2021 Ram Promaster Problems

What owners report

Complaints about the 2021 Ram ProMaster cluster around two themes: the rearview camera and, secondarily, the blind spot monitoring system. Many owners describe the backup camera going black, dim or distorted and report waiting on recall 25V552000 parts. A smaller but consistent group describes driver-assist features and transmission or drivetrain problems.

1. 1
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera blank, dark or distorted

   • 21 complaints (19%)
   • median 37,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the rear camera showing a black, dim or distorted image, or the screen displaying a camera-not-available message, when the van is shifted into reverse. Several say the failure is intermittent and that restarting the vehicle sometimes restores it for a while. Many report receiving notice of NHTSA campaign 25V552000 but being told the remedy parts are not yet available, and some say repeated dealer visits (including a security gateway module replacement) did not resolve it. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to around 80,000, in vehicles ranging from nearly new to several years old.

   Recall 25V5520005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Put the van in reverse and confirm the camera image appears promptly and is clear on a dark and a bright day. Ask whether recall 25V552000 has been performed and whether the remedy part was actually installed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the back-over prevention camera failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and the failure was stated as a manufacturer’s defect. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11582139, filed 2024-04, 34,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that the screen display was black and the back-over prevention camera was inoperable. Additionally, the speedometer was blinking and causing a distraction. The radio and hands-free calling were inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Structure). The contact called an unknown local dealer and was referred to a Dodge dealer for assistance. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11700023, filed 2025-11, 14,272 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Cooling fan circuit recall with fire risk

   • 13 complaints (12%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Several complaints reference NHTSA campaign 25V720000, concerning the radiator fan electrical circuit, and say they were told the remedy was still in development and parts unavailable. Some owners describe stopping to use the vehicle because of the recall notice, while others report engine fires, including one vehicle that burned while parked and another with smoke entering through the vents. Reports span roughly 15,000 to 80,000 miles, with several involving heavily used or motorhome-bodied vans.

   Recall 25V720000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 25V720000 has been completed and whether the remedy part or a repair was actually installed. Check for burnt or melted wiring near the fan connector and monitor coolant temperature.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall Remedy Failure NHTSA Recall Numbers: 25V-720 (67C) & 25V-552 (59C) I am reporting a failure by FCA US LLC to provide a timely remedy for Recall 25V-720. As of Jan 2026, the remedy remains under development since Oct 2025. Specific Safety Concerns for RV Owners: My vehicle is a 2022 Thor Tellaro motorhome. The admitted Risk of Vehicle Fire is critical because the vehicle contains propane and lithium/AGM battery systems. Despite the Part 573 report on the NHTSA server listing a Do Not Drive. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11714191, filed 2026-01

   “The specific issue you are dealing with is Chrysler Recall 67C (NHTSA Campaign 25V720). This recall impacts nearly 300,000 Ram ProMaster vans (model years 2018–2026) due to an overheating radiator cooling fan circuit that poses a significant vehicle fire risk. More than 200 of these are from the VA. Edwards Auto Group In Council Bluffs, IA is trying to make the Veterans Health Administration pay labor for a safety recall that is stated above. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11752567, filed 2026-07
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting and park pawl concerns

   • 22 complaints (20%)
   • median 49,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the transmission failing to shift out of low gear on descents, high revs without acceleration, loss of reverse gear with diagnostic codes set, and fluid leaks. Some say the vehicle rolled while in Park, and others report the dealer attributing failures to the vehicle being over its rated capacity or to recall work already completed. Cost for transmission replacement was quoted to at least one owner. Reported anywhere from around 20,000 miles to over 100,000 miles, sometimes in loaded or motorhome-bodied vans.

   Recall 23V3010004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check whether recall 23V301000 (park pawl) has been completed for the VIN, and on a test drive listen for grinding when engaging Drive or Reverse and confirm Park holds on an incline.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased the vehicle above used on 4/22/2024 with roughly 70,000 miles on it. At 121,000 miles I lost the reverse gear in the transmission and the vehicle displayed 2 code P0736 and P0792. I call my local Chrysler dealership and inform him of the situation, and the service manage advise me of a recall 44A / NHTSA 23V-301 and asks for the VIN. He tells me that the recall has been completed on the vehicle and the cost to fix (replace the transmission) the vehicle will cost me about $4,000.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11719287, filed 2026-02

   “While driving on a straight highway, no wind, no weather, 65 mph, both hands on wheel, the van started revving and lost power. I pulled over with engine still running. There were no codes or warning light. I tried to drive again. It continued to rev and not get up to speed. I pulled over again and shut it down. I waited a few minutes and then started it. When pulling back on freeway it ran normal with no more issues for another 700 miles. I took it in to the Dodge dealer on 1-13-23 to have it checked. They couldn't find anything. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11502719, filed 2023-01
4. 4
   Lane departure

   Blind spot monitoring switches itself off

   • 14 complaints (13%)
   • median 300 mi at 0.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2024

   Complaints describe the blind spot monitoring system turning off by itself without a lasting warning, sometimes with a chime, leaving the driver without the alert they assumed was active. One owner reported false alerts with no vehicle nearby; another said the dealer found the system behaving as if a trailer were attached and replaced a lighting module. Owners say the problem was hard to reproduce at the dealership and that no consistent remedy was offered. Reported from as little as a few hundred miles up to higher mileage, often during highway or heavy-traffic driving.

   What to check: On a test drive, watch whether the blind spot indicator stays lit as enabled and whether the system chimes or resets on its own. Ask whether any module updates or lighting module replacements have been logged.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We took the van on a trip out West in May 2022. During that time the Blind Spot Monitoring System would randomly shut off during our travels. It was random. Would happen a few time one day and none the next day. There were no warnings but the system alarm would ring when blind spot was disabled. I just had neck surgery and relied on the system during heavy traffic.”

   NHTSA complaint #11474948, filed 2022-07

   “The Blind Spot Monitor turns itself off spontaneously. Complained to dealer for 18 months but they were unable to replicate. I finally realized I could lock in the fault if the headlights were left ON. Mechanic was able to determine the vehicle thought there was a trailer attached which disconnects the monitor intentionally. Cause could not be determined but a lighting module was replaced as it was their best guess. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11482075, filed 2022-08
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Seat belt webbing and rear belt fit issues

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 2,000 mi at 1.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2025

   Owners report rear seat belts that seize and no longer extend, belts too short to accommodate passengers in motorhome conversion seating, and frayed webbing found during dealer inspection. In some cases owners say the dealer stated the belt was installed as designed, while others had belts replaced under warranty. Reported from roughly 1,000 to about 3,000 miles, typically in motorhome-bodied vans right after delivery.

   Recall 21V699000

   What to check: Pull each rear belt fully out and let it retract several times, check webbing for fraying, and confirm no belt is locked short. Ask whether recall 21V699000 has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that while there were passengers occupying the dinette booth, the seat belts failed to accommodate the passenger. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 1,200. Consumer stated he would like to withdrawal the complaint.”

   NHTSA complaint #11441581, filed 2021-11, 1,200 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Thor Scope RV constructed on a 2021 Ram 1500 chassis. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side seat belt was inoperable due to the length of the seat belt. The RV was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the seat belt was installed as designed. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the seat belt was installed as designed. The failure mileage was approximately 3,072. The consumer stated the authorization to address has been declined multiple times.”

   NHTSA complaint #11511734, filed 2023-03, 3,072 miles

Buying note. On a 2021 ProMaster, check by VIN which of the open recalls (rearview camera, cooling fan, park pawl, seat belts) have actually been completed rather than just announced, since owners report long waits for parts. A reverse-camera test and a highway drive with the blind spot system active are worth doing before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.