1999 Chevrolet PRIZM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 28 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 10.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Tires: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10018721 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING MY MVA,CAUSING ME EXTENSIVE PROBLEMS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018903 · 2003-05-19 (May 19, 2003)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046395 · 2003-12-04 (December 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ON ICY ROADS, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CONSUMERS CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SPINAL/FACIAL, AND HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS NOTED THAT FRONTAL AIR BAG SENSORS HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN THE CRASH. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056689 · 2004-02-06 (February 6, 2004)
THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE PURCHASE OF THE (NEW) VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT AT BEST THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN RECUR. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, GM REFUSES TO COVER THE COST OF DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087706 · 2004-08-11 (August 11, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10087706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090547 · 2004-09-07 (September 7, 2004)
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-reported narrative. 78,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121889 · 2005-05-23 (May 23, 2005)
AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND HORN NOT WORKING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147223 · 2006-01-09 (January 9, 2006)
IN APPROXIMATELY JANUARY 2005 I DETECTED A GAS SMELL WHEN USING THE HEATER IN MY 1999 CHEVY PRIZM (70K MILES). THE SMELL WAS OVERWHELMING AND I HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW WHEN DRIVING OR I WOULD GET HEADACHES. I DETERMINED THAT THE SMELL ONLY OCCURRED WHEN USING OUTSIDE AIR FOR THE HEATER A/C UNIT AS I COULD NOT SMELL GAS WHEN THE INSIDE AIR SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. USING ONLY THE INSIDE AIR SWITCH, I FOOLISHLY WAITED NEARLY 12 MONTHS BEFORE TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC. IN JANUARY 2006 THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING AT A SIGN…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147223 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.