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Chevrolet PrizmModel year report

1998 Chevrolet Prizm Problems

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
128,950miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 32 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (22% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and seat belts (3). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 128,950 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 18 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Seats (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “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 to rest in a ditch. The vehicle was destroyed. None of the air bags deployed. The driver suffered a mild concussion and whiplash. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 125,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10487999, filed 2012-12, 125,000 miles

Electrical system: “A malfunction occurred within starter which caused a electrical short circuit to occur ,causing entire electrical system to become inoperable. Please give any further details.”

NHTSA complaint #8001119, filed 2001-12

Seat belts: “The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Prizm. The contact stated that the driver and passenger seat belt receptacles failed and the seat belts could not be locked. The dealer advised that the receptacle was no longer available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer also advised the contact that the receptacle was no longer available. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10448334, filed 2012-02, 150,000 miles

Steering: “While driving 70 MPH or more the steering system malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to sway from side to side which almost resulted in an accident. Cause unknown, dealer cannot determine problem.”

NHTSA complaint #825793, filed 1998-07

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 125,000 and 132,900 miles.

0%0–100%10–2525%25–500%50–750%75–10050%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 128,950 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1998619996200020012002200320052012
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Prizm · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 Chevrolet Prizm version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Prizm FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual273429$2,300
Prizm FWD1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic253228$2,400
Prizm FWD1.8L 4-cyl3-speed automatic243026$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 18 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 18 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Prizm

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20021967,0000—30—Stable
20014562,0000—30Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20002456,0000—28—Stable
19993678,0000—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199827128,9500—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Chevrolet Prizm model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (22% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm (Prizm, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 128,950 miles and the middle half falls between 125,000 and 132,900 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.