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 averages 7 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls. The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries; the Prowler has 1 crash-related complaint and 3 injuries. 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 complaint totals are small—14 over two years, averaging 7 per year. Owners report suspension issues like lower ball joint failures and rusted strut mounts, plus latches that can open while driving. With no recalls on record, parts availability and aging components are key ownership concerns.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume truck with 11,311 complaints over ten years, averaging about 1,131 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train (especially transmission shifting problems) and electrical system glitches. With 145 recalls, this truck has a long history of safety-related fixes.
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 | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 287 |
| 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 control. A recall for ball joints exists, but some owners say parts are unavailable, leaving them waiting.
Complaints include the tailgate opening while driving and hood struts failing so the hood drops unexpectedly. These are sudden, mechanical failures that can be dangerous at speed.
One owner reported a cruise control light staying on unexpectedly, suggesting possible electrical gremlins. While only one complaint, electrical issues in a low-production car can be hard to diagnose and repair.
“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 TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners describe hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and even sudden loss of power, often linked to the 10-speed automatic transmission. These failures can leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Reports include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs from the transmission area. These electrical glitches can disable safety features.
Headlight problems are common enough to be a top complaint category, with recalls for headlights. Faulty lighting reduces visibility and increases crash risk.
Engine issues appear in complaints and recalls, though less frequently than transmission problems. They can range from performance loss to more serious mechanical failures.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Chrysler Prowler or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Prowler has far fewer complaints per year (7 vs. 1,131), but it is a rare vehicle with limited data. The Ford F-150’s higher volume means more reported problems, but also more widespread parts and service availability. In practice, the Prowler may have fewer overall issues, but each one can be harder to fix.
Key differences
- The Prowler has 0 recalls; the F-150 has 145 recalls, indicating many safety-related fixes over the years.
- Prowler complaints center on suspension and latches; F-150 complaints are dominated by power train and electrical issues.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries; the Prowler has 1 crash-related complaint and 3 injuries, though its low volume limits comparison.
- Both have 1 death reported, but the F-150’s much larger fleet means the rate per vehicle is far lower.
- Inspect lower ball joints and strut mounts for rust or wear, as owners report failures that can cause loss of steering.
- Check that the tailgate and hood latches/struts operate correctly and don’t open unexpectedly while driving.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for hard or delayed transmission shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears.
- Check for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' that may indicate electrical problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the F-150’s many recalls.
- For the Prowler, have a mechanic inspect suspension components and latches for rust or wear.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive extensively to check shift quality.
- Verify that electrical features (lights, cameras, sensors) work properly on both vehicles.
- Check parts availability and service costs for the specific model, as the Prowler may have limited aftermarket support.
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
- 11,311
- Chrysler Prowler total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Chrysler Prowler avg complaints/year
- 7.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Prowler
- Chrysler Prowler top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN