2016 RAM Promaster City Problems and Recalls (25 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2016 RAM Promaster City is Engine (24% of 25 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 25 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2016 RAM Promaster City?

6 of 25 filings named Engine (24% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (6 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2015 has 27 reports on file; this year has 25. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2016 RAM Promaster City

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 6 complaints · 24.0% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 0
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 0
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2015 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 6 of 25 owner complaints (24.0%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 6 complaints, 24.0% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 6 · 24.0% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 6 complaints, 24.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 6 · 24.0% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 3 complaints, 12.0% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 · 12.0% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 2 complaints, 8.0% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 2 · 8.0% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 2 complaints, 8.0% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 2 · 8.0% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 1 complaints, 4.0% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 · 4.0% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 1 complaints, 4.0% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 · 4.0% Wheels (WHEELS): 1 complaints, 4.0% of reports Wheels (WHEELS) 1 · 4.0% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 6 complaints, 24.0% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 6 · 24.0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 6 24.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 6 24.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 12.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 2 8.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 2 8.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 4.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 4.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Wheels (WHEELS) 1 4.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 6 24.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2016; the first recall shown was reported in Apr 2016. 2016-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2019-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 Owner reports Apr 2016 Apr 2024 Recall campaign 16E039000 ◆ Recall campaign 16E039000 Recall campaign 16V253000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V253000 Recall campaign 17V601000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V601000 Recall campaign 17V824000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V824000
  • Campaign 17V601000 was reported 299 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2016-Q3 Owner reports 1
2016-Q4 Owner reports 2
2017-Q1 Owner reports 2
2017-Q2 Owner reports 1
2018-Q1 Owner reports 1
2018-Q2 Owner reports 1
2018-Q3 Owner reports 2
2018-Q4 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 3
2019-Q2 Owner reports 2
2020-Q1 Owner reports 2
2020-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q3 Owner reports 1
2022-Q1 Owner reports 1
2022-Q4 Owner reports 1
2024-Q1 Owner reports 1
2024-Q2 Owner reports 2
Recall campaign 1 16E039000
Recall campaign 1 16V253000
Recall campaign 1 17V601000
Recall campaign 1 17V824000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Electrical.

  1. Recall campaign 16E039000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    Trailer brake lights that are inoperative can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Chrysler will mail letters to owners to try to notify the purchasers of the modules, and dealers will replace the Trailer Tow Light Control Modules, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S29.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 16V253000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    Trailer brake lights that are inoperative can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Trailer Tow Light Control Module, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S22.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 17V601000

    Safety recall 17V601000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    The incorrect tire placard can cause the operator to exceed the vehicle's weight capacity, or inflate the tires to an incorrect pressure, affecting vehicle handling, which can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect tire placard with a corrected one, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T62.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 17V824000

    Safety recall 17V824000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 25 complaints · page 1 of 1
2024-06-10Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11593525
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission pump. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.
2024-04-13Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11582800
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Dealer where I purchased vehicle said i have recall for both catalytic converters waited two months called back and they said they wanted to replace engine and i been waiting for a call back for 6 months
2024-01-31Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11569115
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the turn signals became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown part was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
2022-12-23Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11498712
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact received a Catalyst Efficiency campaign program notice for Catalyst Efficiency; however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2022-01-11Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11447051
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact stated that when the engine battery was low-powered the vehicle's computer system had malfunctioned and the gear shifter could not be switched and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer(unknown) who reset the computer system and the failure was remedied. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 85,000.
2020-09-10Wheels (WHEELS)
NHTSA ODI 11354231
CrashFireInjuryDeath
LAST OCT./NOV. I HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT AXLE CV JOINT REPLACED IN MY RAM PROMASTER CITY WHILE IN ARIZONA. YESTERDAY THE LOCAL DEALER INFORMED ME THAT ALL THREE PARTS OF THIS AXLE NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED. BOTH TIMES THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER DID THE WORK. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED I WAS AWAY FROM HOME TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS
2020-06-06Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11327560
CrashFireInjuryDeath
IGNITION KEY IS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT IN THE OFF POSITION *TR
2020-02-11Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 11308517
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PRO-MASTER CITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLATCH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TONGUE CEASED INSIDE OF THE BUCKLE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER (GREENWAY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM LOCATED AT 9051 E COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,328.
2020-01-26Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11302109
CrashFireInjuryDeath
BATTERY DIED, PUT IN NEW BATTERY, KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION
2019-06-27Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11223079
CrashFireInjuryDeath
VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTOFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, SERVICE HILL ASSIST, ABS, AIRBAG, CHECK ENGINE AND SERVICE TRANSMISSION MESSAGES COINCIDED WITH ISSUE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO 'LIMP' MODE WHILE ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN GEAR.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2016 RAM Promaster City?

Owners named Engine most often — 6 of 25 reports (24%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2016 RAM Promaster City?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2016 RAM Promaster City?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources