Complaints about the 2016 Ram Promaster peaked in 2020, with 5 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Van, gasoline, FWD/Front-Wheel Drive, built in Mexico. Owner complaints on file from Mar 20, 2016 to Aug 17, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V-582 | Oct 15, 2020 | Transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and… | Powertrain | 20 | Repair or modification |
| 20V-036 | Jan 23, 2020 | Transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and… | Powertrain | 222,207 | Part replacement |
| 19V-818 | Nov 15, 2019 | Engine cooling fan may seize which can cause the cooling fan motor to overheat | Engine and cooling | 99,128 | Part replacement |
| 19V-333 | Apr 29, 2019 | When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when… | Seats | 544 | Repair or modification |
| 19V-313 | Apr 18, 2019 | When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when… | Seats | 2,080 | Repair or modification |
| 19V-229 | Mar 22, 2019 | When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when… | Seats | 776 | Repair or modification |
| 19V-332 | Mar 1, 2019 | When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when… | Seats | 90 | Repair or modification |
| 17V-824 | Dec 21, 2017 | List of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf | Equipment | 61,791 | Part replacement |
| 17V-786 | Dec 8, 2017 | These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the… | Equipment | 550 | Part replacement |
| 17V-273 | Apr 25, 2017 | Sun visor, dashboard labels, and owner's manuals incorrectly state that the vehicles are equipped with frontal driver and passenger advanced air… | Equipment | 113,896 | Label or owner notice |
| 16V-461 | Jun 24, 2016 | Transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure | Powertrain | 26,298 | Part replacement |
| 16V-253 | Apr 28, 2016 | Trailer Tow Lighting Control Module may have a software error on the affected vehicles and can prevent illumination of the trailer brake lights… | Electrical system | 6,422 | Part replacement |
| 16E-039 | Apr 28, 2016 | These accessory modules were sold for installation on RAM ProMaster and ProMaster City vehicles | Electrical system | 2,291 | Part replacement |
| 16V-202 | Apr 11, 2016 | Low-voltage electrical harness connector by the front driver seat may be susceptible to water intrusion and corrosion | Electrical system | 23,930 | Repair or modification |
| 16V-076 | Feb 10, 2016 | If the driver has disabled the electronic stability control (ESC) system, the system is required to be reactivated the next time the vehicle is… | Stability and traction control | 57 | Software update |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
32 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram ProMaster 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 12 MPH, the windshield wipers became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
NHTSA complaint 11757446I 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 complaint 11702191The 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 complaint 11686287The 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 complaint 11671916The 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 complaint 11639139ESC fault codes came on. Brake light switch intermittently not activating causing vehicle to set ESC fault.
NHTSA complaint 11623152Parking 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 complaint 11563536We have owned this vehicle for 4 years. We are now on our 3rd time having the transmission replaced.
NHTSA complaint 11547079The 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 complaint 11543731Transmission 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 complaint 11538036E-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 complaint 11456367The 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 complaint 11443702The 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 complaint 11434122Twice 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 complaint 11432333The 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 complaint 11428830WE 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 complaint 11396756"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 complaint 11374525TL* 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 complaint 11361983DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT PERFORM RECALL BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. *TR
NHTSA complaint 11329849TL* 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 complaint 11318324Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.