2018 Ram PROMASTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
11,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 37 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 13.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 13.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 10.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 11 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Engine: 11; Electrical System: 9; Unknown Or Other: 7; Power Train: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2018: 7; 2019: 2; 2020: 4; 2021: 5; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 4; 2025: 3; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11318699 · 2020-03-19 (March 19, 2020)
OUR 2018 PROMASTER VAN WAS IDLING IN OUR DRIVEWAY IN PARK, NO EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AS I RAN ACROSS THE FRONT OF IT TO GRAB A SHIRT/PANTS FOR THE CLEANERS. IT WAS HOT AND WANTED THE VAN TO COOL OFF IN AUGUST IN EL DORADO HILLS, CA. THE VAN WHICH WAS POINTING DOWNHILL TOWARDS OUR BACKYARD AND I WAS IN THE HOUSE AND BACK OUT IN 30 SECONDS AND THE VAN MOVED ON ITSELF DOWN THE HILL, THROUGH THE BACKYARD INTO MY NEIGHBORS PROPERTY INTO A OAK TREE. WHEN I GOT DOWN WITH MY NEIGHBOR, A RETIRED POLICEMEN, VERIFIED IT WAS STILL IN PARK. THIS WAS A TOTAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11318699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11445557 · 2021-12-30 (December 30, 2021)
Rear emergency brake locked up only on the passenger side, causing the brakes to be ripped off the shoes and destroying the springs and hardware. This also caused the wheel bearing to lock up and it was destroyed as well. I could no longer spin the wheel freely.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11445557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11145036 · 2018-11-02 (November 2, 2018)
POOR SEAL AT WINDSHIELD ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER INTO ENGINE BAY AND ELECTRICAL. ENGINE DIES OUT WHEN DRIVING WHILE RAINING, HEADLIGHTS BLOW AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE WATER IS ALWAYS GETTING INTO ENGINE BAY. DEALER SAYS ITS COMMON AND IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11145036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324254 · 2020-05-12 (May 12, 2020)
IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX MONTHS SINCE THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED, AND FCA HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY INFORMATION OR TIMELINE FOR REPAIR! NOR HAVE THEY FOUND A FIX FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RECALL 20V-036! I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS QUICKLY LOSING VALUE. PLEASE MAKE FCA FIX OR BUY BACK THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. NOV 15,2019 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERVB2 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER19V-818 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE SUMMARY A COOLING FAN STALL / SEIZURE EVENT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL OVERLOADING OF THE FAN M…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11324254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11209739 · 2019-05-24 (May 24, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM PROMASTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE GEAR DOWNSHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499602 · 2022-12-30 (December 30, 2022)
-Vehicle shut off on highway, lost power steering Vehicle fan sounds like it's running full speed after turning off engine. Turning key off and pulling out did not shut off engine. Engine appeared to be overheating. Electric system was making lots of clicks and odd noises. Power steering pump went out in intersection. Police helped push van out of traffic.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11725166 · 2026-03-18 (March 18, 2026)
My power steering locked up and almost caused an accident. The dealer said they are having trouble with this component (corrosion in plug). I have a fleet of trucks, and I just had the same issue with a 2023 model which I also almost lost control of the vehicle. This is a defect or poor design that needs to be recalled before someone get seriously hurt.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11725166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11577778 · 2024-03-16 (March 16, 2024)
Vehicle is experiencing misfires code P0300 and P0302. Performed the usual repairs listed: 1. Coil pack, 2. Spark Plug, 3. Injector. Inspected cam, rocker arms and lifters. All checked good. Codes still remain. After further inspection, the exhaust valve is cracked/broken on #2 cylinder. This appears to be an issue as many others are experiencing the same problem. This vehicle only has 86k miles, oil changed at scheduled intervals.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11577778 at NHTSA ↗