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Engine coolingPart report

2000 Chevrolet Prizm Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
17%of 24 total for the year
Median mileage
73,043miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2000 Chevrolet Prizm, 17% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,043 miles.

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.

“Chevrolet Prizm...corolla in disguise. Car drinks oil bad. Have owned a 2000 model bought in 2008 with 44,000 miles car looked and drove like new so I thought car is made by toyota no need to check under the hood. Wrong!!! Got home with the car and my dad wanted to drive it,he's a mechanic.gets back home mad. He heard a ticking noise,( I didn't notice cause last car was wore out and noisy...this was quite for me) checked oil and there was less than a quart in the oil pan it only holds a little over 3qts. He put oil in it and it was super quite motor. Drove the car til bout 94000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10376751, filed 2011-01, 94,000 miles

“Have damaged lifters in 2000 chevy Prizm engine made by toyota, due to a mfg. Defect, according to my chevy dealership repaiman. He says upper engine drain holes for oil were drilled smaller than american made motors which will gum up and restrict flow of oil, causing damage to hydraulic lifters. Extent of damage until engine is torn down is undeterminable. At the least, trade in value is much dimished due to excessive engine noise. Mileage-39,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10081004, filed 2004-07, 39,000 miles

“Spring 2004, oil change mechanic noticed excessive sludge (appx 65000 miles on car). Cleaned engine out, changed oil (car has had regular oil changes every 3-4k miles). After that car was noted to be using too much oil (topping off at each 1500 miles they had to add 2 and a half quarts). Took to dealer at about 67000 noting oil problem and check engine light. Light turned out to be a catalytic converter problem. Replaced. Nothing done on oil problem. At 70000 miles engine was hesitating and continuing to burn oil. Took back to dealer. …”

NHTSA complaint #10121612, filed 2005-05, 72,086 miles

“The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Prizm. The vehicle began burning a quart of oil per month and currently uses three quarts of oil per week. When diagnostic tests were initially performed, the results indicated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The lines were tested and the results indicated that there were no leaks and the pressure was normal. Currently, a mechanic has concluded that the oil ring in the engine needs to be replaced, which would cost $2,000 - $3,000. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 104,000 and failure mileage was 74,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10205503, filed 2007-10, 74,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2002421%
20011533%
2000417%
1999514%
199814%

Other parts of the 2000 Chevrolet Prizm

Brakes
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2000 Chevrolet Prizm

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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