
2018 Ram PROMASTER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Ram PROMASTER has 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: 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.. There are 10 recalls issued for this model year.
54
Total Complaints
10
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
12 complaints- • 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.
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM PROMASTER 2500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRANK FLETCHER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP (LOCATED AT 3314 STADIUM BLVD, JONESBORO, AR 72404, (870)277-2011) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EN
- • 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 THE
“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.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ram PROMASTER
Based on 21 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ENGINE
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 (10)
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 2018 Ram PROMASTER
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Ram PROMASTER
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ram PROMASTER Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2018 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 54 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I BOUGHT A RAM PRO 2500 IN APRIL 2018. I START MY BUSINESS AS AN OWNER-OPERATOR AND STARTED DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS (INTERSTATE DELIVERY). AFTER 2 WEEKS, THE NAVIGATION, LIGHT AND SOMETIMES BEHIND THE STRAIGHT WHEEL DASHBOARD SCREEN STARTED TO TURN OFF (WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND USING NAVIGATION). AFTER T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: I BOUGHT A RAM PRO 2500 IN APRIL 2018. I START MY BUSINESS AS AN OWNER-OPERATOR AND STARTED DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS (INTERSTATE DELIVERY). AFTER 2 WEEKS, THE NAVIGATION, LIGHT AND SOMETIMES BEHIND THE STRAIGHT WHEEL DASHBOARD SCREEN STARTED TO TURN OFF (WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND USING NAVIGATION). AFTER T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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 F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ram PROMASTER — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 54
- Recalls
- 10
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 4
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Ram PROMASTER