IllustrationTHE BALL JOINTS ARE WEAK. HAVE BEEN FROM THE BEGINNING. THE DON'T LAST AS LONG AS WITH OTHER CARS AND BREAK FAIRLY EASY. IT'S A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. I WAS VERY LUCKY, MINE BROKE AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A RESTAURANT. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE INTERSTATE DOING HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
2001 Plymouth Prowler
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Prowler years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 16 of 21 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
21 reportsLOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT CAME APART
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 40 MPH ON A SMOOTH ROADWAY, CITY STREET, THE RIGHT,LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE A-FRAME. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE ROADWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING.. NOISE OR ANY OTHER INDICATION OF THE FAILURE. JUST THE POP OF THE FAILED BALL JOINT SEPARAT…
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WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 40 MPH ON A SMOOTH ROADWAY, CITY STREET, THE RIGHT,LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE A-FRAME. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE ROADWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING.. NOISE OR ANY OTHER INDICATION OF THE FAILURE. JUST THE POP OF THE FAILED BALL JOINT SEPARATING AND THEN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR SCRAPING ON THE PAVEMENT. OTHER VEHICLES IN THE AREA STEERED AROUND ME TO AVOID A COLLISION.
FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PLYMOUTH PROWLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANISM WHICH HELD THE HOOD OPEN FAILED AND THE HOOD DROPPED DOWN ONTO HIS HEAD. THE FAILURE RECURRED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PLYMOUTH PROWLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANISM WHICH HELD THE HOOD OPEN FAILED AND THE HOOD DROPPED DOWN ONTO HIS HEAD. THE FAILURE RECURRED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AFTER THE FIFTH FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20. UPDATED 04/06/12*LJ UPDATED 05/31/12
I OWN A 2001 CHRYSLER PROWLER AND ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2010 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A CAR SHOW AND THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE LOWER SUSPENSION "A" ARM COLLAPSED AND THE WHEEL CAVED IN. JUST AN HOUR EARLIER I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THIS BALL JOINT WAS THE REPL…
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I OWN A 2001 CHRYSLER PROWLER AND ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2010 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A CAR SHOW AND THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE LOWER SUSPENSION "A" ARM COLLAPSED AND THE WHEEL CAVED IN. JUST AN HOUR EARLIER I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THIS BALL JOINT WAS THE REPLACEMENT FROM A RE-CALL FOR ALL PROWLER BALL JOINTS. THE BALL JOINT THAT FAILED WAS THE "NEW" DESIGN AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT TOO FAILED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALLS JOINT UNDER THE PREVIOUS "RE-CALL" NOTIFICATION FOR THE SECOND TIME. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PLYMOUTH PROWLER. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT DIM. AFTERWARDS, THE CHECK AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE CLOCK SPRING AS THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,100. *AK UPDATED 05/04/07.*JB
TL*- THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE FONT SPANKING BALL JOINT HAS A RECALL THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAD MADE A RIGHT TURN AND ACCELERATED TO 16 MPH WHEN THE BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE WILL HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SHOP AND THAT HE WILL SAVE ALL PARTS AND THE REPAIR ORDER.
FRONT SHOCKS AND HOOD LIFT SUPPORTS FAILED (4) TIMES
THE FRONT SHOCKS ON THE 2001 PROWLER ARE LEAKING THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 7,020 MILES AND IS LESS THEN 3 YEARS OLD. *AK
Official recalls
203V034000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Feb 5, 2003
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 & remedy
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
00V366000 · Child Seat
Nov 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA02033 · Ball Joint Separation
Opened Nov 26, 2002 · Closed Feb 10, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE HAD ONE OR BOTH OF THEIR LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATE AND CAUSE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND.DAIMLER CHRYSLER?S ASSESSMENT OF THE BALL JOINT FAILURES IS THAT THE JOINT FAILURE MAY BE PRECIPITATED BY THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION.THE LOSS OF LUBRICATION COULD RESULT IN ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLE JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLER CHRYSLER BELIEVES THAT THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION IS THE RESULT OF LEAKS OR TEARS IN THE RUBBER BOOT THAT PROTECTS THE BALL JOINT.THESE LEAKS OR TEARS COULD BE CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH OTHER INTERNAL PARTS OF THE BALL JOINT OR TORSIONAL LOADING THAT TWISTS THE BOOT.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR ALL OF THE 11,698 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM JANUARY, 1997 TO MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA (COPY ATTACHED).THE ACTION IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA AS RECALL NO. 03V-034.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension
ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE HAD ONE OR BOTH OF THEIR LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATE AND CAUSE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND.DAIMLER CHRYSLER?S ASSESSMENT OF THE BALL JOINT FAILURES IS THAT THE JOINT FAILURE MAY BE PRECIPITATED BY THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION.THE LOSS OF LUBRICATION COULD RESULT IN ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLE JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLER CHRYSLER BELIEVES THAT THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION IS THE RESULT OF LEAKS OR TEARS IN THE RUBBER BOOT THAT PROTECTS THE BALL JOINT.THESE LEAKS OR TEARS COULD BE CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH OTHER INTERNAL PARTS OF THE BALL JOINT OR TORSIONAL LOADING THAT TWISTS THE BOOT.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR ALL OF THE 11,698 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM JANUARY, 1997 TO MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA (COPY ATTACHED).THE ACTION IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA AS RECALL NO. 03V-034.
Suspension:front:control Arm
ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE HAD ONE OR BOTH OF THEIR LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATE AND CAUSE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND.DAIMLER CHRYSLER?S ASSESSMENT OF THE BALL JOINT FAILURES IS THAT THE JOINT FAILURE MAY BE PRECIPITATED BY THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION.THE LOSS OF LUBRICATION COULD RESULT IN ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLE JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLER CHRYSLER BELIEVES THAT THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION IS THE RESULT OF LEAKS OR TEARS IN THE RUBBER BOOT THAT PROTECTS THE BALL JOINT.THESE LEAKS OR TEARS COULD BE CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH OTHER INTERNAL PARTS OF THE BALL JOINT OR TORSIONAL LOADING THAT TWISTS THE BOOT.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR ALL OF THE 11,698 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM JANUARY, 1997 TO MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA (COPY ATTACHED).THE ACTION IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA AS RECALL NO. 03V-034.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE HAD ONE OR BOTH OF THEIR LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATE AND CAUSE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND.DAIMLER CHRYSLER?S ASSESSMENT OF THE BALL JOINT FAILURES IS THAT THE JOINT FAILURE MAY BE PRECIPITATED BY THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION.THE LOSS OF LUBRICATION COULD RESULT IN ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLE JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLER CHRYSLER BELIEVES THAT THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION IS THE RESULT OF LEAKS OR TEARS IN THE RUBBER BOOT THAT PROTECTS THE BALL JOINT.THESE LEAKS OR TEARS COULD BE CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH OTHER INTERNAL PARTS OF THE BALL JOINT OR TORSIONAL LOADING THAT TWISTS THE BOOT.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR ALL OF THE 11,698 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM JANUARY, 1997 TO MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA (COPY ATTACHED).THE ACTION IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA AS RECALL NO. 03V-034.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE HAD ONE OR BOTH OF THEIR LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATE AND CAUSE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND.DAIMLER CHRYSLER?S ASSESSMENT OF THE BALL JOINT FAILURES IS THAT THE JOINT FAILURE MAY BE PRECIPITATED BY THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION.THE LOSS OF LUBRICATION COULD RESULT IN ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLE JOINT SEPARATION. DAIMLER CHRYSLER BELIEVES THAT THE LOSS OF JOINT LUBRICATION IS THE RESULT OF LEAKS OR TEARS IN THE RUBBER BOOT THAT PROTECTS THE BALL JOINT.THESE LEAKS OR TEARS COULD BE CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH OTHER INTERNAL PARTS OF THE BALL JOINT OR TORSIONAL LOADING THAT TWISTS THE BOOT.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR ALL OF THE 11,698 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM JANUARY, 1997 TO MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA (COPY ATTACHED).THE ACTION IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA AS RECALL NO. 03V-034.