Check Engine Light On Problems of Chevrolet Prizm

Got the car in 2004. In 2009 the check engine light came on, went to three 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 35 mph, 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). Car started running better, mpg slowly got higher, but after about three days out of the shop the check engine light came on again. Mechanic was stumped, had no idea what was wrong, but he ok'd it for me to continue driving, so I have been doing so. It's still driving well, more or less, but the check engine light is still always on. Around the same time as the 2009 engine light, I noticed the engine was drinking more and more motor oil. Now (2012) I have to put in a quart every full tank of gas, just about.

See all problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Prizm 🔎.

At 80,000 miles, the check engine light came on indicating po 441: evap purge flow. This is getting way to common among these cars, please admit it is a design flaw and fix it. (Toyota has admitted the problem on 1998 models, and has cut a deal with the government to retrofit old trucks and buses not even made by Toyota to make up for the pollution they've caused, but that still leaves me paying to have this design flaw fixed).

See all problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Prizm. Two years ago, the emissions control box failed at 41,000 miles and caused the check engine light to illuminate. At 72,000 miles, the engine has a piston knock. Two different mechanics stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine knocking has worsened. The repair has not been made. The contact stated that he was a licensed mechanic and had regular maintenance performed on the vehicle every 3,000 miles. The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 72,000.

See all problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 🔎.