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2002 Chevrolet Prizm problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical Prizm model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
88/100
Owner complaints
19
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
284
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
27-31mpg

The worst 2002 Chevrolet Prizm problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    5
  • Locks
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Steering
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    5
  • Locks
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 284

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 284 bulletins for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm

2002 Chevrolet Prizm fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylFWD25-2730-3727-31

What 2002 Chevrolet Prizm owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 23, 2018 · Engine · OH

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2015 · Airbags · 73,000 miles · MD

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?

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · NY

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 10e002000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Aug 10, 2010 · Steering · FL

2002 chevrolet prizm. Consumer states problem with steering wheel locking up

Filed Jan 28, 2010 · Engine · 72,000 miles · PA

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. Warranty did not cover sludge damage due to negligence of previous owner. Car burns oil variably ranging from 1qt per 500 miles to 3qt per 200 miles. Owners manual states car burns 1 liter per 800 miles from new. Not worth paying 3k to 6k for new engine when vehicle valued at 5k. Oil burning worse after changing oil, sludge clogged oil pump after 5k of driving. Tw*

Filed Dec 8, 2009 · Visibility · 43,495 miles · TX

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.

Filed Sep 21, 2009 · Engine · 67,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · 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.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Locks · 65,000 miles · 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.

Filed Feb 6, 2009 · Locks · 155,995 miles · IA

Hood latch/safety latch failed and hood opened up and crashed against windshield at approximately 55 MPH. Damaged hood, hinges, cowling, and cracked windshield.

Compare the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm

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Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm reliable?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm, fewer than a typical Prizm model year.

What is the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm year score?

The 2002 Chevrolet Prizm scores 88 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Prizm: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm?

Engine and cooling, with 5 complaints. Next is locks (3).

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm get?

Official estimates for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm range from 27 to 31 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 25-27 city and 30-37 highway.

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