Recall 20V592 covers 5 2015-2019 Utilimaster Ram Promaster fleet vehicles for a separating transmission shift cable. Repair is free at a franchised Ram dealer.
Utilimaster is recalling 5 2015-2019 Ram Promaster fleet vehicles under recall 20V592 because the transmission shifter cable can separate from the transmission, leaving the shift lever out of sync with the actual gear. That mismatch can let the vehicle move unintentionally and increase crash risk; a Ram dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The transmission shifter cable on 2015-2019 Utilimaster Ram Promaster fleet vehicles links the shift lever to the automatic transmission. When the driver moves the lever, the cable tells the transmission which gear to select. The system depends on that cable staying attached so the lever position and the actual gear match.
On affected vehicles, the shifter cable assembly can separate from the transmission. The recall describes this as an assembly issue where the cable was damaged during the vehicle manufacturing process, not a defect in the replacement part itself. Once the cable disconnects, the transmission does not follow the shift the driver intends.
There is no warning sign before failure. After the cable detaches, the shift lever can move with much less effort, the gear indicators show the transmission's actual gear regardless of lever position, and the door ajar warning alerts the driver if the door opens while the transmission is not in PARK.
Who's affected?
All listed model years share the same automatic transmission scope.
| 2019 Utilimaster Ram Promaster | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2015 Utilimaster Ram Promaster | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Utilimaster Ram Promaster | automatic transmission |
| 2017 Utilimaster Ram Promaster | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Utilimaster Ram Promaster | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 5 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
A disconnected transmission shifter cable can leave the shift lever out of sync with the actual gear. Unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing crash risk. There is no warning before the cable disconnects, but reduced shift-lever effort after detachment is a sign to stop and arrange service. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2019 Utilimaster Ram Promaster is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the free transmission shift-cable replacement that fixes the gear-position mismatch.
- Bring the recall notice if Utilimaster mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V592 when you call.
- Set the parking brake and confirm the vehicle is in Park before leaving it until the repair is complete.
- Call Utilimaster customer service at 1-800-582-3454 with questions and reference Utilimaster recall 20-08 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the Ram dealer, a Ram technician replaces the transmission shift cable so the shifter position matches the actual transmission gear. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related shift cable repair before the recall work, ask the service desk or Shyft Group how to submit documentation under the reimbursement plan on file.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 28, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 21, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V592?
Recall 20V592 covers 5 2015-2019 Utilimaster Ram Promaster fleet vehicles with a transmission shift cable that can separate from the transmission. If that happens, the gear selected by the driver does not match the actual transmission gear, and unintended vehicle movement can increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2015-2019 Utilimaster Ram Promaster is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V592. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule transmission shift cable replacement. Reference recall number 20V592 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Shyft says the transmission shift cable replacement is free. A franchised Ram dealer replaces the affected cable once your VIN is confirmed in recall 20V592.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V592?
The risk is unintended vehicle movement. The separated shift cable can leave the gear shift lever showing a different position than the actual transmission gear, so the driver does not know the true gear position. That condition increases crash risk under recall 20V592.
What if I bought this Utilimaster Ram Promaster used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether this specific Utilimaster Ram Promaster is included, then reference recall number 20V592 with the Ram dealer service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V592000 |
|---|---|
| Utilimaster customer service | 1-800-582-3454 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V592 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V592000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →