1998 Chevrolet Prizm: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet prizm. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph over loose gravel, the contact temporarily lost control over the vehicle. The contact then attempted to regain control but ended up over steering, causing the vehicle to roll over several times before coming to rest in a ditch. The vehicle was destroyed. None of the air bags deployed. The driver suffered a mild concussion and whiplash. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet prizm. The contact stated that the driver and passenger seat belt receptacles failed and the seat belts could not be locked. The dealer advised that the receptacle was no longer available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer also advised the contact that the receptacle was no longer available. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2011
“1st time: automatic transmission failure, total internal, at around 63000 miles, early summer 2000. Called chevrolet for request assistance for repair, request denied. Maintenance done per schedule. Replaced with used transmission with 6000 miles on it. 2nd time: automatic transmission failure, internal. Reverse and neutral go forward. About 132900 miles on car. November 2003. Car set in neutral nearly hit closed garage door. Maintenance done per schedule. Overhauled/rebuilt at transmission repair shop. *la”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“A malfunction occurred within starter which caused a electrical short circuit to occur ,causing entire electrical system to become inoperable. Please give any further details.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2001
“Consumer was traveling about 30mph on highway and heard a grinding noise. Then, vehicle froze up/ nothing would work. Starter burned up everything in the dash. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2001
“Tire blew & bursted. Causing loss of control. Car pulled to extreme right. *ak (dot number: w17j fl6 tiresize: p185/65r14)”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2001
“I bought my 98 chevy prizm in oct. 1999. Within a couple years the door handles started to break, one after another. I tried to get chevrolet to repair them when 2 handles were broke, and when 5 were broke, said I need diagnosis, costs money, I dont have, now 8 are broken. My car is a death trap!!”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2001
“Airbag light would come on and flash. Dealer would then replace airbag module. Light had come on 3 different occasions. On second incident airbag was reset. On third incident dealer replaced airbag computer relay.*ak *slc”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2000
“Airbag light comes on indicating a problem with the front or side driver's & passenger's airbags, which may deploy unexpectedly or wont deploy at all in event of a crash, failing to protect the occupants. Been to dealer since oct. 24, 1999, and dealer cannot determine the cause of the problem. Manufacturer said they may rewire the vehicle,s system. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 1999
“Consumer has frontal & side airbags. They don't deploy, but the sensors go out which means they will not work & the airbag light stayed on. Vehicle has been repaired through the dealer 5 times. Gmc said there was no problem. However, if it happened again they would order another part. Vehicle has also had problems with engine surges, ac trouble, and trunk leaking, for all of which vehicle has been serviced for. *ak *ml”Owner report · Equipment · Apr 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Prizm by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning suspension. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.