MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 RAM Promaster City powertrain problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 RAM Promaster City, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) 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 the 2016 Ram Promaster City report widespread powertrain failures across multiple systems. Transmission problems are particularly severe: one owner is on their third transmission replacement in four years, another reports the vehicle stuck in 8th gear requiring neutral-to-reverse resets, and others describe violent hard shifts and unexpected shutdowns at highway speeds with limp mode engagement.
Cooling fan failures occur at 38,000–46,000 miles, with bearings seizing and relays failing—owners say this is a known common issue on forums but unrecalled. Overheating occurs when idling in traffic. A left cylinder head cracking issue, documented on 2011-2013 models and covered by Chrysler warranty extension, persists on 2016-2019 models; FCA denied claims outside the standard 5-year/100,000-mile window despite repair costs reaching thousands.
Flywheel cracking at 55,600 miles and CV joint failures during interstate travel were also reported. Multiple owners received NHTSA recall notifications (campaigns 16V202000, 19V818000, 20V036000) but could not complete repairs because dealers lacked parts for extended periods. One owner with transmission pump failure at 53,000 miles remains unrepaired. The pattern suggests systemic quality issues and warranty avoidance.
Same RAM Promaster City powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder Head Cracking (Left Side)
Left-side cylinder heads crack, causing engine failure. Chrysler extended warranty on this component to 10 years/150,000 miles for 2011-2013 models due to ~7,500 affected engines discovered in 2012, but owners report the problem persists on 2016-2019 models. FCA has denied warranty claims when owners fall outside standard powertrain coverage (5 years/100,000 miles).
When: Discovered on 2011-2013 models; reported ongoing on 2016-2019 models
Symptoms owners cite: Engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs thousands of dollars per owner account
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty extension to 10 years/150,000 miles on left cylinder head for 2011-2013 models; standard 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for other components. FCA denied reimbursement claims outside warranty period.
Transmission Pump Failure
Transmission pump fails, causing loss of motive power while driving. Vehicle can be restarted but check engine light illuminates. Failure may be related to NHTSA Campaign 16V461000.
When: 53,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle restarts after failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired per owner report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Potentially covered under NHTSA Campaign 16V461000 (Power Train)
Cooling Fan and Relay Failure
Cooling fan and relay fail, with fan bearing seizing and relay becoming inoperative. Issues begin with fan rattling and struggling, followed by check engine light. Can lead to engine overheating if vehicle idles in traffic. Multiple owners report this as a known common issue on forums but not officially recalled.
When: 38,000–46,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cooling fan rattling against hood; Fan struggling to stay on; Fan bearing seizure; Check engine light; Engine overheating at idle; Cooling fan relay failure
Codes mentioned: Fan 2 control system code
Repairs/costs cited: Cooling fan and relay replacement required; dealer denied warranty claim citing mileage over 36,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official recall; warranty denied by dealer due to mileage
Transmission Gear Sticking (8th Gear)
Transmission gets stuck in 8th gear and will not downshift despite manual shift attempts. Vehicle must be placed in neutral and reverse to unlock gears before normal shifting resumes. Problem recurs after brief operation.
When: 10,550 miles (purchased with 6,500 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stuck in 8th gear; Manual shift attempt does not change gear; Vehicle shows gear change but remains in 8th gear; Requires neutral and reverse to reset; Recurrent issue
Transmission Hard Shifts and Loss of Power
Transmission exhibits violent jolting during shifts as if vehicle were struck from behind. Vehicle unexpectedly shuts off at highway speeds during acceleration, entering limp mode with multiple warning lights. Vehicle loses ability to stay in gear.
When: Low mileage reported for limp mode incident
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jolt during shifts; Unexpected shutdown at highway speeds; Service Hill Assist message; ABS message; Airbag message; Check Engine message; Service Transmission message; Vehicle enters limp mode; Vehicle will not stay in gear
Flywheel Cracking
Flywheel cracks, producing rattling noise. Requires full replacement of the flywheel unit.
When: 55,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Flywheel rattling
Repairs/costs cited: Flywheel replacement required
CV Joint Failure (Left Axle)
Left axle CV joint fails, requiring replacement. Subsequent inspection reveals all three parts of the axle need replacement shortly after initial repair. Failures occur during interstate highway travel.
When: Replaced October/November, then all three axle components needed shortly after
Symptoms owners cite: CV joint failure
Repairs/costs cited: Left axle CV joint replaced initially; subsequently all three axle components required replacement
Transmission Replacement (Chronic)
Owner on third transmission replacement in 4 years of ownership, indicating chronic transmission problems.
When: Multiple replacements over 4 years
Symptoms owners cite: Recurring transmission failure
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced three times in 4 years
Recall Parts Unavailability
Multiple owners received recall notifications (Campaigns 16V202000, 19V818000, 20V036000) but could not complete repairs because manufacturer did not supply parts within reasonable timeframes. Dealers unable to perform recall work without parts.
When: Indefinite delay in parts availability
Symptoms owners cite: Recall cannot be completed; Parts unavailable
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs delayed indefinitely; no owner-reported failures since recall not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued (16V202000 Electrical System/Power Train, 19V818000 Equipment/Engine/Engine Cooling, 20V036000 Power Train) but parts distribution failed to supply components in timely manner
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
"needs to be extended." the american automaker has announced that certain 2011-2013 model year vehicles will get warranty extensions because the left cylinder heads might crack. Chrysler will extend the engine warranty on the left-side cylinder head to 10 years or 150,000 miles and the remaining engine components will continue to be covered by the standard five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain…
We have owned this vehicle for 4 years. We are now on our 3rd time having the transmission replaced.
2016 Ram promaster 1500. Consumer writes in regards to a hard shift issue. *ld the consumer stated when shifting the vehicle would violently jolt forward as if it was hit from behind. *js
Last oct./nov. I had to have the left axle cv joint replaced in my Ram promaster city while in arizona. Yesterday the local dealer informed me that all three parts of this axle now need to be replaced. Both times the local Dodge dealer did the work. I am worried about the safety of this vehicle. Both times this happened I was away from home traveling on interstate highways
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 RAM Promaster City?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 43,436 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 $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/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.