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A recent legal challenge has emerged against Stellantis North America concerning its 2022 and 2023 Ram ProMaster vans. This class-action lawsuit centers on allegations that while these commercial vehicles are marketed with a nine-speed automatic transmission, only seven of these gears are actually functional during typical operation. Owners who invested a substantial amount, up to $6,070, for this advertised upgrade contend they received no tangible advantage. The core issue appears to stem from the van's design limitations, particularly its substantial aerodynamic drag, which prevents the higher gears from ever engaging. This situation has ignited a debate about transparency in automotive marketing and the practical implications for consumers who rely on accurate product descriptions for their business operations.

The ProMaster's Transmission: A Tale of Two Gears

The Ram ProMaster, a popular choice in the commercial van segment, is currently facing scrutiny over its advertised nine-speed transmission. Purchasers of the 2022 and 2023 models are now part of a class-action lawsuit against Stellantis, the parent company, alleging deceptive marketing practices. The central claim is that, despite being sold as having a nine-speed gearbox, the vehicles' software rarely, if ever, utilizes the top two gears. This means owners have effectively paid for a seven-speed transmission, masquerading as a nine-speed, without reaping the promised benefits of improved fuel efficiency or smoother performance that typically accompany a higher number of gears. The lawsuit emphasizes that this isn't a mechanical failure but rather an inherent design limitation where the van's physical characteristics prevent the full use of its transmission capabilities.

This legal challenge posits that the aerodynamic profile of the Ram ProMaster, characterized by its boxy shape, creates excessive drag that the vehicle's engine and software cannot overcome to engage the eighth and ninth gears under normal driving scenarios. Consequently, the transmission's operational range is limited to seven gears, mimicking the performance of older, less sophisticated systems. For consumers, particularly fleet managers who closely monitor operational costs, this represents a significant point of contention. The perceived lack of improvement, despite a higher price tag for the 'upgraded' transmission, has led to claims of misrepresentation. The plaintiffs argue that had they been aware of these limitations, their purchasing decisions—or the price they were willing to pay—would have been substantially different.

Marketing Claims Versus Real-World Performance

This ongoing lawsuit against Stellantis spotlights a critical issue in the automotive industry: the disparity between marketing claims and actual vehicle performance. Unlike previous mechanical defects, such as the power steering issues or fire risks faced by other Ram models, this case focuses on a perceived misrepresentation of a key component's functionality. The plaintiffs argue that the nine-speed transmission, while mechanically present, becomes a de facto seven-speed system due to the ProMaster's physical design. The van's considerable size and shape generate aerodynamic resistance that prevents the vehicle's computer from shifting into the highest gears, particularly when encountering common driving conditions like headwinds or inclines. This scenario raises questions about the ethical boundaries of product advertising when theoretical capabilities do not align with practical applications.

The plaintiffs' core argument hinges on the fact that they paid a premium, reportedly thousands of dollars, for a feature that provides no discernable advantage over a standard seven-speed transmission. The lawsuit suggests that even when the seventh gear is engaged, its final drive ratio is comparable to the sixth gear in older models, indicating a minimal, if any, improvement in performance or efficiency. This situation underscores the importance of transparency, especially in the commercial vehicle market where purchasing decisions are often made based on detailed specifications and expected operational benefits. Building and maintaining trust with commercial clients is paramount, and any perceived deviation from advertised capabilities, even if not a traditional mechanical defect, can significantly damage a brand's reputation and lead to substantial legal repercussions.