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Problems with 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier SUSPENSION

On average, the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier starts to “feel” problems with the SUSPENSION and its various aspects after 74 582 miles.

Components Affected by SUSPENSION Issues

We have classified the 5 complaints from 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier about SUSPENSION into the following categories.

REAR 3 FRONT 2

Recently reported SUSPENSION problems on 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

Engine cradle subframe has rusted through on right side. low mileage, car is parked in a garage, so it does not sit outside all day and night. my mechanic tells me he has seen this a lot with chevys. he says it is especially true with gm cars driven in the north because of the weather...so much for being imported from detroit; isn't that in the north? he says he can order a used replacement from the southern us. i know a cavalier is not a top-of-the-line car, but isn't the frame supposed to be the strogest part? come on gm, fix this issue before somebody dies! i was going to let my 16 year old kid drive the car, now i have to tell him that he can't because an affordable car made by the biggest us automaker is cheaply made and unsafe!? *tr

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. and now im paying 350 per month for a car that is not running. *tr

Front end bounces and makes noise. took to service center with approx 8000 miles and had struts replaced. happened 3000 miles later, had struts replaced again! this has happened 4 times which i have paid for out of my pocket. this is a defective car!!! *nm

On nov 12, 2004, my fiance was driving to work on a highway and our 02 chevy cavalier ls sport coupe went out of control causing a bad crash inside of a tunnel. the tires were in good condition, the car has traction control and the weather was fine. after just getting our car back from being in the shop for repairs to the front end for three months (due to excessive damage), we took the car to get inspected and it failed because hey found that the rear wheel bearing is damaged and will cost almost $500 to be replaced/repaired. there was no indication or warning prior to the accident that this bearing had been going bad. we had a wheel bearing replaced about a year or so ago but it was the front wheel bearing. we do not understand how two bearings could have went bad so quickly, as the car was only about a year old when the first one went. this second one went a year later, making the car about 2 1/2 yrs old. we believe now that this could have been the cause of the accident...if "spalling" or "brinelling" occurred, this could have been the reason for the loss of control of the vehicle. he said it was almost like hydroplaning-he felt the rear of the car kind of slide or wiggle to the side and that's when control was lost. we would like to have this problem looked at as soon as possible before repairing in order to see if this was the possible cause of the accident. we would also like to know why they went bad in the first place and see if the other two are going to next. *jb

Defect in 2002 cavalier enhanced traction system [ets}. *bf *nm

While drving at any speed over bumps or potholes vehicle would make a cracking noise, and would move left and right, causing driver to lose control. *ak

Consumer stated that the right front suspension bounces excessively and is making a rattling noise. vehicle was checked by dealer who advised operation is normal, but not able to determine cause of noise. consumer very concerned about safety while driving vehicle. ts

Left rear axle fell off while driving 25 mph. dealer contacted. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

Consumer was traveling 55mph on highway, there was vibration and pulsation on driver's side tire. vehicle slid and the axle broke. wheel and rim came off, vehicle hit median, air bags failed to deploy, one person was injured in accident. *ak *tt

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