VehicleVerdict

2018 Ram Promaster problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2018 Ram Promaster is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 10 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 54 owner complaints run below the Promaster median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (12), engine (12), and other (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

54

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Promaster years?

Promaster NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Promaster years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Ram Promaster problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1222%
Engine1222%
Transmission713%
Other713%
Visibility & Wipers47%
Brakes36%
Body & Structure24%
Steering24%
Tires & Wheels24%
Seats12%
Lighting12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2018 Ram Promaster have recalls?

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

25V720000EngineOctober 23, 2025 · 300,691 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2026 Ram ProMaster vehicles. The electrical circuit for the radiator fan may overheat.

Consequence

Electrical circuits that overheat increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the cooling fan module and fuse. In addition dealers will provide an addendum for the manual and label for the power distribution center. Some interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 11, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Additional owner notification letters were mailed in January, March, and June 2026. Remaining owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are 67C, B3C, and C9C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.

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.

19V428000OtherJune 11, 2019 · 325 units

Defect

Unicell Body Company Inc. (Unicell) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna, 2018-2019 Hino 155, Ford Econoline and Transit and Isuzu NPR, and 2018 Ram ProMaster-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.

Consequence

The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Unicell will work with ASA Electronics to notify owners and offer a remedy, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service 1-800-384-4400 or Unicell at 1-716-853-8628.

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.

18V524000Electrical SystemAugust 9, 2018 · 12,779 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Consequence

A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

17V712000AirbagsNovember 14, 2017 · 3,514 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Ram ProMaster vehicles. An incorrect rivet may have been used to attach the front door impact sensor which can cause the sensor housing to fracture.

Consequence

A fractured sensor could affect the deployment of the standard supplemental side airbags during certain side impact crashes, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front door impact pressure sensors, securing them with the correct rivets, free of charge. The recall began January 11 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T64.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

-Vehicle shut off on highway, lost power steering Vehicle fan sounds like it's running full speed after turning off engine. Turning key off and pulling out did not shut off engine. Engine appeared to be overheating. Electric system was making lots of clicks and odd noises. Power steering pump went…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 22, 2022

-Vehicle shut off on highway, lost power steering Vehicle fan sounds like it's running full speed after turning off engine. Turning key off and pulling out did not shut off engine. Engine appeared to be overheating. Electric system was making lots of clicks and odd noises. Power steering pump went…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 22, 2022

The 2018 Ram Promaster 1500 appears to have a manufacture defect with the Engine Coolant Reservoir bottle. Based on my research and due to the lack of national shortage of the OEM coolant reservoir replacement (even after market are out of stock), the reservoir has a soft spot on the tank which…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 5, 2022

OUR 2018 PROMASTER VAN WAS IDLING IN OUR DRIVEWAY IN PARK, NO EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AS I RAN ACROSS THE FRONT OF IT TO GRAB A SHIRT/PANTS FOR THE CLEANERS. IT WAS HOT AND WANTED THE VAN TO COOL OFF IN AUGUST IN EL DORADO HILLS, CA. THE VAN WHICH WAS POINTING DOWNHILL TOWARDS OUR BACKYARD AND I WAS IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 24, 2019 · crash

THE WINDSHIELD DESIGN PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE WINDSHIELD IS TOO LOW TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO SEE OVERHEAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS. DODGE HAS TOLD ME TO LOWER THE SEAT TO IMPROVE VISIBILITY, BUT ON MY MODEL THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT. IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO MAKE THIS ADJUSTMENT ON OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT MINE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 1, 2018 · crash

2018 Ram Promaster — common questions

Is the 2018 Ram Promaster reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 54 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Promaster year, with 10 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 Promaster problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), engine (12 complaints), other (7 complaints).

Does the 2018 Ram Promaster have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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.