Model year guide

2002 Chevrolet Prizm

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Chevrolet Prizm is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.

2002 Chevrolet Prizm — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Chevrolet Prizm at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints32
Combined27–31 mpg
Typical price$1,965

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Chevrolet Prizm recalls 1

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #10E002000 · 11/02/2010

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Chevrolet Prizm common problems

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2002 Chevrolet Prizm MPG & running costs

Combined27–31 mpg
City26 mpg
Highway34 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,300

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2002 Chevrolet Prizm worth?

Low
$950
Typical price
$1,965
High
$4,995

From 10 comparable 2002 Chevrolet Prizm listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Chevrolet Prizm costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,100
Total$12,600
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,965) with the same model 3 model-years older ($1,306), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Chevrolet Prizm trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · LSi
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl

2002 Chevrolet Prizm vehicles on record

2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK52892Z412656 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm LSi1Y1SK54832Z414156 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK52802Z403294 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm LSi1Y1SK52862Z415370 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK52842Z424374 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm LSi1Y1SK52892Z400944 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm LSi1Y1SK54892Z420429 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK52882Z418514 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm1Y1SK52862Z426319 2002 Chevrolet Prizm1Y1SK52842Z403492 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm1Y1SK52832Z416864

Other Chevrolet Prizm model years

2001 2000 1999 1998

2002 Chevrolet Prizm — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm?

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, latches/locks/linkages, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm get?

The 2002 Chevrolet Prizm has U.S. EPA estimates of 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

How much is a 2002 Chevrolet Prizm worth?

Comparable 2002 Chevrolet Prizm listings run roughly $950–$4,995, typically around $1,965 (from 10 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.