2001 Chevrolet Prizm: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 45 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (25% of complaints); the 2000 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
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 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2016
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2015
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet prizm. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel suddenly malfunctioned and caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle the contact discovered that the front passenger's side axle was fractured and both wheels were pointed in opposite directions. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet prizm. The contact stated that the rear struts would exhibit a rattling noise when the vehicle was in motion. The failure had not caused any braking problems. The vehicle had not been to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2012
“Hood on vehicle raised up as car was going about 55 mph, shattering windshield and denting the roof. Hood jammed in the upright position. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2010
“This concerns a 2001 chevy prism with 138k miles. The engine was irreparably damaged due to oil deprivation. There was no warning other than the knocking sound and by then it was too late. Oil was changed every 3k miles using high quality conventional oil & filters. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2009
“Right front tire blew out unexpectedly while driving. Had not yet anything. Tire was split radially from bead to bead. The noise was so loud that I originally thought it was the suspension failing. Tire was a sigma tempest by cooper size: p185/65r14. Your database does not include this product / size combination. I put a placeholder in that was closest. *gem”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2008
“Excessive oil consumption (one quart low every 300-400 miles), worsening, appears to be known defect for toyota supplied engines in 2001 chevrolet prizm and possibly other years of this motor type (possible factory ring, valve early failure issues), no leaks or heavy smoke apparent, air filter normal with no apparent blow-by from rings at that point. Regular oil and filter changes, car driven daily for local use, no other known defects or recurring problems, car operates normally other than high oil amounts used. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - 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 2001 Chevrolet Prizm reliable?
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2001 Chevrolet Prizm. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Prizm problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 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.