1997 Plymouth 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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Common 1997 Plymouth Prowler problems
The 1997 Plymouth Prowler, a quirky 2-door roadster, is known for its unique design and limited production run of only five model years. While it was loved by its owners, there were several common problems that affected this car, leading to its eventual cancellation.
- Powertrain Limitations: The Plymouth Prowler's powertrain was limited by the budget allocated for the car's development. With most of the budget used in the new aluminum chassis and body, there was next to nothing left for the engine, transmission, and interior. This led to a lackluster powertrain that was criticized by consumers and critics alike.
- Front Steering Lower A-Arm Ball Joints: The Prowler's front steering lower A-arm ball joints were prone to failure, which could result in a loss of steering control and a potentially life-threatening situation. This problem was caused by the car's unique suspension design, which put a tremendous pounding on the lower ball joints. The factory issued a TSB years back that specified the torn boots as the focal point of ball joint failure, but replacement ball joints only started the clock again because eventually, the boots would fail again or if the clearance was found in the joint.
These common problems, along with other factors, led to the Plymouth Prowler's eventual cancellation. Despite its flaws, the Prowler remains a unique and interesting car that is loved by its owners and admired by car enthusiasts.
What was wrong with the Plymouth Prowler?
And earlier this month a Prowler and matching trailer went for over $33,000 on the same site. As a car, the Prowler failed. It was uncomfortable to drive, and the strange cockpit layout was disorienting. Not to mention it had a weak engine, no manual transmission, and looked bizarre.
What is the value of a 1997 Plymouth Prowler?
The value of a used 1997 Plymouth Prowler ranges from $1,282 to $4,310, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
How many Plymouth Prowlers were made in 1997?
457 Prowlers
Only 457 Prowlers were built in the 1997 model year. This Prowler is finished in it's one year only Purple Metallic paint over gray leather bucket seats.
Why did Chrysler discontinue the Prowler?
Sure it failed to sale, with fewer than 12,000 sold by the end of its production run. It failed to reinvigorate and save the Plymouth brand, and it failed to impress critics as a sports car. Mostly due to its transmission, a lack a manual was a mistake to say the least.
What was wrong with the Plymouth Prowler?
And earlier this month a Prowler and matching trailer went for over $33,000 on the same site. As a car, the Prowler failed. It was uncomfortable to drive, and the strange cockpit layout was disorienting. Not to mention it had a weak engine, no manual transmission, and looked bizarre.
Why did they stop making the Plymouth Prowler?
Let alone a set of golf clubs. And the prowler's low ground clearance. And stiff suspension made it a bumpy ride. Especially on poor maintained roads. But hey if you wanted practicality.
What is the value of a 1997 Plymouth Prowler?
The value of a used 1997 Plymouth Prowler ranges from $1,282 to $4,310, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
How long did the Plymouth Prowler last?
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.
1997 Plymouth Prowler car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Plymouth Prowler problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Latches/locks/linkages problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Plymouth Prowler vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Plymouth Prowler complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Plymouth Prowler.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-05-02
- VIN: 1P3EW65F1VV
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING AND UPON HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD/SURFACE OR DRIVING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACE, HOOD LATCH WILL BECOME UNLATCHED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP DUE TO THE SWITCH WHICH BECAME ACTIVATED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER., SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SWITCH. *AK *ML
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1P3EW65F6VV
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: RECALL # 98V184000 CHRYSLER/FUEL INJECTION LEAKAGE; DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO CORRECT RECALL. PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALER TWICE AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ONCE. *AK
1997 Plymouth Prowler recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 1997 Plymouth Prowler.
- Manufacturer: TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
- Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
- Manufacturer: BRAKE PARTS, INC.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
- Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
- Manufacturer: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION THAT CAN RESULT IN ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
- Consequence: A BALL JOINT THAT HAS SEPARATED MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WITH MODIFIED ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 OR CHECK ON-LINE AT HTTP://WWW.CHRYSLER.COM/WEBSELFSERVICE/CHRYSLER/INDEX.JSP
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
- Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. SOME OF THE FRAME WELDS THAT AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND CRASHWORTHINESS WERE OMITTED IN SIX ZONES IN THE FRAME.
- Consequence: LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE CRITICAL WELDS. ANY VEHICLES MISSING WELDS WILL BE CORRECTED BY TEAMS OF WELDERS IN THE FIELD.
Positive 1997 Plymouth Prowler car reviews
Additional sources
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Are you having problems with your 1997 Plymouth Prowler?
Kaley Hettinger 2024-10-22
The car is great overall! However, it would be even better if it had features like ABS and a manual transmission.