Chevrolet Prizm Problems by Year
NHTSA has 152 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Chevrolet Prizm, across 6 model years (1996–2002). The 2001 model year has the most complaints (45). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Chevrolet Prizm years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Prizm model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2001 Prizm: 45 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Prizm: 36 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 Prizm: 27 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1996 Prizm: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2002 Prizm: 19 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 Prizm: 24 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Chevrolet Prizm problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 29 | 5 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 27 | 5 | 15 |
| Electrical System | 15 | 5 | 0 |
| Tires | 13 | 6 | 2 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 4 | 2 |
| Structure | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| Engine | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Steering | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Power Train | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Visibility | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Chevrolet Prizm model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Prizm | 19 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2001 Prizm | 45 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 2000 Prizm | 24 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1999 Prizm | 36 | 0 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 1998 Prizm | 27 | 0 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1996 Prizm | 1 | 0 | — | Tires |
More from Chevrolet: all Chevrolet models · Chevrolet VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Prizm years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2001 (45), 1999 (36), 1998 (27). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Chevrolet Prizm?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 29 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Prizm have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.