Recall 14V533 affects 18,953 2014 Ram Promaster vans for head restraints with excessive backset. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 18,953 2014 Promaster vans under recall 14V533 because the head restraints were built beyond the allowed backset limit. In a rear impact, the restraint can fail to limit rearward head movement as designed, which raises injury risk, and Ram dealers will complete the free repair.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The front seat head restraint in the 2014 Ram Promaster is the padded support behind the occupant's head. Its job is to help limit how far the head moves rearward in a rear impact, so its position relative to the seated occupant matters.
On affected vans, the head restraints were built with a backset measurement that exceeds the 55 mm limit. Backset is the distance from the back of the occupant's head to the front surface of the head restraint. Chrysler traced the issue to the combined build tolerances for the seat H-point and torso angle, which affect where the seated body and head restraint line up. The result is a head restraint that does not meet the required measurement for front seats.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is the installed geometry of the seat and head restraint, not a part that gives a noise, light, smell, or change in feel before the noncompliance is found.
Who's affected?
| 2014 Ram Promaster | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 18,953 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific van.
What's the safety risk?
In a rear impact, the head restraint can fail to limit the seat occupant's head movement rearward. That increases injury risk in a crash from behind. There is no warning sign listed for this defect, so confirm your VIN and schedule the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014 Ram Promaster is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the free head-restraint replacement that brings the front seats into the required backset range.
- Bring the recall notice if Ram has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V533 when you call.
- Keep the repair appointment because the head restraints are part of rear-impact head support.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician replaces the head restraints covered by recall 14V533. The work addresses head restraints built with too much backset, which caused the 2014 Promaster vans to miss the federal head restraint standard. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Tell the service desk you are scheduling recall code P53 so they can confirm parts and write the repair order correctly.
Timeline
| September 4, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2014 | Dealer notification began |
| October 1, 2014 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 1, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V533?
Recall 14V533 covers 18,953 2014 Ram Promaster vans with front head restraints that exceed the allowed backset limit. In a rear impact, the head restraint can fail to limit rearward head movement as designed, increasing injury risk. Ram dealers will replace the head restraints for free.
What should I do if my 2014 Ram Promaster is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 14V533. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the head-restraint replacement. Reference recall number 14V533 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 14V533 is a free head-restraint replacement at a franchised Ram dealer. Parts and labor are covered.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is higher injury risk in a rear-impact crash. The affected head restraints exceed the backset limit, so they can fail to control rearward head movement as intended when the vehicle is struck from behind.
What if I bought my Ram Promaster used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2014 Ram Promaster is included, then call a franchised Ram dealer with recall number 14V533.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V533000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V533 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V533000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →