2021 Ram ProMaster: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and lane keeping. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021- Owner complaints
- 98
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes reported
- 1
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2021 Ram ProMaster: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which ProMaster is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Ram ProMaster. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 mpg |
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A ProMaster that averages well under the EPA 24 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Ram ProMaster, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical13No crashes
Blind spot monitoring that shuts itself off is the most common problem. It can happen several times in one hour or not for days, and some owners link it to braking. Dealers often cannot reproduce it, and one dealer replaced a lighting module as a best guess. The rearview camera flickers, distorts, shows the image upside down, or goes blank. One fire-related report involves a motorhome house battery filling the coach with heavy smoke. Other reports describe ABS and ESC warning lights blamed on a loose ground wire, plus recall visits where the dealer had no remedy or no parts.
Engine11No crashes
These reports mostly describe a parts shortage, not mechanical failures. Owners have recall notices for this system and for the rearview camera, but dealers say the repair parts are not yet available. Several owners say the wait has gone on too long. One lost income, and another parked the van after reading the recall letter. One report describes a different problem: the van stalls without warning while driving. Dealers found no fault codes, pointed to the power control module, and did not repair it.
Two reports describe engine-area fires. In one, a van caught fire about twenty minutes after being parked, and the flames spread to a house. In the other, smoke poured from under the hood and through the vents while the van was moving at 40 mph, and the van burned at about 80,000 miles. Cracked cylinder heads that required full engine replacement are also reported at about 80,000 miles, out of warranty. Another owner reports a heavy oil leak at the oil filter because the mounting surface is not flat.
Lane keeping9No crashes
The blind spot monitoring system switches itself off while driving, often with no clear trigger. A chime sounds and a message scrolls across the dash. Turning the system back on takes several touchscreen menus, which pulls the driver's eyes off the road. Some owners notice it more in warm weather or when braking. Others see it from new, or get false alerts with no cars nearby. Dealers often cannot diagnose it, and converted motorhomes with replacement radios make diagnosis harder. In a van this large, a system that quietly turns off raises the risk of changing lanes into another car.
Transmission71 crash
Transmission failure is the main pattern here. Vans suddenly lose power at highway speed and drop into limp mode, refuse to shift out of first or into Drive, or lose reverse. One owner lost reverse at 121,000 miles with codes P0736 and P0792. A crash-related report describes a van losing power on a hill, rolling backward with no brakes, and hitting a tree. Other owners report vans rolling while in Park. Fleet operators describe long dealer backlogs and part shortages, and some owners are still waiting on recall parts.
Brakes7No crashes
A "Service Brake System" warning and the brake light come on during long downhill grades, such as mountain passes. The warning clears only after the van is stopped and shut off. Dealers call it a known issue with no fix, and repairs based on stored codes have not cured it. Owners worry the false warning will hide a real brake fault. A separate pattern involves rear brakes locking up or calipers seizing so a wheel will not turn, often after shifting from reverse to forward. A loud squeal after using the parking brake is also reported.
Backup camera7No crashes
The rearview camera goes black, shows a dim image, or displays a camera-unavailable message in reverse, often on and off. Most reports describe getting a recall notice and then waiting because the dealer has no parts. One owner reports two minor crashes while backing up. Another had a security gateway module replaced twice, and the failure came back both times. Failures show up anywhere from early ownership to about 35,000 miles. One owner of an early-build 2021 van says the van is not covered even though it has the same fault.
Wheels and tires6No crashes
Lug nuts work loose while driving, even after being torqued to spec. Once a few loosen, the remaining studs take the load and shear off. The wheel then wobbles and can separate from the hub, leaving the van undrivable. Most of these reports come from fleet operators running several 3500 cargo vans with the same failure. One separate report describes tread separation on a factory-installed tire at 27,028 miles.
Seat belts5No crashes
Rear seat belts seize and will not extend or retract. Some lock up during normal driving and then let go under braking. Front seat belt webbing frays, and in one case the dealer replaced both front belts. In motorhome conversions, belts at the dinette or rear seats are too short to fit passengers. Dealers have called that "installed as designed" and declined to fix it.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints ProMaster owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The blind spot detection system randomly turns itself off. The problem is the van is quite large with lots of blind spots, and you think the system is working because you have it turned on and it turns off by itself. Chrystler is not concerned with the problem, nor do they have a fix for it. This a safety concern that needs an immediate fix. The potential for loss of life is extremely high with this defect.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2022
The rearview camera intermittently fails when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. The image flickers, becomes distorted, upside down, or goes completely blank. This is a known issue covered under Recall #59C, but the dealer stated there is currently no available remedy. The failure makes backing up unsafe and unpredictable.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
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.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2022
Since brand new, blind spot monitoring system would turn itself off repeatedly after being turned on. I cannot replicate how or why it occurs and it has happened at various highway and lower speeds.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2021
How the 2021 compares with other ProMaster years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 has the most owner complaints of the 9 ProMaster years we cover, about 4.0 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical134
- Engine113
- Lane keeping90
- Transmission73
- Brakes71
- Backup camera70
Where the 2021 fits in the ProMaster's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the ninth model year of the ProMaster's first generation (2013–2022).
It includes the 2019 update.
What changed for 2019
- Updated front fascia
- Revised interior materials and features
Recalls to confirm (10)
Recall repairs are free at any Ram dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V876000Equipment Adaptive/mobilityDec 2025
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
25V720000EngineOct 2025
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2026 Ram ProMaster vehicles. The electrical circuit for the radiator fan may overheat.
Risk: Electrical circuits that overheat increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 and March 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.
25V552000Backup cameraAug 2025
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster and 2019-2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Cracks in the microprocessor may cause the vehicle's rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning September 30, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 59C.
24V416000Body and structureJun 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Ram Promaster vehicles. The vehicles are missing a side door beam, and the tire placard contains incorrect seating capacity information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.".
Risk: A missing side door beam may not provide adequate occupant protection in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Incorrect seating capacity information can result in an improperly loaded vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a door beam and apply an overlay label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 53B.
24V290000Stability controlApr 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram Promaster vehicles. An insecure ground connection may cause the electronic stability control (ESC) to be inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems.".
Risk: Driving with an inoperative electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the ground nut assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 43B.
24V197000ElectricalMar 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram ProMaster vehicles. The wiring harness may have a poor connection, which can cause the left taillight and left turn signal to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: An inoperative left turn signal may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, and an inoperative left taillight can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the harness, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 21B.
23V301000TransmissionApr 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped with a 62TE transmission. The park pawl may not fully engage the park gear due to debris inside the transmission.
Risk: A partially engaged park pawl can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace, as necessary, the transmission or components within the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 22, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 44A.
21V728000Exterior lightsSep 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster City vehicles. If one or both turn signal lights fail, the flashing rate may not change to warn the driver of the failure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: The driver may be unaware that the turn signals are not signaling their intentions to other drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Body Controller Module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y71.
21V699000Seat beltsSep 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram ProMaster City and Ram ProMaster vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853- 1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y61.
21V147000BrakesMar 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram ProMaster City vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may have internal damage, which could result in a loss of braking performance or autonomous braking functions.
Risk: The loss of braking performance or autonomous braking functions can increase the risk of a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Fix: FCA US, LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, free of charge. The recall began on March 30, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Also looking at these instead of a ProMaster?
Cars shoppers compare with the Ram ProMaster, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
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