Transport CanadaLow Risk
At a glance
This page covers 16 recalls and 31 owner complaints for the 2016 Ram Promaster.
Powertrain and engine complaints dominate what 2016 Ram ProMaster owners report. On the powertrain side, owners frequently describe transmission failures requiring full replacement, with several noting the vehicle would not shift gears or engage properly before the transmission gave out completely. Engine complaints center on unexpected stalling and complete shutdowns while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, leaving the vehicle unable to restart and requiring a tow. A handful of owners also report timing chain issues that contributed to stalling. Exterior lighting draws the third-largest cluster of complaints, though specific symptoms vary across those reports. A smaller number of owners mention the brake light switch failing intermittently, which triggers electronic stability control fault codes. At least one report describes the backup camera displaying an inverted image from the time the vehicle was first received.
31
Total Complaints
By System
The 2016 RAM ProMaster has 16 recalls, with the most serious risks including sudden loss of drive power, unintended gear shifts, and an engine cooling fan that can overheat and start a fire.
The transmission pump can seize and cut hydraulic pressure, leaving the van without motive power while in traffic. Separately, the shifter cable on 3.6L-equipped models can detach from the transmission, leaving the gear selector showing one gear while the van is actually in another, creating a rollaway risk. On diesel models, a seized cooling fan motor can overheat to the point of ignition. There is also a corrosion risk in a low-voltage wiring connector near the driver's seat that can cause the van to slip into neutral unexpectedly or refuse to restart. Several recalls affect vehicles that have been upfitted with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats: the seat back can fail to lock in the upright position and fold forward in a crash or hard stop. On diesel models with electronic stability control, the ABS module may have been incorrectly programmed, and a separate issue means the stability control system may not reactivate automatically at startup when manually switched off. Two recalls cover fire extinguishers fitted to certain upfitted vans that may fail to discharge properly. The trailer tow lighting module can have a software error that disables trailer brake lights. Two label recalls round out the list, one for incorrect airbag information on the sun visor and dashboard, and one for incomplete loading and seating capacity information on wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
At a glance
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The vehicle's compliance label and tire/loading information label have incomplete or outdated information about seating capacity and weight limits. This could lead to overloading, which may cause poor handling or tire failure.
What the fix does
Dynamic Specialty Vehicles will mail corrected compliance and tire/loading labels to owners with installation instructions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission shifter cable can separate and disconnect from the transmission, preventing the vehicle from shifting gears as the driver intends and causing the gear lever position to not match the actual transmission gear.
What the fix does
Ram dealers will repair the transmission shifter cable connection at no cost. Contact Prime-Time customer service at 1-574-293-9191 for service scheduling.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission shifter cable can separate and disconnect from the transmission, preventing the vehicle from shifting gears as intended and causing the gear shift lever position to not match the actual transmission gear.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission shift cable at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cooling fan can seize, causing the fan motor to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back seat cushion on Freedman Go-ES foldaway seats may not stay locked in place when rotated from stowed to upright position, especially during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman will repair the foldaway seats at no cost. Contact Freedman at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-886-9247.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat cushion may not lock securely when rotated upright, potentially shifting during crashes or sudden stops.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back seat cushion may not stay locked in place when rotated to upright position, especially during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman Seating will provide a repair kit to secure the seat cushion in the upright position.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The foldaway seat back cushion may not lock securely when rotated to the upright position, risking dislodgement during a crash or sudden stop.
What the fix does
Freedman dealers inspected and repaired the foldaway seats at no charge to restore secure locking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to spray, or require excessive force to use. In some models, the nozzle may separate from the valve assembly with enough force to cause injury and make the extinguisher unusable.
What the fix does
Chrysler will provide a replacement fire extinguisher at no cost. Contact Kidde or Chrysler to arrange the replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to spray, require excessive force to activate, or have a nozzle that detaches and causes injury.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fire extinguisher with a different brand at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Sun visor, dashboard labels, and owner's manuals incorrectly state that frontal driver and passenger advanced air bags are installed, when they are not.
What the fix does
Dealers will correct the sun visor labels, dashboard label, and owner's manual information at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission pump may seize, causing loss of hydraulic pressure and transmission function.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the Trailer Tow Lighting Control Module may prevent trailer brake lights from turning on when you apply the brakes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Trailer Tow Lighting Control Module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An electrical connector near the driver's seat can get wet and corroded, cutting off signals to the transmission control module. This may cause the transmission to shift into neutral and stay there without warning when you stop.
What the fix does
Dealers will move the connector under the instrument panel where it's protected from water. The repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ABS module may be programmed incorrectly on certain 3.0L diesel vehicles. If you turn off ESC and restart the engine within 10 seconds, the ABS module may fail to reactivate ESC, leaving it off unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the ABS module to correct the programming issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Anti-Lock Brake System control module may fail to reactivate the electronic stability control system when the ignition is turned off and back on quickly, leaving the system disabled.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the ABS control module software at no cost to restore proper electronic stability control reset function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
