1999 Chevrolet Prizm Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 31%of 36 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm, 31% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving to help a friend move about 4 block from my apartment complex on thursday 18th july at approximately 12:20pm. About two blocks from my apartment, I looked over to my right shoulder to check my blind spot to merge into the next lane and when I turned back the car in front of me slammed on their brakes and stopped suddenly. By this time I was within two car lengths away and slammed my brakes. My car began slowing down but slid straight into the back of her vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10525904, filed 2013-07, 70,000 miles“While driving on icy roads, the vehicle was rear ended. The vehicle was pushed into a embankment and hit a tree. The driver's side seat belt failed to restrain the consumer. Upon impact, the frontal air bags failed to deploy. The driver's head went through the windshield and the consumers chest hit the steering wheel. The driver sustained spinal/facial, and head injuries. The vehicle was inspected, it was noted that frontal air bag sensors had been damaged in the crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10046395, filed 2003-12, 51,000 miles“The air bag light has been flashing intermittently since purchase of the (new) vehicle. I brought it in to the dealer numerous times, but at best the problem will go away for a few months and then recur. Now that the vehicle is out of warranty, GM refuses to cover the cost of diagnosing the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10056689, filed 2004-02“Airbag light was blinking and dealership was notified. It took several months for the part to come. Dealership told consumer when the light was blinking the airbag wasn't working. The part came, and two days later, airbag light was still blinking.”
NHTSA complaint #856204, filed 2000-02“Consumer was driving west when the other car was going east. The other car turned in front of consumer's vehicle, consumer hit othe rvehicle and started to spin around ,couldn't stop, resulting in a crash. Upon impact, airbags didn't deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #838717, filed 1999-06Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
5 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology