Ram ProMaster FT Problems, Recalls & Lemon Law

Yes. NHTSA recall 23V-301 (FCA manufacturer recall 44A, issued April 2023) covers approximately 165,503 Ram ProMaster vans from model years 2019 through 2021 equipped with the 62TE automatic transaxle. The defect: PCM software caused premature failure of the lower clutch retainer, which shed metallic debris inside the transmission. That debris can prevent the park pawl from fully engaging the park gear — so the van does not actually lock in Park even though the gear selector says it does. The remedy is a PCM calibration software update and, if the transmission sustained damage, replacement of the lower clutch retainer or the full transmission assembly. If your 2019, 2020, or 2021 ProMaster rolled away or felt like Park did not hold, check your VIN at nhtsa.gov for open recall status and bring all repair records to your service visit.

NHTSA recall 25V-720 (FCA manufacturer recall 67C, issued October 2025) covers approximately 291,664 fleet-specification Ram ProMaster vans built between July 2017 and October 2025 — model years 2018 through 2026. The problem is the cooling-fan module: its bearing wears prematurely, and the fan circuit was protected by a 60-amp fuse when a 40-amp fuse was needed. That mismatch allows excessive current draw that can overheat the circuit and, in rare cases, start a vehicle fire with no prior dashboard warning. As of October 2025, a permanent remedy had not yet been finalized; interim owner notices were mailed in November 2025. If you received this notice, contact your Ram dealer to schedule service and ask specifically whether a remedy is now available for your VIN. Document every contact and every response you receive. If your van has been in for fire-risk symptoms or cooling-system failures and the issue persists, those dealer visits may factor into a California lemon law evaluation.

Yes, and it is the subject of a federal safety recall. NHTSA recall 20V-036 (FCA manufacturer recall W00, remedy began May 2020) covers approximately 222,207 Ram ProMaster vans from model years 2014 through 2019 equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. During production, approximately 3 percent of these vans were built with a kinked transmission gear shift cable. Over time, the kinked cable can separate from the transmission, making the shifter ineffective — the gear you select may not be the gear the transmission actually enters. That includes Park, which creates a rollaway risk. Symptoms include the shifter not matching the instrument cluster's displayed gear, a 'Vehicle Not in PARK' chime sounding when you open the door after shifting, or the van simply not moving into the gear you selected. The remedy is replacement of the shift cable assembly, free of charge at your dealer. If your van required multiple visits or experienced the failure before the remedy was available in 2020, those visits are documented repair attempts.

Yes. NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened preliminary evaluation PE26002 in March 2026, covering approximately 136,666 model year 2022 and 2023 Ram ProMaster 1500, 2500, and 3500 vans. The investigation is focused on complaints of intermittent or complete failure of the electric power steering system. Owners report the steering going suddenly very heavy or unresponsive, with the 'Service Electric Power Steering' warning appearing on the cluster. The suspected cause is water intrusion into the electrical connectors of the EPS control module, leading to corrosion and loss of steering assist. The manufacturer has issued two Technical Service Bulletins — S2519000012 and S2519000007 — that address DTC codes C2217 and C2129 tied to this failure. No recall has been issued as of June 2026. If your dealer has not referenced these TSBs during a steering complaint visit, ask specifically whether they have been applied. Multiple EPS failures, even without a recall, may support a California lemon law claim given the active federal investigation.

It depends on how the vehicle was purchased and used. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act covers vehicles bought or leased primarily for personal, family, or household use. The law does not automatically exclude vans or vehicles that have a commercial configuration — what matters is the buyer's primary purpose at the time of purchase. A sole proprietor who bought a ProMaster for household errands and light personal use, or a small-business owner whose van is also a daily driver for personal trips, may have a stronger argument for coverage than a large fleet operator purchasing dozens of units for purely commercial distribution. The analysis is fact-specific, and the line is not always obvious. If you are unsure whether your purchase qualifies, a California lemon law attorney can review the purchase agreement, warranty terms, and how the van was titled and used. Attorney consultations are typically free, and if you prevail, attorney fees are paid by the manufacturer — not by you.

California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act creates a presumption that a vehicle may be a lemon after: two or more repair attempts for a defect that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if it occurred while driving; or four or more repair attempts for any other substantial defect; or the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days during the warranty period while awaiting repair. Days spent waiting for parts count toward the 30-day total — they do not have to be consecutive. For the Ram ProMaster, several of the documented defects (rollaway from park-pawl failure, fire from the cooling fan, loss of steering assist while driving) are the type of safety defects where two repair attempts may trigger the presumption. 'Presumption' does not mean automatic — the manufacturer can try to rebut it — but it shifts the burden. The most important thing you can do right now is collect every repair order, every courtesy vehicle or rental receipt, and every written communication from the dealer. Those records form the backbone of a Song-Beverly claim.