2018 Ram Promaster City

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 remedy

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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U23.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 225 vehicles across all model years covered

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, "Tire Selection and Rims."

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 remedy

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.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 3,460 vehicles across all model years covered

69,900 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the engine seized, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was started, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure became a persistent failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 69,900.

NHTSA complaint 11659568. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

NHTSA complaint 11647169. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

139,405 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light and the throttle control system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was unsure of the diagnostic results; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle would be repaired under an unstated recall. The dealer performed an unstated test on the vehicle and then informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired because the vehicle was no longer under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,405.

NHTSA complaint 11598663. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

50,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. The contact added coolant to the engine; however, the coolant was gone in less than two weeks. The contact then stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking noise was coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint 11583648. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The front passenger seat belt would not pull out to secure passengers. I took the vehicle to an independent service center to see about fixing the problem. They were unable to fix the device. I was traveling and could not get to my home dealer until I returned. I was unable to take any passengers in my vehicle for safety reasons without a functioning seatbelt. I ordered a replacement seat belt assembly from the dealer and had to wait 4 weeks before the part came in. The dealer was able to replace the old assembly with the new one.

NHTSA complaint 11545637. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I am not contacting NTSA to report a new safety concern but rather reporting that a fix addressing a known safety concern is not working. The concern is associated with a recall notice of 2015-2018 FCA vehicles with 4 cylinder Tigershark engines (a pertinent excerpt of the notice is shown below with emphasis added). The recall is to check for excess oil consumption which could trigger a vehicle stall, a serious safely concern. To address this potential problem the recall notice authorizes a oil consumption inspection which basically involves the inspection of oil level on the vehicle’s dipstick after it is driven for a while to measure if excess oil consumption has occurred. The problem …

NHTSA complaint 11479434, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.