MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 RAM Promaster City powertrain problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 25 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 RAM Promaster City, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Powertrain accounts for 29% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Battery Acid Leaking on Transmission Pan This bulletin involves replacing the battery tray drain pipe, adding a battery vent pipe, battery vent cap and clamps. A customer or technician may notice one or more of the following:Battery acid dripping on the transmission pan from the battery tray drain pipe being too short. Battery acid residue present on and around the sides of the battery(technician to verify with litmus paper test). Leak at the valve body cover pan caused by battery acid leaking on it.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Power Transfer Unit
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2015 Ram Promaster City vehicles describe a pattern of transmission and powertrain failures that create serious safety hazards. The most common complaint is unexpected neutral shift combined with loss of engine power during highway driving—often at 55–75 mph—leaving drivers unable to accelerate, sometimes requiring multiple restarts to restore power. Check engine and transmission warning lights typically illuminate, and the vehicle enters limp mode, restricting speed to 5–30 mph. These incidents occur across the vehicle's lifespan, from as early as 715 miles to beyond 125,000 miles.
Dealers report multiple root causes: transaxle range sensor wiring harness faults, transmission valve body defects, torque converter failures, and transmission control module (TCM) issues. Owners cite prolonged repair timelines—some vehicles stranded at dealerships for weeks while parts remain on national backorder. Chrysler issued recall NHTSA 16V529000 (wiring harness) and 16V202000 (electrical/powertrain), but owners report parts unavailable for extended periods beyond the manufacturer's stated 2-year recall honor window.
Secondary issues include harsh downshifting on grades with engine over-revving, broken engine and transmission mounts causing the powertrain to drop, cooling fan failures with overheating, and intermittent electrical power loss with no diagnostic codes. One owner documented a radiator coolant leak into the transmission causing repeated torque converter failure. The transaxle cover has been found with holes leaking fluid.
Software updates and sensor resets provide temporary relief but fail to resolve underlying faults permanently.
Same RAM Promaster City powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended neutral shift, limp mode, and power loss
Transmission shifts into neutral unexpectedly during driving, vehicle enters limp mode (limited to 5–30 mph), engine and transmission warning lights illuminate, and the vehicle loses motive power. Multiple restarts required to restore normal operation, though check engine light persists.
When: Occurs at various speeds (25–75 mph), sometimes after highway acceleration or cruise control, sometimes during normal city driving. Mileage range from 715 miles (new vehicle) to 125,000+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts into neutral without driver input; Loss of engine power and inability to accelerate; Vehicle enters limp mode (5–30 mph max); Engine and transmission warning lights; Vehicle stalls or requires restart to regain function; Check engine light remains on after restart
Codes mentioned: P0401, P0299, P226C, Transmission module fault codes, Torque converter failure codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced transmission valve bodies, transmission modules, transaxle range sensor wiring harnesses, and TCM modules. Software updates applied multiple times without permanent resolution. Some owners report $700+ cost for wiring harness alone. Valve body parts reported on national backorder with 2-month lead times.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA 16V529000 (transaxle range sensor wiring harness); recall NHTSA 16V202000 (electrical/powertrain). However, recall parts have been unavailable for extended periods, and manufacturer states 2-year honor period for recall (owner research indicates 10 years is NHTSA 'reasonable' standard). Software reprogramming of PCM offered but does not resolve issue permanently.
Harsh downshift, engine braking, and loss of power on grades
Transmission downshifts abruptly while driving at highway speeds (55–65 mph), particularly when on cruise control ascending slight grades. Engine over-revs (tach hits 7000+ rpm), creating harsh engine braking and rapid deceleration that creates collision risk. Happens randomly without warning.
When: Occurs at 4,500 miles on new vehicle; happens randomly roughly every 200 miles when on cruise control on slight grades.
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected downshift at highway speeds; Engine over-revving (tach 7000+ rpm); Harsh engine braking and rapid deceleration; Loss of power during deceleration; Risk of skidding on slippery roads (gravel, frost, snow, rain)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reloaded transmission software (adaptive transmission firmware) but offered no guarantee of resolution and did not resolve the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attributed behavior to 'adaptive' transmission learning driver input; claimed software update would help but did not resolve problem.
Transmission mount breakage and engine/transmission drop
Engine and transmission mounts break, causing the engine and transmission to drop toward the pavement. Vehicle lunges forward or drops out of gear when accelerating from a stop. Defective mounts cited in industry article (June 2019, certtrans). Upgraded mounts required to prevent failure.
When: Occurs when exiting freeway and accelerating from stop.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lunges forward unexpectedly; Transmission drops out of gear; Engine and transmission drop low toward pavement; Inability to accelerate after dropping out of gear
Repairs/costs cited: New transmission and upgraded left engine and transmission mounts required. Upgraded mount costs approximately $847 additional.
Vehicle rolls forward in Park and inadvertently shifts to neutral while parked
Vehicle independently rolls forward while in Park, and transmission inadvertently shifts from Park/Drive/Reverse to Neutral and locks into neutral. Safety risk of collision.
When: While vehicle parked; one incident occurred after recall repair NHTSA 16V202000 at approximately 4,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls forward while in Park; Transmission shifts from Park/Drive/Reverse to Neutral; Transmission locks into Neutral; Vehicle cannot be driven
Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler technician found no evidence of malfunction per inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA 16V202000 (electrical/powertrain) and recall NHTSA 16E039000 (electrical/exterior lighting) were performed prior to failure; however, neither prevented the issue.
Gear shift engagement failure and transmission not responding
Transmission gear does not engage when shifting from Park to Drive; requires repeated shifts to engage. Eventually progresses to total loss of power, stalling, and fuel gauge fluctuation.
When: Begins intermittently after one year of ownership; progressively worsens. Final failure at approximately 35,000 miles during highway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Shift from Park to Drive does not engage until process repeated; Service Engine and Transmission warning lights; Near total loss of power; Occasional stall during highway driving; Fuel gauge fluctuation; Vehicle fails to respond to accelerator
Codes mentioned: Transmission module fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Transaxle range sensor wiring harness replacement required (cost $700+/-). Powertrain software update applied (under warranty).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA 16V529000 (transaxle range sensor wiring harness, issued August 2016). Manufacturer states recall honored only for 2 years from recall issue date; owner disputes this as NHTSA typically allows 10 years as 'reasonable' honor period.
Check engine light, hesitation, jerking, and transmission sensor faults
Vehicle hesitates at start, jerks back or forward during initial acceleration, and check engine light illuminates indicating transmission sensor issue. Power severely limited (5 mph max). Software updates and sensor resets provide only temporary relief (1 week); failure codes recur.
When: Begins with hesitation at start; progresses to loss of power. Initial code reset provides 1 week of normal operation; code recurs.
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when starting from a stop; Jerking forward or backward during initial acceleration; Check engine light illumination; Severe loss of power (5 mph max); Recurrent fault codes despite dealer repair attempts
Codes mentioned: Transmission sensor faults
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer initially reset code (1-week fix). Second repair: software update applied. Third repair: bad valve body identified; part on backorder, vehicle without owner for one month awaiting part.
Cooling fan relay and fan failure with overheating
Cooling fan melts and smokes, causing rapid overheating. Fan relay replaced per P0481 trouble code, but fan itself fails approximately 100 miles after relay service. Dealer reports 3,000 vehicles on national backorder for this part due to high failure rate.
When: Approximately 100 miles after cooling fan relay replacement; another report at 39,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Cooling fan melts and smokes; Vehicle overheats rapidly; Temperature rises rapidly; Blown fuses for fan circuit
Codes mentioned: P0481 (cooling fan relay)
Repairs/costs cited: Fan relay replaced per code; however, fan itself failed. Defective cooling fan requires replacement; part on national backorder. Estimated 2-month repair time.
Electrical power loss and stalling with no diagnostic codes
Vehicle loses electrical power while driving and stalls intermittently. Issue is intermittent and non-reproducible at dealership. Clock and radio reset when power loss occurs, indicating loss of battery power. No diagnostic codes present.
When: Occurs after 4–5 hours of use during the day; off-and-on issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of electrical power while driving; Vehicle stalls; Clock and radio reset (battery power loss); Intermittent, non-reproducible at dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to identify problem; shop found no codes or faults.
TCM module corrosion and battery communication loss
Transmission control module (TCM) loses communication with battery due to corroded wiring. Transmission shifts to neutral at stops. Recall repair performed in 2016 but wiring remains corroded and issue persists.
When: Continues after 2016 recall repair.
Symptoms owners cite: TCM loses communication with battery; Transmission shifts to neutral at stops; Transmission info light illumination; Vehicle enters limp mode
Codes mentioned: Transmission info code
Repairs/costs cited: Corroded wires remain problematic despite 2016 recall repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall repair performed in 2016 (not fully effective).
Torque converter failure and coolant leak into transmission
Torque converter fails with check engine light illumination. Failure recurs multiple times despite repairs. Root cause identified as radiator coolant leaking into transmission, degrading fluid and causing repeated torque converter failure.
When: First failure at approximately 108,000 miles; recurred after two additional repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light; Torque converter failure
Codes mentioned: Torque converter fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replaced twice; on third repair, mechanic discovered coolant leaking from radiator into transmission. Vehicle not repaired after this discovery.
Transaxle cover hole and fluid leak
Transaxle cover at front of engine develops a hole and leaks transmission fluid. Discovered during unrelated recall repair.
When: Discovered during cooling fan recall repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Hole in transaxle cover; Transmission fluid leak
Repairs/costs cited: Cover being repaired by local shop (discovered at dealership during recall work).
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ram promaster city. The contact stated that the transmission gear shifted from drive or reverse to neutral, and locked into neutral several times. The dealer and manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16v202000 (electrical system, power train). The dealer (colonial Dodge Chrysler Jeep, 24 coolidge st, hudson, ma 01749, (978)…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ram promaster. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle felt as if it were going into limp mode and the instrument panel indicated to shift into neutral. The contact shifted into neutral and was able to drive. The vehicle stalled and was pushed over to the side of the road. The vehicle was powered off and restarted, but could not drive. The vehicle was towed to mount airy…
Several incidents when accelerating, the engine goes into a limp mode, followed by indicator lights coming on P0401, P0299, P226C. The vehicle will not accelerate and travels at a max speed of about 5mph. This has happened in traffic every time and has put me and my family, as well as other vehicles, at extreme risk of being in an accident, not being able to accelerate out of the way of oncoming…
In 2017 I purchased a recreational vehicle with a Dodge chassis with the attached VIN. It currently has about 4500 miles on it. From the very beginning I have had problems with the transmission down shifting when traveling at highway speeds (55 to 65 MPH) which pegs the tach (7000 plus). This would occur when traveling up slight grades while on cruise control and would happen at random…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ram promaster. While driving at 75 MPH, the front passenger's knee inadvertently hit the gear shift lever into manual mode. As a result, the engine revved and the rpms increased. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess to prevent the vehicle from veering. The contact was unsure which warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
A cover on the transaxle, at the front of the engine, was discovered, by a dealership while performing a recall repair of the cooling fan, to have a hole in it and was leaking fluid. It was discovered in the dealership's shop. Now being repaired by a local repair shop.
Tcm module lost communication from the battery . Causing the car to shift to neutral at stop. Yes it was fixed in 2016 but not fixed correctly . The wires are still corroded . There was a transmission info light came on and went to limp mode
Van loses electrical power when driven and stalls. This is while driving on a city street go straight on the road. This is a off and on issue with this vehicle. It has been to the maintenance shop who could find anything nor codes. Suggested we take it to a dealer, they tell us the same thing. No codes and it drove fine with no issues. Well, I have had two different employees driving it and it…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 RAM Promaster City?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 RAM Promaster City?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 35,000 and 106,000 miles, with the median around 50,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 106,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/RAM/Promaster City.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.