1998 Chevrolet Prizm Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
3
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
1crashes1injuries
TIRES
3
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2
STEERING
2
1crashes
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
1
Total complaints33

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet prizm. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph over loose gravel, the contact temporarily lost control over the vehicle. The contact then attempted to regain control but ended up over steering, causing the vehicle to roll over several times before coming…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2012-12-05

“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet prizm. The contact stated that the driver and passenger seat belt receptacles failed and the seat belts could not be locked. The dealer advised that the receptacle was no longer available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer also advised the contact…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2011-09-01

“1st time: automatic transmission failure, total internal, at around 63000 miles, early summer 2000. Called chevrolet for request assistance for repair, request denied. Maintenance done per schedule. Replaced with used transmission with 6000 miles on it. 2nd time: automatic transmission failure,…”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2003-11-18

“Consumer states that in a rear end collison both front bucket seat backs collapsed backwards on impact.”

SEATS · reported 2002-09-14

“A malfunction occurred within starter which caused a electrical short circuit to occur ,causing entire electrical system to become inoperable. Please give any further details.*ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · reported 2001-12-27

“Consumer was traveling about 30mph on highway and heard a grinding noise. Then, vehicle froze up/ nothing would work. Starter burned up everything in the dash. *ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · reported 2001-12-21

“Tire blew & bursted. Causing loss of control. Car pulled to extreme right. *ak (dot number: w17j fl6 tiresize: p185/65r14)”

TIRES · reported 2001-02-25

“I bought my 98 chevy prizm in oct. 1999. Within a couple years the door handles started to break, one after another. I tried to get chevrolet to repair them when 2 handles were broke, and when 5 were broke, said I need diagnosis, costs money, I dont have, now 8 are broken. My car is a death trap!!”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · reported 2001-01-08
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Chevrolet Prizm as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.