The Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler is known for its bold and distinctive retro-hot rod design. While admired for its unique aesthetics, there are some inherent issues that every Prowler owner will eventually encounter. Although a couple of these problems are minor and easily addressed, one significant flaw poses a serious safety risk if not properly managed.
Firstly, a common and relatively minor issue involves the audio speakers. Owners will find that the foam surrounds on the speakers, particularly those in the doors, are prone to deterioration over time. This results in degraded sound quality and may require speaker repair or replacement to restore optimal audio performance.
Secondly, another frequently reported problem concerns the door window mechanisms. Components within the window regulator system, often plastic tubing, are susceptible to cracking or breaking. This can lead to difficulty in raising or lowering the windows, necessitating repair or replacement of the affected window mechanism parts.
However, the most critical and potentially life-threatening issue lies within the front steering lower A-arm ball joints. This is a significant design flaw that has become apparent through real-world driving experiences, despite not being evident during the car’s initial design phase. The Prowler’s suspension system, while innovative, subjects the lower ball joints to immense stress from road shocks.
Over time, this constant stress leads to the deterioration of the ball joint. Initially, the protective boot covering the ball joint may tear. If this tear isn’t detected and addressed promptly, contaminants and moisture can enter, turning the grease into an abrasive paste. This accelerates wear on the internal stem and ball end, causing them to grind and eventually seize or even snap.
Even if the boot remains intact, the relentless pounding on the joint will cause excessive clearance between the ball and its housing. This can result in the ball joint suddenly popping out of its housing, leading to a complete loss of steering control. At any speed, this failure can cause the wheel to abruptly tuck inward, dragging the tire across the road surface and making the vehicle uncontrollable.
Years ago, the manufacturer issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) focusing on torn boots as the primary cause of ball joint failure. The suggested “fix” at the time was replacement ball joints. However, this was only a temporary solution, merely resetting the clock as these replacement ball joints are still vulnerable to boot failure or the ball joint stem snapping or pulling out due to the inherent design stress. Failures are now being observed even on vehicles that underwent the TSB recall repairs years ago, even when the boots remain undamaged.
While ball joint recall kits have been available and installed to address issues like torn boots or pre-failure clearance, the underlying, potentially life-threatening problem remains unresolved.
Adding to the concern, recent communications with the manufacturer (FCA) regarding the restock of these crucial ball joint recall kits have yielded a concerning response. FCA has stated that “At this time the company has no plans to re-stock these ball joint kits.” This lack of support leaves Prowler owners in a precarious situation with no readily available factory-recommended solution for this known safety defect.
Given the potentially life-threatening nature of this steering component failure, and the manufacturer’s apparent decision to discontinue support for the recall kits, the question arises: Is FCA’s response acceptable? For many Prowler owners, the answer is a resounding no, highlighting a significant concern about manufacturer responsibility and vehicle safety.
