2002 Chevrolet Prizm problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (2) · Latches/Locks/Linkages (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Prizm model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Suspension 2010-02-11 · campaign 10E002000 · 12,657 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (284)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Electrical System 2024-08-26 · General Communication · Service Campaign
vehicle wide programming (vwp) is a new process to update software on gm vehicles. it provides the ability via a single selection within techline connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). the updating of modules is com
Showing the 6 most recent of 284 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-06-23 · Engine“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.…”
2015-06-23 · Air Bags · 73,000 mi“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 f…”
2015-01-30 · Suspension · 60,000 mi“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 (suspe…”
2010-08-10 · Steering“2002 chevrolet prizm. consumer states problem with steering wheel locking up *tgw…”
2010-01-28 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 72,000 mi“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., e…”
2009-12-08 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls · 43,495 mi“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 43,4…”
2009-02-10 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 65,000 mi“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…”
2009-02-10 · Electrical System · 50,000 mi“check engine light has come on permanently. this can be temporarily turned off by mechanics but always comes back on again. since there is no problem with the engine, this warning light is useless if i have a real problem. *tr…”
2009-02-06 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 155,995 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.