Complaints
47
Crashes
13
Fires
5
Injuries
5
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1999 Chevrolet Prizm Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#15 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:85,000 mi
Crash-related:2
#24 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Crash-related:3
#34 complaints
Electrical Faults
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 5 | 2 | — | 85,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 1 | — | — | — |
Airbags
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,000
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Prizm Years
1999 Chevrolet Prizm — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1999 Chevrolet Prizm has 47 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm?
Top reported problems: Airbags (5 complaints, avg 85,000 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (4 complaints); Electrical Faults (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 85,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm?
NHTSA complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm include 13 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1999 Chevrolet Prizm?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Prizm reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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