2021 Ram Promaster Park Pawl Recall (23V301)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · 165,503 vehicles · Reported April 27, 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 165,503 2021 Ram Promaster vehicles. The park pawl may not fully engage the park gear due to debris inside the transmission. A partially engaged park pawl can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V301 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V301000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 44A |
| Date reported to NHTSA | April 27, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ram Promaster |
| Units affected | 165,503 |
| Component | Power Train > Automatic Transmission > Internal > Park Pawl |
| Safety risk | A partially engaged park pawl can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Ram Promaster in recall 23V301?
The park pawl may not fully engage the park gear due to debris inside the transmission.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Promaster with recall 23V301?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A partially engaged park pawl can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A partially engaged park pawl can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Promaster shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the park pawl, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V301?
Recall 23V301 covers 165,503 vehicles: 2021 Ram Promaster.
NHTSA lists 165,503 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ram | Promaster |
What is the fix for the Promaster park pawl recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace, as necessary, the transmission or components within the transmission, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 23V301 announced?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 23V301 to NHTSA on April 27, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as June 22, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 27, 2023 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V301000. |
| June 22, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 41 months ago. If your Promaster was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Promaster is part of recall 23V301?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V301 is open on your Promaster, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Promaster vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Promaster owners do about recall 23V301?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V301000 applies to your Promaster.
- Call a Ram dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any park pawl symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Promaster owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 13 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 23V301 was reported on April 27, 2023, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 2 of them (15%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after April 27, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 111 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 13 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Ram Promaster: 111 complaints in total, 13 about the transmission
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The vehicle suddenly and without warning experienced a complete loss of steering control, rendering it undrivable and forcing it to stop on the side of a public roadway. This created a significant risk to my personal safety and to public safety.
2021 Ram Promaster owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11706836, filed December 23, 2025
The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of steering control during normal driving on a public roadway. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, and the vehicle became immobilized, creating a serious risk of collision and injury.
2021 Ram Promaster owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11709170, filed January 6, 2026
I purchased the vehicle above used on 4/22/2024 with roughly 70,000 miles on it. At 121,000 miles I lost the reverse gear in the transmission and the vehicle displayed 2 code P0736 and P0792.
2021 Ram Promaster owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11719287, filed February 20, 2026
Can recall 23V301 make my Promaster a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V301000 does not automatically make your Promaster a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A transmission defect affects the core job of the 2021 Ram Promaster: moving reliably. Owners often see the same symptom return after a repair, and those repeat visits are the kind of history California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Ram Promaster has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Promaster been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ram Promaster recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V301
Did the recall 23V301 fix work?
Since recall 23V301 was reported on April 27, 2023, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 2 of them (15%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed June 22, 2023.
Is the 23V301000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Promaster is part of recall 23V301000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V301000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ram. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.