Chrysler Prowler problems
The Plymouth Prowler, later the Chrysler Prowler, is a retro-styled production sports car manufactured and marketed from 1997 to 2002 by DaimlerChrysler, based on the 1993 concept car of the same name.
The Prowler was offered in a single generation in a front-engine, rear-drive, rear-transmission configuration—with an overall production of 11,702.
Design
Chrysler engineers were given free rein to design whatever they wanted in a "hot rod" or "sportster" type vehicle. Chrysler's design and international director Thomas C. Gale said his "love for 1930s-era hot rods inspired Chrysler's latest design triumph, the retro-styled Plymouth Prowler." Gale, who has a hotted up 1932 Ford in his garage, approved the hotrod-inspired Plymouth Prowler as the company's follow-up show-stopper to the Dodge Viper. An early influence is credited to a Chrysler-sponsored project at the Art Center College of Design. This resulted in a thesis by Douglas "Chip" Foose, which included drawings of a retro-roadster. Foose "designed it as a coupe for Chrysler to begin with but modified it to a roadster version."
One of the most striking design features of the Prowler is the open, Indy racer-style front wheels. The Prowler featured a powertrain from Chrysler's LH-cars, a 24-valve, 3.5 L Chrysler SOHC V6 engine producing 214 hp (160 kW; 217 PS) at 5850 rpm. For the 1999 model year, the engine was replaced with a more powerful, aluminum block, 253 hp (189 kW; 257 PS) at 6400 rpm version of the engine. Both engines were coupled to a four-speed Autostick semi-automatic transmission. The transmission was located at the rear of the vehicle and joined to the engine by a torque tube that rotated at engine speed, an arrangement similar to that used by the C5 Corvette, Porsche 944, and Alfa Romeo 75, and helped to facilitate a desirable 50-50 front-rear weight distribution. The Prowler was the first rear-wheel drive Plymouth since the 1989 discontinuation of the Plymouth Gran Fury and would stand as the last Plymouth model with that layout. While criticized for having only a V6 engine, Chrysler's High Output 3.5 had a horsepower rating similar to (or higher than) the company's Magnum V8s of that era. While not making nearly as much torque as a V8, the Prowler's light weight helped to achieve rapid off-the-line acceleration.
The car prominently featured aluminum construction, in many cases adhesively bonded, chiefly in the chassis. The body was produced in Shadyside, Ohio, and the car was assembled by hand at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP) in Detroit, Michigan.
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Chrysler Prowler model years
Common Chrysler Prowler problems
The Chrysler Prowler, initially manufactured by Plymouth and later assembled by Chrysler from 1997 to 2002, is known for its unique retro-styled design and aluminum construction. However, the car has faced several common problems based on complaints from owners, which include:
- Underpowered Engine: The Prowler's 3.5-liter SOHC V6 engine, initially producing 214 horsepower (160 kilowatts) and later upgraded to 253 hp (189 kW), was considered underpowered for a sports car. This led to disappointing performance and a lack of excitement for drivers.
- Lack of a Manual Transmission: The Prowler was only offered with a four-speed automatic gearbox, which may not have appealed to sports car enthusiasts who prefer manual transmissions for better control and engagement.
- Expensive and Unpractical: The Prowler's pricing strategy, which increased the price for every model year without significant improvements, combined with its small trunk and unpractical design, made it a less attractive option for potential buyers.
- Aluminum Construction Issues: The extensive use of aluminum in the Prowler's construction, while innovative for its time, led to unique challenges. Parts from almost every Chrysler product were used in the Prowler due to a lack of funding, which may have contributed to reliability issues.
- Limited Availability and Awareness: The Prowler's production run of 11,700 units and its niche market appeal may have limited its exposure and overall sales.
- These common problems have contributed to the Prowler's mixed reception and limited success in the sports car market. Despite its innovative design and construction, the Prowler faced several challenges that ultimately impacted its overall performance and appeal to potential buyers.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chrysler Prowler years
We have researched Chrysler problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chrysler Prowler cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Chrysler Prowler model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chrysler Prowler model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chrysler Prowler years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chrysler Prowler car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chrysler Prowler , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chrysler Prowler vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chrysler Prowler . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chrysler Prowler vehicles.
List of Chrysler Prowler complaints
Chrysler Prowler 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2015-07-31
- Date Complaint: 2015-08-26
- VIN: 1C3EW65G31V
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: AT ABOUT 10:15 PM EDT, JULY 31, 2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 CHRYSLER PROWLER EAST ON INTERSTATE 64 IN VIRGINIA. I WAS BETWEEN EXIT 167 AND EXIT 171. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE GREEN "CRUISE CONTROL ON" LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD WAS ON. I HAD NOT TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT TURN OFF...IT ALSO WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO REDUCE MY SPEED. USING MY BRAKES, I SLOWED THE CAR, LEFT THE HIGHWAY AT EXIT 171, PULLED INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT, AND TURNED THE CAR OFF WITH THE IGNITION KEY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK POSITION. WHEN I HAD CALMED DOWN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NO LONGER ON AND DROVE TO MY DESTINATION. I FOUND THIS SITUATION TO BE BOTH FRIGHTENING AND ANNOYING.
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