Head-to-head reliability
RAM Promaster CITY vs FORD F 150
How the RAM Promaster CITY and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
RAM Promaster CITY averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. RAM Promaster CITY has 234 complaints and 19 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,102 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM Promaster CITY | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 234 Better | 11,102 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 144 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 319 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.3 Better | 1110.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
RAM Promaster CITY
- 01ENGINE78
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM69
- 03POWER TRAIN57
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING18
“"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 YEA…”
“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 wa…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,492
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,052
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,380
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
- 05ENGINE828
“Vehicle Safety Hazard & Recall Remedy Denial Recall: 26S28 / NHTSA Campaign 26V237 Summary of Issue: I am experiencing active, unsafe vehicle symptoms directly tied to Recall 26S28, including intermittent transmission signal loss, warning lights, and abrupt d…”
“I. Vehicle Purchase and Maintenance History In September 2020, I purchased this 2020 Ford F-150 new. II. Chronology of Defect and Repair Attempts Around 33,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting severe excessive oil consumption, an audible engine noise, and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
RAM Promaster CITY — 19 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 RAM ProMaster City vehicles. The Tire Placards on these vehicles may indicate the incorrect total number of occupants allowed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "T…
The risk: If the tire placard indicates an incorrect seating capacity, the operator may overload the vehicle, which can cause tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire placard, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U17.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram ProMaster City and Ram ProMaster vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Feder…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853- 1403. FCA US LLC's number for thi…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram ProMaster City vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may have internal damage, which could result in a loss of braking performance or autonomous braking functions.
The risk: The loss of braking performance or autonomous braking functions can increase the risk of a vehicle crash without prior warning.
The fix: FCA US, LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, free of charge. The recall began on March 30, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 RAM ProMaster City vehicles. The gears within the hydraulic rack and pinion steering system may have a casting defect that can cause a crack and a loss of hydraulic steering fluid.
The risk: A hydraulic steering fluid leak may require additional sudden steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering gear housing, replacing any affected rack-and-pinion assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-14…
FORD F 150 — 144 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 trucks equipped with 17-inch spare tires. The spare tire could have been damaged when it was installed on the rim.
The risk: The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spare tire, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S55.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or dist…
The risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may…
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | RAM Promaster CITY | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 3388 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5162 |
| 2020 | 1 | 25 |
| 2019 | 5 | 31 |
| 2018 | 1 | 38 |
| 2017 | 76 | 27 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific RAM Promaster CITY or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM Promaster CITY vs FORD F 150
- RAM Promaster CITY total complaints
- 234
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,102
- RAM Promaster CITY total recalls
- 19
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- RAM Promaster CITY avg complaints/year
- 29.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1110.2
- More reliable overall
- RAM Promaster CITY
- RAM Promaster CITY top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN