2021 Ram PROMASTER 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
37,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting
2
50.0%
Braking behavior
2
50.0%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Power Train
2
Seats
1
Service Brakes
1
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Power Train
2
Seats
1
Service Brakes
1
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
1
Power Train: 2; Seats: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2023
1
2024
3
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2023
1
2024
3
2023: 1; 2024: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
The brakes on this Ram Promaster 2500 failed 100 percent with the pedal going to the floor and not returning upwards. This occurred without warning. The drivers' safety and the safety of cross traffic were at extreme risk. With no brakes, the vehicle crossed through a T intersection and came to an abrupt stop after crossing a ditch and then becoming lodged into a concrete drainage structure. The driver was severely injured and hospitalized. There were no warning lamps or unusual noise coming from the vehicle. The current status of the veh…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V301000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after placing the vehicle in reverse it failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had been driven to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission had failed; however, the part to do the recall repair w…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving on the interstate 70-75 MPH, on the inside lane overtaking other vehicles, the passenger’s side power mirror closed without driver input. The contact depressed the mirror button, but the mirror failed to respond. The contact pulled over and adjusted the mirror. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle started rolling backwards down the hill. The contact depressed the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, then the vehicle was towed to another dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. T…
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
75.0%Usable mileage3 / 4 records
100.0%Valid incident date4 / 4 records
100.0%Valid filing date4 / 4 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates4 / 4 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2015
2020
2021
2023
Power Train
1043.5%ODI 10967663 · 24,000 mi
THE COUPLER BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED; ALSO THE VERY FIRST AXLE WAS FAILING AND WAS REPLACED. THE ATTACHED IS A DESCRIPTION OF OUR EFFORTS TO GET ZENITH TO SUPPORT THE VEHICLES; HOWEVER, THEY HAVE REFUSED TO GIVE US SUPPORT. WE ARE A COMMERCIAL OPERATOR WITH COURTESY PASSENGER SHUTTLES FOR MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE TO AND FROM OUR PARKING LOT AND TO THE SAN DIEGO AIRPORT. WE ARE A GROUND TRANSPORTATION OFF AIRPORT PARKING OPERATOR. THE SHUTTLES HAVE BROKE DOWN TO AND FROM ROUTE DURING OPERATION. WE ARE IN STREET…
The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 5 MPH, the contact felt vibration in the steering wheel. The contact depressed the brake pedal and attempted to shift into park(P). The contact was unable to shift the vehicle into park (P). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle but was not able shift into drive (D). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic determined that the transmission clutches and s…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V301000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after placing the vehicle in reverse it failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had been driven to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission had failed; however, the part to do the recall repair w…
THE ENGINE NEEDS TO GET REPLACED. IT BLEW THE GASKETS. HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BULBS. BULBS WERE SWITCHED OUT AND THEY STILL DIDN'T WORK. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN THE TRUCK OFF THEN ON AGAIN IN ORDER TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO PROPERLY WORK.
Parking brake randomly engages at low speeds. This happens very often. Brake pedal requires pump to have solid brake pedal. Dealer couldn't find anything wrong. Randomly says I have blinker lights out and day time lights are out. This model doesn't have day time running lights. This van also in in windy conditions randomly engages abs braking even on icy road conditions which can cause me to loose control of the vehicle.
2015 RAM PROMASTER DIESEL 2500 WITH 72000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, WELL MAINTAINED, WITH OIL CHANGES PER FACTORY RECOMMENDATIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 70 -75 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND HARD THUD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLOWING VERY RAPIDLY, AS IF BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND CAME TO A STOP, THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT SMOKE AND STEAM RISING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS…
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES SENSE I GOT MY VAN, THE PADS WEAR FAST AND LEAVE BLACK DIRT ALL OVERS THE WHEELS, AND NOTHING GETS DONE ABOUT IT. THE HEADLIGHTS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE AT LEAST 4 TIMES EACH, AND THEY JUST BURNT OUT AGAIN. NOW THE REAR CARGO DOOR LATCH HANDLE JUST FELL APART AND ITS ALL MADE OF PLASTIC AND COST A LOT TO FIX, I LOOK ONLINE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL FOR IT BUT NOT FOR MY VAN, WHY NOT? A WHILE BACK THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR SOMETHING AND MY MILES PER GALLON WENT FROM 16/19 TO …
The brakes on this Ram Promaster 2500 failed 100 percent with the pedal going to the floor and not returning upwards. This occurred without warning. The drivers' safety and the safety of cross traffic were at extreme risk. With no brakes, the vehicle crossed through a T intersection and came to an abrupt stop after crossing a ditch and then becoming lodged into a concrete drainage structure. The driver was severely injured and hospitalized. There were no warning lamps or unusual noise coming from the vehicle. The current status of the veh…
Parking brake randomly engages at low speeds. This happens very often. Brake pedal requires pump to have solid brake pedal. Dealer couldn't find anything wrong. Randomly says I have blinker lights out and day time lights are out. This model doesn't have day time running lights. This van also in in windy conditions randomly engages abs braking even on icy road conditions which can cause me to loose control of the vehicle.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM PROMASTER 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT, SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FORWARDED THE CALL TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 315,199. ...UPDATED 11/21/17 *BF *JS
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES SENSE I GOT MY VAN, THE PADS WEAR FAST AND LEAVE BLACK DIRT ALL OVERS THE WHEELS, AND NOTHING GETS DONE ABOUT IT. THE HEADLIGHTS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE AT LEAST 4 TIMES EACH, AND THEY JUST BURNT OUT AGAIN. NOW THE REAR CARGO DOOR LATCH HANDLE JUST FELL APART AND ITS ALL MADE OF PLASTIC AND COST A LOT TO FIX, I LOOK ONLINE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL FOR IT BUT NOT FOR MY VAN, WHY NOT? A WHILE BACK THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR SOMETHING AND MY MILES PER GALLON WENT FROM 16/19 TO …
THE COUPLER BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED; ALSO, THE AXLE HAS FAILED TWICE, THE LAST AXLE FAILURE THE SHAFT SPLIT IN HALF AND PART OF IT ENDED UP IN THE GEAR BOX. THE A/C CONTINUALLY LEAKS AS THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FROM CONDENSOR TO COMPRESSOR IS TOO SHORT. THE ATTACHED IS A LAWSUIT THAT ZENITH FILED IN JUNE 2016 OVER IT'S REPEATED DRIVE TRAIN FAILURES, ALLEGING BORG WARNER AT FAULT. ATTACHED IS A DEPICTION OF THE ZENITH PORTAL THAT WAS ESTABLISHED TO COMMUNICATE AND TRACK SERVICE TICKETS ON REPAIRS; HOWEVER, …
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES SENSE I GOT MY VAN, THE PADS WEAR FAST AND LEAVE BLACK DIRT ALL OVERS THE WHEELS, AND NOTHING GETS DONE ABOUT IT. THE HEADLIGHTS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE AT LEAST 4 TIMES EACH, AND THEY JUST BURNT OUT AGAIN. NOW THE REAR CARGO DOOR LATCH HANDLE JUST FELL APART AND ITS ALL MADE OF PLASTIC AND COST A LOT TO FIX, I LOOK ONLINE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL FOR IT BUT NOT FOR MY VAN, WHY NOT? A WHILE BACK THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR SOMETHING AND MY MILES PER GALLON WENT FROM 16/19 TO …
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Power Train
Too few reports for a range
52,000 mi
2 (sparse)
ODI 11614266 · 67,000 mi
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V301000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after placing the vehicle in reverse it failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had been driven to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission had failed; however, the part to do the recall repair w…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle started rolling backwards down the hill. The contact depressed the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, then the vehicle was towed to another dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. T…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving on the interstate 70-75 MPH, on the inside lane overtaking other vehicles, the passenger’s side power mirror closed without driver input. The contact depressed the mirror button, but the mirror failed to respond. The contact pulled over and adjusted the mirror. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-11
1
None
ODI 11627330 · 37,000 mi
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle started rolling backwards down the hill. The contact depressed the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, then the vehicle was towed to another dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. T…
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2021: 1 complaints · 2023: 2 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2021
0
1
1
2023
0
2
2
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2021
4
0
0
2023
2
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Power Train
Seats
Service Brakes
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
Power Train
—
0
0
0
Seats
0
—
1ODI 11512564
The brakes on this Ram Promaster 2500 failed 100 percent with the pedal going to the floor and not returning upwards. This occurred without warning. The drivers' safety and the safety of cross traffic were at extreme risk. With no brakes, the vehicle crossed through a T intersection and came to an abrupt stop after crossing a ditch and then becoming lodged into a concrete drainage structure. The driver was severely injured and hospitalized. There were no warning lamps or unusual noise coming from the vehicle. The current status of the veh…
The brakes on this Ram Promaster 2500 failed 100 percent with the pedal going to the floor and not returning upwards. This occurred without warning. The drivers' safety and the safety of cross traffic were at extreme risk. With no brakes, the vehicle crossed through a T intersection and came to an abrupt stop after crossing a ditch and then becoming lodged into a concrete drainage structure. The driver was severely injured and hospitalized. There were no warning lamps or unusual noise coming from the vehicle. The current status of the veh…
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
3 mentions · 75.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 37,000 mi (3 usable records).
ODI 11614266 · 67,000 mi
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V301000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after placing the vehicle in reverse it failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had been driven to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission had failed; however, the part to do the recall repair w…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving on the interstate 70-75 MPH, on the inside lane overtaking other vehicles, the passenger’s side power mirror closed without driver input. The contact depressed the mirror button, but the mirror failed to respond. The contact pulled over and adjusted the mirror. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle started rolling backwards down the hill. The contact depressed the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, then the vehicle was towed to another dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. T…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle started rolling backwards down the hill. The contact depressed the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, then the vehicle was towed to another dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. T…