2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 7%of 196 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,350miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, 7% of the 196 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,350 miles. 1 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.
“We bought this Cavalier in july of 2002, at about 3500 miles we started having transmission problems. It has been in the shop 5 times for the same problem. In the meantime the computer crashed on it twice. They had to fix it twice. They finally got the transmission fixed and then at the end of april 2003 the transmission started leaking fluid. I took it in and they got it fix. Makes 6 times this car has been in for transmission problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10020600, filed 2003-05, 3,500 miles“Driver was heading south on i684, on the exit ramp to 287 west, in heavy traffic. Vehicle suddenly appeared to shut off, making it impossible to steer and brake. Driver ran off the road and went nose first into a ditch, damaging the frame, radiator, airco and nose of vehicle. The vehicle was totaled as a result.”
NHTSA complaint #10654166, filed 2014-11, 90,000 miles“Bought a 2002 chevy Cavalier oct.2007, have had the car in for repairs to the transmission a total of 7 weeks. The problem seems to be electrical and cannot be fixed. Each time I get it back it works for some time then fails and is taken back. It is currently at the henna chevy olds dealership in aiken, sc.”
NHTSA complaint #10213156, filed 2007-12, 130,000 miles“When vehicle is in gear with foot on the brakes engine will start racing, and vehicle will accelerate on its own. Driver has to shut down engine to stop it from racing.”
NHTSA complaint #10058037, filed 2004-03, 29,700 miles“Transmission noise/idle problem. I have two major complaints about my Cavalier first: the 5sp manual transmission. I've complained about the transmission 5 times, and the idel 4 times. When I bought the car it had a high pitched noise in 1st and 2nd gear. I took the car back the first weekend I owned it to have it checked. Dealer couldn't diagnose. I took the car back a couple of months later. They heard the noise and said it was the exhaust. They put a new exhaust system on it. Needless to say it did not fix it. I took the car back again a few months later, they said it was synchronizers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10004901, filed 2003-01Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 7% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
| 2001 | 34 | 14% |
| 2000 | 26 | 8% |
| 1999 | 20 | 8% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1997 | 26 | 5% |
| 1996 | 54 | 11% |
| 1995 | 17 | 6% |
| 1994 | 16 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 7% |
| 1992 | 7 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 5 | 9% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1987 | 2 | 8% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
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 complaintsExterior lighting
14 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 30, 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