2017 Ram Promaster Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe recall repairs that were delayed or not completed, often because parts or dealer follow-up were missing. Transmission failures and shifting problems and repeated cooling fan failures also come up often, along with headlight bulbs that burn out again soon after replacement. Mileage is missing from most complaints, and some owners describe sudden failures with no warning.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Recall repairs delayed or not completed

   • 24 complaints (42%)
   • median 57,875 mi at 2.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe receiving recall notices, often for the cooling fan (19V818000) or the shifter cable (20V036000), and then waiting because the parts or the repair were not available. Some describe a dealer that did not respond, gave no repair date, or was unwilling to do the recall work. At least one complaint says a recall was still open when the vehicle was purchased. Mileage is missing from most complaints in this group, so no clear mileage pattern can be drawn from the sample.

   Recall 19V818000Recall 20V036000

   What to check: Ask the seller or dealer for the status of recall 19V818000 and 20V036000, and check the VIN against the recall lookup before buying. Ask for written proof that the recall repair was completed, since some complaints describe repairs still pending after a sale.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Nhtsa safety recall 17v-108 campaign 144 lp hose! Purchased the travato on april 28th when recall was already in affect the repair recall was not fixed but they delivered the vehicle to me knowing this! Got a recall notice from them on may 8th (cert mail) telling me of the recall. I have made arrangements for repairs on may 19th must drive it to tampa fl from jacksonville fl at my time no expense . Will it be safe to drive and do I have any grounds for compensation in this matter! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10985486, filed 2017-05, 1,508 miles

   “Recall NHTSA # 19v-818 cooling fan module can fail causing vehicle fire. Recall NHTSA # 20v-036 shifter cable. Unintended vehicle movement which can cause a crash. Dealer and dodge are not willing to correct the above. I am concerned about safe operation of my vehicle”

   NHTSA complaint #11396420, filed 2021-02
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Sudden transmission failure or shifting problems

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • median 32,875 mi at 3.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the transmission failing, sometimes suddenly with no warning at highway speed, and some describe repeated rebuilds or replacements. Shifting complaints include a lurch forward when shifting from park to drive, downshifts of two gears on downhill grades that over-rev the engine, and a shift into neutral while driving. A complaint also describes a transmission mount bracket that separated, with the powertrain dropping. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 24,000 to about 128,000 miles, and some describe a new failure soon after an earlier transmission or engine repair.

   Recall 20V0360001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for records of any transmission rebuild or replacement, whether the shifter cable recall (20V036000) was completed, and whether the transmission mounting kit bulletin was applied. On a test drive, check the shift from park to drive and the response to manual shifts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have had two major transmission rebuild. First time, on 11/30/18 was driving and big noise and transmission quit working properly. It was towed to trans-king transmission shop. It was fixed on 1-15-2019 and cost me $4096.04 the second occurrence was again big noise and transmission wouldn't work. On 2/21/2020 had it towed to same transmission shop because it was still under their warranty of 3 years or 100,000 miles. They fixed it under warranty - no cost to me - and also had to fix radiator. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11318497, filed 2020-03, 128,270 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11650681, filed 2025-03
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight bulbs failing repeatedly

   • 8 complaints (14%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2021

   Owners describe headlight bulbs or sockets burning out again soon after replacement, sometimes on both sides, and some describe a headlight that went out without warning. Some complaints mention a bulb that blew and melted its housing. Some complaints say heavy-duty bulbs were recommended, yet the bulbs still failed within about a year. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 1,000 to about 45,000 miles, and several describe bulbs failing within months of replacement.

   What to check: Check that both headlights work on high and low beam, and ask whether any wiring or electrical repair was made for the repeated bulb failures. Look at the bulb housings and sockets for heat damage or melting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 has 44800 miles on it. Please investigate as head lanps are expensive.”

   NHTSA complaint #11376990, filed 2020-11, 44,800 miles

   “We purchased 4 of these Dodge promasters about 4 years ago. During the first year we were replacing headlights about every 2 months. Dodge told us that we needed to use their heavy duty bulbs. These bulbs seem to last about 1 year. They have a 2 year warranty on original purchase, so after 2 years we have to pay again. This last time the bulb blew it also melted the housing the bulbs sits in. We were required to replace the assembly and the bulbs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11432883, filed 2021-09
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Cooling fan failures and related overheating

   • 12 complaints (21%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2025

   Owners describe the cooling fans or fan relay failing, sometimes while driving on the freeway, with overheating that damaged the thermostat, radiator or head gasket in some complaints. Some complaints say the fans or relays were replaced but still did not work, and that the dealer was not reachable for follow-up. The fan recall (19V818000) is described as a possible fire risk in some complaints. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 70,000 to about 151,000 miles, and many do not list mileage.

   Recall 19V8180001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 19V818000 was completed and what parts were installed, and request the repair invoice. Check for stored cooling fan or overheating fault codes, and look for signs of coolant loss such as a low coolant level or stains under the engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Had the van serviced per the recall for the engine cooling fan issue. Took to the dealership I purchased from. After driving away from the dealership and getting about 50 miles down the road the service engine light came on. I could never get ahold of the dealership again. Don jackson in atlanta. They would never return calls. I took to another dealership and they say it's the engine cooling fan relay is shot. I did not have this problem before.”

   NHTSA complaint #11360452, filed 2020-09, 70,000 miles

   “I had the cooling fan assembly replaced due to a noise and noticeable heat coming from the engine at 68262 miles. I later received a letter stating FCA was doing a recall on this engine component. Approximately 7,000 miles or a month and a half later, I was getting a engine vibration and got a check engine light come on. I did a diagnostic scan and it said misfire in cylinder 2. I took the vehicle into the dealership and they informed me that it was the cylinder head that was bad and would have to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11309566, filed 2020-02, 75,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine misfire, vibration or power loss

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 104,500 mi at 3.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners describe check engine lights with a misfire code, engine vibration or shaking, and brief power reduction that can come and go. Some complaints say a cylinder head or camshaft replacement was recommended after misfire symptoms, and that a check engine light returned after a dealer repair. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 75,000 to about 134,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for the diagnostic trouble codes recorded during the last repair, and whether a road test confirmed the misfire was fixed. Check the engine for vibration or rough idle during a test drive, and look for a stored check engine light history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1 the light coming on off on dash board its saying running lights out I check all the lights everything working its just coming on and off its self when my headlights its on . On my vehicles even doesnt have the runnning lights 2 im adding antifreeze like every 10k to 15k milles dealer told me that normal 3 engine have some vibration shaking looks like loosing power”

   NHTSA complaint #11073437, filed 2018-02

   “The etc warming light will come on and the van will decrease power momentarily , I usually pull over, turn the engine off and then back on. That light goes out and then the check engine light will come on and stay on. After several starts and stops the check engine light goes out. Dealer fixed it last week but the red flashing lights came on again as well as the check engine light.”

   NHTSA complaint #11407080, filed 2021-04, 134,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, ask for records of any recall work, especially the cooling fan (19V818000) and shifter cable (20V036000) recalls, and check the VIN against the recall lookup. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a test drive for shifting and a scan for stored fault codes can show whether transmission, cooling or engine warnings are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 52 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.