VehicleVerdict

2017 Ram Promaster problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Ram Promaster sits mid-pack among Promaster years: 93 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 73, with 10 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (23), electrical system (21), and transmission (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

93

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Promaster years?

Promaster NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted147 complaints2014: 117 complaints2015: 80 complaints2016: 48 complaints2017: 93 complaints2018: 54 complaints2019: 73 complaints2020: 60 complaints2021: 147 complaints2022: 84 complaints2023: 86 complaints2024: 16 complaints2025: 8 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Promaster NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Promaster years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Ram Promaster problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2325%
Electrical System2123%
Transmission1415%
Lighting66%
Other66%
Brakes55%
Steering33%
Fuel System33%
Body & Structure33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seat Belts22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Latches & Locks11%
Speed Control11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2017 Ram Promaster have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V582000TransmissionOctober 15, 2020 · 20 units

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.

Consequence

The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

20V036000TransmissionJanuary 23, 2020 · 222,207 units

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.

Consequence

The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

19V818000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)November 15, 2019 · 99,128 units

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.

Consequence

An overheated fan motor increases the risk of a fire.

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.

19V333000SeatsApril 29, 2019 · 544 units

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

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.

19V313000SeatsApril 18, 2019 · 2,080 units

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

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.

19V332000SeatsMarch 1, 2019 · 90 units

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

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.

17V824000OtherDecember 21, 2017 · 61,791 units

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

Consequence

If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

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.

17V786000OtherDecember 8, 2017 · 550 units

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

Consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

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.

17V273000OtherApril 25, 2017 · 113,896 units

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

16V910000AirbagsDecember 16, 2016 · 25 units

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.

Consequence

If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 16, 2023 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 16, 2023 · fire

HAVE RECEIVED 2 RECALLS FROM FCA (VB2: ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY SEIZE LEADING TO VEHICLE FIRE AND W00: TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE MAY SEPARATE, DISCONNECTING SHIFTER FROM TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN INABILITY TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION). THE REMEDY FOR THIS CONDITION IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AND REMEDY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2019

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 16, 2023 · fire

THE HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, WAY MORE THAN THEY SHOULD NEED. WE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM IN DECEMBER 2019, APRIL 2020 AND NOW IT IS IT OUT AGAIN - NOVEMBER 2020. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO LET THE DRIVER KNOW THE LOW BEAM LIGHT IS OUT. OUR VEHICLE ONLY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 23, 2020

2017 Ram Promaster — common questions

Is the 2017 Ram Promaster reliable?

It is close to typical for the Promaster: 93 NHTSA complaints, 10 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Promaster problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (23 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints), transmission (14 complaints).

Does the 2017 Ram Promaster have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Ram Promaster. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ram Promaster years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Promaster years to avoid are 2021, 2014, 2023, 2022. The cleanest record among Promaster years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.