Ram’s 9-Speed Transmission Alleged to Be Essentially a 7-Speed in ProMaster Vans

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Stellantis, alleging that the 2022 and 2023 Ram ProMaster vans’ advertised nine-speed automatic transmission is, in reality, a seven-speed transmission. The plaintiffs claim that the top two gears are never used in normal operation, rendering them essentially useless. The lawsuit states that the van’s shape and aerodynamics are to blame, as the transmission control system never finds a situation where the upper gears are beneficial. As a result, the software allegedly keeps these gears on ‘permanent vacation’. The plaintiffs argue that customers paid a premium for the newer vans, with price increases of over $6,000 compared to older models, believing they were getting meaningful new hardware. However, the lawsuit claims that the extra ratios deliver no practical benefit, making the newer vans’ transmission behavior similar to older ProMaster models equipped with six-speed automatics. Stellantis has yet to respond to the lawsuit’s allegations, which are currently unproven. If the plaintiffs prevail, the ProMaster could become the first vehicle built with what amounts to decorative transmission gears.