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Engine coolingPart report

2002 Chevrolet Prizm Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
21%of 19 total for the year
Median mileage
69,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm, 21% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 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.

“Purchased car july '09 with 64,000 on engine. Vehicle purchased with 90 day warranty. 2700 miles after purchase, engine emitted blue smoke after highway driving. Vehicle taken to repair shop, pistons hold no compression, one valve shot, repair shop and warranty company state vehicle not drivable, needs replacement engine, potential valve damage., engine could cease if driven.”

NHTSA complaint #10284716, filed 2009-09, 67,000 miles

“Purchased car july '09 with 64,000 on engine. Vehicle purchased with 90 day warranty. 2700 miles after purchase, engine emitted blue smoke after highway driving. Vehicle taken to repair shop, pistons hold no compression, one valve shot, repair shop and warranty company state vehicle not drivable, needs replacement engine, potential valve damage., engine could cease if driven. Warranty did not cover sludge damage due to negligence of previous owner. Car burns oil variably ranging from 1qt per 500 miles to 3qt per 200 miles. Owners manual states car burns 1 liter per 800 miles from new. …”

NHTSA complaint #10303094, filed 2010-01, 72,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Prizm. Two years ago, the emissions control box failed at 41,000 miles and caused the check engine light to illuminate. At 72,000 miles, the engine has a piston knock. Two different mechanics stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine knocking has worsened. The repair has not been made. The contact stated that he was a licensed mechanic and had regular maintenance performed on the vehicle every 3,000 miles. The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 72,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10202989, filed 2007-09, 72,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

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

Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm

Latches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 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