RoadVitals

2020 RAM Promaster Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
9
Latest Aug 10, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
21%
of 42 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 RAM Promaster submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V720000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the back over prevention camera failed to properly operate and failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. The failure was intermittent. The coolant level failed to remain at the proper levels and coolant needed to be added frequently. The contact stated that the battery suddenly lost power and need to be recharged more frequently. The dealer was contacted several times; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was recently contacted, and the contact was informed that an inspection was needed before ordering the parts. The dealer stated that it might take a day or two to complete the inspection and order the parts but could not provide a time for when the parts would be received or when the repair would be completed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ID
11755901
Incident
Aug 23, 2025
Mileage
36,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle, began to make a loud noise, and misfired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with repaired; however the issue persisted. The vehicle was not taken for repairs again. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate mileage 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11740198
Incident
Dec 17, 2025
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V720000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11740167
Incident
Oct 23, 2025
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 12, 2026

This van has been at a Dodge dealership shop for the same melted fuse box issues over 6 times and caught on fire last week while driving it back from the dealership to be used.

NHTSA ID
11717703
Incident
Feb 1, 2026
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ram ProMaster 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the engine cooling fan continued running. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness, fuse box, and two modules had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact discovered that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V720000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention) while searching online. However, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the cooling fan module and fuse had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that 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 made aware of the failure and placed the contact on a waiting list for parts to become available. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA ID
11717313
Incident
Feb 11, 2026
Mileage
137,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and the transmission downshifted unexpectedly. The check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, while shifted in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle remained at the dealer for over a year and a half. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on the day the contact was supposed to pick up the vehicle, the contact noticed oil stains on the ground. The contact stated that an abnormal sound was coming from the steering wheel when the gear lever was in reverse(R). The steering wheel failed to function as intended; when the steering wheel was moved, the steering wheel remained frozen in position, and force was used to turn the steering wheel. The maintenance record showed that service was performed. However, when the contact checked the oil, the oil was black, and there was a rotten odor coming from the oil and the vehicle remained at the dealer. The contact later received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V552000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) and 25V720000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that when the heater was activated, heat was coming from the vents on the passenger side, and heat failed to come from the driver’s side. The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was retrieved, and days later the transmission failed to function as needed. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the transmission had been repaired and no more repairs were needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that a field inspector would be sent to inspect the vehicle at the residence. The contact stated that days later the manufacturer sent a letter that the case was closed. The failure milea

NHTSA ID
11716001
Incident
Apr 8, 2024
Mileage
69,580 mi
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Feb 1, 2026

The vehicle is subject to two active safety recalls issued by the manufacturer, including a recall related to the rear backup camera system. The manufacturer has acknowledged the safety defects, but no remedy has been released for an extended period of time. The backup camera recall affects rear visibility while reversing, which poses a safety risk to the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and nearby vehicles. The backup camera intermittently fails or does not display an image as intended. The recall has been open for several months, and no estimated repair timeline has been provided by the manufacturer or dealer. I have contacted the dealer/manufacturer and was informed that no remedy is currently available. This vehicle is used regularly, increasing concern about continued operation with unresolved safety defects. The vehicle remains in service with known safety defects and no corrective action offered. This report is being submitted due to the prolonged delay in providing a remedy for acknowledged safety recalls.

NHTSA ID
11714828
Incident
Feb 1, 2026
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera screen displayed a pixelated image. In addition, the contact stated that occasionally the rear-view camera screen displayed a white screen. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased for redesigning into an RV for traveling purposes. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the dealer informed the contact about the open recalls. The contact was informed that the parts would be available in December 2025. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact later received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V720000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts were not available. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID
11709978
Incident
Nov 9, 2025
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 4, 2025

On Sept 14 2025 we were driving our Promaster and heard a knocking sound then the vehicle immediately overheated. We had the car towed to a dealership and we were informed we needed a new engine as the fan module had failed causing the vehicle to overheat and ruining the engine. The extended warranty company also denied the claim citing that the fan module had failed. We purchased the vehicle on Sept 10th 2025. The prior owner had several repairs completed to the cooling system in the months prior to us purchasing the vehicle which included replacing the radiator, cylinder heads and gaskets as well as many other components. Per the dealership, there was a code that stated an overheating indicator showed approx 1000 miles prior to us bringing the vehicle in. The prior owner states that this indicator light never came on and it never came on for us either. When searching the recall database, our particular VIN does not appear to be included in the current recall, however the part number in question on the recall matches the part number the dealer is citing as the underlying issue which caused the engine failure and for the extended warranty to not cover the replacement. As for safety, the failure happened on a very busy highway requiring us to sit on the side of the road for several hours until we could get a tow company. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and they have plenty of documentation / photos of the damage and failed parts. No insurance company or police have been involved.

NHTSA ID
11697492
Incident
Sep 14, 2025

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .