Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges Stellantis marketed 2022 and 2023 Ram ProMaster vans as having nine-speed automatic transmissions when only seven gears are actually functional.

Consumers Affected: Purchasers and lessees of 2022 and 2023 Ram ProMaster vans equipped with the nine-speed automatic transmission

Court: Not yet confirmed

Stellantis Faces Class Action Over Ram ProMaster Vans Advertised as '9-Speed' but Allegedly Limited to Seven Usable Gears

A class action lawsuit alleges Stellantis misled buyers of its Ram ProMaster cargo vans by marketing the vehicles as equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission when, according to the complaint, only seven of those gears are actually accessible during normal operation. The lawsuit targets the 2022 and 2023 model years of one of the more widely used commercial vans on the U.S. market.

According to recent reporting on the class action filing, the plaintiff contends that Stellantis knew—or should have known—that the top gears in the transmission were not functional under real-world driving conditions, yet continued to advertise the transmission as a nine-speed.

Lawsuit Claims Two Gears Are Effectively Inaccessible

At the core of the complaint is the allegation that the Ram ProMaster's nine-speed automatic transmission is programmed in a way that prevents the vehicle from ever reaching its top two gears under normal driving circumstances. The lawsuit alleges that the transmission's shift logic effectively locks out those gears, making the advertised nine-speed designation misleading.

The filing claims that consumers paid a premium for vehicles based on the expectation that they were receiving a full nine-speed transmission—an upgrade that carries performance and fuel efficiency implications for commercial operators. Had buyers known that two gears were functionally unavailable, the lawsuit argues, they would not have purchased the vehicles at the prices charged, or would have paid significantly less.

Vehicles at Issue: 2022 and 2023 Ram ProMaster Vans

The complaint targets Ram ProMaster vans from the 2022 and 2023 model years that came equipped with the nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ram ProMaster is a full-size cargo van sold across a range of configurations and is commonly used by small businesses, delivery operations, and fleet operators—meaning the alleged misrepresentation may have affected a broad and commercially significant group of buyers.

The lawsuit seeks to represent a class of consumers who purchased or leased the affected vehicles, though class certification has not yet been granted by the court.

Why the Gear Count Matters to Buyers

For commercial van operators, transmission performance is not a minor specification. More usable gears can mean smoother power delivery, better fuel economy, and reduced engine wear—factors that directly affect the operating costs of fleet and owner-operator vehicles. The lawsuit alleges that buyers reasonably relied on the nine-speed designation when comparing vehicles and evaluating total cost of ownership.

According to the complaint, the discrepancy between the advertised transmission and its actual performance constitutes a form of consumer fraud and breach of warranty. The plaintiff claims that Stellantis's marketing materials, window stickers, and product descriptions all represented the transmission as a nine-speed without disclosing the alleged limitation.

Stellantis Has Not Publicly Commented on the Claims

As of the time of this reporting, Stellantis has not issued a public response to the lawsuit's allegations. The company has not confirmed or denied the claims regarding the ProMaster's transmission. InjuryClaims.com will update this coverage if the company responds.

Similar Transmission Disputes Have Emerged Across the Auto Industry

Transmission-related class actions have become an increasingly common feature of automotive litigation. Lawsuits over dual-clutch transmissions, alleged torque converter defects, and misleading gear specifications have been filed against a range of manufacturers in recent years, reflecting growing consumer and legal scrutiny of powertrain disclosures. The Ram ProMaster case fits into that broader pattern of buyers alleging that advertised mechanical specifications did not reflect the vehicle's real-world capabilities.

Lawsuit: [Plaintiff Name Not Yet Confirmed] v. Stellantis N.V. / FCA US LLC

Case Number: Not yet confirmed

Court: Not yet confirmed

Plaintiffs' Attorney(s): Not yet confirmed

Have you purchased or leased a 2022 or 2023 Ram ProMaster van? Share your experience with the transmission in the comments below.