2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 196 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, 7% of the 196 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was broadsided while making a left turn into a shopping center on july 8, 2005. My passenger side doors were completely pushed in. The car was considered a total loss by the insurance company. Driver's air bag and passenger air bag did not deploy. I suffered serious damage to my stomach area, resulting in 3 days of non-stop vomiting.”
NHTSA complaint #10128718, filed 2005-07, 33,000 miles“I was involved in a major accident which resulted in the totaling of my 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Although there was considerable front-end damage the airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10179317, filed 2007-01, 84,500 miles“During first snow in dec 02, the ABS in my 2mo old car activated for the first time. The normal pedal vibs occured, but there was a patterned pinging of a spring at the pedals location. All braking power was lost during this, and I had to run a red light because I could not stop, even after pressing the brake again, with the same effect (this also occured while pulling into my garage on a dry surface, so I had to use emergency brake to keep from running into the back wall). …”
NHTSA complaint #10003279, filed 2003-01, 4,721 miles“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 what I got spent around three times and put back at the gas station that I left”
NHTSA complaint #11525914, filed 2023-06“My airbag system has been worked on 6 different times and is now flashing the air bag lights again. This is a serious safety issue and should be looked into.”
NHTSA complaint #10020656, filed 2003-05, 10,297 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 21 | 9% |
| 2000 | 18 | 6% |
| 1999 | 24 | 10% |
| 1998 | 34 | 10% |
| 1997 | 78 | 14% |
| 1996 | 73 | 15% |
| 1995 | 20 | 7% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
35 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology