RoadVitals

2016 RAM Promaster

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
31
Latest Dec 1, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
15
Latest Oct 15, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 RAM Promaster, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 15 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 365 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1331.0%
  • Powertrain (other)819.0%
  • Electrical716.7%
  • Exterior lighting49.5%
  • Brakes37.1%
  • Other / unspecified24.8%
  • Driver assistance24.8%
  • Fuel system12.4%

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

Safety recalls

15 campaigns cover this model year

View all 15

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V582000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Oct 15, 2020
20 units potentially affected
The defect: Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles (Prime-Time) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Paratransit vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever position not matching the actual transmission gear.
The risk: The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Prime-Time will notify owners instructing them to take their vehicles to Ram dealers for the necessary repairs, free of charge. Owners may contact Prime-Time customer service at 1-574-293-9191. Prime-Time's number for this recall is W00.
Prime-Time Specialty VehiclesManufacturer number W00View on NHTSA.gov
20V036000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Jan 23, 2020
222,207 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever position not matching the actual transmission gear.
The risk: The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ram Trucks at 1-866-726-4636. Chrysler's number for this recall is W00.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC)Manufacturer number W00View on NHTSA.gov
19V818000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Nov 15, 2019
99,128 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel or 3.6L gasoline engines and air conditioning (A/C). The engine cooling fan may seize which can cause the cooling fan motor to overheat.
The risk: An overheated fan motor increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Chrysler will inform owners, and dealers will replace the engine cooling fan module, free of charge. Interim owner notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed December 10, 2019. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. The recall began July 7, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB2.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC)Manufacturer number VB2View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 31
Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2025

I purchase this car used from a dealer. the transmission failed at 87564 miles. i had the a new transmission installed. The gear box or shifter failed at 91231 miles. I had that repaired. The timing chain started to fail at 100432 miles. this issue would cause the car to stall randomly. This I feel is a safety issue. The car is not being driven for the cost of repair is out of my budget.

NHTSA ID
11702191
Incident
Oct 1, 2025
Filed Sep 10, 2025

The backup camera on our Ram is currently inverted. I am not sure if it is available for inspection. It makes it hard to see what is behind us when backing up. We received a notice about a recall concerning this issue but I do not see it mentioned on your website when looking up the vehicle. No warnings prior to it messing up. This has been a problem since we received the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11686287
Incident
Nov 30, 2021
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ram ProMaster. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was later towed to the local mechanic. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

NHTSA ID
11671916
Incident
Jul 7, 2025
Mileage
170,000 mi
Filed Jan 28, 2025

The 2 items that were listed on the recall caused the transmission to fail. In turn, I had to replace the transmission. If it weren't for the recall, the transmission would have been fine. I first noticed there was a problem when it wouldn't allow me to shift gears. When the dealership fixed the items listed on the recall, they stated that the transmission wasn't a part of the recall so they weren't going to do anything about it.

NHTSA ID
11639139
Incident
Dec 6, 2024
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 1, 2024

ESC fault codes came on. Brake light switch intermittently not activating causing vehicle to set ESC fault.

NHTSA ID
11623152
Incident
Nov 1, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2024

Parking brake won't release when temperatures are at freezing or below. Consensus opinion on the internet is that water is getting into the cable + cable housing line and freezing, which causes the cable to stick inside the housing. Thus, when releasing the parking brake, the cable doesn't move and the pads are still pressing against the drums.

NHTSA ID
11563536
Incident
Jan 4, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 28, 2023

We have owned this vehicle for 4 years. We are now on our 3rd time having the transmission replaced.

NHTSA ID
11547079
Incident
Sep 14, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 10, 2023

The problem I'm having with my truck is I can't keep a head light from burning out. I just had one quit that was a month old. I've been using the spec. lamp from Sylvania H7. What really sucks about this is in the past 2 years I've installed at least 7 or 8 head lamps, and at a cost of $45 to $55 bucks each it's Bull#@#$. Why can't Dodge come up with a better head lamp.

NHTSA ID
11543731
Incident
Sep 1, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

S1623000028 Rev. K

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

S1623000028 REV.J

STRUCTURE:BODY

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

S1623000028 REV.I

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

S1623000028 REV.H

STRUCTURE:BODY

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

109614

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

STARTER - ENGINE

109512

ENGINE

STARTER - ENGINE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

RAM Promaster by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026230—
2025640—
2024115062.1
2023755168.6
2022588160.6
20211078059.3
2020425063.3
2019579057.8
20183710060.8
20175710053.9
2016Viewing3115048.9
20156013055.6
20147113050.9

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.