Ram Promaster loss of power problems

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Steering · OH

Total sudden loss of power steering

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Body, Transmission · FL

Component/System: Structure – Cowl / Air Intake / Engine Issue: Water intrusion through cowl leading to intake flooding and engine hydrolock Summary of the Defect The vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure caused by water intrusion through the two piece cowl assembly. The seal between the two cowl sections failed, allowing rainwater to pour directly into the engine compartment. The intake manifold sits directly beneath this leak point and contains a recessed area where water can pool. After heavy rainfall, water entered the intake system and subsequently reached cylinders 2 and 4, causing the engine to hydrolock upon startup. The engine was rendered inoperable at only 29,139 miles. Detailed Description of the Incident The vehicle was parked outside an auto repair facility for a routine battery replacement. It was not driven during this period. Over the course of two heavy rain events, water entered the engine compartment through the failed seam in the two piece cowl. When the repair facility attempted to start the vehicle, the engine immediately hydrolocked. Upon disassembly: •The air intake tract was found full of water. •The intake manifold contained pooled water. •Cylinders 2 and 4 contained water. •The engine suffered internal damage consistent with hydrolock and was declared a total loss. All findings were documented by the mechanic, including photographs and diagnostic notes. Safety Concern This failure represents a serious safety defect. Water intrusion through a structural component should not be able to reach the intake manifold or engine cylinders under any circumstances — especially while the vehicle is stationary. A sudden hydrolock event can cause: •Immediate engine shutdown •Loss of motive power •Loss of power steering and braking assist •Potential loss of control if occurring while driving •Extremely costly engine destruction Inspected by mechanic. Nobody else. No warnings.

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · 36,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V720000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the back over prevention camera failed to properly operate and failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. The failure was intermittent. The coolant level failed to remain at the proper levels and coolant needed to be added frequently. The contact stated that the battery suddenly lost power and need to be recharged more frequently. The dealer was contacted several times; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was recently contacted, and the contact was informed that an inspection was needed before ordering the parts. The dealer stated that it might take a day or two to complete the inspection and order the parts but could not provide a time for when the parts would be received or when the repair would be completed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Engine · NC

The check-engine light came on my 2nd day of ownership (less than 100 miles driven by me, but 2032 miles on it when purchased new - RV conversion from Entegra Coach through LaMesa RV), on October 5, 2025. After diagnosis at a Ram dealership (Larry Miller Dodge Ram in Tucson AZ), they identified the code was misfire on cylinder 6, which caused low compression, with a root cause of the intake valves being improperly seated during manufacturing. The dealership replaced some cylinder and engine parts, but the issue recurred on Cylinder 4 after driving it about 5000+ miles, on June 13, 2026. Again, misfire check-engine code and loss of compression on cylinder 4. The engine ran very rough and had loss of power. The engine is still under investigation by another Ram dealership service department (Crest Auto World, Center Conway, NH). I have learned that loss of compression can cause the engine to stall, lose acceleration power (which it did), and potentially throw a rod and blow a hole in the engine. Since this was caused by a manufacturing defect, I am also concerned that there are other vans with this issue on the road.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · WA

Due to the loss of power steering the tech at Rainier Dodge of Olympia performed electrical testing per diagnostic chart and found water intrusion into steering harness that has corroded wiring from the body harness into electric steering gear motor/module unit. The electric power steering gear assembly and harnesses must be replaced. The vehicle recieved a fault code U0140 stating loss of communication with body control module.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · CO

While driving, a “Service ESC” warning message appeared and the vehicle suddenly lost power steering assist, causing the steering to become extremely difficult and creating a serious safety risk while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to a service center, where technicians found multiple loss-of-communication codes involving the electronic power steering system. Further inspection found the main electronic power steering connector full of water and corroded. The technician documented that water intrusion caused excessive damage to the electronic power steering terminals at the rack-and-pinion assembly. The water intrusion appears consistent with a failure or inadequacy of the sealing intended to protect the electronic power steering connection from moisture. Due to the extent of the corrosion and damage, the affected wiring harnesses and rack-and-pinion assembly had to be replaced, followed by a wheel alignment. This failure resulted in a sudden loss of power steering assist while the vehicle was being driven.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Engine, Steering · 33,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2023 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist with several unknown warning lights, and the check engine and parking assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact was forced to restart the vehicle to resume normal operation. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer where the wiring harness was replaced; however, the failure returned soon after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where several parts including the steering sensor and steering column were replaced; however, the failure returned weeks later after the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2026 · Steering · NY

Loss of power steering while driving vehicle at different speeds ( when starting from a stopped position, also at speeds from 20 to 40 mph ) when trying to turn vehicle. Steering wheel pulses and shakes and is extremely hard to turn.

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Steering · FL

Plug to electronic power steering rack and pinion corroded causing low voltage and loss of power steering control.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TN

On [XXX], while driving my 2021 Ram ProMaster 2500 at highway speed in Florida, the van suddenly lost all power and came to a near stop, then re-engaged. Vehicles were in front and behind me, creating an immediate risk of serious collision, injury, or death. I pulled over ~30 minutes, restarted, but it could not exceed 20 mph while RPMs were high. AutoZone confirmed limp mode and advised a dealer. I drove it home to Port Charlotte, then had it towed to Gettel Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Punta Gorda, FL, where after two weeks it was diagnosed with a failed transmission requiring replacement. The transmission can be inspected at the dealership. No warning lamps appeared before failure. Problem confirmed by AutoZone and the dealer. I contacted Stellantis (Case #[XXXX], contact Regina Knox; dealership contact Noel), but repair assistance was denied. The van also has two active recalls, including risk of rolling out of park, unremedied. This transmission failure constitutes a serious and imminent safety defect, creating a hazard to myself and the public. I request the federal safety agency investigate this defect, compel Stellantis to repair it at their cost, and consider any further regulatory action necessary to prevent injury or death. Vehicle info: 2021 Ram ProMaster 2500, 130,000 miles, VIN [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)