BestCarRank
Ram

2016 Ram PROMASTER 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ram PROMASTER 3500 has 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram promaster 3500. while operating the vehicle, the headlights suddenly shut off. the contact stated that the headlight bulbs were replaced 34 separate times in 17 months due to continued failures. the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, but the cause of the failure .

1 crash report

25

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

5 complaints
20%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED 34 SEPARATE TIMES IN 17 MONTHS DUE TO CONTINUED FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE
  • THERE HAS BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED TO ADDRESS AN OVERHEATING ISSUE IN FAN MOTORS. IT AFFECTS PROTESTERS WITH 3.0 L DIESEL OR 3.6 L GASOLINE ENGINES, WHICH OURS IS.THERE IS A HEIGHTENED RISK OF ENGINE FIRE, THEREFORE THEY HAVE ADVISED WE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VAN. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO FIX, AND W
  • A COOLING FAN STALL / SEIZURE EVENT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL OVERLOADING OF THE FAN MOTOR POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN THE THERMAL DEGRADATION OF THE BRUSH HOUSING, WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE. ON THIS RECALL I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION. I CALLED THE FCA NUMBER AND
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED 34 SEPARATE TIMES IN 17 MONTHS DUE TO CONTINUED FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints
16%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE RAM PRO MASTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E039000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED T
  • RECEIVED RECALL HAVE MADE NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH NHTS AND WINNABEGO NO HELP WIFE WILL NOT RIDE IN AFRAID OF SUGGESTED FIRE HAZARD HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM ANY ONE PAST RECORDS SHOULD SHOW CONCERN POSSIBLE PROPANE EXPLOSION RECALL 17V-108 18V-546 16V598 FIRE SAFETY IS CONCERN
  • OVER 4 YEARS NT FIXED HAZARD TO DRIVE POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD SAFETY HEALTH ISSUES WINNEBAGO IGNORES MY SAFETY HELP REQUEST HAVE NT DERIVEN THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED DUE TO STAFF AVAILABILITY. *JS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE RAM PRO MASTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E039000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED T

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

4 complaints
16%
  • THE BOLTS TO THE TRANSMISSION/MOTOR MOUNT BROKE. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DROPPED ALMOST HITTING THE GROUND.
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V818000 (EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 20V036000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS N
  • MY 2018 RAM PROMASTER 3500 WAS HAVING PROBLEM WHEN I PUT IN REVERSE, IT WAS JERKING AND I HAD TO PUSH EXTRA GAS TO REVERSE IT. I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID YES IT HAS PROBLEM IN TRANSMISSION AND I HAD TO LEAVE MY VAN TO FIX IT. THEY TOOK 4-5 DAYS, BUT DIDN'T FOUND EXACT CAUSE AND THEY JUST FLUSH
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

THE BOLTS TO THE TRANSMISSION/MOTOR MOUNT BROKE. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DROPPED ALMOST HITTING THE GROUND.

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

3 complaints
12%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE RAM PRO MASTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E039000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED T
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED 34 SEPARATE TIMES IN 17 MONTHS DUE TO CONTINUED FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND, THIRTY MILES LATER, THE OTHER HEADLIGHT ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HARTVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (900 E BOBO NEWSOM HWY, HARTVILLE,
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE RAM PRO MASTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E039000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED T

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

2 complaints
8%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED 34 SEPARATE TIMES IN 17 MONTHS DUE TO CONTINUED FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE
  • RECEIVED RECALL HAVE MADE NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH NHTS AND WINNABEGO NO HELP WIFE WILL NOT RIDE IN AFRAID OF SUGGESTED FIRE HAZARD HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM ANY ONE PAST RECORDS SHOULD SHOW CONCERN POSSIBLE PROPANE EXPLOSION RECALL 17V-108 18V-546 16V598 FIRE SAFETY IS CONCERN
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED 34 SEPARATE TIMES IN 17 MONTHS DUE TO CONTINUED FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 25 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER 3500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED 34 SEPARATE TIMES IN 17 MONTHS DUE TO CONTINUED FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE RAM PRO MASTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E039000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: THE BOLTS TO THE TRANSMISSION/MOTOR MOUNT BROKE. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DROPPED ALMOST HITTING THE GROUND.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE RAM PRO MASTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E039000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Ram PROMASTER 3500 — Year Comparison

How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Ram PROMASTER 3500