7.6
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$1,825.00
Average Mileage:
99,275 miles
Total Complaints:
20 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (9 reports)
- keep adding oil (4 reports)
- purchase oil weekly! (3 reports)
- rebuild engine ($2300) or replace engine with used ($2000) (2 reports)
- rebuild head and new rings (1 reports)
- replace oil ring (1 reports)
engine problem
Helpful Websites About 2000 Chevrolet Prizm excessive oil consumption
2009Sep 01
Prizm 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
Screw American made cars! I am tired of people saying we have to buy american just to buy american, I have been burned one to many times buy American cars and I have had enough. My next car will be a Honda.
Anyways, I bought my Prizm two years ago when it only had 40,000 miles. I immediatly started noticing that it burned about a quart of oil every 400-500 miles. The real problem came when I took a cross country trip. My car started devouring a quart of oil every 150 miles!!!! OUTRAGEOUS!!!! I literally added about 30 quarts of oils into my car during that trip. I notice that the car goes through oil MUCH faster if you drive 55mph or over, so it seems to have something to do with high speed.
Anyways, I feel burned. All I needed was a good car and this is the third time I trusted american cars and got screwed. I am glad that they went bankrupt and I am glad that enough people don't take their crap and buy reliable cars.
2008Jul 23
Prizm 1.8L
- Manual transmission
- 150,000 miles
Has anyone found a solution to this problem yet? (Excessive oil use)
Thanks
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Aug 30
Prizm LSI 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
THE MAIN problem is definitely EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION!!! It is almost to the point that the ONLY way to maintain the proper oil levels is to attach a modified intravenous system to constantly supply oil to the thirsty engine! This car was purchased used for our daughter to get to and from school. Like so many others in the 2000-2001 vintage of this poor substitute for a Corolla, the oil is most noticeable at the dipstick as mechanics have not found oil leaks and until recently no oil appeared to be burning. I'm sure a compression test would show one or more cylinders are contributing to the problem. Defective valve guides and/or seals have plagued Dodge Caravans in the 1988 -1990. You could see oil burning then as it looked like you were fogging for mosquitoes when at idle, while the vacuum pressure was highest. RECALLs aren't happening in this country UNLESS they are deemed safety issues. Otherwise dealers/service departments get "service bulletins" that generally John & Jane Q. Public won't see. Yes, this is one reason that GM have been associated with poor reliability ratings. The customer pays and pays and its is hard to tell if even bankruptcy will teach these folks. All automakers have struggled with really making the customer's satisfaction their #1 goal. Ford just got a grip on themselves a bit earlier and stopped making things they were no good at, i.e. their mini-vans, and concentrated on fewer models with a greater concern for the customer. Ralph Nader has been too busy running for President the last few decades so no one really comes to bat for those of us who tried to buy and then afford owning American models. Sad really! Mourning unfortunately won't pay for the cars and the repairs and the oil and the rough running vehicles that lead to destroyed engines. Disappointing to see that even a poorly conceived "Cash for Clunkers" program won't take cars like this, because the EPA determined they get combined mileage of 26-28 mpg or are too new!!!
2008Apr 02
Prizm 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 168,000 miles
I randomly came across this site and I could not help but laugh. As I write this, my car is awaiting tomorrow's diagnostics at a nearby shop that I have been going to. It is increasingly clear that I am pretty much screwed. Mentioning the amount of oil my car consumes is embarrasing. And yes...it disappears and the only remaining evidence is the rear bumper's dark coat of exhaust.
2005May 01
Prizm 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
I had my fuel sensor cleaned as the engine was running lean and using a quart about every 400 miles. Now it is using less. About a quart every thousand. I've had the best luck with Castrol and Valvoline oils ( 10w 40). I bought may car new and now it has 132,000 miles on it. It started using oil at about 90,000 miles. I took good care of it and didn't run it hard. I have done just regular maintenance over the years and had no major problems.
Barry
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 24
Prizm 1.8L
- Manual transmission
- 76,000 miles
I know this has been posted a million times already...I just bought a 2000 Prizm and a 2001 prizm. The 2000 had a blown engine due to running it out of oil and the 2001 was was rear ended and totalled. Anyway, I swapped engines so I am nopw driving the 2000. I got her fired up this past weekend and drove it probably 150 miles (give or take a few) and this morning on the way to work it was making a nice little knocking sound and shaking pretty bad. I got her to work and checked the oil....nothing. That would mean this engine burned 4 quarts in less than 200 miles. No leaks and no smoke out of the exhaust...just dissapearing. Anyone come up with a solution yet....or should I drive it into the lake?
2008Dec 16
Prizm 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 97,000 miles
Bought my 2000 prizm in Dec 2008 with 97000 miles on it and it has been an oil drinker from the time i bought it. Uses about 2 quarts a week. From what i read and have heard this is a common problem and GM said its not there problem but Toyotas. Hmmmm seems to me it has Chevy on it even tho it is a Toyota.
Guess this is why GM is going bankrupt. They do not stand behind there products just keep selling junk. Myself i will not buy another GM product and if i ever buy a new one it will be a Honda. Goodbye GM.
2009Feb 17
Prizm
- Automatic transmission
- 107,000 miles
Just drove 500 miles on the freeway...and added 8 qts of oil!! Been reading other posts - I think I've decided to just drive this one to work, and take my wife's car when I/we go out of town. Too bad WalMart doesn't sell a 50qt bottle!
2008Apr 01
Prizm 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
chevy and toyota should be ashamed of the problem
and consumer reports love this car WHY ??????
I HAD 2 PRISMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2005May 07
Prizm 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Car was purchased new, taken care of w/ regular oil changes etc etc etc;
a few years ago, it began using a quart of oil each week. This increased until it was very nearly empty after a week of commuting.
Several parts were replaced, like the Mass Air Flow sensor, the oxygen sensors, and finally the CAT converter (due to oil fouling and failure to pass inspection). A few times early on the oil loss appeared to stop dead, for a period of a couple of weeks, then suddenly start to drop again.
We tried a stop-leak product, which proved to be a very bad idea. It slowed the loss temporarily, but then a gasket at the front of the engine weakened and oil blew out onto the radiator fan, spraying up onto the engine as if from nowhere. That leak was fixed professionally, after which the oil loss continued at an only slightly lower rate.
Oil is evident on the tailpipe, though no smoking is visible. There is no visible dripping of oil under the vehicle. The import shop we had taken it to to replace the converter is completely at a loss for a fix, and they work on Corollas frequently.
2008Mar 01
Prizm 1.8L I4
- Manual transmission
- 96,000 miles
I purchased a Used 2000 Chevy Prizm with a 1.8L VVT and manual trans. with 96000 miles. I notice it uses oil really bad on the highway and not to bad in the city. Well I use the car to drive 80 miles round trip a day. It uses 1/2 to a 1 quart of oil a 80 mile trip. If I drive it 160 miles on a Interstate at 75 to 80 mph then it uses 2 quarts. The entire time I didn't notice any smoke, just dark burnt oil deposits on my garage door. I took the car in to have new oil rings installed and found out the cylinder head needed rebuilt especially the valve guides. They had alot of wear. It cost $750 for the head to be rebuilt. So I would say this is a design flaw in the head to have that much wear at 96000 miles. My mechanic has told me that the crosshatching in the cylinders. Well I had them install new rings while the head was off. I am sure this will fix the problem for a while. I will keep this complaint going. Thanks
2007Oct 01
Prizm Base
- Automatic transmission
- 90,500 miles
I own a 2000 Chevy Prizm that has 90500 miles, both maintainance free and easy to own for the last three and a half years. In August, I noticed a lot of black soot on the back end of the car following a trip across two states. I change the car's oil every three thousand miles. I always change the oil before a trip, even for a six hour trip to see my mom. Last August, my oil dipstick came back reading low after a 350 mile trip. This surprised me, and was alerting me to the car problem.
I bought my oil last week at an automotive shop. The cashier didn't seem to mind letting customers wait for help, and I asked him if he could share an opinion on the cause of my problem. He thought it was the cause of bad valves or piston rings. It sounds impressive, maybe like an expensive repair, but I considered that up until now, I have been very good with work I've done on the car.
My garage, a work bay that I like t use, employs a few knowledgable guys. I asked them for some help, and they gave me a compression gauge. I tested the pressure in the engine. It is a tube that is threaded into the space of the spark plugs. The test came back negative, with readings of kPa 150 lbs/in.sq. ():P I changed my oil for a trip that night, and headed out for the road again.
Thanks to all of you, I have learned that we will not be easily satisfied. The high cost of petroleum products makes those first oil changes seem like better days gone by. I paid as little as five and a half dollars for oil and filters back then. I considered buying a new car at 78000 miles, but it seemed like a greater loss to pay out more in monthly car loan payments for a new warranty. I like working on my car, and that is the reason why I am going to continue to monitor the oil levels. I see that others have no resolution but to add oil as needed, use a leak stopper, engine degummer, and be meticulous about scheduled tune ups. It is a compromise that I can make, considering how uncertain I am about my current spot at work. I expect to be leaving next summer, so there is no hurry on my end to buy new for this year.
I am going to look for solutions that might work on this problem. If it costs more than $100, I won't waste my money. All of you have said this much won't be necessary. Thanks again.
2007Nov 14
Prizm
- Automatic transmission
- 132,000 miles
As shown from my prior complaint, I had to get a new engine at 89K miles. Now, 40K later, I am having the same problem -- it is burning oil. I have gotten oil changes ever 3 - 5K miles, but here we go again. This is ridiculous!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2003Apr 16
Prizm
- Automatic transmission
- 89,000 miles
We bought the car used and about a year later it started burning excessing amount of oil. I added 2 quarts of oil once a week for a few months, but then had to have the engine replaced. Now, 40K later....... see my next complaint.
2007Jul 26
Prizm
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
Alright, well I'm a little relieved to see that someone else is having the same difficulties....
I got this car from my uncle, who passed away, at 45,343 miles.
I travel A LOT, its my job. okay, so I was 16, free car, great on gas..... irrelevant really.
so I still have the car, great little thing. EXCEPT, that it uses oil like crazy, it didn't REALLY happen July 26th, but I just put a date down, because it became a problem mid-summer.
as someone else said, I can go from Erie PA to Danville VA with no problems, but, sometimes, it dissapears like crazy.
I haven't done anything to fix it yet, it would probably cost more than the value of the car at this point so, I just keep checking the oil religiously and adding more and more, because I'm a college kid, so, its easier than a car payment, or fixing it. my check engine light IS on, but 3 separate mechanics found nothing wrong.......its creeping up on 100,000 miles and by 2008 it will have probably reached that mark.
I Love this little car <3 and I'm sad Ill have to get rid of it sooner or later, but, jeeze.
2007Aug 16
(reported on)Prizm LSI 1.8L L
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
2000 Prizm LSI with 1.8l uses oil (about 1 quart/600 miles). Compression test reviels that one of the cylynders has low compression (65 where it should be 135). It also stalls out on cold starts. To fix the oil usage problem, the shop recommends replacing the engine with a used one ($2000) or rebuilding the current engine ($2300). Of course, I could just drive it and put a half quart in every fill up. What would you do? chcarr@newulmtel.net
2007Oct 12
(reported on)Prizm
- Automatic transmission
- 74,000 miles
Got the vehicle at 69,000 miles, used. I have BAD BAD luck with used vehicles, so I really should have known better. Just before the second oil change, I noticed that the engine didn't sound as quiet. Not dry, just not AS quiet. Checked the oil, since I was always taught to check it first before looking for other problems, and it was a quart low.
Eventually, when it started eating 2 quarts of oil per month, I took it in for repairs. I really should have done a google-search for this problem, because I would have found this site and saved myself a LOT OF TROUBLE and money, to boot. The automotive place did a diagnostic and saw that the valves were pitted and thought that was the problem. 3 weeks and 2000 dollars later, and the problem *appeared* fixed. The first oil change came and went without a hitch. But by the third oil change after that.... yup. Oil for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Took it to THREE different places, and NONE of them could figure out where the oil was going. They knew that *some* of it had to be burnt, as I had a black mark on the bumper the size of a large watermelon. But since it wasn't a constant thing, or at least it wasn't producing a constant blue cloud behind me, there was no way to tell for certain how MUCH was being burnt, and where.
Eventually, one of the youngest mechanics chirped up "Could it be the oil ring?" The older mechanics all looked like the truth had hit them like a 3 ton sack of bricks.
They said it would be a costly repair, though. Between 2000 and 3000 bucks. Well, I already spent 5000 buying the car, and 2000 getting the valves FULLY REPLACED. So it's not fixed and I just put in oil once a week.
The pain in the rear car now eats 3 quarts a farking week. THREE QUARTS! I'm getting a new car, perferrably a toyota yaris, and putting this monster of a headache to pasture.
2007Aug 21
(reported on)Prizm 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
Bought the 2000 Prizm with 20,000 miles on it at 1 year old. Oil consumption began at the 60,000 mile range. I use about 1 qt every 200-300 miles. Consumption is worse with highway driving. No leaks or visible smoke from the tailpipe. My mechanic said the engine was 'bullet proof' when I bought it 6 years ago. This has been a POS vehicle for the past 3 years. I have found that it will be cheaper to put a quart of oil in once every couple of weeks versus trying to fix the problem. I can't wait to unload this piece of sh... Any solutions to this oil consumption problem?
2007Jul 22
(reported on)Prizm
- Automatic transmission
- 68,000 miles
I am having oil consumption issues with my 2000 Chevrolet Prizm. The vehicle currently has about 68,000 miles, but I have had the problem since purchase (about 60-63,000 miles). The oil consumption problem is so sporadic that I am having trouble figuring out when I need to add more, sometimes I will go on long drives and return home with a full tank of oil while other times the same trip will virtually wipe out all of the oil in my tank. Does anybody know if high-mileage oil helps? Any help would be appreciated!
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2000Mar 07
Prizm 1.8L
After reviewing carcomplaints.com, on 11/22/2000 on my chev 2000 prism and finding out that other people have the same complaint, I will use this site to choose another car.
jamesmford2003
Green Bay, WI, USA
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