2015 Ram Promaster Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2015 ProMaster most often describe sudden losses of power and transmission faults — the van dropping into neutral or limp mode, sometimes with a "Transmission Service" message — reported from very low mileage up to well past 100,000. Electrical gremlins (dashboard warnings, battery/BCM faults, TPMS lights) and parking-brake problems in cold weather are the next most common themes, with brake and cooling-fan complaints appearing alongside them.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Loss of power / drops into neutral or limp mode

   • 21 complaints (34%)
   • median 11,000 mi at 1.9 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe the van suddenly cutting power, dropping out of gear, or going into limp mode while driving, sometimes with a "Transmission Service" or shift-to-neutral message on the dash. Some report that restarting after a cooldown temporarily restores normal operation, and that the fault returns. Complaints mention dealers finding stored codes, replacing transmissions or torque converters, or being unable to reproduce the problem. Reported from a few hundred miles up to about 150,000 miles, at both highway and lower speeds and often without warning.

   Recall 16V529000Recall 20V0360001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the 16V-529 transmission sensor/harness recall and the 20V-036 shifter-cable recall were performed, and have a scan tool check for stored transmission and range-sensor codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In 2017 I purchased a recreational vehicle with a dodge chassis with the attached VIN. It currently has about 4500 miles on it. From the very beginning I have had problems with the transmission down shifting when traveling at highway speeds (55 to 65 MPH) which pegs the tach (7000 plus). This would occur when traveling up slight grades while on cruise control and would happen at random intervals (roughly 200 miles) without warning. I have been to the dodge dealer and discussed the problem with them. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11149907, filed 2018-11, 250 miles

   “2015 Ram Promaster city currently has 715 miles on the odometer. We have owned this vehicle for 3 months, and purchased it new. The problem I'm about to describe has occurred on four (4) separate occasions in the last 3 months. While vehicle is in motion, (has occurred between 25 MPH and 75 MPH) the transmission clunks loudly, and is met with a sudden loss of engine power. Each occurrence forced us to pull vehicle to side of road, (3 occurrences on city streets, 1 occurrence on freeway) turn the engine/ignition off, and start engine again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10824977, filed 2016-02, 715 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Parking brake sticks or fails to hold

   • 10 complaints (16%)
   • median 47,265 mi at 2.7 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners report the parking brake failing to release, dragging, or not holding the van on an incline, with some describing water entering the cables and freezing in cold weather. Several note that the van has no conventional park gear, so the parking brake is the only thing keeping it from rolling. Complaints describe brake shoes wearing out quickly and repeated parking-brake repairs with no lasting fix from the dealer. Most often reported in winter or freezing conditions, from a few thousand miles up to well over 100,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the parking brake on a slope in both directions, ask whether the cables have been replaced, and have the rear brake shoes inspected for wear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall: while I was driving 70 MPH on the freeway, the car suddenly started shaking and in the matter of few seconds the car immediately stopped in the middle of the freeway. I tried to move over to the side of the freeway slowly, to a safe place, was difficult, because after I moved the car to the side of the road, I looked at the wheels and it started making a metal against metal noise, like brakes on a train. After I called the towing, they took me to the dealer, in carson city, nevada. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10824538, filed 2016-02, 45,200 miles

   “I bought the Ram pro master 2015 brand new and had to replace the parking btake out 4 times and replaced parking brake cables 3 times. Parking brake cables get water into the cables and freezes in the winter. The parking break you shouldn't never have to replace it. The function of the parking brake is the hold the truck in place it's never wild while the truck is moving not aware are wearable items.the parking break his fall apart three times while I was moving in slow traffic about 30 miles an hour.”

   NHTSA complaint #11084687, filed 2018-04, 224,725 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Dashboard warnings and stalling / electrical faults

   • 24 complaints (39%)
   • median 15,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Complaints describe multiple warning lights flashing at once, the van slowing or stalling, and intermittent no-start conditions, with the dealer sometimes unable to find a cause or attributing it to water intrusion. Other owners report body control module faults, a dead instrument cluster, and a van that shut off repeatedly while driving. Several owners connect the behavior to the ignition-switch and electrical recalls for this year. Reported across the mileage range, including under 1,000 miles and near 100,000 miles, often intermittently.

   Recall 15V799000Recall 16V2530002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the 15V-799 ignition-switch recall was completed, and check that all warning lamps behave normally on a cold start and after a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Bcm is bad dealer says not an item covered under warranty. Vehicle has 23000 miles on it and is only 2 years old. Dealership is not be honest with repairs and held vehicle hostage in order to get vehicle back from them we had to pay a service invoice for them looking at the vehicle $355.75. Again vehicle is not even 2 years old and only has 23000 miles on it, I just bought it last month.”

   NHTSA complaint #10956173, filed 2017-02, 23,000 miles

   “My TPMS system has never worked reliably since new. It is on now and has been on intermittently for 40,000 miles. Typically it comes on and stays on for a week to a month and checking or adjusting tire pressure seems to have no effect on whether it is on or suddenly off for a month or two. I am concerned I might really have a failing tire or low pressure and because the light is on I cannot know. I understand the NHTSA requires this system. Is it safe to be so unreliable? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11040999, filed 2017-10, 41,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine cooling fan seizes, blows fuses or overheats

   • 10 complaints (16%)
   • median 70,595 mi at 5.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2020

   Complaints describe a noisy or failed radiator cooling fan, blown fan fuses, overheating, and in some cases a burning smell, with the van also going into limp mode and diesel particulate filter regeneration being blocked. Owners say the dealer quoted fan and fuse replacement, and some report being told their vehicle was not covered by the cooling-fan recall despite the same symptom. Mostly reported between roughly 39,000 and 150,000 miles, sometimes while stopped in traffic.

   Recall 19V8180002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm by VIN whether the 19V-818 cooling-fan recall applies and was performed, and listen for fan noise or check for a repeatedly blown fan fuse.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My exact vehicle Ram Promaster i4 3l turbo diesel with factory air is on a safety recall for bad coolant fan, but chrysler is saying that my VIN does not qualify. The chrysler dealer tells me I need to replace my cooling fan because it is shorting and blowing the fuse and possibly affecting the relay also. This fan code is also putting the van in limp mode and not allowing the diesel particulate filter to be regenerated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11331218, filed 2020-06, 58,000 miles

   “The car was stopped in the light, the radiator fan came on, it made a sound and then there was a burning smell. The car overheated and I stopped it to cool down. The radiator fan stopped and the car overheated. I took it to the dealership for review and was told to change the fan and fuses. Checking the recalls I found the NHTSA 19v-818, which matches the specifications of my car and the problem with the engine cooling fan. I await your prompt response to be able to solve my problem with the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350483, filed 2020-08, 53,584 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Oil cooler housing leaks and oil loss

   Mentioned in 4 of 56 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the oil cooler/filter housing leaking, the oil level dropping noticeably between changes, and in one case a shudder followed by a low-oil condition found at a shop. Complaints also mention worn rocker arms and camshaft wear requiring replacement on the V6. Some owners report that the dealer referred them to another recall that did not apply to their vehicle. Reported from about 39,000 miles upward, including on higher-mileage used purchases.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for coolant or oil residue around the filter/oil cooler housing, and ask whether the housing or adapter has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took the vehicle into a Ram dealer service center because the 'fill def' light and message remained in the evic even though the def was full. The dealer determined that the issue was the EGR cooler, tube and gaskets need replaced. The repair was quoted at $2918.27 (see attachment). Upon researching mopar safety recalls, I came across recall vb1, which pertains to EGR coolers of Ram 1500s with ecodiesel engines needing replaced. I called mopar, and they said vb1 does not apply to my VIN, even though it is the same engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11359984, filed 2020-09, 39,000 miles

   “We purchased the van in April 2024, and the mileage was 130268. We checked the oil regularly and noticed the level dropping. After driving it 3080 miles and checked the oil level after letting the vehicle sit over night. The oil level was down almost 2 quarts. I contacted the dealer and told them what happened and they mentioned that there was a recall for some Promaster City vans. I looked up the information and found the recall marked as W80. I contacted Chrysler and they said our vehicle isnt listed and to contact the NHTSA. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11609322, filed 2024-08

Buying note. Check that the open recalls for this year (transmission sensor/harness, shifter cable, ignition switch, cooling fan) were completed, and drive the van at highway speed to watch for drops out of gear or limp mode. Budget for parking-brake and cooling-fan work, and inspect the oil cooler housing and oil level before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 56 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.