Chevrolet Prizm problems
The Geo Prizm and Chevrolet Prizm were compact cars that were rebadged versions of the Toyota Sprinter, a vehicle that the Japanese automaker Toyota never directly sold in the North American market. The Sprinter itself was derived from the Toyota Corolla. The Prizm was marketed under the Geo nameplate until it was discontinued after the 1997 model year. After that, the vehicle was marketed under the Chevrolet nameplate. General Motors (GM) referred to this and other Toyota Corolla derived vehicles as the GM S platform. The cars were produced from 1988 to 2001 (the last ones being sold for model year 2002) alongside the Corolla at NUMMI, an assembly plant operated as a joint venture of GM and Toyota. The Prizm was sold exclusively in the United States and succeeded the 1985–1988 Chevrolet Nova, which was also derived from the Sprinter and produced at NUMMI.
Production
All Prizms were built at NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.), a joint venture company between Toyota and General Motors in Fremont, California. The NUMMI plant at Fremont had manufactured the Prizm's predecessor, the Chevrolet Nova, and would later manufacture the Pontiac Vibe, one of its replacements.
Production of the newly-rebadged Chevrolet Prizm began in late 1997 as the Geo brand was phased out, alongside the newest North American generation of the Toyota Corolla. The last Prizm was built on December 13, 2001, resulting in a brief 2002 model year.
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Chevrolet Prizm model years
Common Chevrolet Prizm problems
The Chevrolet Prizm is a compact car that was produced from 1990 to 2002. While many owners have reported positive experiences with the car, there are some common problems that have been reported based on owner complaints.
One of the most common problems with the Chevrolet Prizm is excessive oil consumption, particularly in the 2001 model year. This issue has been reported by 83 owners, making it the most common problem with the car.
Another common problem with the Chevrolet Prizm is a check engine light due to a failed mass air flow sensor. This issue has been reported by 45 owners. The mass air flow sensor measures the amount of air that is entering the engine, and a failure can cause the check engine light to come on. This problem can be caused by normal wear and tear or by a faulty sensor.
The front brake rotor wear can also cause pulsations in the Chevrolet Prizm. This issue has been reported by 38 owners. The front brake rotors are a critical component of the car's braking system, and wear can cause pulsations or vibrations when braking. This problem can be caused by normal wear and tear or by a faulty brake system.
The flush brake fluid is another common problem with the Chevrolet Prizm. This issue has been reported by 30 owners. The brake fluid is responsible for transmitting the force from the brake pedal to the brake calipers. Flushing the brake fluid can help to prevent corrosion and improve the performance of the braking system.
The interior problems have also been reported by 6 owners of the Chevrolet Prizm. These problems can include issues with the seats, dashboard, or other interior components. These problems can be caused by normal wear and tear or by a faulty interior component.
The transmission problems have been reported by 3 owners of the Chevrolet Prizm. These problems can include issues with the transmission shifting or engaging. These problems can be caused by normal wear and tear or by a faulty transmission.
The electrical problems have been reported by 3 owners of the Chevrolet Prizm. These problems can include issues with the car's electrical system, such as the battery or alternator. These problems can be caused by normal wear and tear or by a faulty electrical component.
Overall, the Chevrolet Prizm is a reliable car that has been reported to have some common problems based on owner complaints. These problems include excessive oil consumption, check engine light due to a failed mass air flow sensor, front brake rotor wear, flush brake fluid, interior problems, transmission problems, and electrical problems. While these problems can be expensive to fix, many owners have reported positive experiences with the car, particularly in terms of its reliability and fuel efficiency.
Is the Chevrolet Prizm a good car?
In short, the Prizm is one of the best compact cars money can buy. It does everything well, and looks good too. Better yet, it is essentially a reskinned Toyota Corolla, which bodes well for reliability, but not necessarily resale value.
How many miles will a Geo Prizm last?
Extremely reliable car.
Lasting over 200,000 miles is common.
Does Chevy Prizm have Toyota engine?
All Prizms are powered by engines from their contemporary Toyota Corolla models: 1990–1992 Geo Prizms are powered by a 4A-FE or optional 4A-GE engine. 1993–1997 Geo Prizms are powered by a 4A-FE or optional 7A-FE engine.
How many miles per gallon does a Chevy Prizm?
Fuel Economy
| City | 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Highway | 32 mpg |
| Combined | 28 mpg |
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet Prizm years
We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet Prizm cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Chevrolet Prizm model years:
- Chevrolet Prizm 2001
- Chevrolet Prizm 1998
- Chevrolet Prizm 1999
- Chevrolet Prizm 2000
- Chevrolet Prizm 2002
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet Prizm model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet Prizm years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chevrolet Prizm car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet Prizm , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet Prizm vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Prizm model years
A total of 34 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Prizm model years
There were a total of 8 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Prizm model years
There were a total of 17 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 211 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet Prizm . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet Prizm vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Chevrolet Prizm 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2016-07-01
- Date Complaint: 2020-07-11
- VIN: 1Y1SK52801Z
- Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I HAVE HAD A 2000 CHEVROLET PRIZM AND NOW SOMEONE THREATENED MY LIFE TO FORCE ME TO BUY A 2001 CHEVROLET PRIZM. THE WINDOWS OF THESE CARS FOG UP TOO SEVERE TO DRIVE IN MINOR OR MAJOR RAIN AND FREEZING RAIN. WHEN IT RAINS WE HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON HIGHWAYS AND IN CITIES AND TOWNS AND WAIT FOR IT TO STOP RAINING FOR THE CAR TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE. MOST ALL OTHER CARS HAVE WINDOWS THAT ARE SAFE TO DIVE WITH BUT THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE FOR DRIVING IN THE RAIN.
Chevrolet Prizm 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2018-07-20
- Date Complaint: 2018-12-03
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1Y1SK5282XZ
- Components: STEERING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE
- Summary: AT 70 MILES/HOUR MY GENERAL MOTORS POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS ON FULL ASSIST AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. GENERAL MOTORS SECRETLY REMOVED THE POWER ASSIST, REPLACED IT AND THEN JIMMIED THE ENTIRE CAR TO PRESENT FALSE EVIDENCE THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY BAD DRIVER CAR MAINTENANCE. THEY THEN DENIED THE CLAIM BASED ON PHOTOGRAPHS THEY HAD TAKEN OF MY CAR AFTER THEY HAD CHANGED EVERYTHING. THE ACCIDENT ON 7/20/2018, OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY DURING A SUNNY LATE MORNING. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR *JS *JS *TT CONSUMER STATED I SENT ONE LETTER TO THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION ON 12/3/2018 WITH 7 QUESTIONS AND ANOTHER LETTER ON 9/27/2019 WITH 3 MORE QUESTIONS TO YOU. I HAVE SENT COPIES OF THESE LETTERS, PER ATTACHMENT. CAN I GET SPECIFIC ANSWERS TO EACH QUESTION FROM YOU AND YOUR PHONE # SO I CAN CALL YOU AFTER MY REVIEW. IT SEEMS TO ME GENERAL MOTORS HAS ALWAYS DESIGNED ITS' VARIABLE POWER STEERING ASSISTS, WHEN THEY BREAK, TO GO INTO FULL, OPEN POWER ASSIST , ALL THE TIME AND AT ALL SPEEDS. THIS IS SOO MUCH MORE DANGEROUS THAN MANUAL STEERING ESPECIALLY WITHOUT LOW SPEED WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS BROKEN. WHAT HAS NHTSA DONE TO PREVENT THIS SAFETY RISK TO DRIVERS OF EXCESS, INAPPROPRIATE MAGNIFICATION OF HIGH SPEED STEERING. *JB
Chevrolet Prizm 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2018-09-07
- Date Complaint: 2018-09-08
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: HI, I AM WRITING TO REPORT A TIRE BRAND, SOLD BY WALMART THAT COULD BE ILLEGAL FOR SALE IN THE U.S. THE DOT INFORMATION IS COMPLETELY MISSING ON THESE TIRES. THEREFORE, ALL THE CLAIMS MADE IN UTQG SPECS COULD BE FALSE AND/OR DO NOT MEET US STANDARDS. THESE ARE TIRES SOLD ON WALMART.COM AND BOUGHT AND USED BY MANY PEOPLE. I RECENTLY EXAMINED A PAIR OF THESE TIRES WHILE I WAS PICKING UP AN ORDER FROM WALMART. THESE TIRES MADE A RATTLING SOUND WHEN BOUNCED ON THE FLOOR. WHEN WE TESTED OTHER TIRE BRANDS FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS, THEY DID NOT MAKE THE RATTLING SOUND. IT SOUNDED AS IF THE STEEL BELTS ARE LOOSE UNDER THE TREAD. ONLY A FATAL CRASH DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION MIGHT REVEAL THIS FAULT, WHICH MIGHT BE TOO LATE A LESSON TO LEARN FOR SOMEONE. I AM NOT SURE IF ALL TIRE SIZES OR TIRE TYPES HAVE MISSING DOT INFORMATION. AS I AM NOT AN EXPERT IN TIRES, I COULD BE WRONG ABOUT DEFECTIVE STEEL BELTS TOO (THE RATTLING SOUND), BUT, I WANT TO BRING MY OBSERVATIONS TO THE ATTENTION OF EXPERTS. IT'S WORTH LOOKING IN TO THESE TIRES TO MAKE SURE THAT US CUSTOMERS ARE NOT BEEN SOLD UNSAFE TIRES. IF THIS COULD PREVENT AN AVOIDABLE ACCIDENT, IT'S WORTH THE EFFORT. I CONTACTED WALMART AND BROUGHT THIS TO THEIR ATTENTION. FROM THEIR EMAIL RESPONSE, IT SEEMS THAT THEY ARE IGNORING THE ISSUE. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS, BRAND: CROSSWIND HP010 MANUFACTURER: LINGLONG MADE IN: THAILAND SIZE: 185/65R14 WALMART PRODUCT PAGE: HTTPS://WWW.WALMART.COM/IP/CROSSWIND-HP010-185-65R14-86H-TIRE/765720344 THANK YOU PS: I ENDED UP RETURNING THE TIRES
Chevrolet Prizm 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2008-05-08
- Date Complaint: 2018-06-23
- VIN: 1Y1SK52892Z
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: ENGINE ABSORBS OIL. AFTER PURCHASING; ENGINE SEIZED. PURCHASED 2ND ENGINE AT BEECHMONT CHEVROLET...SAME FLAW. ENGINE SEIZED AT FIVE MILE ROAD EXIT OFF OF I-275. TO THIS DAY IF I DO NOT CHECK OIL ON REGULAR BASIS. I POSE A RISK OF ENGINE SEIZING AGAIN.
Chevrolet Prizm 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2015-08-19
- Date Complaint: 2016-02-25
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1Y1SK5480XZ
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID THROUGH THE NORTHBOUND LANES AND THEN INTO THE DIRT MEDIAN AND FINALLY BECOMING CAUGHT ON THE CABLE DIVIDER, TOTALING THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE THAT SEPARATED FROM IT'S TREAD WAS A FIRESTONE FR380 E26L 38B. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED IN 2009 WITH A 55,000 MILE LIMITED WARRANTY. WHEN THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED THE ODOMETER WAS AT 88,088 MILES. THE ODOMETER WAS AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS 140,629 MILES. THIS MEANS THE TIRE WAS STILL 2,459 MILES UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE MINIMUM TREAD DEPTH RECOMMENDED BY FIRESTONE TIRES IS 2/32 DEEP OR 0.0625. THE TREAD DEPTH ON THE TIRE IN QUESTION WAS 0.175, MORE THAN TWICE THE REQUIRED DEPTH. THE STATE TROOPER WHO INVESTIGATED THE CRASH DETERMINED THAT I WAS NOT AT FAULT. THE MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED MY VEHICLE AGREED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE'S TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE.
Chevrolet Prizm 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2004-03-10
- Date Complaint: 2015-11-13
- VIN: 1Y1SK52891Z
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: MY 2001 CHEVROLET PRIZM HAS BEEN BURNING OIL SINCE AROUND 60-70K MILES AND HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. CHEVROLET DIDN'T BUILD THE ENGINE RIGHT AND THE RINGS/HEADS I THINK NEED REPLACED (WHAT I READ ON). AND CHEVROLET HAS NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM AND ITS COSTLY AS IT BURNS AROUND A QUART EVERY 200 MILES.
Chevrolet Prizm 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2015-11-11
- Date Complaint: 2015-11-11
- VIN: 1Y1SK52871Z
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I GOT THIS CAR A YEAR AND HALF AGO AND IT WORKED OK. BUT NOW IT IS EATING OIL LIKE CRAZY. AND ALSO WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE IT HESITATES AND WONT MOVE FORWARD. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE 3 WRECKS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. WHY PAY FOR THIS CAR IF ITS GOING TO KILL ME.
Chevrolet Prizm 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2015-05-20
- Date Complaint: 2015-08-17
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: MY CAR TURNED OFF WHEN PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND DAD TOOK THE CAR TO GET CHECKED, THEY WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL. THE COMPUTER BLEW OUT TWICE. THEY WEREN'T CHARGED WHICH WAS A GOOD THING BECAUSE THOSE ARE EXPENSIVE. EVERY TIME YOU SWITCH THE A/C ON OR TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR TURNS OFF. I CAME ON THIS WEBSITES HOPING TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE MY FAVORITE CAR IS JUST SITTING THERE COLLECTING DUST. I DON'T WANT TO JUNK THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS GREAT! I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT NEITHER BECAUSE I HAVE TWO KIDS AND DON'T WANT NOTHING BAD TO HAPPEN. PLEASE GET A RECALL DONE. I DON'T WANT TO JUNK THIS CAR.
Chevrolet Prizm 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2010-01-01
- Date Complaint: 2015-06-23
- VIN: 1Y1SK52882Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: MY 2002 CHEVROLET PRIZM (SAME AS A TOYOTA COROLLA) HAS ITS CRUSE CONTROL, HORN, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG ALL MOUNTED ON THE STEERING WHEEL, ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO THE REST OF THE CAR THROUGH AN INFLATABLE RESTRAINT STEERING WHEEL MODULE COIL (AKA CLOCK SPRING) MECHANISM. BOTH THE CRUSE CONTROL AND THE HORN DO NOT NOW OPERATE AND HAVEN'T FOR YEARS, DOES THIS MEAN THAT THE AIRBAG IS ALSO INOPERATABLE (TWO OUT OF THREE FAILURES SOUNDS LIKE A BAD OMEN; CONVENTIONAL WISDOM TELLS ME THAT THIS AIRBAG SYSTEM IS ALSO FAULTY)? IS THIS CAR SAFE TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT?
Chevrolet Prizm 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2015-05-01
- Date Complaint: 2015-05-20
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1Y1SK52801Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: THE CAR WAS HIT ON THE BACK BUMPER CAUSEING THE CAR TO GO OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSING A IT TO ROLL OVER TWICE WHICH TOTALLED THE CAR TO THIS DATE THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED
Chevrolet Prizm 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2012-12-03
- Date Complaint: 2015-03-11
- VIN: 1Y1SK5285XZ
- Components: SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REFUELED ON A HALF TANK IN ORDER FOR THE FUEL TANK NOT TO LEAK FUEL. ON ONE OCCASION, ANOTHER DRIVER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE SPARKS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND WAS VIBRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Chevrolet Prizm 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2014-06-27
- Date Complaint: 2015-01-30
- VIN: 1Y1SK52822Z
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Chevrolet Prizm 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2015-01-12
- Date Complaint: 2015-01-13
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1Y1SK5283YZ
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 CHEVROLET PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PREVENT A CRASH. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Chevrolet Prizm 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2014-05-07
- Date Complaint: 2014-08-06
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
- Summary: THE DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW WILL NOT RAISE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT HAS BEEN FULLY RETRACTED (SUCH AS AT A DRIVE-IN WINDOW, OR WHEN THE "AUTO" FEATURE FULLY RETRACTS IT BEFORE I CAN STOP IT). IT WILL EVENTUALLY RAISE AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF INOPERATION; SOMETIMES ONLY PARTIALLY AT A TIME. IF I HAVE INTENTIONALLY HAD THE WINDOW DOWN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THERE IS NO PROBLEM - YET. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE WINDOW IS FULLY RETRACTED, AND REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. *TR
Chevrolet Prizm 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2014-07-28
- Date Complaint: 2014-07-30
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1Y1SK5284XZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. OVER A YEAR AGO, THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE WHICH SPREAD TO THE ALTERNATOR. THE IGNITION, WIRING HARNESS, AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Latest 5 recalls Chevrolet Prizm
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet Prizm.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Chevrolet Prizm 1998
- Report Received Date: 2010-02-11
- Manufacturer: RIDE CONTROL, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
- Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
- Model: Chevrolet Prizm 1999
- Report Received Date: 2010-02-11
- Manufacturer: RIDE CONTROL, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
- Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
- Model: Chevrolet Prizm 2000
- Report Received Date: 2010-02-11
- Manufacturer: RIDE CONTROL, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
- Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
- Model: Chevrolet Prizm 2001
- Report Received Date: 2010-02-11
- Manufacturer: RIDE CONTROL, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
- Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
- Model: Chevrolet Prizm 2002
- Report Received Date: 2010-02-11
- Manufacturer: RIDE CONTROL, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
- Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
Latest negative Chevrolet Prizm car reviews
Latest positive Chevrolet Prizm car reviews
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Vehicle year: 1999
I'm so glad to hear that you bought a Toyota Corolla! It's great to know that it has been running so well for you and your son. It's impressive that it's still running like a top after 10 years, with only a few minor replacements. It's a testament to the quality of Toyota's mechanicals. Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us!
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Vehicle year: 2002
You have made an excellent choice with this vehicle! It is very reliable and runs smoothly. I personally opted for the 5-speed manual transmission instead of the automatic, and I find that the small engine feels more 'peppy' with it. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this vehicle.
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Vehicle year: 2002
It's great to hear that you've had such a positive experience with your 2002 Prizm! Even in the harsh Minnesota winters, it still manages to get an impressive 32+ mpg. It's clear that you take excellent care of your car, with regular oil changes every 3000 miles and two major maintenance checks with no major fixes. Despite the challenges of living on a long gravel road, your Prizm seems to handle it like a champ. Here's hoping that it continues to serve you well for another 100,000+ miles, so that your teen daughter can inherit it from you in 3 years!
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Vehicle year: 2001
I've had this car for about a year now, and it's been my first car. I think I did pretty well for my first car. It's great on gas and very easy to drive. The headlights turn on automatically at night and turn off when the car is turned off, so I never have to worry about forgetting to turn them off. The only thing that can be a bit annoying is that it doesn't always accelerate as fast as I want it to. Overall, it's a fantastic, affordable, and dependable car.
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Vehicle year: 1998
And it's easily the best car you've ever owned. With just under 60,000 miles on it, you have a long way to go before experiencing any of the more serious (but routine) issues. You can look forward to owning this car for a very long time. And the gas mileage, WOW! It's phenomenal!
Are you having problems with your Chevrolet Prizm?
Isom Grady 2025-06-22
Vehicle year: 2002
My experience with this car has been disappointing. Despite purchasing it as a certified used vehicle with just over 36,000 miles, I encountered several issues such as the transmission going out a few months after purchase, minor interior parts coming apart, and the filler pipe on the gas tank unwelding and falling partially into the tube, making it impossible to fuel the car. Recently, the running lights and auto-on headlights stopped working, but could still be turned on manually. A few days later, they stayed on, requiring me to disconnect the battery to turn them off. The switch failed and it's located under the passenger airbag, requiring the entire dash to be removed. Based on my experience, I would not recommend purchasing this car or buying another one like it.
Trenton Wisozk 2025-06-16
Vehicle year: 2002
Hello! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my car. It has been a reliable vehicle for most of its life. I purchased it at 77,000 miles, and it's still running at 191,000+ miles. While it may not be the most flashy car, it has been a smooth ride and has gotten close to 40 MPG when the engine was running at peak efficiency. However, around the 130,000 mile mark, it started burning oil (about 1 quart every 1,000 miles or so). Unfortunately, this issue has only gotten worse over time, and now, at 191,000+ miles, it burns through about 1 quart every 50 miles. After doing some research, I found out that this is a common problem for the 2002 Prizms, and it's related to narrow cylinders and bad seals. If you're considering buying a Prizm from this final year of production, keep this in mind as it may require a lot of oil when it reaches a high mileage point. Thank you for reading!
Neil Krajcik 2025-06-10
Vehicle year: 2000
The Prism is a great car for getting around town, although it may not be the best option for long-distance travel. Despite losing 4th gear last September, my manual shift with 260,000 miles still manages to get over 34 miles to the gallon. We had to rebuild the motor at around 220,000 miles due to losing compression, but now it runs like new. However, the interior is not the most luxurious and the door handles tend to break easily. We purchased this car brand new with only 11 miles on it, 8 of which were from the test drive. It's perfect for short trips less than 2 hours, but may not be the most comfortable option for longer journeys, especially in the back seat. The suspension is also not the most high-end. Overall, it's a reliable car for getting around town.
Stanley Von 2025-06-02
Vehicle year: 1998
It's great to hear that you've been driving your '98 Prizm for over six years now and it's still running smoothly at 166K! The mileage is impressive, allowing you to go almost a whole month without refilling the tank. The heater and AC are strong and quick to action, making for a comfortable ride. However, it may not handle high speeds very well and can become shaky, so it's best to avoid the interstate. Additionally, it's important to be cautious when driving on wet roads as the car may be prone to getting water into the engine if there are puddles. The interior may not be the most luxurious, but it gets the job done. Some parts may snap or peel with age, and the door handles may eventually need to be replaced. The steering wheel module and shifter are unfortunately made of very soft materials that can easily scratch and collect dirt or hand gunk. You may need to replace the rear shocks and power steering, but overall it sounds like your Prizm has served you well!
Berry Kozey 2025-05-19
Vehicle year: 2000
This car is a steal! It's super-reliable, economical, and zippy with the stick. It's a shame that it has a big Chevy bowtie on the front.