2002 Chevrolet PRIZM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 19 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 2; Steering: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 6; 2010: 2; 2015: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10092732 · 2004-10-19 (October 19, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS RESULT, MAJOR DAMAGE OCCURRED. NO WARNING LIGHT APPEARED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114725 · 2005-03-25 (March 25, 2005)
TILT STEERING DID NOT LOCK DURING A TIGHT RIGHT TURN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181758 · 2007-02-06 (February 6, 2007)
THE TIE DOWN STRAP ON THE MUFFLER RUSTED OUT AT 45,000 MILES. THE MUFFLER IS STAINLESS STEEL AND SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 44,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202989 · 2007-09-14 (September 14, 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232496 · 2008-06-27 (June 27, 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 MALFUNCTIONI…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,144 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239799 · 2008-08-26 (August 26, 2008)
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-reported narrative. 130,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257122 · 2009-02-01 (February 1, 2009)
I INSTALLED FOUR KUMHO 795 TIRES (P185/65R14) ON 10/03/2006 ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET PRISM LSI. IN NOVEMBER 2008, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, ONE TIRE (FRONT PASSENGER SIDE) RUPTURED ON THE INSIDE SIDE WALL. I WAS LUCKY NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL. I WENT TO THE DEALER (EXECUTIVE WHOLESALE TIRE, ROCKVILLE, MD) AND THE DEALER INSISTED I MUST HAVE HIT A POTHOLE. THIS TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A KUMHO KR-21 FREE, SINCE KUMHO OFFERED THE ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY ON THE 795 TIRES. AFTER THIS TIRE WAS INSTALLED, THE TIRES WERE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10257122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257753 · 2009-02-06 (February 6, 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-reported narrative. 155,995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257753 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.