Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Prowler vs FORD F 150
How the Chrysler Prowler and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chrysler Prowler vs FORD F 150: The Prowler has 14 complaints over 2 years (7 per year) and 0 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. Prowler issues center on suspension and latches; F-150 issues center on power train and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Prowler or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Prowler
The Chrysler Prowler is a low-volume, niche vehicle, so its 14 complaints over 2 years (about 7 per year) come from a small owner pool. The main pattern is suspension trouble, especially lower ball joints and rusted strut mounts, which can affect steering. Latch and hood strut failures also show up, meaning small parts can create big annoyances. With no recalls on record, owners are largely on their own for fixes.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume truck with 11,621 complaints over 10 years (about 1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. The dominant issue is the power train, especially transmission problems like limp mode and stuck gears, often linked to the lead frame or output speed sensor. Electrical gremlins, lighting faults, and engine issues also appear. This is a complex, widely owned truck with many reported problems, but also many recalls that may address some of them.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Prowler | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 14 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Chrysler Prowler
- 01SUSPENSION3
- 02LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES2
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 05EQUIPMENT1
Owners report lower ball joint failures and rusted strut mounts that can lead to loss of steering. One complaint notes a safety recall for lower ball joints but parts were unavailable for over a month, leaving the vehicle unrepaired.
The tailgate can open while driving, and hood struts fail so the hood comes down on the owner's head. These are sudden, physical failures that can be dangerous or at least very frustrating.
One complaint describes a cruise control light staying on unexpectedly, which could indicate a fault in the system. Electrical glitches in a low-production car can be hard to diagnose and fix.
Some complaints are vague or mis-filed, such as one about a 2002 Chrysler van, suggesting data quality issues. For a buyer, this means the true problem set may be underreported or unclear.
“TL* - THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL 2W125384-F23 FOR LOWER BALL JOINTS FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH AND CHRYSLER HAS TOLD HER THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THEY ONLY GET ENOUGH PART…”
“FRAME/STRUCTURE OVER THE RIGHT SIDE STRUT HAS RUSTED. THIS COULD RESULT IN STRUT FAILURE AND VEHICLE LOSING STEERING. *AK THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE UPDATED ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE COMPLAINT. *SCC”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly report transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. One owner said the lead frame issue 'nearly ended my life,' showing it's a serious drivability and safety concern.
The same lead frame issue appears under electrical complaints, plus output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A rear window defroster short caused a back window to shatter, which is a surprising and dangerous electrical fault.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common, though specific failure text isn't provided. Buyers should expect possible bulb, wiring, or housing issues that can affect visibility and safety.
Engine complaints number 880, and recalls include engine subjects. While details aren't in the sample, this volume suggests owners encounter engine-related faults that may require costly repairs.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Chrysler Prowler
No recalls on record.
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Chrysler Prowler or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Prowler has far fewer complaints per year (about 7) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but the Prowler is a rare, low-production car, so even a few complaints can represent a large share of owners. The F-150's much higher count reflects its huge sales volume and a broader set of reported problems, especially transmission and electrical issues. In practice, the Prowler may have fewer total reported issues, but parts and service can be harder to find.
Key differences
- The Prowler's top complaint area is suspension (ball joints, strut rust), while the F-150's is power train (transmission limp mode, lead frame).
- The F-150 has 151 recalls on record, including engine, seat belts, door latches, and air bags; the Prowler has none listed.
- Prowler complaints include tailgate opening while driving and hood struts failing; F-150 complaints include rear window shattering from a defroster short.
- The F-150's complaint volume is about 166 times higher per year, but it's a mass-market truck versus a niche sports car.
- Inspect the lower ball joints and strut mounts for rust or wear, as owners report failures that can affect steering.
- Check the tailgate latch and hood struts for proper function, since owners report the tailgate opening while driving and the hood falling.
- Test drive and scan for transmission codes, especially lead frame or output speed sensor issues that cause limp mode or stuck gears.
- Check the rear window defroster and window for cracks or shattering risk, as one owner reported the back window exploding after defroster use.
Before you buy
- For the Prowler, get a mechanic to inspect suspension components, especially ball joints and strut towers, for rust and play.
- For the F-150, ask for a transmission service history and scan for stored codes related to the lead frame or output speed sensor.
- Check for open recalls on both vehicles using the VIN, and confirm any recall work was completed.
- Test all latches, hood struts, and electrical accessories like cruise control and defroster on the Prowler.
- On the F-150, test the rear defroster and inspect the rear window for any signs of stress or prior repair.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chrysler Prowler or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Prowler vs FORD F 150
- Chrysler Prowler total complaints
- 14
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chrysler Prowler total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chrysler Prowler avg complaints/year
- 7.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Prowler
- Chrysler Prowler top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN