2021 Ram Promaster Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
91/100
#2 most-complained of 12 Promaster years
The 2021 Ram Promaster ranks 2nd worst out of 12 model years, with 110 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 91. Owners most often report Collision Avoidance & Camera issues (22% of complaints) and Electrical System problems (18%), earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Promaster years.
- Complaints
- 110
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2021 Ram Promaster problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other25 (23%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras24 (22%)
- Electrical System20 (18%)
- Engine14 (13%)
- Lane Departure14 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (10%)
- Brakes8 (7%)
- Seat Belts6 (5%)
- Structure & Body5 (5%)
What owners report
- Blind spot monitoring system falsely detects nearby vehicles or shuts itself off intermittently at various speeds.
- Rear seat belts seize up and stop extending, sometimes as early as 1,200 to 2,000 miles.
- Rear or front brake calipers seize after shifting between reverse and forward, causing a wheel to lock up.
- Vehicles emit smoke or a burning odor from the engine bay or A/C vents while driving, in some cases igniting a fire.
- Sudden loss of power while driving uphill, with reported brake failure and loss of steering control.
- Dealers find stored diagnostic codes tied to blind spot sensors but report being unable to identify or fix the cause.
2021 Ram Promaster recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V876000Dec 17, 2025Other86 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility:wheelchair restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
- NHTSA 25V720000Oct 23, 2025Engine300,691 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2026 Ram ProMaster vehicles. The electrical circuit for the radiator fan may overheat.
Risk: Electrical circuits that overheat increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cooling fan module and fuse. In addition dealers will provide an addendum for the manual and label for the power distribution center. Some interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 11, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Additional owner notification letters were mailed in January, March, and June 2026. Remaining owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are 67C, B3C, and C9C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V552000Aug 26, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras219,577 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster and 2019-2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Cracks in the microprocessor may cause the vehicle's rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning September 30, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 59C.
2021 compared with other Promaster years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2021 Ram Promaster?
- Relative to other Promaster model years, yes. It ranks 2nd worst out of 12 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 91 and 110 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ram Promaster?
- NHTSA data shows Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues make up 22% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 18% and Engine issues at 13%.
- Does the 2021 Ram Promaster have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2021 Ram Promaster, covering areas including the rearview camera microprocessor, seat belt retractors, transmission park pawl, electronic stability control grounding, and taillight wiring.
- Which Ram Promaster years are better than 2021?
- According to NHTSA data, 2016, 2024, and 2025 rank as Best years with Complaint Index values of 9, 18, and 0 respectively, far below the 2021 model's 91.
- At what mileage do 2021 Ram Promaster problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure varies by problem area: Suspension issues appear around 13,304 miles, Electrical System issues around 14,272 miles, and Engine issues around 64,000 miles.