Most common 2002 Chevrolet Prizm problems
Share of the 19 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Prizm complaints by model year
Best Prizm years: 2002, 2000. Years to avoid: 2001. Compare all years →
What 2002 Chevrolet Prizm owners say
Engine & cooling
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*
Tl 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 72,000.
Locks & latches
Tl 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 malfunctioning. The failure mileage was 118,144 and current mileage was 118,244. Updated 1/9/09 updated 01/14/09.
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.
2002 Chevrolet Prizm engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 37 / 31 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 36 / 30 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 30 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm a good car?
Based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Prizm rates average: 36% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Prizm at the same age. It is one of the best Prizm years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm?
The engine & cooling — 5 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. Next are the locks & latches (3) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Prizm?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001. See the full Chevrolet Prizm years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Prizm problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 15% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.