Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Ram Promaster City problems

Owners filed 5 complaints about the 2021 Ram Promaster City with NHTSA between Sep 2021 and Dec 2024. The most-cited component is engine (3).

Complaints
5
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine3
  2. Exterior lighting1
  3. Seat belts1
  4. Equipment1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20212
20221
20230
20242

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

3 reports
“Cracked cylinder head requiring full engine replacement at ~80,000 miles. Out of warranty. This is one of two vehicles, purchased at the same time from same dealer in 6/2021 with the same engine failure at ~80,000. Second vehicle is [XXX] . It is likely that these two vehicles came off the assembly line fairly close to each other, during covid and all the issues that that brought to supply chains and manufacturing. One I could have chalked up to bad luck. Two is just too much of a coincidence to believe that there isn't something wrong with these engines.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2024EngineODI 11630396

Exterior lighting

1 report1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster City. The contact had initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V728000 (Exterior Lighting). He then called the dealer and was informed that there was an additional recall on the vehicle for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V699000 (Seat Belts) however, the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. He was informed that if he were to take possession of the vehicle, he would be held liable for any vehicle failure, including any recalls. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not serviced. The manufacturer was also notified of the issue but offered no assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Vehicle has been repaired. Dealer made arrangements for a loaner at no charge.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2021Exterior lighting, Seat beltsODI 11445565

Seat belts

1 report1 related recall

Equipment

1 report
“Two instances of rooftop tent opening without human interaction. Incident 1 // 9-17-21: Vehicle was parked and the front drivers side latch (attached photo) opened due to gusts of wind. Incident 2 // 9-19-21: When driving approximately 65 mph (cruise control) on Interstate 40 in Arizona, the front passenger side latch released and front passenger side of rooftop tent opened. I could not see that the tent opened while driving but noticed a change in wind noise and also steering control. I immediately pulled off the highway and observed that the front passenger side of the tent was open and about a 6 inch gap between the top and bottom halves of the tent was exposed. The center strap and drivers side latch were both still engaged. At the speed of travel it was possible for the tent to open completely which could have harmed my passengers or drivers of other vehicles on the road. I have seen numerous reports of this problem on the Roofnest Flock facebook group. The equipment is available for inspection upon request. It has not been inspected by anyone else. There was no warning sign other than the product opening while parked. The product was purchased in May 2021.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2021EquipmentODI 11433611
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.