BestCarRank
Ram

2018 Ram PROMASTER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

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.

4 crash reports

54

Total Complaints

10

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

12 complaints
22%
  • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

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.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
14
30-60K
2
60-100K
5
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
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 (10)

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 2018 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 2018 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
$1,607
Full coverage / month
$134
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-4%
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 age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1607

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 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

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

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)

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