The 1999 Prowler is a low-production roadster with a bulletproof 3.5L V6 but plagued by weak transmission coolers, fragile suspension components, and surprisingly catastrophic engine failures tied to oil starvation under aggressive cornering—ironic for a sports car.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Leading to ATF/Coolant Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid (coolant mixing), Transmission slipping or harsh shifts, Overheating transmission temperature, Coolant loss with no external leaks
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler, flush cooling system completely, drain and refill transmission with new ATF multiple times to purge contamination. If caught late, internal transmission damage requires rebuild. 4-6 hours labor for cooler replacement alone, 12-18 hours if transmission needs rebuild.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for cooler replacement; $2,500-4,000 if transmission damaged
Catastrophic Engine Bearing Failure from Oil Starvation
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden knocking noise from engine bottom end during hard cornering or acceleration, Loss of oil pressure at sustained lateral Gs, Metal shavings in oil filter, Catastrophic failure: spun bearings, scored crankshaft
Fix: Oil pan design allows pickup to uncover during aggressive driving. Once bearings spin, needs full bottom-end rebuild: crankshaft grind or replace, all bearings, piston inspection, machine work. Often requires short block replacement. 20-30 hours labor for complete rebuild.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Front Lower Control Arm Cracking and Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Visible cracks in control arm castings (aluminum), Wandering steering or alignment won't hold, Catastrophic separation possible—recall issued but not all caught
Fix: Replace both front lower control arms preventively even if only one shows cracking—aluminum castings fail from stress. Alignment mandatory after replacement. 3-4 hours labor per side.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400 for both sides with alignment
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Severe clunking during acceleration or deceleration, Vibration felt through shifter, Transmission visibly sagging when viewed from underneath
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails prematurely due to engine torque and heat. Requires transmission support during replacement. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Fuel Pump Failure (Recall-Related But Still Common)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition or stalling while driving, Whining noise from fuel tank before failure, Loss of power under load, Check engine light with fuel pressure codes
Fix: In-tank pump fails. Requires tank drop and pump module replacement. Recall addressed some units but failures still occur. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Frame Cracking at Rear Shock Towers
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: Clunking from rear suspension over bumps, Visible cracks in aluminum frame near shock mounts, Misalignment of rear wheels, Catastrophic handling degradation if undetected
Fix: Aluminum space-frame can crack at high-stress points, particularly rear shock towers. Requires specialized aluminum welding and reinforcement plates—not all shops can handle this properly. Factory recall addressed some, but inspect used examples carefully. 8-12 hours labor minimum if repairable.
Estimated cost: $2,000-4,000 if repairable; some frames are totaled
Owner tips
Install an aftermarket oil pan baffle kit immediately if you plan any spirited driving—prevents oil starvation failures
Change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles and inspect cooler lines religiously—early catch prevents expensive failures
Inspect front control arms and frame shock towers annually for cracks—aluminum doesn't rust but it does fatigue-crack
These were built in limited numbers with hand assembly—parts availability is shrinking and some components are NLA from Mopar, plan accordingly
Avoid extended storage without exercise—seals dry out and fuel systems gum up quickly on these
Buy only if you can afford the inevitable $5K-8K in deferred maintenance and understand you're maintaining a hand-built aluminum roadster, not a Neon—find one with documented oil starvation fix and recent transmission service or walk away.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Battery located in trunk; requires extended cables
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Control Modules — 1999 Plymouth Prowler
Every control module on the 1997-2001 Plymouth Prowler — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Body Control Module (BCM)1.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.5 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind center console, driver side kick panel area
🔧 DRB-III + MDS subscription
⚠️ Controls lighting, wipers, power accessories; VIN and vehicle configuration must be programmed
📍 Left front fender well, behind inner fender liner
🔧 DRB-III + MDS subscription
⚠️ VIN programming and theft system integration required; aftermarket tools (Autel, Launch) may perform flash but SKIM pairing often requires DRB-III/MDS
⚠️ Mileage programming required; odometer stored in cluster; VIN must be written to new cluster
Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Controller (HVAC)0.9 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Center console, integrated with climate control panel
⚠️ Plug-and-play replacement; no programming required
Airbag Control Module (ACM)0.8 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Center console, below shifter assembly
🔧 DRB-III or aftermarket scan tool
⚠️ Crash data must be cleared; no programming required for replacement module
Radio / Audio System (RAD)0.7 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Center console, integrated into dash
🔧 DRB-III or radio code entry
⚠️ Anti-theft radio code required after battery disconnect or replacement; code on card with owner's manual
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 06E022000
2006-03-13
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · 03V034000
2003-02-05 · EA02033
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
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · 99V313000
1999-11-04
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME ALUMINUM CASTINGS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE FRAME MAY HAVE MISSED THE REQUIRED HEAT TREATMENT OPERATION RESULTING IN SOFT FRAME CASTINGS.
Consequence: SOME OF THESE FRAMES COULD FRACTURE UNDER VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE HANDLING OR VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE VEHICLES.
INTERIOR LIGHTING · 99V245000
1999-09-15
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence: THE BRAKE INDICATOR LAMP CIRCUIT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED GROUND CIRCUIT TO ILLUMINATE THE LAMP IN THE EVENT OF A BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC MALFUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH A WIRING JUMPER TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH.
INTERIOR LIGHTING · 98V104000
1998-05-14
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BACK LIGHT BULBS FOR THE LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY FOR THE GEAR SHIFT POSITION (PRNDL) AND THE ODOMETER WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED.
Consequence: IF THE BULBS FALL OUT, THE DISPLAY MAY BE DIFFICULT TO READ.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ASSEMBLY WITH CLUSTERS THAT HAVE BULBS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TWIST-LOCKED IN PLACE.
Vehicle Info — 1999 Plymouth Prowler
Performance
Horsepower
253hp
Torque
255lb-ft
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
15mpg
Highway
21mpg
Combined
18mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
Seating
2seats
EPA class
Two Seaters
Wiper blades
Roadster with retractable soft top. Both blades same length.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 1999 Plymouth Prowler 3.5L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.