8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$160
Average Mileage:
93,750 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace all four motors (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
  3. replace drivers window motor (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #4

Nov 012012

Cavalier LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

I "inherited" my daughter's 2002 Cavalier when she moved to Hawaii recently. None of the power windows worked and the passenger side ones were stuck partway down, letting in rain.

To get the car ready for sale I just finished replacing the front motor and regulator on both sides. $50 for the right and $80 for the left. I don't know why the left cost more, they looked pretty much the same. After removing and examining the old units it looks like the regulators may have been OK and I could have gotten away with just replacing the motors. I wasn't sure which was causing the problem and I'd rather replace the entire assembly once I had it apart.

I also installed a new master switch, since a "how to" video suggested that could be the problem. There's no telling what she may have spilled down in those switches. It was a VERY easy job, maybe 60 seconds.

The rear windows still don't work at all and I'll be ordering two motors (around $25 each) for them later today after I do a bit of troubleshooting and verify that there's +12V going to the motor when I press the switch. I cannot believe that all 4 window motors went out on this car. Did GM just go with the cheapest supplier on these? Although replacing the motors wasn't a hard job it leaves a bad impression with me on the quality of their products for future vehicle purchases.

- Jeff W., Wildwood, MO, US

problem #3

Mar 012010

Cavalier LS 2.2L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Like others have described,n all four window motors have effectively quit. I said "effectively" because one motor is only 99% dead (front passenger side). Annoyingly it will move down one or two inches if the button is accidentally pressed, but will not go back up, unless assisted with two hands on a lucky day. It is pretty strange how the motors seem to gradually fail. I did replace the drivers window motor without too much difficulty and I think most handy persons with basic tools could do the same in two hours max. The frequency of use for the other windows was my only reason for not fixing them also. Online purchase of replacement motor was less than $50, but be sure to select the right one(s); they are different per door.

- Cecil H., WashingtoncomW, DcWashingtoncomWD, US

problem #2

Jan 012004

Cavalier Z24

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

In 2004, the driver's side motor stopped working and got a brand new motor put in. Well not even a year and a half later it stopped working again....and then within the month, slowly but surely every motor went out. It was hot, it was summer, and it was in Florida. I had a nine month old at the time and that was the same summer that my ac was going out. Needless to say it was hot and to see my poor baby sweating in the back all I could do was buy one of the fans for the adapter in the cigarette lighter. It was hot air blowing on her, but it was at least circulating. I was told so many different prices by so many different people on what it would be to replace so I just decided to not replace them. I can't afford to fork out money when they're was such a broad dollar amount. Finally, I asked a friend if he would help me work on the windows. We looked up prices and got four motors on sale at Advanced Auto Parts for 48.00 a piece. We took the panels off and did the work ourselves. It's hard unless you have the tools, but we still did it. It took some time, about 9 months since I first bought the motors until the last one was installed. We are just so busy with life in general, you know. But it saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I've come to find out that technicians are just plain ole crooks. I can't begin to explain the amount of work that I learned to do on my car in the last year, and what they charge you at a shop. That's why most of us just let our cars fall apart. All the windows, I am glad to say work properly now...yay, cuz now I have two little girls that can enjoy fresh air from the windows being down

- Ashley H., Pensacola, FL, US

problem #1

Sep 012009

Cavalier LS

  • Manual transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Drivers side window stopped working, then the back passengers window, then finally the front passengers widow. took it to the dealership and they said that it would cost $1200 to replace each motor - total $4800 which is more than the car is worth, and people wonder why american car companies were in dire straits

- ddantzler, Burtonsville, MD, US