2018 Ram Promaster Problems & Complaints

Average29% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Promaster at the same age

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2018 Ram Promaster with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Promaster at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (12 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles). 10 recalls cover this model year.

38complaints
10recalls
4crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2018 Ram Promaster problems

  • Engine & cooling~33,000 miles
    1232%
  • Electrical system~0 miles
    1129%
  • Other / not specified~15,000 miles
    718%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~29,000 miles
    718%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~0 miles
    411%
  • Brakes
    38%
  • Body & structure~38,000 miles
    25%
  • Steering
    25%
  • Wheels & tires
    25%
  • Lights
    13%
  • Seats~0 miles
    13%
  • Air bags~8,000 miles
    13%
  • Stability & traction control~85,000 miles
    13%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    13%

Share of the 38 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Ram Promaster complaints by model year

20142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520267161335738604211167951162
Owner complaints per model year, Ram Promaster. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Promaster years: 2016, 2025, 2018. Years to avoid: 2021, 2023, 2022. Compare all years →

2018 Ram Promaster recalls (10)

Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly

NHTSA recall 25V-720 · Oct 23, 2025 · 300,691 vehicles

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

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.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift

NHTSA recall 20V-582 · Oct 15, 2020 · 20 vehicles

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…

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.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift

NHTSA recall 20V-036 · Jan 23, 2020 · 222,207 vehicles

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.

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.

Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner

NHTSA recall 19V-818 · Nov 15, 2019 · 99,128 vehicles

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.

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.

Equipment

NHTSA recall 19V-428 · Jun 11, 2019 · 325 vehicles

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.

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.

Seats

NHTSA recall 19V-333 · Apr 29, 2019 · 544 vehicles

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.

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.

Show 4 more recalls

Seats

NHTSA recall 19V-313 · Apr 18, 2019 · 2,080 vehicles

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.

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.

Seats

NHTSA recall 19V-332 · Mar 1, 2019 · 90 vehicles

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,…

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.

Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood

NHTSA recall 18V-524 · Aug 9, 2018 · 12,779 vehicles

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…

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.

Air bags › Side/window

NHTSA recall 17V-712 · Nov 14, 2017 · 3,514 vehicles

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.

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.

What 2018 Ram Promaster owners say

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V720000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was started, and there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an AAA location and was informed to tow the vehicle to a dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the low-speed radiator cooling fan failed to engage as designed, causing the engine to overheat. Due to the overheating, the engine became warped, causing a coolant leak into the cylinder, and causing escaped gases to enter the cooling system. The contact was informed that the engine and radiator cooling fan assembly needs to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. …

33,000 miles · Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service Hill Holder, Electronic Stability Control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with codes HAF, DTC, P0740, TCC clutch performance, and metal debris found in the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

85,000 miles · Oct 2024

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start. The contact attempted to remove the key from the ignition; however, the key was stuck for several minutes before the contact was able to remove the key. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition warning harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched and found an undisclosed NHTSA recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,500.

Ignition · 97,000 miles · Oct 2024

My vehicle is subject to open safety Recall 67C involving the cooling fan module and related fuse protection in the engine compartment. The recall has been open since October 2025. The manufacturer and dealer have confirmed that the remedy/parts are still not available and that there is no ETA for repair. At this time, I have not experienced an obvious operating failure with the vehicle itself. However, the open safety recall remains unresolved, and because no remedy exists yet, the recall cannot be completed. This is my sole work vehicle, and the unresolved recall is preventing lawful completion of the import/registration process in Canada and preventing me from using the vehicle for work. The problem has been confirmed by the manufacturer and an authorized dealer as an open recall with no available remedy at this time. …

Mar 2026

Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service Hill Holder, Electronic Stability Control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with codes HAF, DTC, P0740, TCC clutch performance, and metal debris found in the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant · 85,000 miles · Oct 2024

On June 18/19 Off Highway Van installed their 3 inch lift kit on my promaster 3500. Off Highway Van designs, manufactures and installs the lift kit. One July 23 the front right half axle (cv axle) broke or detached from the engine. The vehicle had been driven less than 2000 miles mostly highway with some city driving and 5 miles of gravel dirt road. The break happened when backing up to get back on the paved road after pulling off. Total vehicle miles is just under 18000. Safety was put at risk by the vehicle's drivetrain becoming no longer functional. I was also unable to get towed until about 4 pm the next day due. If the incident had happened while driving on the highway or at any speed it would have caused an accident. The vehicle has not been inspected. I took pictures of the damage and sent them to Off Highway Van for their evaluation. …

Axle assembly · Jul 2021

2018 Ram Promaster engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.4L 4-cyl9-speed automaticFWD21 / 28 / 24

EPA ratings. Class: —.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Ram Promaster a good car?

Based on 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Promaster rates average: 29% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Promaster at the same age. It is one of the best Promaster years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ram Promaster?

The engine & cooling — 12 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (11) and transmission & drivetrain (7).

How many recalls does the 2018 Ram Promaster have?

There are 10 recalls for the 2018 Ram Promaster, the most recent from October 23, 2025 (radiator assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Ram Promaster?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2025 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2023 and 2022. See the full Ram Promaster years comparison.

At what mileage do 2018 Ram Promaster problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 11,000 miles; 80% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.