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2017 RAM PROMASTER CITY

2.4L I4•FWD•AUTOMATIC•gas
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5-Year Cost of Ownership
$28,305 maintenance + known platform issues
~$5,661/yr · 470¢/mile equivalent · $6,268 maintenance + $8,837 expected platform issues
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2017 ProMaster City is a rebadged Fiat Doblo with a Chrysler 2.4L Tigershark engine and a 9-speed automatic transmission—two components with well-documented durability issues that can lead to catastrophic failure if neglected.

2.4L Tigershark Engine Failure (Piston Ring / Cylinder Wall Wear)

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 miles or worse), Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start or acceleration, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300-P0304), Loss of power and rough idle
Fix: The Tigershark 2.4L suffers from inadequate piston skirt design and cylinder wall finishing that leads to ring flutter and bore scoring. Fix requires engine rebuild with updated pistons and honing, or short block replacement. Expect 18-24 labor hours for in-chassis rebuild, 12-16 for short block swap if available. Many shops recommend full longblock replacement to avoid comebacks.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

9-Speed Automatic Transmission (948TE) Shudder and Failure

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh shifting or shudder during 2-3 or 3-4 upshifts at low speeds, Hesitation or delayed engagement from stop, Transmission slipping or refusing to shift past 4th gear (limp mode), Whining or grinding noise during acceleration
Fix: ZF 9-speed has documented torque converter shudder, solenoid pack failures, and valve body issues. Early-stage shudder may respond to fluid/filter service with updated Mopar ZF 8&9 speed ATF (5 quarts, 2.5 hours). Advanced cases need torque converter replacement (8-10 hours) or full rebuild/replacement (12-16 hours). Stellantis has issued multiple TSBs but no extended warranty for most owners.
Estimated cost: $800-6,500

Transmission Oil Cooler Line and Cooler Failure

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking near front of vehicle or under radiator, Transmission overheating warning light, Pink or red fluid pooling on ground, Burnt transmission fluid smell
Fix: External cooler lines rust through or crimp fittings fail; internal radiator cooler can leak allowing coolant/ATF cross-contamination (catastrophic for transmission). External line replacement is 1.5-2.5 hours. Internal cooler failure requires radiator replacement plus complete transmission flush or replacement if coolant entered trans (add 10+ hours). Always pressure-test cooling system when diagnosing trans leaks.
Estimated cost: $350-5,000

Transmission Mount Collapse

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or banging when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Visible sagging or tearing of rubber mount, Drivetrain lurch during hard acceleration
Fix: The front transmission mount uses a hydraulic design that fails prematurely, especially in commercial/delivery use. Replacement requires lifting powertrain slightly, 1.5-2.0 hours. Use OEM or quality aftermarket (Anchor, DEA); cheap mounts fail within 20k miles. Inspect all three engine/trans mounts while you're in there.
Estimated cost: $250-450

Fuel Filter Clogging and Fuel System Contamination

Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially after sitting overnight, Rough idle and hesitation under load, Check engine light with fuel trim codes (P0171, P0174), Loss of power during acceleration
Fix: In-tank fuel filter/pump assembly collects debris and water more readily than typical passenger cars, likely due to fleet/commercial use patterns. Filter is non-serviceable; requires complete pump module replacement. Pump access requires dropping fuel tank or cutting access panel through floor (2.5-4 hours depending on method). If you cut access, do it right with reinforcement ring.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Head Gasket Failure (Related to Overheating)

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust (sweet smell), Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, Overheating or constant coolant top-offs needed, Milky oil on dipstick or oil cap, Bubbles in coolant reservoir when running
Fix: Usually secondary to cooling system neglect or transmission cooler failure contaminating coolant. Head gasket job on Tigershark 2.4L requires removing intake manifold and extensive disassembly; 10-14 hours. Always check head for warpage (common); resurface adds 2-3 hours plus machine shop time. If overheating was severe, expect to find worn cylinders requiring full engine work.
Estimated cost: $2,200-4,000
Owner tips
  • Change transmission fluid every 40k miles with Mopar ZF-spec ATF regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims—mandatory for longevity
  • Monitor oil consumption religiously starting at 50k; catching ring wear early may allow top-end work instead of full rebuild
  • Replace engine oil every 5k with 0W-20 synthetic; Tigershark engines are intolerant of oil neglect
  • Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for rust; they fail without warning in salt states
  • Consider aftermarket extended warranty if buying used—engine and transmission repairs often exceed vehicle value
Avoid unless under 40k miles with full service records and extended warranty—engine and transmission are ticking time bombs that make this a risky commercial van choice despite its size advantages.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
547 jobs across 18 categories
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.
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