RoadVitals

2016 RAM Promaster Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Mar 20, 2016

What this page shows

Our database holds 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 RAM Promaster. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 31 · page 1 of 2

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
Filed Aug 11, 2023

Transmission fell out while driving. Mine and my daughter’s live was put at risk. Towing guy told me he’ve been towing Amazon trucks many times with the same problem and to check for recall because it happens too often. Independent service center confirmed. No warning lights, it felt like flat tire at first. Fortunately it happened while driving on street at 20 mph before approaching right turn.

NHTSA ID
11538036
Incident
Aug 6, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 11, 2022

E-Brake cable freezes or doesn't disengage causing damage to the rotors, brakes, pads. Dealership said that the e-brake cable had stretched causing the rear parking brake to lock and destroy the rotors, brake pads, shoes, wheel speed sensors, pad sensors. This issue was addressed while the vehicle was under manufacturer right before we purchased the vehicle. No action was taken due to no codes in the computer, which is related to a Technical Service Bulletin for this vehicle. The TSB number is 08-088-16. Dated November 15, 2016. The TSB requires the re-flashing of the computer. The vehicle AVG Mpg does not change from 4.7mpg. There are no VIN numbers on the TSB. It applies to vehicles that are having this issue. The safety issue with this is, the parking assist brakes do not work when this issue is present. This is a 2016 Dodge RAM ProMaster 2500 Diesel. There is no PARK. Only the PARKING ASSIST E-BRAKE.

NHTSA ID
11456367
Incident
Jan 6, 2022
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would make abnormal grinding sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and test-driven. The contact was informed that no issues were found. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the abnormal grinding sounds were getting increasingly louder. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair as the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that they would not diagnose the vehicle because the independent mechanic had removed the oil pan. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, it would make abnormal clunking sounds. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ID
11443702
Incident
Aug 13, 2021
Mileage
40,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster. The contact stated while accelerating, the front end of the vehicle vibrated. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the driveshaft, front passenger’s and driver’s side CV boots, motor mounts, and the vehicle had several front-end alignments however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that all four tires were replaced. The contact stated when the failure occurred the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who stated that the CV boots and engine mount was cracked. The CV boots and engine mounts were replaced. The failure continued and the vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The dealer stated that all four tires were unbalanced. The tires were balanced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11434122
Incident
Sep 23, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 9, 2021

Twice my van has unexpectedly and without warning shifted into neutral. The first incident was 8/24/21 and I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green and went to drive and the display showed I was in neutral and the van wouldn’t move. The display on the shifter flashed neutral. The van was still on but wouldn’t move. I had the van towed to the nearest Dodge dealership and they could find nothing wrong. The second incident was yesterday. I was approaching a red light and close to stopping when the van chugged and said it was I neutral - I felt a difference in the propulsion as if it was not driving but gliding. Again the display screen showed it had unexpected and without warning shifter into neutral. The police were called both times to redirect traffic and ensure a safe tow.

NHTSA ID
11432333
Incident
Aug 24, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 12, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster. The contact stated that the vehicle headlight bulbs would blow approximately every 6 months. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80.

NHTSA ID
11428830
Incident
Aug 9, 2016
Mileage
80 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 18, 2021

WE HAVE 3 RAM PROMASTERS AND ALL 3 HAVE AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL COOLER, COSTING OVER $800 EACH TO HAVE REPAIRED. AGAIN, ALL 3 HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE RESULTING IN OVER $2,400 IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
11396756
Incident
Feb 18, 2021
Mileage
141,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 13, 2020

"NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED." THE AMERICAN AUTOMAKER HAS ANNOUNCED THAT CERTAIN 2011-2013 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WILL GET WARRANTY EXTENSIONS BECAUSE THE LEFT CYLINDER HEADS MIGHT CRACK. CHRYSLER WILL EXTEND THE ENGINE WARRANTY ON THE LEFT-SIDE CYLINDER HEAD TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES AND THE REMAINING ENGINE COMPONENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE COVERED BY THE STANDARD FIVE-YEAR, 100,000-MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER, ROUGHLY 7,500 ENGINES WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD FAILURE AND WAS FIRST DISCOVERED IN 2012. (THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT CLEARLY STILL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED EVEN FOR 2018-2019 MODELS.) FCA REJECTS THIS AS IN MY QUESTION TO THEM CONCERNING THIS EXACT MATTER. RE: CASE # [XXX] THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING FCA CUSTOMER CARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERN. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS YOUR SATISFACTION. MY NAME IS ALEXANDRA AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND EFFORT IN BRINGING THIS MATTER TO US. UPON THOROUGH REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION, WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT HAS BEEN DENIED. -THE BASIC WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ON MARCH 8, 2019. AND POWERTRAIN WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ( EXPIRED ODOMETER ) AT 92,077 MILES. -NO RELATED RECALL FOR THIS REPAIR. AS MUCH AS QUALITY SERVICE IS OUR CONCERN, PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN GUIDELINES AND QUALIFICATIONS THAT WE NEED TO MEET IN ORDER TO GRANT YOUR REQUEST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UTMOST UNDERSTANDING. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED BUSINESS WITH US, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU REACHING OUT TO US TODAY. SINCERELY, [XXX], FCA REIMBURSEMENT SPECIALIST. THE REPAIR COSTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SO I AM SURE THEY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY BUT THEY ARE. THE CUSTOMER DID NOT BUILD THE ENGINE BUT THE CUSTOMER IS LEFT TO PICK UP THE PIECES. #NOT ALONE MELSON V. FCA US LLC FILED: MARCH 27, 2020 CASE# [XXX] FCA US LLC MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11374525
Incident
Oct 1, 2020
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 30, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 2500 PROMASTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V818000 (EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11361983
Incident
Sep 30, 2020
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 20, 2020

DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT PERFORM RECALL BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329849
Incident
Dec 6, 2019
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 16, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2016 RAM PROMASTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V818000 (EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 20V036000(POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11318324
Incident
Nov 28, 2019
Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2020

AT 75,000 MILES MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NO SIGNS BEFOREHAND IT JUST BROKE

NHTSA ID
11311752
Incident
Feb 15, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 12, 2019

2016 RAM PROMASTER 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A HARD SHIFT ISSUE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JOLT FORWARD AS IF IT WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. *JS

NHTSA ID
11254915
Incident
Jun 27, 2019
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 15, 2018

ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS WE ARE HAVING TO REPLACE LIGHT BULBS IN EITHER HEADLAMP. ONE OR THE OTHER KEEPING BURNING OUT. WE REPLACE THE BULBS TOGETHER AND USE GLOVES AS TO NOT DESTROY THE BULB. WE JUST HAD THE VAN INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON OCT. 5, 2018 FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY RAN A CHECK ON THE WIRING SYSTEM AND FOUND NOTHING. THEN SUNDAY THE ONE BULB WENT OUT AGAIN AND WE REPLACED IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS ADDRESS.

NHTSA ID
11140327
Incident
Oct 5, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 6, 2018

IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN INSPECTION, OIL CHANGE AND COOLANT CHECK, AND I BEGAN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE FAN BEGAN TO RATTLE AGAINST THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I STOPPED USING THE AIR CONDITIONER AND IT SOUNDED AS IF THE FAN WAS STRUGGLING TO STAY ON. NEXT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND THE TEMPERATURE ON THE THERMOSTAT WENT TO THE MAX AND OVERHEATED. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN MY CAR ON AND OFF TO RESTART THE FAN AND COOL THE ENGINE. I USE MY VAN DAILY FOR WORK, AND MAINTAIN IT EVERY TWO MONTHS. I FEEL THE THE POWER TRAIN ON THE 2016 RAM PROMASTER 1500 SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
11100220
Incident
Jun 4, 2018
Mileage
47,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 22, 2018

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING FAULT ON ONE FAN 3 CONTROL CIRCUIT, (ERROR CODE P0482) BLOWN FUSE REPLACED BUT STILL SAME PROBLEM , DEALER RECOMMENDS PART TO BE REPLACED IS COOLING FAN MODULE - PART # 68189000AD WHICH IS ON BACK ORDER FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 1300 PARTS. ...SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THIS PART AND NO REPORTS ON THEM WERE REPORTED TO THE CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ID
11097293
Incident
May 17, 2018
Mileage
93,268 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND INSTANCE OF THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PERFORMANCE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM COLUMBUS (AUTO MALL DR, COLUMBUS, OH), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

NHTSA ID
11054122
Incident
Dec 11, 2017
Mileage
18,000 mi

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.

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