2002 Chevrolet Prizm: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
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 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2014
“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?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2010
“Dear madam/sir, in today's (12/08/09) wall street journal, in the article about toyota recalls, it was mentioned that 2003 and 2004 corollas and matrixes were recalled to fix a flaw that could cause the power windows to stop working. I own a 2002 prizm, which I believe is a corolla with a prizm badge. I had to have one power window fixed at 43,495 miles, another at 56,236 miles and now the other two are giving me problems at 77,000 miles. Toyota and chevrolet need to study this problem and extend the recall to the 2002 models. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Purchased car july '09 with 64,000 on engine. Vehicle purchased with 90 day warranty. 2700 miles after purchase, engine emitted blue smoke after highway driving. Vehicle taken to repair shop, pistons hold no compression, one valve shot, repair shop and warranty company state vehicle not drivable, needs replacement engine, potential valve damage., engine could cease if driven. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2009
“Hood latch/safety latch failed and hood opened up and crashed against windshield at approximately 55 mph. Damaged hood, hinges, cowling, and cracked windshield. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2009
“Hood latch and safety catch failed; hood flew open on expressway @ 50-55 mph causing damage to hood, hinges, cowling, fenders and windshield. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet prizm. While driving approximately 55 mph, the hood automatically detached from the latch. The hood slammed against the windshield, which shattered the inside and outside glass. There was no warning prior to the failure. The contact observed that the windshield wipers were malfunctioning after the failure. The vehicle was taken to a local independent auto shop for the windshield replacement. Recently, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the hood latch was not malfunctioning. The failure mileage was 118,144 and current mileage was 118,244. Updated 1/9/09 *cn updated 01/14/09. *jb”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 2008
“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.”Owner report · Engine · May 2008
“Hood latch completely broke so that either it could not be closed completely, or, when finally closed, it was impossible to open. This, coupled with other hood latch problems reported by others seems to indicate a definite hood latch problem. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet prizm. Two years ago, the emissions control box failed at 41,000 miles and caused the check engine light to illuminate. At 72,000 miles, the engine has a piston knock. Two different mechanics stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine knocking has worsened. The repair has not been made. The contact stated that he was a licensed mechanic and had regular maintenance performed on the vehicle every 3,000 miles. The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 72,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - 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 2002 Chevrolet Prizm reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2002 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.