2016 Ram Promaster Complaints

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 10/09/2026

Fuel tank where gasket seal is, leaking gas. Seal cannot be replaced, whole tank needs to be replaced. According to mechanic it will take 3 months to get new gas tank. Looking online and according to mechanic - it it a very common problem with this van. It causes risk of fire while waiting for new gas tank.

VISIBILITY — Filed 06/30/2026

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.

ENGINE — Filed 10/01/2025

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 11/30/2021

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 07/07/2025

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 12/06/2024

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.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 11/01/2024

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

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/05/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission pump. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

ENGINE — Filed 10/20/2023

Dealer where I purchased vehicle said i have recall for both catalytic converters waited two months called back and they said they wanted to replace engine and i been waiting for a call back for 6 months

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 11/23/2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the turn signals became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown part was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/04/2024

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.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/14/2023

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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 09/01/2023

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/06/2023

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 06/16/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact received a Catalyst Efficiency campaign program notice for Catalyst Efficiency; however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/06/2022

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES — Filed 02/01/2022

The contact owns a Roadtrek Simplicity RV built on a 2016 Ram Promaster 3500 chassis. The contact stated that while in a parking lot, a fellow motorist informed her that something had been dragging underneath her vehicle. The contact discovered that the winch that attached her spare tire to the vehicle was loose and that the spare tire connected to the winch was gone. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where they replaced both the winch and the spare tire; however, the failure occurred twice. The contact also stated that the battery failed to hold a charge. There was a beeping sound coming from the battery indicating that the charge was low. The contact believed that the battery failure was related to the spare tire failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 11/01/2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that when the engine battery was low-powered the vehicle's computer system had malfunctioned and the gear shifter could not be switched and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer(unknown) who reset the computer system and the failure was remedied. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 85,000.

ENGINE — Filed 08/13/2021

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.

ENGINE — Filed 09/23/2019

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 08/24/2021

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 08/09/2016

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.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 04/20/2021

I'VE ONLY BEEN TAKING IT TO THE RAM DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED IN MAY STILL HAVE NOT GOT IT FIXED RIGHT ONE MINUTE I COULD BE DOING 40 AND THEN I NEXEN YOU KNOW THE RPMS ARE UP TO 7 IN THE DROP DOWN IN A JERK SO HARD TO GET INTO GEAR ALMOST BREAKS MY FREAKING NECK THEN I WILL SHIFT IN I GET UP TO 65 ANYTHING OVER 65 IT STARTS JERKIN AND THEN DROPS BACK DOWN AND I CAN'T GET BACK STARTED AGAIN I HAD TO PULL OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD LET EVERYTHING COOL LOB DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME ALREADY CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM THE SPEED CONTROL HIM SENSOR I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE I CAN DO I AM TAKING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE APPARENTLY THEY DON'T IN A LIGHT TO KNOW WHY THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX THEIR PROPERLY

POWER TRAIN — Filed 01/04/2021

MY 2018 RAM PROMASTER 3500 WAS HAVING PROBLEM WHEN I PUT IN REVERSE, IT WAS JERKING AND I HAD TO PUSH EXTRA GAS TO REVERSE IT. I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID YES IT HAS PROBLEM IN TRANSMISSION AND I HAD TO LEAVE MY VAN TO FIX IT. THEY TOOK 4-5 DAYS, BUT DIDN'T FOUND EXACT CAUSE AND THEY JUST FLUSH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY TOLD ME "IF YOU FACE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN PLEASE COME BACK WE WILL HELP YOU EVEN WHEN WARRANTY EXPIRE". ONE WEEK LATER IT WAS HAVING AGAIN SAME ISSUE AND EVEN MORE THING, IT WAS JERKING WHILE I AM DRIVING ALSO AND REVERSING WAS SAME LIKE BEFORE. I TOOK IT AGAIN TO SAME DEALER, BUT THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. NOW MY PROBLEM IS MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED BUT I AM HAVING SAME PROBLEMS. THEY COULDN'T FIX IT WHEN I HAD WARRANTY. IT SOUNDS LIKE MY LOSS EVEN I HAD WARRANTY.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/06/2019

THE BOLTS TO THE TRANSMISSION/MOTOR MOUNT BROKE. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DROPPED ALMOST HITTING THE GROUND.