1999 Chevrolet Prizm: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (28% of complaints).
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 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2015
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2014
“1999 chevrolet prism had equipment failure. When consumer went to restart the vehicle it caught fire and was extinguished by passing motorists. *kb ohio traffic crash report # 10-0029-90 updated 04/15/10 *bf updated 05/24/10 *bf”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet prizm. The contact started the ignition and heard an excessively loud grinding noise. She turned off the vehicle, but the starter would not disengage and continued to run until the battery was drained. This was a continuous failure. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. Currently, the vehicle is inoperable and has not been repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 60,040.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2008
“At 80,000 miles, the check engine light came on indicating po 441: evap purge flow. This is getting way to common among these cars, please admit it is a design flaw and fix it. (toyota has admitted the problem on 1998 models, and has cut a deal with the government to retrofit old trucks and buses not even made by toyota to make up for the pollution they've caused, but that still leaves me paying to have this design flaw fixed). *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2007
“The driver's side seat belt fails to close. No amount of jamming the tongue into the receptor causes engagement. The car has approximately 75,000 miles. The dealer is replacing at a parts charge of $125 plus labor. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2006
“The rims of the 1999 chevrolet prism bend and puncture the tires. They were brand new tires. I am afraid to drive the car with what a mechanic has said are "soft rims." the tires could fail without me knowing it. I asked the service department for help in solving the problem. The manager said :"what do you want me to do take the money out of my pocket." my main concern is to make the car safe. I travel with my grandchildren. My son in law suggested that the rims be exchanged for a safer rim. I have been driving for more than 30 years and I have never had a problem with bent rims in this models. I mainly am seeking a solution to the problem. *nm”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2006
“Driver's inside door handle housing and pin broke; door couldn't be opened from inside. Parts dealer stated a number of these have broken on this model.*ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2004
“Consumer noticed engine consumed every 1000 miles one quart of oil. Consumer took vehicle to independent shop they didn't find anything wrong with the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2004
“I was in a car accident driving a 99 chevy prizm going approximately 45 mph. I was rear-ended on the passenger right side rear corner and then immediately again on the passenger front right corner. The driver's seat broke. It was all the way back in the reclined position. The only injury I experienced was whiplash. *jb”Owner report · Seats · May 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - 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.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm. The most complained-about area is air bags (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Prizm problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 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.