The Lemon Index
201620181st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
35 owner complaints, first 3 years 24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2017 Ford Transit Connect 182017 Chevrolet Express 122017 Ford E-Series 39
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2017 Ram ProMaster
- Headlights8 complaints
Specific parts named in the 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Ram ProMaster (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 65,000 miles (11,000–104,000 km) (the middle half of the 26 complaints, of all 35 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V582000 (transmission & drivetrain), 20V036000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 19V818000 (equipment) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Ram sent dealers 329 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Integrated Center Stack If vehicle is found within 50 mile radius of the Detroit Metro area…”?
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 35 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 7K to 64K miles (11K to 104K km) on the car (26 of all 35 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
Head light bulb electrical short blowing lights out all the time. Read online complaints. Thousands of complaints for the headlight bulbs.
2017 Ram ProMaster owner · NHTSA complaint 11120032
More owner reports
Continually blows headlights on either side for no apparent reason. I have replaced all of them, including the brights
NHTSA complaint 11234008
2 recalls w00 and vb2... No action taken and no dates for remedy. They give zero information. Cannot sell vehicle and dangerous to use. Will not tell you how long issue has been pending
NHTSA complaint 11320031
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 7.4M views · 2014–2025 Ram ProMaster
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Show 4 more
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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 2017 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 329 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Integrated Center Stack If vehicle is found within 50 mile radius of the Detroit Metro area…
- A/C Compressor This applies to 2015 and 2016 UF and PF
- Hands Free Module - CTM ?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- 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 10 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 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
The seat mounted side air bag inflator initiator may fail to ignite during a crash.
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 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. 2017 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 2017 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ram-promaster/?y=2017" 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/2017/">Lemon Index</a> (2017 Ram ProMaster reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2017 Ram ProMaster reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 81; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ram ProMaster year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2020.
What are the most common 2017 Ram ProMaster problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (31%), engine (26%) and transmission & drivetrain (26%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Ram ProMaster have?
10 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 2017 Ram ProMaster get?
24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2017 Ram ProMaster problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 65,000 miles (11,000–104,000 km) (the middle half of the 26 complaints, of all 35 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2017 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2017 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2017 Ram ProMaster have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2017 Ram ProMaster cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Ram ProMaster have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Ram ProMaster year is better than the 2017?
Nearby, the 2020 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
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