BestCarRank
Ram

2016 Ram PROMASTER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ram PROMASTER has 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: throttle is" unpredictable" and slow to respond, with a delay or no response at times. when in motion and the wheel turned, it has lurched forward on it's own. sitting at intersection with wheel turned and waiting for traffic to clear to make turn with oncoming traffic, throttle was pressed down and. There are 15 recalls issued for this model year.

48

Total Complaints

15

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

13 complaints
27%
  • THROTTLE IS" UNPREDICTABLE" AND SLOW TO RESPOND, WITH A DELAY OR NO RESPONSE AT TIMES. WHEN IN MOTION AND THE WHEEL TURNED, IT HAS LURCHED FORWARD ON IT'S OWN. SITTING AT INTERSECTION WITH WHEEL TURNED AND WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR TO MAKE TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THROTTLE WAS PRESSED DOWN AND
  • SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING FAULT ON ONE FAN 3 CONTROL CIRCUIT, (ERROR CODE P0482) BLOWN FUSE REPLACED BUT STILL SAME PROBLEM , DEALER RECOMMENDS PART TO BE REPLACED IS COOLING FAN MODULE - PART # 68189000AD WHICH IS ON BACK ORDER FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 1300 PARTS. ...SOMETHING IS
  • AT 75,000 MILES MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NO SIGNS BEFOREHAND IT JUST BROKE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

THROTTLE IS" UNPREDICTABLE" AND SLOW TO RESPOND, WITH A DELAY OR NO RESPONSE AT TIMES. WHEN IN MOTION AND THE WHEEL TURNED, IT HAS LURCHED FORWARD ON IT'S OWN. SITTING AT INTERSECTION WITH WHEEL TURNED AND WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR TO MAKE TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THROTTLE WAS PRESSED DOWN AND

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ram PROMASTER

Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 44K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
7
30-60K
3
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
2
200K+
0

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 80K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
1
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
1
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (15)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT23/01/2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever position not matching the actual transmission gear.

Risk: The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ram Trucks at 1-866-726-4636. Chrysler's number for this recall is W00.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Ram PROMASTER

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,001
Per month
$167
Per mile
16.7¢
MPG
24
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,286/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ram PROMASTER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,478
Full coverage / month
$123
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-12%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ram PROMASTER Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
24K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

5.7L HEMI: 8,000 mile oil intervals; EcoDiesel: shorter intervals for DEF and fuel filter. Towing usage requires severe service intervals.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ram New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2016 PROMASTER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ram dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

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

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 48 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: THROTTLE IS" UNPREDICTABLE" AND SLOW TO RESPOND, WITH A DELAY OR NO RESPONSE AT TIMES. WHEN IN MOTION AND THE WHEEL TURNED, IT HAS LURCHED FORWARD ON IT'S OWN. SITTING AT INTERSECTION WITH WHEEL TURNED AND WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR TO MAKE TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THROTTLE WAS PRESSED DOWN AND

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

  • TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V202000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.

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

  • OTHER: THROTTLE IS" UNPREDICTABLE" AND SLOW TO RESPOND, WITH A DELAY OR NO RESPONSE AT TIMES. WHEN IN MOTION AND THE WHEEL TURNED, IT HAS LURCHED FORWARD ON IT'S OWN. SITTING AT INTERSECTION WITH WHEEL TURNED AND WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR TO MAKE TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THROTTLE WAS PRESSED DOWN AND

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

  • ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM PROMASTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V202000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 15 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
48
Recalls
15
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Ram PROMASTER