The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: lights
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Ford Transit Connect 612016 Chevrolet Express 162016 Ford E-Series 50
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V582000 (transmission & drivetrain), 20V036000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 19V818000 (equipment) done? It has 15 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Ram sent dealers 365 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “A/C Compressor This applies to 2015 and 2016 UF and PF”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ram's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 16 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 55K miles (29K to 89K km) on the car (9 of all 16 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The bolts to the transmission/motor mount broke. The engine and transmission dropped almost hitting the ground.
2016 Ram ProMaster owner · NHTSA complaint 11219489
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 7.4M views · 2014–2025 Ram ProMaster
Most-watched topics
- Windows, doors & mirrors231K views
2014-2016 Ram Promaster outside mirror bulb replacementMotorCity Mechanic · 120K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door154K views
Replace the AC and Radiator Fans on a 2014-2018 Dodge RAM 2500 PromasterHow to Automotive · 63K views · 6 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical132K views
Ram promaster 2016-2022 radio stop working rear camera not working Easy fixMechanic 3-D · 34K views · 8 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition115K views
2014 RAM promaster 2500 won’t start and stuck keyRPMgarage · 99K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring89K views
2015 Ram ProMaster | Water in Fuel Warning LightMopar · 79K views · 2 videos - Brakes & ABS42K views
2014-2023 Ram ProMaster Brake Light Bulb ReplacementHomeowner Repair · 35K views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine27K views
Step by Step Guide: Replace Your Van Mirror: Ram ProMaster 2018 - PresentKorey Kelly - OffGrid Travel · 18K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter24K views
2019 Promaster P0731 code and Transmission Stuck in limp modeDallas Auto Diag · 24K views
Before you buy, watch
2014 Ram Promaster Commercial / Conversion Van Start Up, Test Drive, and In Depth ReviewSaabkyle04 · 485K views
WHAT A WEIRD CAR! 2024 RAM PROMASTER ReviewTheStraightPipes · 274K views
2014 RAM ProMaster Commercial Cargo Van Review and Road TestAuto Buyers Guide | Alex on Autos · 226K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2016 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 365 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- A/C Compressor This applies to 2015 and 2016 UF and PF
- Hands Free Module - CTM ?
- Pentastar Oil Filter Adapter All vehicles equipped with a 3.2L or 3.6L engine; If replacing…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 15
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2020 3.6L engines only
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 ge…
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2020
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 ge…
- Equipment · recall issued 2019
The engine cooling fan may seize which can cause the cooling fan motor to overheat.
Show all 15 recalls
- Seats · recall issued 2019
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
- Equipment · recall issued 2017
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
- Equipment · recall issued 2017
These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to a…
- Equipment · recall issued 2017
The sun visor, dashboard labels, and owner's manuals incorrectly state that the vehicles are equipped with frontal driver and passenger advanced air bags when they are not.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2016
The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.
- Electrical · recall issued 2016
The Trailer Tow Lighting Control Module may have a software error on the affected vehicles and can prevent illumination of the trailer brake lights during brake actuation.
- Electrical · recall issued 2016
The Trailer Tow Lighting Control Module may have a software error on the affected vehicles and can prevent illumination of the trailer brake lights during brake actuation.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2016
An unintended shift into neutral will prevent the vehicle from being moved. Additionally, if the driver turns off the engine, the driver will be unable to restart the engine. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a cra…
- Stability control · recall issued 2016 3.0L diesel only
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram Promaster VAN 2WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Ram Promaster City VAN 2WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Ram ProMaster year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Ram ProMaster years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ram-promaster/?y=2016" title="Ram ProMaster reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="422" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ram-promaster/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Ram ProMaster reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Ram ProMaster reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 39; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ram ProMaster year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2020.
What are the most common 2016 Ram ProMaster problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (31%), transmission & drivetrain (31%) and engine (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ram ProMaster have?
15 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ram ProMaster get?
24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2016 Ram ProMaster have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 31% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Ram ProMaster cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Ram ProMaster have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Ram ProMaster year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works