2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 196 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,058miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, 7% of the 196 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,058 miles.
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.
“Problem with electrical system that operates rear blinkers and brake lights. I have changed bulb which are not the problem. I have changed the electrical connectors. Works fine for short period of time when either of these are changed but still not fixed. Started with passenger side but now having issues with driver's side. Online forums suggest many others are having this issue as well. Cant find a permanent fix. Please help. Is not blowing the bulbs, just stops working for no apparent reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11340196, filed 2020-07, 170,000 miles“We were told the car was inspected before we bought it! Head light out of adjustment brake and tail lights not working engine stared running rough few hours after we drove off a cd was found stuck in the player door needed alignment parking brakes not working right.”
NHTSA complaint #10162718, filed 2006-07, 56,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10593311, filed 2014-05, 116,872 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10315340, filed 2010-03, 77,115 miles“Dt: the caller said tail lights rusted around the socket and caused the tails light not to work. The caller said there was a recall on other years of model, but this vehicle was not included. Dealer offered no help for free. Manufacturer said the caller's vehicle was not included in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10137831, filed 2005-09, 94,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 57 | 8% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 13 | 4% |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 13 | 2% |
| 1996 | 17 | 3% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
35 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsAir bags
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