2000 Chevrolet Prizm Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 8%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2000 Chevrolet Prizm, 8% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“The piston skirts on the 2000 model were too short (they were replaced with appropriate skirts in a later year model). The very short skirt allows the piston to tilt in the cylinder much sooner than would happen in normal engines. This causes the rings to fail to seat properly much earlier than would happen in an engine with normal skirt lengths. This causes excessive oil consumption where the amount of oil consumed rises exponentially with the number of miles driven. At some point, the engine could malfunction while the driver is driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10468023, filed 2012-07, 90,000 miles“The contact owned a 2000 Chevrolet Prizm. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond; however, the contact was able to prevent a crash. The vehicle caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10672152, filed 2015-01, 130,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsAir bags
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