2001 Chevrolet Prizm Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 9%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Chevrolet Prizm, 9% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,500 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.
“My 2001 Chevrolet Prizm has been burning oil since around 60-70k miles and has only gotten worse. Chevrolet didn't build the engine right and the rings/heads I think need replaced (what I read on). And Chevrolet has not fixed this problem and its costly as it burns around a quart every 200 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10790308, filed 2015-11, 65,000 miles“I got this car a year and half ago and it worked ok. But now it is eating oil like crazy. And also when I try to accelerate it hesitates and wont move forward. It has almost caused me to have 3 wrecks. This is completely unacceptable. Why pay for this car if its going to kill me.”
NHTSA complaint #10789722, filed 2015-11, 127,000 miles“Engine is eating oil!! -- I purchased an 18-month old chevy Prizm lsi with a 1zz-fe 1.8l engine back in november 2002 with about 27k miles. This car is still in mint condition. It's garaged and I do all the routine maintenance and use pure synthetic engine oil since I purchased it. Unfortunately at about 50k miles, my engine started eating up oil at about 1 quart per 200 miles. After researching the 1zz fe 1.8l engine block series, it appears this engine has piston and ring problems leading it to consume oil at a rapid pace. …”
NHTSA complaint #10459953, filed 2012-05, 53,336 miles“Got the car in 2004. In 2009 the check engine light came on, went to three mechanics to try and find the problem. None of them had a clear idea of what was wrong but they tried various things. It still never went off for more than 5 miles directly after servicing. For a while it was driving fine even though the light was on (over a year) but then it started deteriorating. It was very sluggish, did not drive well (shaking) when going over 35 MPH, and the check engine light started blinking for 5-15 seconds when I accelerated. Mpg tanked, went from 35+ to 23-25. …”
NHTSA complaint #10461928, filed 2012-06, 86,000 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 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
15 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
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