What 60 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Ram Promaster (passenger Double Seat)

AIRBAG PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11190138

RECENTLY THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND AFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL. THIS MODEL VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A PARK POSITION FOR THE TRANSMISSION LEVER. NOT SURE WHY THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A PARK POSITION BECAUSE WHEN THIS EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD THE VEHICLE IN PLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11169878

IN 2017 I PURCHASED A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WITH A DODGE CHASSIS WITH THE ATTACHED VIN. IT CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 4500 MILES ON IT. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55 TO 65 MPH) WHICH PEGS THE TACH (7000 PLUS). THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN TRAVELING UP SLIGHT GRADES WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL AND WOULD HAPPEN AT RANDOM INTERVALS (ROUGHLY 200 MILES) WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DODGE DEALER AND DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT SAID IT WAS AN "ADAPTIVE" TRANS WHICH HAD TO ADJUST TO MY DRIVING AND DIDN'T OFFER ANY SOLUTIONS. AT THE THIRD VISIT TO THE DEALER THEY RELOADED NEW SOFTWARE FOR THE TRANS, BUT STILL OFFERED THE "ADAPTIVE" ARGUMENT, AND STILL WOULDN'T GUARANTEE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS THERE IS SO MUCH ENGINE BRAKING AND RAPID DECELERATION THAT I FEAR A REAR END COLLISION. ADDITIONALLY, DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS (GRAVEL, FROST, SNOW, RAIN) COULD EASILY RESULT IN A SKID AND POSSIBLY COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI 11149907

THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE PARKING BRAKE WHICH CAUSES IT TO FREEZE AND LOCK UP IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH NO PARKING GEAR SO THE PARKING BRAKE IS REQUIRED TO PARK THE VEHICLE SO THAT IT DOES NOT ROLL. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT WATER GETS INTO THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE AND FREEZES IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURES CAUSING THE PARKING BRAKE TO NOT ENGAGE, NOT RELEASE, OR ONLY RELEASE PARTIALLY SO THAT IT DRAGS. FROM THE DRIVERS PERSPECTIVE IT APPEARS NORMAL OTHER THAN HAVING LESS OR NO TENSION WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS APPLIED.OR RELEASED. WHEN THE CABLE IS FROZEN WHILE THE BRAKE IS DISENGAGED, THE BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO PROPERLY PARK THE VEHICLE. WHEN FROZEN WHILE ENGAGED, THE BRAKE REMAINS ON OR ONLY PARTIALLY RELEASES WHICH CAUSES IT TO BE UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OR THE BRAKE WILL DRAG AND OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING. WE HAVE TWO OF THESE VEHICLES PURCHASED AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME FROM . ONE IN MINNESOTA AND THE OTHER IN TEXAS. BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO IT CLEARLY NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. ONE COST US OVER $2000 TO FIX BECAUSE THE ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY BECAME OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED ALMOST ALL OF THE WHEEL COMPONENTS. I'VE ATTACHED THE INVOICE FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE NOT BROUGHT THIS UP EARLIER BECAUSE I WAS CERTAIN THAT IT WOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS BY NOW. WE USE THESE FOR DELIVERIES AND NOW OUR MANAGER IN MINNESOTA WILL NOT OPERATE THE VAN IN THE WINTER FOR SAFETY REASONS. TODAY THE DRIVER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT DELIVERY STOPS SO HAS TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK ON A HILL WITH THE WHEELS TOWARD THE CURB. THIS IS NOT A SAFE WAY TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES REALLY NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11149959

THE ROCKER ARMS WERE BAD WHICH CAUSED THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAMSHAFT TO WEAR OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ROCKER ARMS ON ALL CYLINDERS.

NHTSA ODI 11144722

WATER ENTERS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE COWLING BELOW THE WINDSHIELD IS A 2-PIECE UNIT WITH A "JOINT" IN THE MIDDLE, WHERE WATER ENTERS AND FORMS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP. THERE IS ALSO A LEAK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND FLOWS ON TOP OF THE FUSE BOX AND ELECTRICS. THERE IS ALSO A LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE WATER ENTERS FROM THE HOOD VENT AND GOES ONTO THE AIR INTAKE AND THEN CAN GO INTO THE ENGINE. MANY OWNERS HAVE CONTACTED THEIR DEALERS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TRYING SINCE 2015. SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR ALTERNATORS QUIT BECAUSE OF WATER AND THE ENGINE HAS DIED WHILE DRIVING. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION GO TO WWW.PROMASTERFORUM.COM UNDER GENERAL DISCUSSION AND DO A SEARCH FOR WATER IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. GOOGLE ALSO PROVIDES INFORMATION. THIS IS HAPPENING IN EUROPE A WELL AND THEY HAVE SOLVED IT WITH A DRIP PAN, AND/OR OTHER MEANS OF SEALING THE AREA. I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO OF THE LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS, BUT CAN'T UPLOAD IT. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).UPDATED 11/30/18*JB *CC *TR

NHTSA ODI 11142638

MY 2015 PROMASTER 2500 GOT A P0481 CODE FOR A FAULTY RADIATOR FAN. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH KNOWN DEFECTS IN OTHER MAKES AND MODELS IN FCA (FIAT CHRYSTLER AUTOMOTIVE). MOST NOTABLE IS JEEP RENEGADE FANS (P/N: 623740)

NHTSA ODI 11140476

MY TRUCK IS IN GETTING BRAKES CHANGED FOR THE THIRD TIME THERE IS ONLY 36000 MILES ON IT EVERY TIME I BROUGHT IT BRAKE TO DEALER THEY THERE NOTHING WRONG. DRIVING HOME TODAY AND THE BRAKES LOCKED. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD THAT WITH THESE MODELS AND FORD TRANSIT THAT EXPECT TO CHANGE BRAKES EVERY 15000 MILES. HE SAID THERE SHOULD BE RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS CAUSE IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM WITH EVERY HE HAS SERVICE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I GOT BRAND NEW. AND RAM DON'T WANT TO STAND BY THERE VEHICLES. THEY JUST SAY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG I WOULD OF BEEN BETTER IF BUYING A SECOND HAND TRUCK I WOULD OF LESS MONEY INTO IT. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. ALSO COOLANT FAN WENT AND HAD TO WAIT 2 WEEKS TO GET PART BECAUSE IT WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND THERE WAS 1200 PEOPLE WAITING FOR SAME PART. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO BUY THIS NEW TRUCK SO I WOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. GUESS I WAS WRONG.RAM JUST DON'T CARE THEY GOT THERE MONEY . IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT THEM GETTING AWAY WITH THIS. DO NOT BUY RAM)

NHTSA ODI 11130466

RADIATOR COOLING FAN HAS STOPPED WORKING AT 39000 MILES.VAN IS OVERHEATING .STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY.WE ARE BEING GIVEN A HARD TIME ABOUT WARRANTY REPAIR.VAN CAN'T OPERATE AS IT HAS ALSO BLOWN FUSES FOR THE FAN.RESEARCH INDICATES MANY OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11113488

I BOUGHT THE RAM PRO MASTER 2015 BRAND NEW AND HAD TO REPLACE THE PARKING BTAKE OUT 4 TIMES AND REPLACED PARKING BRAKE CABLES 3 TIMES. PARKING BRAKE CABLES GET WATER INTO THE CABLES AND FREEZES IN THE WINTER. THE PARKING BREAK YOU SHOULDN'T NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE IT. THE FUNCTION OF THE PARKING BRAKE IS THE HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE IT'S NEVER WILD WHILE THE TRUCK IS MOVING NOT AWARE ARE WEARABLE ITEMS.THE PARKING BREAK HIS FALL APART THREE TIMES WHILE I WAS MOVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA ODI 11084687

PARKING BRAKE NOT WORKING DURING WINTER TIME. WHEN PARKING, PARKING BRAKE WAS USED AND IT WORK. WHEN DRIVEING THE VEHICLE THE PARKING BRAKE WAS RELEASE BUT THE BRAKE IS LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE. TOOK TO THE SHOP AND THE SHOE WAS ALL USE UP. I CHANGED THE SHOE AT THE SHOP AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. PARKING BRAKE DO NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI 11071654

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM PROMASTER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENDERSONVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (401 DUNCAN HILL RD, HENDERSONVILLE, NC), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11066941

MY TPMS SYSTEM HAS NEVER WORKED RELIABLY SINCE NEW. IT IS ON NOW AND HAS BEEN ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR 40,000 MILES. TYPICALLY IT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR A WEEK TO A MONTH AND CHECKING OR ADJUSTING TIRE PRESSURE SEEMS TO HAVE NO EFFECT ON WHETHER IT IS ON OR SUDDENLY OFF FOR A MONTH OR TWO. I AM CONCERNED I MIGHT REALLY HAVE A FAILING TIRE OR LOW PRESSURE AND BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS ON I CANNOT KNOW. I UNDERSTAND THE NHTSA REQUIRES THIS SYSTEM. IS IT SAFE TO BE SO UNRELIABLE? IT IS ON NOW ON SINCE OCT 14TH BUT THE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED AS HAS BEEN TRUE IN THE PAST.

NHTSA ODI 11040999

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM PROMASTER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 31627555. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,122. UPDATED 06/28/17*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10985746

BCM IS BAD DEALER SAYS NOT AN ITEM COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS 23000 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. DEALERSHIP IS NOT BE HONEST WITH REPAIRS AND HELD VEHICLE HOSTAGE IN ORDER TO GET VEHICLE BACK FROM THEM WE HAD TO PAY A SERVICE INVOICE FOR THEM LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE $355.75. AGAIN VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 23000 MILES ON IT, I JUST BOUGHT IT LAST MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 10956173

PARKING BRAKE INITIALLY WOULD NOT RELEASE AND STAY LOCKED ON. BRAKE SHOES WORE DOWN TO THE POINT THAT NOTHING WAS LEFT ON THE BRAKE PADS TO HOLD THE VEHICLE IN PLACE TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING DOWN A HILL. THE VAN TRANSMISSION IS AN AUTOMATED MANUAL WITH NO CLUTCH, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO LEAVE THE VAN IN GEAR WHEN STOPPED AND USE THE TRANSMISSION TO KEEP THE WHEELS FROM ROLLING. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER. THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WERE UNSURE OF WHY THIS ISSUE WAS HAPPENING. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO ADD ALL NEW PARKING BRAKE PARTS COSTING ME A TOTAL OF $1400 TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI 10944286

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM PROMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKES. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND GLOW PLUGS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE AGGRESSIVELY LUNGED FORWARD AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE SOUND WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SIX OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23.

NHTSA ODI 10898874

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON SPORADICALLY DURING A 2,000 MILE TRIP OVER A 2 WEEK PERIOD. CAUSED VEHICLE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING TO JUMP FROM GEAR TO GEAR AND SPEED AND ENGINE RPM TO NOT RESPOND TO FOOT PEDAL WHILE DRIVING. DEALER FLUSHED FUEL SYSTEM STATING PROBLEM WAS BIODIESEL IN TANK. OWNERS MANUAL SAYS BIODIESEL CAN BE USED.

NHTSA ODI 10897367

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKING CONTROL MODULE THAT DOES NOT ALLOW A PROPER SIGNAL TO A TRAILER FROM THE VAN. THE DEFECT PREVENTS BOTH BRAKE AND TURN SIGNALING IN ANY MANNER FROM THE TRAILER AT ANY SPEED OR AT A STAND STILL. THIS DEFECT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN PRESENT FOR 2 YEARS, NO NOTIFICATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME BY THE MANUFACTURER. I FOUND THE ISSUE BECAUSE I BOUGHT A NEW TRAVEL TRAILER. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY STATED THAT CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS A RESTRICTION ON ORDERING THE PART TO FIX THE ISSUE. APPARENTLY ONLY ONE CUSTOMER CAN BE SERVICED AT A TIME. THEY STATED THAT EACH PERSON TAKES AROUND 2 WEEKS TO SERVICE. I AM APPARENTLY 6TH IN LINE FOR THE PART. THIS MEANS I HAVE A 2 1/2 MONTH WAIT TIME BEFORE I CAN TOW A TRAILER. THE LENGTHY FIX WAIT TIME LEAVES ONE TO BELIEVE THAT UNSCRUPULOUS OWNERS ARE TOWING WITHOUT SIGNALING EQUIPMENT AND THUS ENDANGERING LIVES. APPARENTLY CHRYSLER IS IN NO HURRY TO SOLVE THE ISSUE WHICH IT HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR WHAT I AM GUESSING IS A 2 YEAR PERIOD. THE CHRYSLER GROUP IS WILLFULLY COVERING UP DANGEROUS DEFECTS. WHEN DISCOVERED, PRESUMABLY AFTER ONE HAS TOWED A TRAILER SOME DISTANCE, THEY AGAIN CONTINUE TO DENY THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE BY SLOWLY REPAIRING VEHICLES THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT. SEE FOR YOURSELF, CALL A DEALER AND ASK THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS RECALL S29 FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD. APPARENTLY THE "S" STANDS FOR SECRET.. ASK THE FIRM EXECUTIVES WHY ONE HAS A VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE FOR 2 YEARS BEFORE THEY MUST FIND OUT ON THEIR OWN THEY COULD KILL SOMEONE BY TOWING A TRAILER. WITH NO OPERATIONAL BRAKE OR TURN SIGNALS.

NHTSA ODI 10897292

MAY 22, 16 2015 RAM PROMASTER, DELIVERED APR 1, 2015 39,049 MILES THE DASH LOW TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR ILLUMINATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AND WITH APPROXIMATELY 750 LBS. OF CARGO AND NO TRAILER, THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER AND INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE VALVE STEM HARDWARE HAD FALLEN OFF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, WHICH ALLOWED THE TIRE TO VERY QUICKLY GO FLAT. THE OTHER 3 VALVE STEM RETAINER NUTS WERE FOUND TO BE NEARLY "FINGER TIGHT". IN ADDITION, THE SPARE TIRE LOWERING MECHANISM FAILED TO OPERATE AND HAD TO BE "CUT OFF" WITH A HACKSAW.

NHTSA ODI 10870260

THIS IS NEW MODEL FOR DODGE IN 2015 AND COMES EQUIPPED WITH THE ZF 9-SPEED TRANSMISSION. AT THE LOWER END, THE VAN LACKS ACCELERATION FOR PASSING OR NEEDED ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY AFTER DECELERATION. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ZF TRANSMISSION IN THE CHEROKEE, THE DESCRIPTIONS NOTED ARE EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY VAN. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING WHEN ON A FREEWAY AND ONCE I SLOW DOWN AND THEN HAVE TO SPEED UP FAST, THERE IS A DELAY OR LULL IN THE ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 10870433

DUST AND ROAD DIRT BEING SUCKED INTO CARGO AREA AND CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT CAB. DUST IS GETTING RECYCLED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS FOR OCCUPANTS AND VISIBILITY ISSUES ON INSTRUMENTATION.

NHTSA ODI 10861700

OBSERVED ONE OF THESE CARGO TYPE VANS ON THE ROAD TODAY, WITH NO CHSML.

NHTSA ODI 10854069

VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED WITH SPEEDOMETER / INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT PROVIDES ERRATIC INFORMATION. DISPLAY GIVES INCORRECT WARNINGS. DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS CANNOT BE SET. AWAITING NEW SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER WITH CURRENT MILEAGE PROGRAMED ON THE ODOMETER FOR 82 DAYS. VEHICLE MUST REMAIN AT DEALER AS NEW CLUSTER IS PROGRAMMED WITH THE MILEAGE PRIOR TO SHIPPING TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSTALLATION.

NHTSA ODI 10837368

OVER 30 TIMES IN THE FIRST 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING, THE LOW TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME THE TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED OK. TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID THERE WAS A BAD TIRE SENSOR AND HE REPLACED IT. SINCE THEN INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON EVEN WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE IS LOW. COULD THIS BE RELATED TO THE DOCUMENTED ELECTRICAL ISSUE? I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10837180