2023 Ram ProMaster: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, engine, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

2023

Owner complaints: 39
Recalls: 7
Crashes reported: 0
Reliability: Good; 63/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

0/9 checked

Paperwork and questions

Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3

01Confirm the 7 recalls listed below show as completed for this VIN. A Ram dealer can look them up for free.
02Ask for records of any steering rack or wiring harness replacement for water damage or corrosion.
03Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm every open recall has actually been completed.

Walk-around and cabin

Engine off, key in hand0/2

04With the engine off, turn the cooling fan by hand and reject a fan that drags or whirs.
05Inspect the 12V outlet and any added wiring for scorch marks, melted plastic, or crimped wires.

Cold start, engine bay, and underside

Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2

06At startup, watch for power steering, forward collision, or hill start assist warning lights.
07Look under the van for dents, holes, or oil leaks on the exposed oil pan.

Test drive

At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2

08Drive over speed bumps and through tight turns, and feel for steering that jerks, goes heavy, or cuts out.
09Restart the van and confirm Uconnect settings stick, automatic emergency braking stays on, and SOS calling works.

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.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Ram ProMaster, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

Steering12No crashes
Power steering cuts out, locks up, or turns suddenly heavy with little warning. The 12 complaints describe the wheel jerking or shaking, often over bumps or while turning, and several drivers nearly hit walls or other cars. Some see power steering, forward collision, and hill start lights come on, while others get no warning at all. Shops most often blame water getting into the steering wiring harness and connectors, which corrodes them and damages the rack. Fixes usually mean a new rack or harness, and owners report backordered parts and long waits.
Engine10No crashes
These complaints are mostly about a recall repair that can't be done yet, not about breakdowns. Nearly every owner says they got a recall notice for the engine cooling system, worry about fire, and were told by the dealer or manufacturer that parts were not available. Many say the wait has gone on too long. Only one report describes a symptom: a cooling fan whirring at idle, spinning slowly, and dragging when turned by hand, with no warning light.
Road debris punches a hole in the oil pan, which sits exposed under the van. The oil drains out and the engine seizes, and drivers get no warning until it stops and the engine light comes on. These reports come from rental delivery fleets, and one fleet says it has happened three times. One repair cost $10,172. Separately, one owner says a manufacturer representative told them not to drive the van while it waits for a recall repair.
Electrical9No crashes
Fire is the most serious problem here. Three of the 9 complaints involve fire: two front-end or engine compartment fires that totaled the vans, and one 12V outlet fire. The other reports center on the Uconnect system faulting out. When it does, automatic emergency braking can switch off, the parking brake setting changes on its own, speed readouts flip to km/h, and saved settings revert. Owners also report emergency call systems that never worked, vans locking themselves, and turn signals that flash fast even after a harness replacement.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints ProMaster owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Steering

Power steering failure and tech said it was corrosion of wire harness and not considered a mechanical failure. Water had entered the power steering rack and harness. Pump and rack need to be replaced as well. Driving on highway and power steering gave out without warning. Had to pull to the side of the road. Safety at risk.

Filed with NHTSA, December 2025

Steering

Steering wheel hard to turn. Not able to react quickly. Confirmed by independent service center that the rack and pinion is faulty. Not inspected by anyone else, and no warning lamps illuminated. Independent repair shop is going to replace rack and pinion.

Filed with NHTSA, March 2026

Electrical

R/F signal light not working properly upon delivery. Fast flashing on instrument panel. Same issues of recall on the 2021/22 Promaster. Vech/camper is at Lakeland Dodge, FL. Harness replaced still with problem. Now they are ordering a mirror part hoping this resolves. Vech purchased from RV General, Dover FL

Filed with NHTSA, April 2025

Electrical

Camping World, Freedom Roads LLC did not complete NHTSA Manufacturer Recall Number 66B NHTSA Recall Number 24V-436 prior to delivery on or about August 8th, 2024 and did not inform me of this recall. Unacceptable! I am scheduled to complete recall at a Ram dealership on 12/10/2024.

Filed with NHTSA, December 2024

How the 2023 compares with other ProMaster years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2023 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 9 ProMaster years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2023 Average of other years

Steering122
Engine103
Electrical94

Where the 2023 fits in the ProMaster's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2023 is the first model year of the ProMaster's second generation (2023–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Ram fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.

Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.

Recalls to confirm (7)

Recall repairs are free at any Ram dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

26V171000Body and structureMar 2026
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ram ProMaster vehicles. The installed window may have the wrong type of glass for an emergency exit. As such, these vehicles fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation.".
Risk: A noncompliant emergency exit can increase the risk of ejection and injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the window, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Braun's customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
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.
25V330000Backup cameraMay 2025
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Ram ProMaster vehicles. A software error in the security gateway module may cause the rearview camera image not to display. 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 reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the security gateway module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 40C.
24V436000Backup cameraJun 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
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.
24V129000Seat beltsFeb 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ram Promaster vehicles. The driver seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: A malfunctioning seat belt warning system can result in improper seat belt use, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver seat belt buckle as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 02B.

Also looking at these instead of a ProMaster?

Cars shoppers compare with the Ram ProMaster, with their own 2023 checklists.

2023 owner complaints, side by side