RoadVitals

2018 RAM Promaster City Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest May 7, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 RAM Promaster City, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine842.1%
  • Electrical315.8%
  • Exterior lighting210.5%
  • Powertrain (other)210.5%
  • Steering15.3%
  • Fuel system15.3%
  • Seat belts15.3%
  • Brakes15.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My vehicle has shut off on several occasions while driving. No oil or engine light appeared on, but my oil was very low. No ill or negative indicators came up whatsoever. The vehicle stopped in places which I was not able to stay or park at. Some people were honking because my vehicle was blocking traffic. I believe the first time I encountered the problem was around 106,000miles. The problem has continued up to now at 120,00miles. Dealerships and myself have added oil but the problem continues with no indicators communicating an issue, though there clearly is one.

NHTSA ID 11647169 · filed Mar 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and the throttle control system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was unsure of the diagnostic results; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle would be repaired under an unstated recall. The dealer performed an unstated test on the vehicle and then informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired because the vehicle was no longer under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,405.

NHTSA ID 11598663 · filed Jul 3, 2024
All 8 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Driving on the expressway and the electrical gages started acting erratic then the motor turned off while driving. When the vehicle turned off we lost all control of the vehicle at 70 MPH. We hit the brakes hard causing traffic issues and stopped in traffic and could not move and had to call a tow truck to move the vehicle. Towed the vehicle to the dealer that said the motor was bad and that FCA would have to replace it. We were told prior to this happening that the van had recalls but ours was fine.

NHTSA ID 11461847 · filed Apr 22, 2022

ENGINE RADIATOR COOLING FAN SIEZED UP AND BECAME VERY HOT. COULD START FIRE AS WELL AS OVERHEAT ENGINE PROBLEM. PROBLEM FOUND ON A COOL DAY SITTING IDLING. VEHICLE WON'T BE 2 YEARS IN SERVICE FOR ANOTHER 3 MONTHS

NHTSA ID 11377257 · filed Dec 1, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR PULSE-WITH MODULATION LAMPS TAIL LIGHT (TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT LAMP) DO NOT COME ON RIGHT AWAY WHEN LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON DASHBOARD THAT RUNNING LIGHTS ARE OUT. HOWEVER, AFTER BRIEFLY APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL, MESSAGE GOES AWAY AND MENTIONED ABOVE LAMP COMES ON AT LOWER BRIGHTNESS (TAIL LIGHT MODE).

NHTSA ID 11395512 · filed Feb 10, 2021

REAR RUNNING - BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO TURN ON UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID 11309309 · filed Feb 15, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the engine seized, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was started, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure became a persistent failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 69,900.

NHTSA ID 11659568 · filed May 7, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM PROMASTER CITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE L.T. BEGNAL MOTOR COMPANY (129 RT 28, KINGSTON, NY 12401, (845) 331-5080) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING FLUID AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V149000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. *LN*JB *BF CONSUMER STATED FLUID CONTINUED TO DISAPPEAR FROM THE LEAKS AND BY 58K WHOLE BOTTLE WAS ADDED. DEALER CONFIRMED POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE. WARRANTY RAN OUT ON 35K.*JB

NHTSA ID 11366989 · filed Oct 29, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Power steering gear has cracked and is leaking

NHTSA ID 11434040 · filed Sep 23, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

When driving down the hill of our neighborhood road, while approaching the stop sign to turn onto the main road, the van stalled. With no advanced notice, the vehicle lost all ability to accelerate, brake and turn. This resulted in the van stopping halfway into the middle of the main road. This is the second time that this issue has occurred. The first time the car was towed to the dealership and they had it for 2 weeks to 'just do an oil change'. Knowing oil is the cause for the unsafe "safety mechanism" to be triggered we added a couple of quarts until the vehicle was able to start and drove it back up the hill to our home.

NHTSA ID 11436203 · filed Oct 10, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The front passenger seat belt would not pull out to secure passengers. I took the vehicle to an independent service center to see about fixing the problem. They were unable to fix the device. I was traveling and could not get to my home dealer until I returned. I was unable to take any passengers in my vehicle for safety reasons without a functioning seatbelt. I ordered a replacement seat belt assembly from the dealer and had to wait 4 weeks before the part came in. The dealer was able to replace the old assembly with the new one.

NHTSA ID 11545637 · filed Sep 20, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE BRAKES OVERHEATED CAUSING A FIRE.

NHTSA ID 11245445 · filed Aug 21, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .