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Engine coolingPart report

2001 Chevrolet Prizm Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
33%of 45 total for the year
Median mileage
61,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Chevrolet Prizm, 33% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I own a 2001 chevy prism lsi. It has always experienced a number of annoying issues that I've had mechanics inspect/diagnose that never seems to get correctly diagnosed. It uses about a quart of oil a month (but never smokes out of the exhaust pipe), has always had a hesitation problem, and has a weird problem with noisy 'exhaust' sounds that sound like they are coming from the front of the car and are worse (very loud) in wet conditions. Upon cold start, the engine hesitates pretty badly when pressing the accelerator pedal. …”

NHTSA complaint #10336004, filed 2010-06, 200,000 miles

“I own a 2001 and a 2002 chevy Prizm. Both cars are using excessive oil (several quarts every 100 miles each). Dealer states this is a common problem due to carbon buildup in the cylinders. Excessive oil consumption started around 50,000 miles. The chevy Prizm is really a toyota corolla. Toyota has had this problem and has warranted the repair. General motors is not assisting its customers with the repair. I guess that is why toyota is number one car maker and GM is number 2. I will never buy another GM product again.”

NHTSA complaint #10197677, filed 2007-07, 50,000 miles

“2001 chevy prism; check engine light continues to be on. I have put two oxygen sensors on at a cost of over $200.00, and light still comes on. Mechanics tell me the code says lean mixture but don't know what is causing it. Car hesitates when cold, almost throwing you into the windshield, unless you repeatedly pump the accelerator. Mechanics told me that maybe fuel pump is going bad, but it's been three years now, and this hasn't happened. The head liner in vehicle has totally torn and disintegrated, even tho it has been garage kept. Gm will not even consider investigating this problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10354985, filed 2010-09, 43,000 miles

“My 2001 Chevrolet Prizm, which has a toyota engine, stalls when accelerated just after starting. Pumping the pedal a few times gets the car moving again normally. This typically happens after the car has been sitting idle for a while. The local Chevrolet dealer looked at it and said there were no issues. The spark plugs were checked and found to be in good working condition. However, the problem still persists.”

NHTSA complaint #10166049, filed 2006-08, 60,000 miles

“2001 Chevrolet Prizm lsi. Consumer requests reimbursement for replacement cost of the catalytic converter the consumer stated the catalytic converter had worn out and a rattle had developed on the inside.”

NHTSA complaint #10357532, filed 2010-09, 80,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

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

Other parts of the 2001 Chevrolet Prizm

Air bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Chevrolet Prizm

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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