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6.4

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$890
Average Mileage:
103,350 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. clean mass air flow sensor (2 reports)
  3. disconnect battery for a few minutes to clear/reset (1 reports)
2001 Chevrolet Prizm engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Chevrolet Prizm Owner Comments

problem #9

Jan 022007

Prizm

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought car brand new. The check engine light is distracting and worrisome. Had it to different places to see what could be done and one place even said have catalytic converter replaced.....not going to happen due to high cost.... Also the original engine finally quit/died so bought another engine, and lo and behold, within 10 miles of replacement and being back on the road...the engine light came on and stayed on ever since!!!

GM says they are cleaning up their recalls and fixing the problem reputation after appearing before Congress but I really wonder why they haven't bothered to take care of this...No more GM products for our family....

- ejfred, Oldham, SD, US

problem #8

Sep 102013

Prizm LSI 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Have tried to clear/reset the check engine light with an OBDII reader. No success. Had to disconnect the battery for a few minutes to clear it.

Question: Are you able to clear it with the OBD reader?

- sqtruong, Houston, TX, US

problem #7

Aug 012008

Prizm SLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

The check engine light has been on in my prizm for 5 years and I don't know why. I have had it plugged into so many times and still can not figure it out. I've tried to have it cleared twice and it comes back on within a minute or two.

- smccaul, Clarksville, MI, US

problem #6

Jun 012009

Prizm 1.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Got the car in 2004. In 2009 the check engine light came on, went to 3 mechanics to try and find the problem. None of them had a clear idea of what was wrong but they tried various things. It still never went off for more than 5 miles directly after servicing. For a while it was driving fine even though the light was on (over a year) but then it started deteriorating. It was very sluggish, did not drive well (shaking) when going over 35mph, and the check engine light started blinking for 5-15 seconds when I accelerated. MPG tanked, went from 35+ to 23-25. Needless to say, I took it to another mechanic. They replaced the spark plugs and fuel injectors and the catalytic converter ($1300 fix on my then 10 year old car). It ran well once they did that, MPG slowly climbed higher like it was before, but after about 3 days the check engine light came back on. The mechanic was stumped, he had no idea why. He OK'd it for me to drive so I've been driving it since (still driving fine more or less) but the light is still on.

- Carina I., Ann Arbor, MI, US

problem #5

Feb 022007

Prizm

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

I have dad this problem for several years now. I have had to pay for the diagnostic tests and the oxygen sensors plus here and there things trying to get this issue fixed. And still nothing has been resolved. I thought it was just my car, but from what I have read here I guess I'm not the only one. The check engine is still on and I don't know what to do about it. I cannot afford to keep paying and guessing what to get fixed trying to fix the problem. Anyone have any ideas? :-(

- pearlp, El Mirage, AZ, US

problem #4

Aug 092010

Prizm

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I've spent over $400.00 on two oxygen sensors, plus having paid to have them installed, and "check engine" light came on again. Now, the Chevy dealership tells me that it will cost me approximately $65.00 to run diagnostic test on it. If Toyota can issue a recall on their Corollas for this same problem, why can't GM do the same thing, as this Prism is basically the same car. I'll sure think about this when I buy my next vehicle, AND it won't be a GM car.

- Polly P., Eleanor, WV, US

problem #3

Jan 022008

Prizm 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check engine light came on soon after I bought the car used. It was covered under warranty, so the dealer replaced the O2 sensor. Light came back on a couple weeks later. Took it back to the dealer, they replaced the mass airflow sensor. The light came on again about 1 month after that, but the warranty was expired. I then took it to a Toyota dealership & they said that the EVAP valves were toast. So they replaced the EVAP valves for $300. That worked for about 4 months. Then, presto! Check engine light back on.

The same codes were popping up (P440) (P441) & (P446). I had moved to another state, so I didn't bother taking it back to the dealership. I just drive with the light on now- I can't be bothered with trying to fix it anymore.

- Matt K., Evanston, IL, US

problem #2

Sep 162008

Prizm

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Clean Mass Air Flow Sensor with plastic-safe contact cleaner

- entrant, Garland, TX, US

problem #1

May 162007

(reported on)

Prizm LSI 1.8L DOHC

  • Automatic transmission
  • 225,000 miles

my check engine light was on about a year ago and engine had hesitation upon initial acceleration when cold (when gas pedal first pressed) and once in a while when at a stop sign and then pressed. Mechanic ran a diagnostic test on the check engine code and it came back stating the engine was running lean. He advised it was probably a sign that my fuel pump was starting to go out but hadn't gone out yet. He advised not replacing it until it completely fails as he said they are very expensive to replace on this model as they are located inside the gas tank so it involves a lot of labor (he gave me a $1000.00 ballpark estimate). He said as long as it hasn't been stalling and starts ok and drives ok generally to just keep driving it as-is until it actually goes out. He cleared the code and also ran some kind of smoke test (I don't remember what it was called) and for some reason the check engine light has not come back on since then - although the car still hesitates like it did before. I've also tried fuel injector cleaner a few times thinking maybe the fuel injectors were semi-clogged but that didn't seem to help. It never stalls and always starts (and has never broken down) so I just keep driving it as-is :)

- cprest79, Eau Claire, WI, US

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