1999 Chevrolet Prizm problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 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 done at no charge.

Q: What is the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

Q: What gas mileage does the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm get?

The 1999 Chevrolet Prizm has U.S. EPA estimates of 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Q: How much is a 1999 Chevrolet Prizm worth?

Comparable 1999 Chevrolet Prizm listings run roughly $750–$2,100, typically around $1,306 (from 7 vehicles).

1999 Chevrolet Prizm at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints43

Combined26–29 mpg

Typical price$1,306

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

1999 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, checked 4 Nov 2026. 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.

1999 Chevrolet Prizm common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Exterior Lighting

Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1999 Chevrolet Prizm safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Frontal — driver★★★★★

Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Side — front seat★★★★★

Side — rear seat★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1999 Chevrolet Prizm MPG & running costs

Combined26–29 mpg

City25 mpg

Highway32 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,433

EPA size classCompact Cars

Transmission3 options

Passenger volume88 cu ft

Cargo volume12 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$167 more

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 1999 Chevrolet Prizm worth?

Low

$750

Typical price

$1,306

High

$2,100

From 7 comparable 1999 Chevrolet Prizm listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1999 Chevrolet Prizm costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,165

Fuel only$12,165

Per mile$0.16

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 42

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 42.

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17-NA-073 · Equipment · Feb 2023

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723F · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2022

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723D · Electrical System · Jan 2020

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

Bulletin 19NA273 · Electrical System, Equipment · Dec 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Sep 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Feb 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…

Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…

Bulletin PIP4723C · Electrical System, Equipment, Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2017

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PRIZM. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Chevrolet Prizm

The Geo Prizm, later called the Chevrolet Prizm, were compact cars that were rebadged versions of the Toyota Sprinter, a vehicle that the Japanese automaker Toyota never directly sold in the North American market. The Sprinter itself was derived from the Toyota Corolla. The Prizm was marketed under the Geo nameplate until it was discontinued after the 1997 model year. After that, the vehicle was marketed under the Chevrolet nameplate. General Motors (GM) referred to this and other Toyota Corolla-derived vehicles as the GM S platform. The cars were produced from 1988 to 2001 alongside the Corolla at NUMMI, an assembly plant operated as a joint venture of GM and Toyota. The Prizm was sold excl…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1999 Chevrolet Prizm trims & engines on record

Trims

Base

Engines

1.8L 4-cyl

1999 Chevrolet Prizm vehicles on record

1999 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK5483XZ426878

1999 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK5489XZ401449

1999 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK5289XZ404595

1999 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK5288XZ432811

1999 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK5289XZ403527

1999 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK5280XZ416067

1999 Chevrolet Prizm Base1Y1SK528XXZ414603

1999 Chevrolet Prizm1Y1SK5288XZ437104

Other Chevrolet Prizm model years

2002 2001 2000 1998

1999 Chevrolet Prizm — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 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 done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm?

Across all 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting.

What is the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm get?

The 1999 Chevrolet Prizm has U.S. EPA estimates of 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

How much is a 1999 Chevrolet Prizm worth?

Comparable 1999 Chevrolet Prizm listings run roughly $750–$2,100, typically around $1,306 (from 7 vehicles).

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