How Long Do Ram Promasters Last? (Checked)

The Dodge Ram Promaster is one of the few midsize vans that combine functionality with luxury.

Although this compact van can house as much as 6,900 pounds of payload, it still finds the allowance for high-tech features like heated mirrors, a digital rearview camera, and sliding doors.

Continue reading to discover how long the Dodge Ram Promaster van lasts.

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Here’s the short answer to how long a Dodge Ram Promaster lasts:

The Dodge Ram Promaster can last a minimum of 200,000 miles with proper maintenance and conscientious use. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, this van can serve you for over 15 years before experiencing expensive breakdowns if you keep up with regular maintenance.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Dodge Ram Promaster?

You can expect your Dodge Ram Promaster to last for at least 200,000 miles. Most Promaster drivers claim their vehicle remained in good condition even after driving it for about 250,000 miles. In addition, a few drivers who took care of their Dodge Ram Promaster religiously testify that their van lasted for over 400,000 miles.

If you want to enjoy driving your Promaster for a long time, you must maintain the van regularly. Fixing your vehicle as soon as it develops an issue can also help prolong its life.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on Your Dodge Ram Promaster?

Few Dodge Ram Promasters rust before the end of their lifetime. The entire body of the Dodge Ram Promaster is coated in zinc, and this element can delay rust for about 30 years.

However, some Promaster drivers often confuse specks of metal for rust on their vehicles. When you cut out a part of your Promaster to install a vent fan, pieces of metal from the saw may stick to your vehicle’s surface. Over time, these tiny pieces develop into particles that look like rust.

You can remove these metal particles by scrubbing your van with oxalic acid and hot water. To make this cleaning mixture, pour a cup of oxalic acid into a 3-gallon bucket of hot water. You should note that the oxalic hot water mixture is only useful for removing the metal particles on hot days.

How Long Do Dodge Ram Promasters Last Compared to Similar Vans?

If you consider durability a priority, you may want to know whether a Promaster can last longer than its peers before buying the van. We compare the Dodge Ram Promaster’s durability to its rival vans below:

Dodge Ram Promaster vs. Ford Transit

On the average, Ram Promasters last longer than Ford Transits. A typical Ford Transit can last an average of 150,000 miles, although there are many examples of the van with over 300k miles on the odometer.

Most Ram Promaster drivers ride their van for over 200,000 miles before it loses its efficiency.

Dodge Ram Promaster vs. Mercedes-Benz Metris

You can expect your Ram Promaster to last for about the same time as the Mercedes-Benz Metris. Both vans can last for 200,000 miles without developing any severe issues.

Dodge Ram Promaster vs. Chevrolet Express

Usually, Chevrolet Express vans offer more durability than Ram Promasters. While the Ram Promaster can barely travel over 200,000 miles, the Chevrolet Express can last for over 250,000 miles.

The Dodge Ram Promaster lasts longer than most of its rivals. Nevertheless, it is not the most durable van in the market. That said, you should still consider purchasing a Ram Promaster if you like strong, compact vans.

How Reliable Is the Dodge Ram Promaster?

The Dodge Ram Promaster offers low reliability. RepairPal ranks the van a 2 out of 5 in reliability.

According to RepairPal, the Promaster has a low-reliability ranking because of the vehicle’s high frequency and expensive cost of repairs. Most Dodge Ram Promaster drivers have to take their car to the mechanic for repair twice as often as other vans.

Although the Ram Promaster is a van, it might not be suited for rough roads. Dodge Ram Promaster users reported that the vehicle experiences a loss of traction on bumpy roads.

So, it might help to replace your original Ram Promaster tires with off-road tires if you often drive in hilly areas.

The Best and Worst Model Years for Dodge Ram Promaster

The 2021 Dodge Ram Promaster is the best model year of the van, according to information from carcomplaints.com.

We have a full overview here of the best and worst years for Ram Promaster.

While the crosswind assist was only present on a few versions of the Promaster in previous models, the feature now comes standard in all 2021 Promaster versions.

This model is also easier to operate than older Dodge Ram Promaster models and competitor vans.

The worst model year of the Ram Promaster is 2015. Most 2015 Ram Promaster drivers complained that their heated seats and ignition keys suddenly stopped working in the middle of the road.

A few users also said that the brakes suddenly started vibrating while they were speeding on the highway.

What About Recalls for These Model Years?

There are several variants of the Promaster van, and this makes it difficult to find the specific recall numbers for the vehicle.

Some 2021 Dodge Ram Promasters were recalled because of a malfunction in the Anti-Lock Brake System.

This issue may affect the performance of the brakes while a driver is on the road.

Fiat Chrysler also recalled certain 2015 Ram Promaster models to fix seizures in the engine cooling fan.

This problem may lead to overheating, thus putting the vehicle at risk of a fire outbreak.

Dodge Ram Promaster Model Year List

Here is a list of the model years for the Dodge Ram Promaster:

2013 Dodge Ram Promaster
2014 Dodge Ram Promaster
2015 Dodge Ram Promaster
2016 Dodge Ram Promaster
2017 Dodge Ram Promaster
2018 Dodge Ram Promaster
2019 Dodge Ram Promaster
2020 Dodge Ram Promaster
2021 Dodge Ram Promaster

Are Dodge Ram Promasters Expensive to Maintain?

Dodge Ram Promasters are expensive to maintain. The average commercial van costs about $963 to maintain annually. In contrast, the yearly maintenance cost of Dodge Ram Promasters is about $1,072, according to RepairPal.

How Long Do Dodge Ram Promaster Brake Pads Last?

The average lifespan of a Dodge Ram Promaster brake pad is between 30,000 to 40,000 miles. That said, driving on city roads may shorten the longevity of your Promaster brake pads. Due to heavy traffic on city roads, drivers often have to use their brakes several times on a single journey.

Frequent braking tends to wear down your brake pads.

In contrast, Promaster drivers who spend most of their vehicle’s lifetime on highway roads may use their brake pads for longer periods.

This is because heavy traffic rarely occurs on highways.

Harsh braking is another habit that can reduce the longevity of your Ram Promaster brake pads.

This often occurs because drivers move too closely to vehicles in front of them before braking in traffic.

You can avoid this habit by using your brakes before you close up the space between you and the next driver.

How Long Do Dodge Ram Promaster Tires Last?

If you maintain your Dodge Ram Promaster tires regularly, they should last for about 50,000 miles.

Maintaining your Promaster tires involves rotating and aligning your tires at appropriate intervals.

Experts recommend you align your wheels every 60,000 to 75,000 miles. Your tires need a rotation after every 6,000 miles or whenever you service the vehicle.

If your tires start to lose their shape, it’s a sign that they are due for replacement.

How Long Do Dodge Ram Promaster Transmissions Last?

The average Dodge Ram Promaster transmissions last between 150,000 to 300,000 miles.

Given that the lifespan of most Promaster vans is about 200,000 miles, you may not need to change your transmission if you take care of it.

How Long Do Dodge Ram Promaster Spark Plugs Last?

Your Dodge Ram Promaster spark plugs should last between 10,000 to 30,000 miles. It’s best to change your spark plugs before it reaches the 30,000-mile limit.

This is because faulty spark plugs can have a drastic effect on the performance of your van.

What About Insurance Cost of Dodge Ram Promasters?

It takes about $1,872 per year to insure your Dodge Ram Promaster van, according to Finder.com.

In addition, certain factors may affect the actual amount you pay for your vehicle insurance.

Such factors include:

#1 Driving Record:

If you have accidents and traffic violations on your driving record, your premium may be higher than the regular insurance cost.

#2 Age:

Older Dodge Ram Promaster drivers tend to pay lower premiums than their younger counterparts.

#3 Mileage:

Ram Promaster drivers who frequently travel within the year often pay higher insurance costs than people who barely use their vehicle.

Tips for Prolonging the Life of Your Dodge Ram Promaster

Here are ways to improve the longevity of your Dodge Ram Promaster:

Replace your oil filter at regular intervals
Monitor the pressure of your tires. Inflate your tires as soon as their air pressure falls.
If you use your Promaster van in the winter, warm up your engine every day before driving the vehicle.
Always park your Dodge Ram Promaster indoors. If you need to park your van outside, ensure you keep it under a shade.
Apply wax on your Dodge Ram Promaster van regularly to prevent it from rusting early.
Conduct a full-body check-up on your Dodge Ram Promaster van at least once a year.
Develop the habit of smooth braking.

Sources

2021 Ram ProMaster 1500 – Reliability Rating | RepairPal

Ram » ProMaster 2500 Overview | CarComplaints.com

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