Emissions Recall U90 - Catalyst Efficiency
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 RAM Promaster City engine problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 12 engine complaints filed for the 2016 RAM Promaster City, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Engine accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Emission Recall U90 Catalyst Efficiency
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ? Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ? Excessive oil consumption. This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Ram Promaster City models report consistent engine and cooling system defects. One owner experienced complete engine failure at 40,000 miles with grinding and clunking sounds; the dealer refused diagnosis after an independent mechanic inspected it. Multiple owners describe cooling fan motor failures, with the fan locking up, smoking, or becoming inoperative during idle operation, causing overheating. Two diagnostic codes (P0482 and P0481) point to cooling fan control circuit faults. A parts shortage has affected repairs — the cooling fan module (part 68189000AD) is on extended backorder across dealerships with over 1300 units backlogged, delaying recall work and paid repairs.
Timing chain failure is reported at 75,000 and 100,000+ miles, with one owner noting complete failure on the highway with no warning signs. Another owner reported random stalling from timing chain wear. Oil cooler leaks appear systematic: one owner with three Ram Promasters experienced identical $800+ oil cooler failures on all three vehicles. Engine vibration during acceleration at 80,000 miles persisted even after replacing motor mounts, CV boots, tires, and performing alignments. Two separate recall campaigns (NHTSA 19V818000 and Catalyst Efficiency) remain incomplete due to parts unavailability lasting months.
Same RAM Promaster City engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Engine failure / grinding and clunking
Complete engine failure requiring replacement, with abnormal grinding and clunking sounds at startup and under acceleration.
When: 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal grinding sounds at various speeds; abnormal clunking sounds upon starting; sounds becoming louder
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; independent mechanic diagnosed failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred customer to dealer for diagnostic testing; dealer refused to diagnose after independent mechanic removed oil pan
Cooling fan module failure / overheating
Cooling fan motor failure or control circuit malfunction causing fan to lock up, smoke, or fail to operate, leading to engine overheating. Multiple owners report same cooling fan module part (68189000AD) on extended backorder across dealerships.
When: Under 30,000 miles; varies by vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: engine overheating during idle; radiator fan locked up; fan smoking while idling; fan becoming inoperative; service engine light with fault code
Codes mentioned: P0482, P0481
Repairs/costs cited: Cooling fan module replacement required (part 68189000AD); parts on extended backorder (over 1300+ units). Radiator and fan assembly replacement in some cases ($800+ repair costs noted).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer recalls or TSB programs mentioned for cooling fan defect; parts distribution issue acknowledged but unresolved
Oil cooler leak
Oil leak at the oil cooler connection point occurring on multiple vehicles, suggesting a design or manufacturing defect.
When: Multiple vehicles affected; timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: oil leak at oil cooler
Repairs/costs cited: Oil cooler repair costs $800+ per vehicle; three vehicles owned by same party all required repair
Timing chain failure
Timing chain breaking or beginning to fail, causing random stalling and loss of engine function.
When: 75,000–100,432 miles
Symptoms owners cite: random stalling; timing chain failure; no warning signs before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain replacement needed; repair cost described as beyond owner's budget in one case
Engine vibration from motor mounts
Front-end vibration during acceleration traced to cracked engine mounts and CV boots, persisting even after replacement and multiple suspension repairs.
When: 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: front-end vibration during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Motor mounts and CV boots replaced; driveshaft inspected; tires balanced; four tires replaced; failure persisted after all repairs
Recall parts unavailability
Two separate recall campaigns (NHTSA 19V818000 for engine/cooling equipment and Catalyst Efficiency campaign) unable to be completed due to extended parts backorder conditions lasting months.
When: No failures; recall notification issued
Symptoms owners cite: unable to complete recall repairs due to parts unavailability
Repairs/costs cited: Recall parts on backorder; one dealer backorder exceeded 1300 units
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA 19V818000 (engine and engine cooling equipment); Catalyst Efficiency campaign recall; parts unavailable from manufacturer for extended period
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster City. The contact received a Catalyst Efficiency campaign program notice for Catalyst Efficiency; however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would make abnormal grinding sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and test-driven. The contact was informed that no issues were found. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the abnormal grinding sounds were getting increasingly…
I purchase this car used from a dealer. the transmission failed at 87564 miles. i had the a new transmission installed. The gear box or shifter failed at 91231 miles. I had that repaired. The timing chain started to fail at 100432 miles. this issue would cause the car to stall randomly. This I feel is a safety issue. The car is not being driven for the cost of repair is out of my budget.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500 promaster. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v818000 (equipment, engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram Promaster. The contact stated while accelerating, the front end of the vehicle vibrated. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the driveshaft, front passenger’s and driver’s side CV boots, motor mounts, and the vehicle had several front-end alignments however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that all four tires were replaced. The…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 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 engine problem on the 2016 RAM Promaster City?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 71,938 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2016/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.