"How reliable is the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm?"

"Based on 33 NHTSA complaints, the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm has a median complaint mileage of 0 miles. The most common issue is Frontal."

"What are common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm is Frontal, accounting for a significant portion of the 33 total complaints filed."

1998 Chevrolet Prizm: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 33 complaints

Total Complaints

Frontal

Top Issue

Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Frontal

Tires

Air Bags

Steering

Stabilizer Bar

Latch

Starter Assembly

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Anchorage

Linkages

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A FRONT STABILIZER BAR."

"SEAT BELT BUCKLE DAMAGES DOOR WHEN RELEASED DUE TO DESIGN."

"DOOR LOCK IS DIFFICULT TO REACH DUE TO DESIGN."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

TN: 5 CA: 5 NY: 3 NC: 2 FL: 2 OH: 2 WI: 2 MD: 2 SD: 1 MI: 1

Who Files Complaints?

66.7%

Original Owners

33.3%

Second+ Owners

Chevrolet Prizm — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1999	47	78,000	Air Bags	13
2000	32	50,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	6
2001	59	63,500	Engine And Engine Cooling	8
2002	20	67,000	Steering	2

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28