The 2019 ProMaster City uses Fiat Doblo bones with Chrysler's 2.4L Tigershark engine and a 9-speed automatic — two components with documented reliability concerns that can lead to catastrophic failures when neglected.
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart every 500-1,000 miles), Cold-start piston slap or knocking, Metal shavings in oil on analysis, Loss of compression, rough idle, misfires, Catastrophic failure: rod knock, seized engine
Fix: This 2.4L MultiAir has known piston-skirt and ring-land issues, plus oil-control ring failures that lead to carbon buildup and eventually bearing damage. Full engine rebuild (pistons, rings, bearings, resurface block) takes 18-24 hours; short-block replacement is 14-18 hours. Many shops quote used/reman engines instead due to labor costs.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,500
9-Speed Automatic Transmission (948TE) Shudder and Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh shifts, especially 2-3 and 3-4 upshifts, Shuddering during light acceleration (feels like driving over rumble strips), Delayed engagement into drive or reverse, Transmission overheating warnings, Limp mode or failure to move
Fix: ZF 9HP transmission is notorious across FCA platforms. Shudder often starts with torque converter clutch material breakdown. Early intervention: fluid flush with proper ZF-approved ATF+4 MS-9602 (2-3 hours) may buy time. Once internal damage occurs (clutch packs, valve body), rebuild or replacement is 10-14 hours. Transmission oil cooler failure accelerates wear.
Estimated cost: $3,800-6,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks and Contamination
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid in coolant (pink or red tint in overflow tank), Coolant in transmission (milky or foamy ATF on dipstick), Transmission overheating, Coolant loss with no visible external leaks
Fix: Factory cooler in the radiator end tank can crack internally, cross-contaminating fluids. This kills the transmission if not caught early. Repair requires radiator replacement (cooler not sold separately), full trans fluid flush, and often new coolant. Book time 4-6 hours including flush procedures. Many techs add external trans cooler as insurance.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting into drive or reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Excessive drivetrain movement during acceleration, Visible torn rubber or fluid leaking from mount
Fix: The passenger-side transmission mount takes abuse in stop-and-go delivery use. Rubber tears, allowing powertrain to shift excessively. Replacement is straightforward: 1.5-2.5 hours with engine support. OEM mount recommended over aftermarket due to fitment issues.
Estimated cost: $250-450
MultiAir Valve Actuator Tick and Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud ticking from valve cover area (sounds like lifter noise), Check engine light with P1512 or P1513 codes (intake valve stuck), Rough idle or hesitation, Loss of power, especially when cold
Fix: MultiAir solenoid actuators control intake valves hydraulically. They gum up with oil sludge or fail mechanically. Diagnosis requires knowing the distinctive tick. Replacement per actuator is 2-3 hours (valve cover removal). Use Mopar factory parts only — aftermarket units fail quickly. Synthetic oil with clean intervals (5k max) prevents this.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Fuel Filter Clogging (Diesel in Europe, but Gas Models Have Issues Too)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, extended cranking, Loss of power under load, Rough idle, hesitation, Check engine light with lean codes (P0171/P0174)
Fix: US gas ProMaster City has an in-tank filter that's often overlooked. Contaminants from low-quality fuel or tank rust can clog it. Replacement requires dropping the fuel tank: 3-4 hours labor. Not a routine maintenance item in owner's manual, so it's neglected until symptoms appear.
Estimated cost: $400-700
PCV System and Oil Separator Sludge Buildup
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil consumption without visible leaks, Rough idle or stalling, White smoke from exhaust (oil burning), Check engine light with misfire or fuel trim codes
Fix: Integrated oil separator in valve cover clogs with sludge, causing crankcase pressure and forcing oil past rings. This accelerates the piston/consumption issues mentioned above. Preventive cleaning or valve cover replacement (includes separator) is 2-3 hours. Catch-can installations help on high-mileage or hard-worked vans.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Owner tips
Run full-synthetic 0W-20 and change every 5,000 miles MAX — the 2.4L MultiAir is unforgiving with oil quality
Service the 9-speed transmission at 60k with genuine ZF-approved fluid; don't wait for problems
Monitor coolant and ATF separately for cross-contamination every oil change
Add an external transmission cooler if using the van for heavy loads or hot climates
Avoid extended idle time — this engine and trans hate heat without airflow
Buy only with full service records showing religious fluid changes and proof of no oil consumption; budget $2k-3k reserve for powertrain issues that will likely surface by 100k miles.
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.
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Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY · 25V720000
2025-10-23
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2026 Ram ProMaster vehicles. The electrical circuit for the radiator fan may overheat.
Consequence: Electrical circuits that overheat increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cooling fan module and fuse. In addition dealers will provide an addendum for the manual and label for the power distribution center. Some interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 11, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Additional owner notification letters were mailed in January, March, and June 2026. Remaining owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are 67C, B3C, and C9C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 25V552000
2025-08-26
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster and 2019-2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Cracks in the microprocessor may cause the vehicle's rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning September 30, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 59C.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL · 23V301000
2023-04-27
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped with a 62TE transmission. The park pawl may not fully engage the park gear due to debris inside the transmission.
Consequence: A partially engaged park pawl can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace, as necessary, the transmission or components within the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 22, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 44A.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · 21V728000
2021-09-21
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster City vehicles. If one or both turn signal lights fail, the flashing rate may not change to warn the driver of the failure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: The driver may be unaware that the turn signals are not signaling their intentions to other drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Body Controller Module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y71.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT · 20V582000
2020-10-15
Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles (Prime-Time) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Paratransit vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever position not matching the actual transmission gear.
Consequence: The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Prime-Time will notify owners instructing them to take their vehicles to Ram dealers for the necessary repairs, free of charge. Owners may contact Prime-Time customer service at 1-574-293-9191. Prime-Time's number for this recall is W00.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · 20V250000
2020-05-05
National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van Builders) is recalling certain vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit and 2019 Ram Promaster vans equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: National Van Builders will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or National Van Builders customer service at 1-800-527-7477.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · 20V222000
2020-04-20
TransitWorks is recalling certain Driverge vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit vans equipped with Freedman Seating Company (FSC) PT Foldaway and GO-ES 3-point Foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: TransitWorks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2020. Dealers can contact Freedman Seating Company for parts and reimbursement information at 1-800-443-4540.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT · 20V036000
2020-01-23
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever position not matching the actual transmission gear.
Consequence: The driver may be unaware of the actual gear position and unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ram Trucks at 1-866-726-4636. Chrysler's number for this recall is W00.
SEATS · 19V333000
2019-04-29
New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and 2014-2019 Ram Promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Go-ES Foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: New England has notified owners, directing them to contact Freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-886-9247.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.