CSR

Ram · NHTSA safety record

2017 Ram Promaster

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

57

Complaints

2

Crashes

3

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Ram Promaster have filed 57 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2017 and May 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 20 of them (35%). The typical failure was reported at 42,000 miles, the median across the 31 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 10 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (10)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

20V582000 · October 15, 2020

The defect
Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles (Prime-Time) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Paratransit vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever position not matching the actual transmission gear.
The risk
The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Prime-Time will notify owners instructing them to take their vehicles to Ram dealers for the necessary repairs, free of charge. Owners may contact Prime-Time customer service at 1-574-293-9191. Prime-Time's number for this recall is W00.

Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles · up to 20 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

20V036000 · January 23, 2020

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever position not matching the actual transmission gear.
The risk
The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ram Trucks at 1-866-726-4636. Chrysler's number for this recall is W00.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 222,207 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

19V818000 · November 15, 2019

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel or 3.6L gasoline engines and air conditioning (A/C). The engine cooling fan may seize which can cause the cooling fan motor to overheat.
The risk
An overheated fan motor increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Chrysler will inform owners, and dealers will replace the engine cooling fan module, free of charge. Interim owner notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed December 10, 2019. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. The recall began July 7, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB2.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 99,128 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V333000 · April 29, 2019

The defect
New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and 2014-2019 Ram Promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Go-ES Foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
New England has notified owners, directing them to contact Freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-886-9247.

New England Wheels · up to 544 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V313000 · April 18, 2019

The defect
Mobility Transportation Services (MobilityTrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 Ford Econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
MobilityTrans will notify owners and Freedman Seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mobility Transportation Services customer service at 1-734-453-6452.

Mobility Transportation Services · up to 2,080 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V332000 · March 1, 2019

The defect
Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles (Prime-Time) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats. When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles has notified owners, and Freedman dealers have inspected and repaired the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2018. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles at 1-574-293-9191.

Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles · up to 90 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V824000 · December 21, 2017

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 61,791 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V786000 · December 8, 2017

The defect
Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC (Midwest) is recalling certain Custom Vans and Camper Van recreational vehicles built on 2014-2017 Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis and 2016-2017 RAM Promaster chassis. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Midwest will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fire extinguisher with a different brand, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2017. Owners may contact Kidde customer service for their replacement extinguisher at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.

Midwest Automotive Designs, LLC · up to 550 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

17V273000 · April 25, 2017

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Ram ProMaster vehicles. The sun visor, dashboard labels, and owner's manuals incorrectly state that the vehicles are equipped with frontal driver and passenger advanced air bags when they are not. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
The incorrect information may change how close the occupants position themselves to the air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the sun visor labels, the dashboard (hangtag) label, and the owner's manual and user guide information, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T24.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 113,896 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

16V910000 · December 16, 2016

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured October 1, 2016, to December 7, 2016. The seat mounted side air bag inflator initiator may fail to ignite during a crash.
The risk
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat mounted side air bags, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S96.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 25 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 57.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20 35%
ENGINE 19 33%
POWER TRAIN 14 25%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6 11%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4 7%
EQUIPMENT 3 5%
STEERING 3 5%
STRUCTURE 3 5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 16.

2017 2020 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · towed · 85,000 miles

The contact owned a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the parking lot of a residential building and turning the engine off, approximately 36 hours later the contact was alerted by the property manager that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the failure, the vehicle was destroyed. A fire report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed to a local holding yard. The fire department indicated that the fire originated in the center dashboard of the vehicle. The exact cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The

NHTSA complaint 11527396, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 9,000 miles

01/29/2020 SUNLIGHT 1 DODGE PROMASTER WITH 9000 MILES AT 9AM PST ERRUPTED IN FLAMES. A SECURITY CAMERA CAUGHT THE EVENT ON CAMERA, 9AM PST. THE VEHICLE SMOKED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA FOR 20 MINUTES AND ERRUPTED WITH ENGULFING ORANGE FLAMES, AND NOISE THAT ALERTED THE DOG INSIDE THE HOUSE. 911 WAS CALLED AND FIREMEN WORKED FOR 3 HOURS TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. HAD THE CAMPERVAN BEEN PARKED NOSE TO THE HOME, THE HOME WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE, THE JEEP PARKED WITHIN 3 FT OF CAMPER MELTED THE REAR PANELS, NOT KNOWN YET IF IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAMPER HAD BEEN USED ONLY FOR TRANSPORT, NOT CAMPING. 9000 MILES. NO ALTERATIONS AND AN ADDED REAR CAMERA. IT HAD SAT IN PLACE 4 WEEKS

NHTSA complaint 11306443, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

fire · 70,000 miles

The contact owned a 2017 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on the side of his house, he received an alert from a sensor camera attached to his home. When the contact checked the alert, he saw that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact immediately called the fire department and they were able to extinguish the fire once they arrived. No injuries were reported. The contact sustained property damage side of his garage and the siding of the garage had become warped due to the fire. The vehicle had yet to be removed from the property and had been deemed a total loss. The contact posted pictures of his damaged vehicle to an online forum and the manufacturer

NHTSA complaint 11452127, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

crash · 3,500 miles

MY 2017 DODGE RAM PROMASTER'S ACCELERATOR STUCK WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATOR AT FULL THROTTLE AND HIT A STEEL GUARD POLE CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR END. WHEN IT WAS PLACED IN DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD OFF THE GUARD POLE IT ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE AGAIN CRASHING INTO A STEEL FENCE AND GATE POLE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES. WE WERE NOT TURNING. THE MOVEMENT WAS STRAIT FORWARD AND BACKWARD IN A STRAIT LINE MOTION. FORTUNATELY WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT AT OUR OFFICE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS STILL IN THE DEFECTIVE CONDITION BECAUSE AS OF YET WE HAVE NOT FILED

NHTSA complaint 10955352, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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

NHTSA complaint 11738594, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

346,544 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11719802. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EQUIPMENT
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.

NHTSA complaint 11662389. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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

NHTSA complaint 11650681, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The windshield cowl on this vehicle is poorly designed, allowing water intrusion from multiple points. This is not a minor leak but a severe design flaw that creates immediate and dangerous safety hazards while driving, particularly at highway speeds. The most critical issue is water pouring directly onto the serpentine belt and pulley system. While driving at highway speeds in heavy rain, I lost power steering after water intrusion caused the belt to slip. This sudden loss of steering assist made the vehicle extremely difficult to control, especially in traffic and during turns. Another major safety risk is water intrusion onto the engine fuse box. While driving at highway speeds, water

NHTSA complaint 11648025, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash

Went to use the brakes and they would not work. Had to swerve into a ditch to stop. ABS and Traction issue.

NHTSA complaint 11634291. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ram Promaster

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 11 5
2023 77 5
2022 60 8
2021 107 8
2020 42 5
2019 57 9
2018 37 10
2016 31 14
2015 60 12
2014 71 12

Other 2017 Ram models

Every Ram on this site — 67 vehicles, 202 recall campaigns and 6 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst