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⚑ NHTSA Official DataUpdated: May 2026Methodology

RAM Promaster CITY Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls β€” NHTSA Data

Comparing used RAM Promaster CITY options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

πŸ“‹
90
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
πŸ””
11
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
πŸ’₯
3
Crash-Related
crash complaints
πŸ”₯
5
Fire-Related
fire complaints
πŸ₯
2
Injuries Reported
across all years
πŸ“ˆ
Below Average
Reliability Signal
overall trend

Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact RAM Promaster CITY you plan to buy.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the RAM Promaster CITY has 90 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2020 drew the fewest.

RAM Promaster CITY β€” key reliability facts
Make
RAM
Model
Promaster CITY
Model years analyzed
2017–2026 (10 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
90
Safety recall campaigns
11
Crash-related complaints
3
Fire-related complaints
5
Worst model year (by complaints)
2017 (76 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2020 (1 complaints)
Top reported issue area
ENGINE
Reliability signal
Below Average
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Β· Data last refreshed May 24, 2026
This Promaster CITY has 11 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free β†’

RAM Promaster CITY: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used β€” lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

⚠ Years to Avoid
2017 RAM Promaster CITY76 complaints2019 RAM Promaster CITY5 complaints2021 RAM Promaster CITY5 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

βœ“ Best Years to Buy
2020 RAM Promaster CITY1 complaints2018 RAM Promaster CITY1 complaints2021 RAM Promaster CITY5 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record β€” lower risk starting points.

⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.

What the Complaint Data Suggests

Below Average
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

The RAM PROMASTER CITY has 90 NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls on record. 3 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key Findings
  • 90 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 11 federal recall campaigns
  • 3 crash-related complaints on record
Top Concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
⚠️ Worst Years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

βœ… Best Years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to Check Before Buying Used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

πŸ“… Problems by Model Year (Best vs. Worst Years)

2017
76
2018
1
2019
5
2020
1
2021
5
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: May 2026

πŸ”” NHTSA Safety Recalls

11 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Campaign #21V699000September 9, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: SEAT BELTS
Campaign #21V147000September 3, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Campaign #21V147000September 3, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Campaign #18V149000June 3, 2018

Safety Recall

Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Campaign #21V728000

Safety Recall

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Campaign #21V728000

Safety Recall

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Campaign #18V129000

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Campaign #21V728000

Safety Recall

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Campaign #17V824000

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT
Campaign #16V953000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Campaign #17V601000

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

πŸ”§ Most-Reported Problem Areas

Based on component keywords extracted from all 90 NHTSA complaints.

1
ENGINE
33 complaints
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
27 complaints
3
POWER TRAIN
15 complaints
4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
9 complaints
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8 complaints
6
STRUCTURE
6 complaints
7
SERVICE BRAKES
5 complaints
8
VISIBILITY/WIPER
5 complaints

πŸ“‹ NHTSA Complaint Reports

90 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

STRUCTUREJun 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that after experiencing a flat tire, it was discovered that the spare tire could not be removed or released from the spare tire mounting section of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who cut the tire storage section of the vehicle in order to remove the spare tire. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 10,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFeb 2024

The entire dash went black and is no longer operational.

STRUCTUREJun 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that after experiencing a flat tire, it was discovered that the spare tire could not be removed or released from the spare tire mounting section of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who cut the tire storage section in order to remove the spare tire. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

STEERINGApr 2021

I WAS DESCENDING A STEEP HILL MAKING A LEFT TURN FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND I HEARD A NOISE AND I FELT CHATTERING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SECOND AND THIRD OCCURRED ON FLAT GROUND MAKING 90 DEGREE TURN ALL THREE INCIDENTS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMay 2020

THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING... *TR

πŸ’₯ CrashπŸ₯ 2 InjuriesAIR BAGSDec 2019

I WAS IN A 40 TO 50 MPH COLLISION ON I-880 FRW IN MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA. FULL FRONT IMPACTED/ FAILURE TO DEPLOY. RAIN , RUSH HOUR , TRAFFIC , ACCIDENT, MY FAULT, I CHANGED LANE TO AVOID ONE ACCIDENT AND SMACKED INTO FAR RIGHT SLOW LANE INTO BACK OF A CAR. MY DODGE, PROMASTER-2019 FAILED TO DEPLOY. I TOOK THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE TEETH , BROKE BOTH MY HANDS. ATTENTION!!! 2019'S ARE NOT YET ON RECALL LIST. PLEASE RESPOND XXXX ACCIDENT (DECEMBER 4, 2019) I CAN ONLY TESTIFY TO MY OWN DIRECT EXPERIENCE WITH VIN/ XXXX. COMMERCIAL VAN 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINEMar 2025

My vehicle has shut off on several occasions while driving. No oil or engine light appeared on, but my oil was very low. No ill or negative indicators came up whatsoever. The vehicle stopped in places which I was not able to stay or park at. Some people were honking because my vehicle was blocking traffic. I believe the first time I encountered the problem was around 106,000miles. The problem has continued up to now at 120,00miles. Dealerships and myself have added oil but the problem continues with no indicators communicating an issue, though there clearly is one.

ENGINEDec 2024

Cracked cylinder head requiring full engine replacement at ~80,000 miles. Out of warranty. This is one of two vehicles, purchased at the same time from same dealer in 6/2021 with the same engine failure at ~80,000. Second vehicle is [XXX] . It is likely that these two vehicles came off the assembly line fairly close to each other, during covid and all the issues that that brought to supply chains and manufacturing. One I could have chalked up to bad luck. Two is just too much of a coincidence to believe that there isn't something wrong with these engines. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINEDec 2024

Cracked cylinder head requiring full engine replacement at ~80,000 miles. Out of warranty. This is one of two vehicles, purchased at the same time from same dealer in 6/2021 with the same engine failure at ~80,000. Second vehicle is [XXX] . It is likely that these two vehicles came off the assembly line fairly close to each other, during covid and all the issues that that brought to supply chains and manufacturing. One I could have chalked up to bad luck. Two is just too much of a coincidence to believe that there isn't something wrong with these engines. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINEApr 2022

Engine oil leak at the oil filter. The oil filter monting surface has a defect (not flat) allowing oil to push out. It is currently available for inspection, but it is scheduled to been seen by the dealer to be replaced under warranty. Safety - issue was noticed before enough damage was done to be unsafe. The leak was substantial, so I imagine it would lead to a safety issue due to abrupt engine failure. Oil filter was properly installed, verified by independent repair facility. Leak was reproduced / verified by independant repair facility. No warning indicators for the issue.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEAT BELTSDec 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster City. The contact had initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V728000 (Exterior Lighting). He then called the dealer and was informed that there was an additional recall on the vehicle for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V699000 (Seat Belts) however, the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. He was informed that if he were to take possession of the vehicle, he would be held liable for any vehicle failure, including any recalls. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not serviced. The manufacturer was also notified of the issue but offered no assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Vehicle has been repaired. Dealer made arrangements for a loaner at no charge.

EQUIPMENTSep 2021

Two instances of rooftop tent opening without human interaction. Incident 1 // 9-17-21: Vehicle was parked and the front drivers side latch (attached photo) opened due to gusts of wind. Incident 2 // 9-19-21: When driving approximately 65 mph (cruise control) on Interstate 40 in Arizona, the front passenger side latch released and front passenger side of rooftop tent opened. I could not see that the tent opened while driving but noticed a change in wind noise and also steering control. I immediately pulled off the highway and observed that the front passenger side of the tent was open and about a 6 inch gap between the top and bottom halves of the tent was exposed. The center strap and drivers side latch were both still engaged. At the speed of travel it was possible for the tent to open completely which could have harmed my passengers or drivers of other vehicles on the road. I have seen numerous reports of this problem on the Roofnest Flock facebook group. The equipment is available for inspection upon request. It has not been inspected by anyone else. There was no warning sign other than the product opening while parked. The product was purchased in May 2021.

πŸ”₯ FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEDec 2025

On March 19, 2025 upon driving my car home from a 1 hour commute I sensed a unique, uncommon smell - like some sort of electrical component burning. I parked the car in my garage, turned it off and went inside my house. Within 5 minutes the engine was producing gray smoke followed by fire. The car went up in flames in less than 10 minutes. The fire spread to the attic and burned most of the house. I read recently that according to NHTSA, 292,000 ProMaster vans built between 2018 and 2026 are recalled due to a potential fire hazard linked to the cooling fan module. The ProMaster City has not been included in this recall. This seems like a mistake.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINEAug 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that occasionally while shifting into drive or reverse, the RPM increased to 4,000. On several occasions, the failure occurred while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated when the vehicle was shifted into neutral, the RPM decreased to normal between 750-800 RPM. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500.

ENGINEMay 2026

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 β€” 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFeb 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Ram Promaster 1500. The vehicle was purchased on February 16, 2024. The contact stated that at the time of purchase, the mileage was 84,000. The vehicle was taken to Valvoline, where the odometer was reported in 2018 February 2023 at 346,000. The contact purchased a Carfax report, which indicated that the mileage was 346,544 in January 2023. In addition, the dealer was made aware of the discrepancy, and the contact was informed that the vehicle would be collected, and the sale would be voided; however, the down payment would not be returned.

ENGINEDec 2025

Vehicle is failing oil consumption test at 97,571 miles. They are saying it’s burning excessive oil due to failed piston which ran had an open recall for . I’d like my vehicle to be considered for oil consumption test and possible motor replacement.

ENGINEJun 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, there was gray smoke coming from the exhaust pipe and the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact who is a certified mechanic, performed an oil change and became aware that the engine was extremely low on engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and confirmed that the oil level was extremely. The dealer performed an oil consumption test. The test showed that the vehicle was two full quarts of oil low. The contact was informed that the engine block was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that prior to the oil consumption test, whenever the vehicle was started, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the oil level was low. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENTMay 2025

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.

POWER TRAINMar 2025

I am the original owner of a 2017 Dodge ProMaster made by Chrysler. My vehicle is currently at a dealership waiting for a complete transmission. I had to have it towed there as this issue happened while I was driving. Luckily, I was not far from home. The van is no longer under warranty at 5 years or100,000 miles. I purchased it new in May 2018. It has only 37000 miles on the odometer. There was a recall unrelated to this problem and fixed. In the beginning I had to Contact Chrysler Customer Service per my dealer who gave me their Customer Care number. I was given a case number by a lower Chrysler representative, who then had me talk to her supervisor. This representative said that there was no forwarding phone contact number for their complaint department and she gave me an address with a US mail PO Box for Chrysler in Auburn Hills, MI. No transmission should go out at 37,000 miles. My dealer is charging me $9000 USD for the transmission repair! A review of social media (Facebook) by various ProMaster owners has lead me to contact you. Groups on Facebook such as ProMaster Owners and Roadtrek ProMaster Class B RV owners have complained about transmissions going out. From what I understand, Chrysler has recalled vehicles from 2019 model years up through maybe 2023, for transmission issues. Why the 2018 model year was not included is beyond me. It is also my understanding that Chrysler is now building a completely new transmission for vehicles built since the current model year. Previous owners like me will have to settle fro re-manufactured transmissions from Chrysler. I am sure the NHTSB has been contacted by people like me. There are hundreds of us with transmission issues which can be considered driving safety issues.

Showing 20 of 90 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Before You Buy, Check the Exact RAM Promaster CITY

These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

πŸ“– Understanding This Data

πŸ“‹

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The RAM Promaster CITY has 90 complaints on record across 10 model years.

πŸ””

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The RAM Promaster CITY has 11 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

πŸ’₯

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 3 of the RAM Promaster CITY's 90 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

🧭

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

πŸ“Š

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

πŸ”

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all RAM Promaster CITY vehicles on the road β€” not any specific car. Two RAM Promaster CITY vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

πŸ”Ž

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The RAM Promaster CITY has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

Buyers Also Compare

How does the RAM Promaster CITY stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.

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RAM Promaster CITY vs Toyota CamryRAM Promaster CITY vs Ford F 150RAM Promaster CITY vs Chevrolet Silverado

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