RamProMaster 35002021Overview/ram/promaster-3500/2021/base/

2021 Ram ProMaster 3500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 ProMaster 3500.

The 2021 Ram ProMaster 3500 arrives with a 6.0‑quart, 5W‑20 oil fill that underscores its commercial‑grade powertrain calibration, while its reliability profile — 62 owner‑reported complaints concentrated in the engine category and nine recalls issued — places this model year squarely in a period of heightened scrutiny that prospective operators should weigh against the van’s intended duty cycle.

Model year2026202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque145 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 68191349AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT225/75R16/E 115/112ROEM · verified
Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter68191349AC
Engine air filter52022424AA
Spark plugSP149125AF
Battery68192809AB
Front wiper blades68159681AA alt 68159682AA
Thermostat04893377AA alt 68136754AA
Cabin air filter68535618AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length250.4 in
Overall width80.7 in
Overall height99.2 in
Wheelbase159.1 in
Curb weight5071 lb
Track (front / rear)71.3 / 70.5 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the ProMaster 3500 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–13.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2014 ProMaster 1500 Cargo Van (136WB HR)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014ProMaster 1500 Cargo Van (136WB HR) 3.6L V68.10 sec16.50 sec280 hpFWD
2014ProMaster 2500 Cargo Van (159WB HR) 3.6L V68.20 sec16.50 sec280 hpFWD
2014ProMaster 2500 Cargo Van (159WB HR) 3.6L V68.50 sec16.80 sec280 hpFWD
2014ProMaster 1500 EcoDiesel Cargo Van (118WB LR) 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-413.40 sec19.70 secFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 145 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4 · ATF
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidPentosin CHF 11S PSF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.83 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.67 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.14 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)22.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)30.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)21.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 7.14 ft-lbs; Lower: 8.83 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block BoltsUpper: M6 Bolts: 9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts145 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMopar
Spark Plug TypeRER8ZWYCB4
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.44 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND-8
Oil Capacity4.0 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number31

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum53.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum63.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque26.0
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque125.0
ABS Sensor Torque6.8
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .862; Rear: .559
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .875; Rear: .572
Maximum Rotor Runout.0008" Measured on vehicle.

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tire and wheel assembly can now be removed. Step 3: Attach a dial indicator mount to the steering knuckle and align the plunger in the direction of the ball joint stud axis. Plunger should be touching the rear of the ball joint socket in lower control arm. Step 4: Zero dial indicator by pushing up on the lower control arm. Step 5: Insert a pry bar between lower control arm and knuckle from the front of vehicle. Step 6: Push up the knuckle from the lower control arm until the needle of the indicator stops moving. Step 7: Document reading on dial and replace lower ball joint if reading exceeds specifications.
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 125° do not use a torque wrench for this step., Step 5: Loosen all fasteners in reverse order., Step 6: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 9: 130° do not use a torque wrench for this step. **Step 4 can be completed in 2 steps. Step 1: 35°, Step 2: 90° ** Step 9 can be completed in 2 steps. Step 1: 40°, Step 2: 90°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Ram ProMaster 3500 exhibits a higher volume of reported issues compared to the 2023 and 2024 models, which recorded only 2 and 1 complaints respectively. For the 2021 model year, the most frequent complaint areas are the engine (6) and electrical system (6), followed by wheels (5) and "unknown or other" categories (5). While there were 0 crash complaints for 2021, there were 4 reported fire complaints. The data does not specify the root cause for these fires or the engine and electrical failures. Viewed across the available generation record, complaints trend downward in more recent years, positioning the 2021 model as a more problematic vintage. Given the higher complaint frequency and the reported fire incidents relative to newer years, this is not a recommended year to buy.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
578
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
62
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 62 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine6
Electrical System6
Wheels5
Unknown Or Other5
Power Train5
Service Brakes3
Tires3
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V798000Electrical System:Wiring:Relays/SolenoidsReported 14/10/2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. An electrical short in the relay may… Remedy: Owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of buildings or structures, and not near other vehicles, until the vehicle has been remedied. Dealers will inspect and, if…

21V925000Air Bags:Side/Window:CurtainReported 24/11/2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect… Remedy: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 578 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1130702026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
1130692026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
S2208000045 REV.D2026-06-26StructureBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
1130652026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER
1130662026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific ProMaster 3500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 ProMaster 3500 take?

6.0 qt of Mopar 5W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 ProMaster 3500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.