2017 RAM Promaster Engine Problems

COMPONENT FAILED: Left transmission mount bracket and its fasteners on a 2017 RAM ProMaster with 3.6L V6 Pentastar (sales code ERB) and 62TE 6-speed automatic (sales code DG2). At least one bracket-to-transaxle bolt sheared. The bracket separated from the transmission, the powertrain dropped on the driver side, the left front CV axle pulled out of the transaxle, and transmission fluid loss occurred. The transmission case casting also appears cracked at the bracket mounting boss. All failed components are preserved and available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Failure occurred during LOW-SPEED MANEUVERING. Had it occurred at highway speed, the dropped powertrain and separated front drive axle could have caused loss of vehicle control, sudden disabling of the vehicle in traffic, and roadway debris from dragging components. Industry-published cases describe identical failures at 40+ mph (Certified Transmission, May 2019). Multiple owner reports of the same failure exist for 2015-2021 ProMasters. CONFIRMED BY: Failure confirmed by visual inspection at an independent service facility. The failure mode matches FCA Service Bulletin 23-022-19 (8/27/2019), which warns the bracket fasteners are torque-to-yield, single-stage, one-time use, and that reuse can lead to bracket bolt failure. The TSB is classified Information Only — no recall has been issued. INSPECTED BY: Inspected by the owner and an independent repair technician. Not yet inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. The vehicle had recent service in the transmission area; whether the one-time-use fasteners specified by the TSB were replaced during that service is under investigation. WARNING SIGNS: None. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms preceded the failure. Given the documented failure mode, manufacturer service bulletin, and multiple owner reports of identical failures across model years, a formal investigation into a potential safety recall is requested.

NHTSA ID

11738594

Incident

May 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ram Promaster 3500. 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 local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11662389

Incident

May 21, 2025

Went to use the brakes and they would not work. Had to swerve into a ditch to stop. ABS and Traction issue.

NHTSA ID

11634291

Incident

Jan 3, 2025

There’s already a recall on the engine cooling fans. I was driving on the freeway when the cooling g fans failed causing overheating and major damage to the engine, specifically the head gasket, thermostat, and radiator. I took it to the dealer after finding out about the recall. They replaced the fans but are still not working correctly. They also refused to repair the other damages that were caused due to the recall part failure. I use my vehicle for work and have been unable to work for more than 2 weeks now due to the damages and have had to decline a lot of work in that time. This is affecting my livelihood. So far the dealer and manufacturer have only wanted to charge me for any additional diags or repairs when my vehicle was running great until this incident. The vehicle is unsafe to drive and the recall report stated the engine could catch fire. I took my vehicle to the dealer, a second time to see what they could do for me, Just to find out, they only wanted to charge me for multiple diagnostic diagnosis and would have me wait. At least a week before they could even begin touching my vehicle also refusing to give me a loaner vehicle in the meantime.

NHTSA ID

11614481

Incident

Aug 27, 2024

What happened: While driving on the freeway, the engine cooling fans failed, causing the engine temperature to rise excessively and increasing pressure within the cooling system. This resulted in a hole being blown through the thermostat, and all the coolant leaked out. Only after the coolant was lost did the engine overheating warning lamp come on. I safely pulled over, but the engine had already overheated severely. I was unable to drive the vehicle for a week while waiting for the dealer to replace the cooling fans under the recall. After the recall repair was completed, I picked up my vehicle from the dealer. On my way home, I noticed a loss of power, poor acceleration, and engine shaking, especially after the engine had been off for a few hours. I replaced the thermostat and radiator myself, but I believe the overheating caused internal engine damage, potentially a blown head gasket, cracked, or warped heads. Additionally, before taking the vehicle back to the dealer, I noticed the newly installed cooling fans (replaced under the recall) stopped working again. Despite all these issues clearly being related to the initial fan failure and overheating, the dealer is now charging me for further repairs and is not addressing the underlying problem with the cooling system. The fact that the cooling fans have a recall due to failure and have caused other issues are trying to tell me I’m responsible. They wouldn’t give me a loaner vehicle while they were performing the initial recall repair or now since I’ve taken it back.

NHTSA ID

11614112

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

Both cams need to be replaced. Upon doing internet research and talking with the service advisor this is a very commom problem and recalls have been done on other years but not 2017. Henry Miller Dodge Ram is where my vehicle is currently at and who advised the issues at hand. The check engine light comes on and computer shows misfire.

NHTSA ID

11573013

Incident

Feb 5, 2024

The contact owned a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the parking lot of a residential building and turning the engine off, approximately 36 hours later the contact was alerted by the property manager that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the failure, the vehicle was destroyed. A fire report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed to a local holding yard. The fire department indicated that the fire originated in the center dashboard of the vehicle. The exact cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact referred to the NHTSA campaign number 19V818000 (Equipment, Engine, Engine Cooling) and indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11527396

Incident

Jun 16, 2023

Mileage

85,000 mi

2017, 119,000 miles. 8/9/18: maintenance transmission service at 62,651 miles. 6/4/20 Recall WOO shifter cable replaced. 11/11/21 AGM Interstate battery MTX-49 replaced. ISSUE: End of May 2022 (~117,000 miles) had driven from Florida & back 2x without any problems but was slowing down by taking my foot off the gas for exit ramp - the engine started roaring louder & the vehicle apparently had shifted to ?neutral - pulled off the road & shifted to P & then to D & drove on home without any further problem. That was #1 occurrence & I took it to a transmission shop in July (had not had the problem again) to see what they thought. They did road test, fluid check & scan of control modules for trouble codes/errors & analyzed data stream for inconsistencies - found no error codes or inconsistencies. Incidentally, have been having some type of parasitic draw on my new battery for the past year. Occurrence #2: almost a year later April 2023 I am driving up to 55 mph running errands & I slow down to 45 mph & the engine starts to roar & the van is coasting & the light up area of P-R-N-D backlight is not lit up that is normally lit up & no check codes/warnings have appeared - everything else including front drivers light panel all normally lit. I pull off into a parking lot, put in park, turn it off, then turn back on (still with unlit gear display) & I put in drive & it runs normally around the parking lot & the remaining way home.I have driven it locally for 40-60 miles each time with intermittent stops for about 4-5 times since then & can’t replicate the problem again. Incidentally still parasitic draw on battery. 1) could replaced shifter cable be a problem? 2) fuse #38 problem causing loss of power to solenoids? 3) transmission range sensor failing causing it to fall out of gear? 4) transmission control module problem? 5) solenoid problem? 6) worn/broken transmission bands? 7) worn out gears? - some cause putting into “limp mode”? This is dangerous situation?

NHTSA ID

11526688

Incident

May 29, 2022

Was not notified that my Ram Promaster 2017 needed two recalls when purchasing it from an official Ram dealership in 2020 with 35k miles on it. Now, at 90k miles I'm having to replace a radiator and cables that failed as a result of the coolant fan being replaced. Took it to two separate shops (first shop couldn't lift it) which both confirmed that my radiator experienced failure and caused electrical faults including blowing a 60amp fuse because this part was not replaced. I never was notified by Ram over the phone regarding this issue or from the dealership I purchased it from. Now, I'm having to pay a lot out of pocket to repair these parts (because I can't get my vehicle into any Ram dealership in the area for over a month) and having a third party, high quality mechanic do the repairs instead. I had to also pay to have the vehicle towed to the shop at my own expense as the vehicle had the check engine light on and was deemed by the first mechanic to not be safe to drive. I will upload files of the repair costs once the repairs are complete. $315 tow, $300 in diagnosing fees that won't be covered, and $1600 out of pocket for repairs is what I'm looking at. If I didn't have a 3rd party extended warranty, it would cost me close to $5k for repairs.

NHTSA ID

11525077

Incident

May 28, 2023

2017 RAM PROMASTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ENGINE COOLING FAN SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11486022

Incident

Sep 23, 2022

The engine has been replaced in the truck with under 95k then the transmission goes down at 105k. Paid over 13k just for those two repairs within 4 months period. Those vans needs to be recalled for many complaints!

NHTSA ID

11424290

Incident

Nov 18, 2020

THE ETC WARMING LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE VAN WILL DECREASE POWER MOMENTARILY , I USUALLY PULL OVER, TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THAT LIGHT GOES OUT AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. AFTER SEVERAL STARTS AND STOPS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OUT. DEALER FIXED IT LAST WEEK BUT THE RED FLASHING LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11407080

Incident

Mar 10, 2021

Mileage

134,000 mi

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

11396757

Incident

Feb 18, 2021

Mileage

81,000 mi

LOCAL DEALER, SUNSR DODGE, NOT RESPONSIVE TO COMPLETING RECALLS. NHTSA RECALL# 19V818 AND 20V-036. ANDREW HODGSON SARASOTA FL [email protected]

NHTSA ID

11378415

Incident

Dec 7, 2020

HAD THE VAN SERVICED PER THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ISSUE. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED FROM. AFTER DRIVING AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND GETTING ABOUT 50 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD NEVER GET AHOLD OF THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. DON JACKSON IN ATLANTA. THEY WOULD NEVER RETURN CALLS. I TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT'S THE ENGINE COOLING FAN RELAY IS SHOT. I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.

NHTSA ID

11360452

Incident

Sep 8, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

2017 RAM PROMASTER 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TWO NHTSA SAFETY RECALLS 20V-036 AND 19V-818. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIRS. *JS

NHTSA ID

11354711

Incident

Sep 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM PROMASTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V818000 (EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TOWN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (# 1001 N. MILLER ST, WENATCHEE, WA 98801) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11331560

Incident

Jun 29, 2020

WAITING ON A FIX FOR 3 RECALLS

NHTSA ID

11322275

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

2 RECALLS W00 AND VB2... NO ACTION TAKEN AND NO DATES FOR REMEDY. THEY GIVE ZERO INFORMATION. CANNOT SELL VEHICLE AND DANGEROUS TO USE. WILL NOT TELL YOU HOW LONG ISSUE HAS BEEN PENDING

NHTSA ID

11320031

Incident

Feb 1, 1920

I HAD THE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO A NOISE AND NOTICEABLE HEAT COMING FROM THE ENGINE AT 68262 MILES. I LATER RECEIVED A LETTER STATING FCA WAS DOING A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE COMPONENT. APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES OR A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, I WAS GETTING A ENGINE VIBRATION AND GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I DID A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN AND IT SAID MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 2. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS THE CYLINDER HEAD THAT WAS BAD AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED THEM IF THE COOLING FAN RECALL WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS BUT THEY SAID NO IMMEDIATELY. MY VEHICLE HAS NOW SAT AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY CANT FIND PARTS TO EVEN REPAIR THIS ISSUE. THEY WILL NOT CONFIRM IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT THIS MUST BE A HUGE PROBLEM IF THEY CANT EVEN FIND PARTS ANY WHERE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THIS VEHICLE IS JUST A LITTLE PAST ITS WARRANTY AND SHOULD BE COVERED DUE TO THE FACT IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE THAT MORE THAN LIKELY CAUSED THE CYLINDER HEAD FAILURE. THE LAST TIME I RECEIVED A EMAIL FROM FCA WAS TWO WEEKS AGO AND THEY STATED THAT THERE IS STILL NO ETA ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THEIR RECALL ISSUE IS CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE AND CAUSING THE ENGINES TO OVER HEAD TO CAUSE CYLINDER HEAD FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11309566

Incident

Jan 5, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

01/29/2020 SUNLIGHT 1 DODGE PROMASTER WITH 9000 MILES AT 9AM PST ERRUPTED IN FLAMES. A SECURITY CAMERA CAUGHT THE EVENT ON CAMERA, 9AM PST. THE VEHICLE SMOKED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA FOR 20 MINUTES AND ERRUPTED WITH ENGULFING ORANGE FLAMES, AND NOISE THAT ALERTED THE DOG INSIDE THE HOUSE. 911 WAS CALLED AND FIREMEN WORKED FOR 3 HOURS TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. HAD THE CAMPERVAN BEEN PARKED NOSE TO THE HOME, THE HOME WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE, THE JEEP PARKED WITHIN 3 FT OF CAMPER MELTED THE REAR PANELS, NOT KNOWN YET IF IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAMPER HAD BEEN USED ONLY FOR TRANSPORT, NOT CAMPING. 9000 MILES. NO ALTERATIONS AND AN ADDED REAR CAMERA. IT HAD SAT IN PLACE 4 WEEKS IN DECEMBER IN MID 40'S DEGREE WEATHER. IT WAS LIGHTLY RAINING WHEN IT BURNT. THE BURN LANDED THE ENGINE ON THE GROUND. ACCESS TO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT WAS DIFFICULT FOR FIREMEN. PARKED IN GRAVELED DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID

11306443

Incident

Jan 29, 2020

Mileage

9,000 mi

HEAD LIGHT BULB ELECTRICAL SHORT BLOWING LIGHTS OUT ALL THE TIME. READ ONLINE COMPLAINTS. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE HEADLIGHT BULBS.

NHTSA ID

11120032

Incident

Nov 1, 2017

1 THE LIGHT COMING ON OFF ON DASH BOARD ITS SAYING RUNNING LIGHTS OUT I CHECK ALL THE LIGHTS EVERYTHING WORKING ITS JUST COMING ON AND OFF ITS SELF WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS ITS ON . ON MY VEHICLES EVEN DOESNT HAVE THE RUNNNING LIGHTS 2 IM ADDING ANTIFREEZE LIKE EVERY 10K TO 15K MILLES DEALER TOLD ME THAT NORMAL 3 ENGINE HAVE SOME VIBRATION SHAKING LOOKS LIKE LOOSING POWER

NHTSA ID

11073437

Incident

Dec 20, 2017