2000 Chevrolet PRIZM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 24 complaints (8.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
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 | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
Air Bags: 2; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 11 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10006802 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
THE DEFROSTER WAS INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056644 · 2004-02-06 (February 6, 2004)
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT ON 9/1/2002 IN WHICH MY SEAT BACK FAILED. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN MY 2000 CHEVROLET PRIZM LSI. I WAS REAR ENDED BY A HONDA CIVIC TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 100 MPH. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT WAS SUCH THAT WHEN I WAS THROWN TO THE BACK OF THE SEAT IT BROKE AND CHANGED THE POSITION OF THE ENTIRE SEAT FROM APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES TO 150 DEGREES. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES I WAS THROWN FORWARD AND TORQUE-TWISTED AROUND THE THREE POINT HARNESS. I THEN HAD TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056987 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
SAFETY LATCH ON HOOD MALFUNCTIONED SO HOOD NOT SECURE. HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE CAR TRAVELING AT APPROX 50MPH. LATCH IS SPRING LOADED BUT SPRING DID NOT WORK. LATCH DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CORRODED. WINDSHIELD CRACKED. HOOD DAMAGED TOATL COST $1700. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079744 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE FOR ONLY FIVE MINUTES CONSUMER RETURNED TO VEHICLE AND NOTICED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081004 · 2004-07-13 (July 13, 2004)
HAVE DAMAGED LIFTERS IN 2000 CHEVY PRIZM ENGINE MADE BY TOYOTA, DUE TO A MFG. DEFECT, ACCORDING TO MY CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPAIMAN. HE SAYS UPPER ENGINE DRAIN HOLES FOR OIL WERE DRILLED SMALLER THAN AMERICAN MADE MOTORS WHICH WILL GUM UP AND RESTRICT FLOW OF OIL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO HYDRAULIC LIFTERS. EXTENT OF DAMAGE UNTIL ENGINE IS TORN DOWN IS UNDETERMINABLE. AT THE LEAST, TRADE IN VALUE IS MUCH DIMISHED DUE TO EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE. MILEAGE-39,000. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086233 · 2004-08-05 (August 5, 2004)
AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR JUST A FEW MONTHS, BOUGHT NEW, I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON/OFF AS IT PLEASED. SOMETIMES WITH BEING BELTED IN, IT WOULD SHOW UP, AND OTHERTIMES IT WOULD BE OFF. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR THIS JOB AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS OVER $300.00, SAYING THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEATBELT. A BIT OFF TO ME.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108434 · 2005-02-02 (February 2, 2005)
I WAS DRIVING OF A HIGHWAY AND MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 60 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HOOD OPENED AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HUGE ACCIDENT WITH OTHER CARS AS I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. LUCKLY I DID NOT LOOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR AND I PULLED IT ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. LATCH WAS WORKING FINE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. NOW HAVE LOT OF DENTS ON THE FRONT OF THE ROOF. HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS ABOUT $1500.00. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10108434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121612 · 2005-05-19 (May 19, 2005)
SPRING 2004, OIL CHANGE MECHANIC NOTICED EXCESSIVE SLUDGE (APPX 65000 MILES ON CAR). CLEANED ENGINE OUT, CHANGED OIL (CAR HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES EVERY 3-4K MILES). AFTER THAT CAR WAS NOTED TO BE USING TOO MUCH OIL (TOPPING OFF AT EACH 1500 MILES THEY HAD TO ADD 2 AND A HALF QUARTS). TOOK TO DEALER AT ABOUT 67000 NOTING OIL PROBLEM AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LIGHT TURNED OUT TO BE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM. REPLACED. NOTHING DONE ON OIL PROBLEM. AT 70000 MILES ENGINE WAS HESITATING AND CONTINUING TO BURN OIL. TOOK BACK TO DEALER. …
Owner-reported narrative. 72,086 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121612 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.