RAM Promaster CITY
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2017–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific RAM Promaster CITY? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP 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.
AI Interpretation
Medium ConfidenceBelow AverageComplaints for the Ram ProMaster City are heavily concentrated in the 2017 model year, which accounts for the vast majority of reports. The most frequently cited components are the engine and electrical system, together representing over half of all complaints. While there are 11 recalls, crash-related complaints are very few, suggesting that safety issues are not a dominant pattern in the data.
- The 2017 model year dominates complaints, with 75 out of 89 total.
- Engine and electrical system complaints together account for 59 of 89 complaints.
- Only 3 crash-related complaints were reported across all model years.
- Electrical system issues, including wiring and battery problems, are a recurring theme.
- Engine problems, such as stalling or loss of power, appear frequently.
- Power train complaints, including transmission and driveline issues, are also notable.
The 2017 model year has the highest complaint volume, driven primarily by engine and electrical system issues, suggesting buyers should be cautious with that year.
Model years 2023, 2024, and 2025 have zero complaints, which may indicate fewer reported issues, but low sample sizes or limited ownership could also explain this.
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery and wiring, for any signs of trouble.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase.
- Request service records for engine and power train repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported components.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
11 recalls foundSafety 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.
Safety Recall
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Safety Recall
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.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 89 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
89 totalThese 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.
The entire dash went black and is no longer operational.
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.
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.
THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING... *TR
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)
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.
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.
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It is consuming a lot of oil after 5 thousand miles went from 5.5 quarts to 3.4 quarts
Showing 20 of 89 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific RAM Promaster CITY
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
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 — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The RAM Promaster CITY has 89 complaints on record across 10 model years.
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.
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 89 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (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. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.
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 — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all RAM Promaster CITY vehicles on the road — 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.
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 — 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.