2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Base from North America - Comments

The brakes have been a constant source of trouble.

The brakes on this car are scary at best. From a complete loss of braking power at 197 miles to resurfacing the front rotors at 11,000 miles. From then, it was another brake issue (no stopping power) at 15,000 miles and then all new rear drums and pads at 21000. Now, at 22000 it goes back again because the car vibrates violently when the brakes are applies. It should also be noted here that the ABS activates when braking on anything, but a smooth road surface, resulting in loss of braking control.

There were (and are again) two small rust spots on the roof. They were repaired 6 months ago under the corrosion part of the warranty. However, they are back again. The paint on this car is also weak, chipping and scratching with almost no contact.

The fuel filter must be replaced every 6,000 miles on this car to avoid hesitation and poor acceleration.

All in all, I am very disappointed with the quality and reliability of this car. I bought a Cavalier because of friends having excellent service from theirs. It is a comfortable, well styled, roomy car that looks good in a showroom and on paper. However, in reality, it is a true disappointment.

I have tried trading it in, only to find that it has depreciated 64% in its first year and I paid less that sticker and received a $3,000 rebate.

See it is so obvious this review is bogus, or at least far over exaggerated. Rust spots on a 1 year old car? Give me a break... Obviously the brakes are defective on YOUR car or your driving is the cause since thousands of other owners don't note any problem with them. About the fuel filter, that is also BS. For one thing, even if replacement after 6000 was true, big deal, it's a 5 dollar fuel filter that snaps in and out of place easily. Besides, fuel filters usually last for over 50,000 miles (and can last forever, if rust and dirt is kept out of the gas tank)

I have a 2002 Cavalier also that I am experiencing intermittent problems with the ABS. It happens in good and bad road conditions, slow stopping and sudden stopping. I also have noticed acceleration and hesitation problems in the year that I have owned it. The check engine light has been coming on in the past week, mechanic stated the code was "gas cap off" which could mean several things (the gas cap was secure). The car only has 44miles on it and I commute 64 miles round-trip daily. I just wouldn't expect these kind of problems with a car with such low mileage.

As the original poster, let me clarify a few things. 1) Not a bogus review; 2) Yes, there was rust on a one year old car. 3) Yes, I had many brake problems and noticed the same problems on the Cavaliers I recieved as loaner cars. I do not drive a car hard. I did have all of the problems mentioned above.

About three months after I bought my 2002 Cavalier (purchased in Sept. 2002), the dealership called.

The dealer was AutoZone.

They wanted to know if there was ANY kind of problem.

I said, "NO, this car was built in Ohio at the end of

the production run in May 2002, and it was assembled

PERFECTLY."

I appreciated a dealer doing this.

My only regret, GM has stopped offering the Cavalier

with the 2200 push rod engine.

GM developed this powerplant over more than 20 years.

Of course, a replacement will be a Cobalt whenever that

comes. I'll miss my 2002!

I have owned my 2002 cavalier since new, oct/2002 and I now have 63000 kilometers on it. I drive on the freeway to and from work total 140 kilometers. this car has serious brake issues, my rotors had to be turned every 8ooo k I do not drive hard and my last car was a 93 ford escort only twice did I have to do the brakes in 300,000 kilometers.

The dealer replaced the rotors twice on my cavalier, but at 36000 k GM said they would not repair again, no more warranty. so I replaced both rotors and pads with aftermarket slotted and drilled rotors. on recommendation from the gm mechanics, no more problems up to now.

Many cavaliers have this same issue if equiped with ABS.

This too I learned from the gm techs.

The slotted and drilled rotors and pads came to $185 canadian were as the two rotors alone from gm would cost $190 canadian. both sets are made in the USA.

ABS does NOT cause a loss of braking control. Despite the pulsating and vibration of the pedal the Anti Lock Braking System is designed to prevent wheel lock up and ENHANCE braking control by allowing you to control the car better.

Well, speaking from experience, the ABS in this car engaged over any kind of rough surface when braking, which DID in fact cause a reduction in braking power. This happened quite often in my 02 Cavalier.

I have the same brake issues with my 2002 cavalier. No brakes during inclement weather and braking over rough surfaces. Problems with the ABS. I just pulled the fuse out for the ABS and haven't had a single problem braking since.

I have had a 2002 Cavalier since March of 2002 and it has ran really well up to now. The MAP sensor is faulty and has given me problems over the last year. The brakes problem, I have problems with the rotors staying well and I have changed them more now that there are more miles on the car. I am not a hard driver and with 113,000 miles, you would think that this wouldn't just get worse. When I drive off of blacktop to gravel, my brakes slide and moan deep. I don't really understand why. I also don't know if when I replace the MAP sensor for the first time if I should use GM or not and I don't know what would make the difference. Any opinions?

I have a 2002 Chevy Cavalier with 52k on it. I turned the rotors about 2 months ago.. I have been experiencing at high speeds a deep moaning and vibration. The calipers are engaging the brake pads.. This does not happen all the time. Anyone else experience this issue? Overall, the car has been great. I am wondering if this could be an ABS issue.

I've had my 2002 Cavalier since 2003 (four years now) and I haven't had any problems at all, with the brakes or otherwise. I've replaced the brake pads only once since I've had it. They do squeak for some reason upon applying the brakes to stop and sometimes to just slow down, but they do this even with brand new brake pads. I've never figured that one out.

This car has been a wonderfully reliable vehicle and I have always loved it. Never once has it broken down on me or had any mechanical problems after 70,000 miles. The only thing I have encountered are the window motors apparently go out after awhile and need to be replaced (my windows no longer go up or down, but as I'm possibly trading it in, I'm not going to worry about fixing them). I will miss it if I trade it in!

Other than that, I highly recommend this car as very dependable and reliable. It handles well, and drives well. It's also pretty roomy and the trunk is spacious. Would be a great family car. Gets fantastic gas mileage. Even after 2 minor fender benders, it has not developed any problems. It takes a licking and keeps on ticking. you can't go wrong with this great little car.

I guess it is a hit or miss with this vehicle. I own a 2002 Cavalier that I purchased in Dec 2001. I paid the car off in Jan 07 and let me tell you... My starter went out in Feb 07 @ 65000. And, well, I ended up replacing the battery along with it. It's Dec now and my windshield wiper motor is gone, so it won't produce fluid, which will definitely be needed when the snow and salt hits the windshields. The motor that supplies heat/air to the vehicle has gone completely out, so I don't have heat or air, which is definitely a problem with the cold weather, not to mention that I can't defrost the windows. Oh, by the way, I'm only at 72,018 miles to be exact. I don't have too many problems with the brakes at this point. I replace them probably twice a year.

Overall, this car has served it's purpose in the first 5 years. It was very reliable without any "real" problems, but now that the car is up in age, it's becoming a nuisance to try to keep up with.

I have a 2002 Cavalier with the 2.2. Bought used with 30,000 miles on it in 2003. I've driven it 130,000 miles with one front brake job and had to replace the fuel pump. That's all. Needs brakes right now. And a third set of tires.

No problems at all. This is a great car for me and I plan on keeping it for another 100,000 miles at least.

I don't much like the ABS brakes, but they haven't needed constant maintenance like some have written about.

The mechanics at several shops have said that "they don't see a lot of problems with the Cavalier" and mentioned that they thought the timing chain was very reliable.

The owner of a driving school that I know has two Cavaliers with over 175,000 miles on them and has yet to replace either muffler, starter, or alternator.

Neither have I. I don't know what else you could ask of a car. It's paid for, still looks good. No visible rust spots and I live in Metro Detroit where they go heavy on the road salt.