2020 RAM ProMaster City Problems: 8 Known Issues

On the 2015-2022 RAM ProMaster City 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir II I4 (ED6), the only engine offered in the ProMaster City is the 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir II (FCA engine family ED6), the same long block used in the Jeep Cherokee/Renegade/Compass, Dodge Dart and Fiat 500X. The oil-control piston rings coke up and lose their seal, so oil passes into the combustion chamber and is burned. Consumption of 1-2 quarts per 1,000 miles is routinely reported by ProMaster City owners, and because the van has no oil level gauge and the low-oil warning strategy is late, delivery and fleet vans run the sump down between service intervals and seize or spin a bearing with little warning. Forum reports include a 2016 ProMaster City needing a complete engine replacement at roughly 61,000 miles. This is NOT the 3.0L diesel or 3.6L Pentastar story from the full-size ProMaster - that van's engines are unrelated and this defect does not apply to them.

On the 2015-2022 RAM ProMaster City 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir II I4 (ED6), the 2.4L Tigershark uses MultiAir II electrohydraulic intake valve actuation: a solenoid-and-oil assembly (the "brick") bolted to the cylinder head replaces a conventional intake cam lobe profile. Its oil galleries and per-cylinder solenoids are extremely intolerant of dirty or degraded oil, and on a van that is already burning oil and running long fleet intervals the galleries varnish and the solenoids stick. The result is a cylinder-specific misfire, very rough idle, hesitation and a power-limiting limp mode. Because the same 2.4L ED6 MultiAir II unit is shared with the Jeep Renegade and Cherokee, the failure pattern and the repair procedure are identical across those vehicles. This is distinct from the transmission shift complaints already documented on this van - the driveability fault here originates in the cylinder head, not the 9-speed.

On the 2015-2022 RAM ProMaster City, the RAM ProMaster City uses the ZF 9HP48 9-speed automatic transmission which is plagued with harsh shifting, delayed engagement, gear hunting, and premature failure. The transmission struggles with low-speed maneuvers, often jerking or hesitating during parking lot driving. Some owners report the transmission failing to shift out of first gear or getting stuck in gear. Multiple TSBs have been issued for shift quality calibration (TSB 21-008-18 REV.C). The 9HP has been the subject of class-action lawsuits across multiple Stellantis vehicles. TCM software updates may help but many trucks need valve body replacement ($1,200-2,000) or complete transmission rebuild ($3,000-5,000).

On the 2015-2022 RAM ProMaster City, the ProMaster City uses the ZF 9HP 9-speed automatic transmission that is shared with several Fiat Chrysler vehicles. This transmission is notorious for harsh 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, delayed downshifts, and a pronounced hesitation when accelerating from a stop. The TCM (Transmission Control Module) software struggles with the gear ratio spacing, and the transmission can feel confused in stop-and-go urban delivery driving. FCA/Stellantis has released numerous TCM software updates to address the shifting behavior.

On the 2015-2022 RAM ProMaster City, the RAM ProMaster City experiences various electrical system failures including random stalling, no-start conditions, instrument cluster blackouts, and multiple warning lights illuminating simultaneously. The Body Control Module (BCM) and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) are common failure points. Some vehicles stall while driving with no warning, creating dangerous situations. NHTSA has received hundreds of stalling complaints. The alternator and battery drain issues compound the electrical problems. TSB 08-048-19 addresses instrument cluster and BCM communication faults. PCM replacement: $600-1,200; BCM replacement: $400-800.

On the 2019-2021 RAM ProMaster City, on roughly 23,853 model year 2019-2021 ProMaster City vans, the Body Control Module software does not increase the flash rate when one or both turn signal lamps fail. The driver therefore gets no indication that a turn signal is out and keeps driving with an unsignalled turn - a non-compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. This is a lighting-indication software defect and is separate from the general electrical faults and stalling already documented on this van. NHTSA campaign 21V728000, FCA internal recall Y71; owner letters mailed late October / November 2021.

On the 2020-2021 RAM ProMaster City, fCA recalled 2020-2021 ProMaster City vans because the ABS module can suffer internal damage, which can degrade braking performance and disable the autonomous/assisted braking functions that depend on the module. The failure gives no reliable advance warning to the driver, and on a loaded commercial van a loss of ABS function meaningfully lengthens stopping distance and removes stability support. NHTSA campaign 21V147000, FCA internal safety recall Y11; the remedy launched March 30, 2021. This is generation-late-run specific - it does not apply to 2015-2019 vans.

On the 2015-2022 RAM ProMaster City, the ProMaster City cargo van variant has rear swing-out doors that are opened and closed hundreds of times per week in commercial delivery use. The door hinge pins and bushings wear rapidly under this use, causing the doors to sag, become difficult to close, and eventually scrape against the body. The upper hinge on the driver-side rear door fails first because the door weight concentrates on the upper hinge when open. Worn hinges also prevent the doors from sealing properly, allowing water intrusion into the cargo area.