Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I bought this car a 2002 Chevy Cavalier in 2005, and at the time there was 25K original miles so I was told. Since then I have found out there has been 5 recalls on this car for various safety hazards, none of which I was ever told about prior or during my purchase of this vehicle. The signals have failed, I had to pay for them to be replaced, the bearings on the tires caused dry rot and I had to pay to replace those, both were on the recall list. The engine would over heat in the idle position, and they replaced an air filter sitting that as the problem and it wasn't. The pedal sticks when I accelerate and sometimes gets stuck, the rockerarms have started to go bad and it has caused the valve stems to bend,thus causing the oilpump to seize up and now my cars engine has a blown gasket,this is under the engine component system recall, which was reported in 2007. I was never notified. …
Engine and vehicle speed sometimes, but intermittently, do not respond to driver control - vehicle accelerates on its own. When that happens, had to ride brakes to control speed. This happened five times with increasing severity over a period of time - on the sixth time the vehicle reached 60mph without the accelerator being touched. Review of odi compliants shows an increasing number of similar related complaints on this model with age. Had purchased car to give to my newly licensed daughter, who, due to lack of experience, was initially unsure if the problem was with her or the car. The last time scared her, and the dealer's rep said "it was an accident waiting to happen". …
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.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. The engine light illuminated intermittently. The dealer was informed that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The contact was charged $600 for the repair. She took a long trip and the light did not illuminate. On a shorter trip, the engine light began illuminating intermittently again and the vehicle overheated. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it operated normally. While driving 10 MPH to the dealer, the engine failed and the dealer stated that the repair would cost $5,000 and could not guarantee that the vehicle would actually be repaired. The contact learned that the head failed before at 28,000 miles. She believes that her vehicle was mis-diagnosed the first time. The current and failure mileages were 54,000. Updated 01-10-08. 12/31/07.
Engine check light stayed on. When driving lights turned off then flickered. Also, windshield wipers and automatic locks operated poorly. Vehicle was taken to dealership on several occasions for the same problems. On for occasions consumer was driving when vehicle headlights went out. Another problem consumer is experiencing is the windshield wipers come to a complete stop while in use. There is also a problem with the door locks. Vehicle has been serviced on various occasions for electrical problems. During one service visit the body control module was replaced and the theft deterrent system was programmed. Even after several service visits vehicle still experiencing problems with windshield wipers, door locks, turn signals, and hazard lights.
Timing chain broke on 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier ls causing catastrophic engine failure. Automobile only has 70,000 miles on a well maintained motor. GM installed faulty oil nozzle as well as timing chain tensioner in motor originally but refuses responsibility even though checked at GM certified service center 4 months prior complaining of timing symptoms. No repair has been done at this time. After much research it seems that this is a common problem in all vehicles from 2002 and 2003 that have 2.2l Ecotec motors.
Dt: 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. The consumer stated there was a constant problem with the timing chain gear, tensioner, and chain itself. It was replaced on February 22, 2005, and needed to replaced again. The dealership spotted the problem, but since the vehicle was out of warranty it was taken to a Firestone service station. The engine sounded like it about to fall out. There was a lot of popping and cracking noise, that was how this was noticed.
I started my car in the am and noticed my trac light was on(knowing it is not suppose to be on unless I am in 1st or 2nd gear. Then I smelled burning electrical. Took it to the Chevy garage and found out my engine coolant fan internally shorted, they replaced the fan motor, a sensor an element and a fuse kit. At a substantial cost. I was without my car for 3 days and had to rent a vehicle to get back and forth to my job and home.
Dt*: the contact stated without warning, the vehicle looses power while driving. After a few minutes, the vehicle restarts. The vehicle is driven a short distance and it looses power again. This continues until the vehicle reaches the dealership. The dealership has replaced the fuel pump on three separate occasions. No other repairs have been attempted. Updated 02/21/06.
While driving 60 MPH, the service engine light came on and the engine stalled. The dealership serviced the vehicle, and replaced several components, but the problem still continued. The fuel filter and oxygen senor was replaced however the problem continued. The consumer believed the problem was electrical.
Engine complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, 11% of the model year's 196 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
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.