadly & rudely approached by the dealer. He stated that he did not claim to fix these issues? On 7/17/13, I filed a "complaint" with the better business bureau regarding this poor business transaction. All of which, I have proof. Despite my endless efforts to correct this issue, nothing significant has been done on my behalf. I have been pulled over a number of times, because of my failing brake lights - which have been replaced on multiple occasions. …
2002 Cavalier- rear right turn signal and stop light become inactive- I thought that the bulb burned out. When I replaced the bulb, it stopped working again after a while. I put electrical grease into the socket as advised by my dealer, but it stopped working nonetheless. When I pulled out the bulb and re-inserted it, it worked again for short time. I have to pull out the bulb to break the circuit, and then insert the bulb back again every few blocks. The turn signal will work for a little bit, but it will stop, especially when I turn on my dashboard ventilation on high. I have had many near-misses of being rear-ended when making a turn. Apparently, the defective bulb housing has been a recall issue for the 2001 and 2003 Cavalier due to accidents. …
Dt: the consumer complained that the 2002, Chevrolet Cavalier had a dash cluster problem. The dash cluster had to be repaired, and the consumer could not tell them how much gas she had. The consumer wanted satisfaction and the truth about the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and had it repaired. The consumer said that the individual changing the oil told her that the car was too new to have these problems. Also, there was an oxygen sensor problem. The consumer had a new one put in. The consumer noticed that there was something wrong before the car was diagnosed and the gas lever was working. She didn't know if she contacted GM or not. She contacted a dealer. The dash cluster was inoperative along with the gauges not working since the #2 sensor was replaced and the engine and the traction light had illuminated.
My 2002 Cavalier had the fuel pump go. When the garage fixed it they said the cluster doesn't work. They kept trying to imply that it was already broke but it wasn't. I had 2 light bulbs gone but that's it. They replaced it and within a week the same 2 light bulbs are burnt out and the odometer numbers now flicker constantly. There must be a wiring problem. Seeing fires starting in a couple cavaliars makes me really concerned. For a few years now, the radio changes everytime I turn the car on and the light by the heater control doesn't work unless you tap on it. Somethings not right and I'm trying to find a solution. I can't afford to pay a garage to tear my car apart.
Electrical complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, 18% of the model year's 196 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.