Menu

1998 Chevrolet PrizmProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year33% below the Prizm median · #3 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints278 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage125kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 11, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm has problems

27 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags62
Steering31
Seat belts30
Tires31
Electrical system30
Vehicle speed control22
Latches/locks/linkages20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Structure20
5 other systems61

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1998 Chevrolet Prizm recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Prizm year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Prizm median. How we score

'91'96'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Chevrolet Prizm safety ratings

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Prizm owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OVER LOOSE GRAVEL, THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL BUT ENDED UP OVER STEERING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE COMING…
Complaint 10487999 · Dec 11, 2012 · 125,000 miles
AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND FLASH. DEALER WOULD THEN REPLACE AIRBAG MODULE. LIGHT HAD COME ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ON SECOND INCIDENT AIRBAG WAS RESET. ON THIRD INCIDENT DEALER REPLACED AIRBAG COMPUTER RELAY.*AK *SLC
Complaint 895260 · Aug 27, 2001
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD FLASHES ON AND OFF, INDICTATING A DEFECT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER SHOP, AND INFORMED THAT AIR BAG MODULE HAS SHORTED OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
Complaint 891799 · Jul 2, 2001

Own a 1998 Prizm?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.