Problem Lookup › Ram › Promaster City › 2016
Car problem report
2016 Ram Promaster City problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Ram Promaster City has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 4safety recalls
- 58owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 0injuries reported
58 complaints, against an average of 29 for the other 6 Ram Promaster City model years.
Every Ram Promaster City model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Ram Promaster City?
The components named most often in the 58 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 Ram Promaster City owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 58 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2016 Ram Promaster City overheat?6 owners · 10.3%
- Why does my 2016 Ram Promaster City stall, lose power or shut off while driving?5 owners · 8.6%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Ram Promaster City?3 owners · 5.2%
- Has the 2016 Ram Promaster City had transmission failures?3 owners · 5.2%
- Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2016 Ram Promaster City?3 owners · 5.2% · Recall 16E039000
Has the 2016 Ram Promaster City been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Equipment Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Equipment: Other: Labels Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM ProMaster City vehicles. These vehicles have incorrect information on the tire placard including incorrect vehicle capacity weight, total number of occupants, tire pressure and/or "None" designation for the spare tire size when a full size spare tire is present. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System: Software Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain RAM ProMaster Trailer Light Modules, part number 68229650AB. These accessory modules were sold for installation on RAM ProMaster and ProMaster City vehicles. The Trailer Tow Lighting Control Module may have a software error on the affected vehicles and can prevent illumination of the trailer brake lights during brake actuation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Risk: Trailer brake lights that are inoperative can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System: Software Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured July 24, 2015, to February 15, 2016, and 2015-2016 ProMaster City vehicles manufactured August 15, 2014, to February 1, 2016. The Trailer Tow Lighting Control Module may have a software error on the affected vehicles and can prevent illumination of the trailer brake lights during brake actuation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Risk: Trailer brake lights that are inoperative can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
What do 2016 Ram Promaster City owners report?
12 of the 58 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I purchase this car used from a dealer. the transmission failed at 87564 miles. i had the a new transmission installed. The gear box or shifter failed at 91231 miles. I had that repaired. The timing chain started to fail at 100432 miles. this issue would cause the car to stall randomly. This I feel is a safety issue. The car is not being driven for the cost of repair is out of my budget.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram ProMaster. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was later towed to the local mechanic. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
ESC fault codes came on. Brake light switch intermittently not activating causing vehicle to set ESC fault.
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…
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
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.
Parking brake won't release when temperatures are at freezing or below. Consensus opinion on the internet is that water is getting into the cable + cable housing line and freezing, which causes the cable to stick inside the housing. Thus, when releasing the parking brake, the cable doesn't move and the pads are still pressing against the drums.
We have owned this vehicle for 4 years. We are now on our 3rd time having the transmission replaced.
The problem I'm having with my truck is I can't keep a head light from burning out. I just had one quit that was a month old. I've been using the spec. lamp from Sylvania H7. What really sucks about this is in the past 2 years I've installed at least 7 or 8 head lamps, and at a cost of $45 to $55 bucks each it's Bull#@#$. Why can't Dodge come up with a better head lamp.
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.
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.
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.
2016 Ram Promaster City: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Ram Promaster City reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ram Promaster City; the most common categories were engine (19, 32.8%), electrical system (15, 25.9%), power train (15, 25.9%). There are 4 safety recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ram Promaster City?
Across 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (32.8% of complaints), electrical system (25.9% of complaints), power train (25.9% of complaints), exterior lighting (10.3% of complaints), vehicle speed control (6.9% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Ram Promaster City have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Ram Promaster City; the most recent (campaign 17V824000, 2017-12-21) concerns Equipment. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2016 Ram Promaster City overheat?
6 of the 58 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ram Promaster City (10.3%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "Radiator fan began to smoke while engine idle. radiator fan became inoperative, and engine overheating soon followed. radiator and fan were damaged, and had to be replaced." (NHTSA complaint 11217056, May 2019). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 Ram Promaster City stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
5 of the 58 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ram Promaster City (8.6%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "I purchase this car used from a dealer. the transmission failed at 87564 miles. i had the a new transmission installed. The gear box or shifter failed at 91231 miles. I had that repaired. The timing chain started to fail at 100432 miles." (NHTSA complaint 11702191, December 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Ram Promaster City?
3 of the 58 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ram Promaster City (5.2%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Immediately after an inspection, oil change and coolant check, and i began using the air conditioner, the fan began to rattle against the hood of the car. i stopped using the air conditioner and it sounded as if the fan was struggling to stay on." (NHTSA complaint 11100220, June 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2016 Ram Promaster City had transmission failures?
3 of the 58 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ram Promaster City (5.2%) describe transmission failure, slipping or a replaced transmission. One owner wrote: "I purchase this car used from a dealer. the transmission failed at 87564 miles. i had the a new transmission installed. The gear box or shifter failed at 91231 miles. I had that repaired. The timing chain started to fail at 100432 miles." (NHTSA complaint 11702191, December 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2016 Ram Promaster City?
3 of the 58 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ram Promaster City (5.2%) describe headlights, taillights or brake lights failing or condensation in the lamps. 2 related recalls exist: campaign 16E039000 (electrical system: software). The fix: 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. One owner wrote: "The problem I'm having with my truck is I can't keep a head light from burning out. I just had one quit that was a month old. I've been using the spec. lamp from Sylvania H7." (NHTSA complaint 11543731, September 2023). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own Promaster City
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.