Ram ProMaster Nine-Speed Transmission Lawsuit, Did Stellantis Sell You a Van With Two Useless Gears? Gonzalez et al. v. FCA US, LLC d/b/a Stellantis North America et al., No. 2:26-cv-04407

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA US), doing business as Stellantis North America, has been hit with a proposed class action lawsuit that alleges the automaker has misleadingly advertised 2022-2023 Ram ProMaster vans as equipped with a nine-speed transmission when, in reality, the vehicles “only have seven usable gears.” The case, Gonzalez et al. v. FCA US, LLC d/b/a Stellantis North America et al., No. 2:26-cv-04407, was filed on April 24, 2026. No settlement has been reached. If you purchased or leased a 2022 or 2023 Ram ProMaster van, here is what the lawsuit alleges and what you can do right now.

Ram ProMaster Nine-Speed Transmission Lawsuit — Key Facts

Field	Detail
Lawsuit Filed	April 24, 2026
Defendant	FCA US, LLC d/b/a Stellantis North America
Alleged Harm	False advertising — selling 2022-2023 Ram ProMaster vans as “nine-speed” transmission vehicles when only seven gears are functional in real-world driving, with buyers paying up to $6,070 more than older six-speed models
Specific Laws Alleged	Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act; California Consumers Legal Remedies Act; Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act; California False Advertising Law; New Jersey Unfair Competition Law
Who Is Affected	All U.S. residents who purchased or leased a 2022 or 2023 Ram ProMaster van with the nine-speed automatic transmission
Court & Case Number	U.S. District Court (filed April 24, 2026), No. 2:26-cv-04407
Current Court Stage	Active litigation — early stage, no class certification yet
Lead Plaintiff Deadline	TBD — not yet published
Settlement Status	No settlement reached
Estimated Affected Vehicles	Up to 136,666 ProMaster 1500, 2500, and 3500 units (2022-2023 model years)
Last Updated	May 28, 2026

Who Is Stellantis and Why Are They Facing a Ram ProMaster Transmission Lawsuit?

Ram marketed the 2022 ProMaster as equipped with a segment-exclusive TorqueFlite nine-speed automatic transmission paired to a next-generation 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. Stellantis — the parent company of Ram, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Fiat — is one of the largest automakers in the world and sells the ProMaster as a commercial van used heavily by small businesses, delivery fleets, and tradespeople across the United States. Because buyers of commercial vans are making significant business purchases and rely on the advertised specs to make those decisions, a transmission that cannot deliver what was promised hits harder than a defect in a passenger car.

What Does Stellantis Allegedly Claim About the Ram ProMaster Transmission — and What Is It Hiding?

The 38-page lawsuit asserts that Stellantis represents that its 2022-2023 Ram ProMaster commercial vans are equipped with a “New Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission,” as higher gears are often preferred by consumers for their smoother acceleration, better fuel efficiency, and better overall driving performance.

However, the case alleges that the automaker has concealed the fact that the vans are “too slow to ever activate” the eighth or ninth gears, leaving the vans with seven functional gears and two “extra, useless” gears.

The lawsuit claims the vans are physically incapable of regularly reaching eighth and ninth gear during normal operation due to their size, aerodynamics, and software calibration. Put simply: the van’s boxy commercial body creates too much wind resistance, and the vehicle’s own software never detects a real-world driving condition where the top two gears become necessary.

The suit emphasizes that the vehicles’ final drive ratio — the ratio of how many revolutions the drive shaft makes to complete one wheel turn — is “nearly identical” to that of older models on the sixth gear, even when the ProMaster van has engaged the seventh gear. The lawsuit goes further, stating that the nine-speed transmission is “functionally identical” to the six-speed found in older ProMaster models. To see how similar allegations against an automaker over a misrepresented drivetrain have played out in federal court, see our coverage of how the Ford F-150 10R80 transmission class action raised similar Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act claims against an automaker over a misrepresented drivetrain.

The case says that the additional three gears come with a significant price increase, as the MSRP for the ProMaster vans at issue was up to $6,070 more for the purported nine-speed transmission vehicles, depending on trim and options, than an older six-speed model.

This lawsuit is not the only legal pressure on the 2022-2023 ProMaster lineup right now. The NHTSA opened a separate preliminary evaluation in March 2026 to assess the scope and root cause of potential defects in 2022-2023 Ram ProMaster steering systems, involving an estimated population of 136,666 vehicles across the ProMaster 1500, 2500, and 3500. That investigation is entirely separate from the transmission lawsuit, but both involve the same model years. For a parallel example of an automaker accused of knowingly selling vehicles that did not perform as advertised, see how the BMW transfer case class action also accused an automaker of selling vehicles that failed to meet their advertised specifications.

If you purchased or leased a 2022 or 2023 Ram ProMaster van anywhere in the United States, this case may directly affect you.

Related article: Australia’s $1.4 Billion PFAS Lawsuit Against 3M, What Happened at 28 Defense Bases Commonwealth of Australia v. 3M Company and 3M Australia Pty Ltd, Federal Court of Australia

Are You Part of the Ram ProMaster Transmission Class Action Lawsuit?

Here is exactly how to know whether this lawsuit includes you.

You likely qualify if:

• You purchased or leased a 2022 or 2023 Ram ProMaster van — any configuration (ProMaster 1500, 2500, or 3500) — equipped with the nine-speed automatic transmission
• You paid a premium over an older six-speed ProMaster model based on the advertised transmission upgrade
• You drove the van in normal commercial or personal conditions and never experienced eighth or ninth gear engagement
• You relied on Ram’s nine-speed advertising when choosing the 2022-2023 model over older inventory or a competing vehicle

You likely do NOT qualify if:

• Your ProMaster is a 2021 or older model — those came with the six-speed transmission and are not part of this proposed class
• Your ProMaster is a 2024 or newer model — the complaint specifically covers the 2022 and 2023 model years
• You are an officer, director, or employee of FCA US / Stellantis, or a judge assigned to this case

Ram ProMaster Buyers Outside California and New Jersey — Are You Still Covered?

The proposed class action seeks to represent all U.S. residents who purchased or leased affected 2022 and 2023 Ram ProMaster models. The federal claims under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act apply nationwide. The California and New Jersey state law claims cover buyers in those states specifically, but the nationwide class means your state of residence does not exclude you from the core federal claims.

If you are unsure whether your specific vehicle configuration qualifies for the Ram ProMaster false advertising class action, a free consultation with a product liability attorney can help you assess your options before the case moves forward in court.

What Are Ram ProMaster Buyers Asking the Court to Award in This Transmission Case?

No money is available right now. No claim form exists. This lawsuit is in active litigation.

The plaintiff and putative classes seek injunctive relief, damages including punitive damages, and an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. In practical terms, the plaintiffs want Stellantis to stop advertising the ProMaster’s transmission as nine-speed when they allege only seven gears function, and they want buyers to be compensated for the price premium they paid.

What Could Ram ProMaster Buyers Receive If This Case Settles?

There is no way to predict a settlement amount at this stage. The MSRP for the ProMaster vans at issue was up to $6,070 more for the purported nine-speed transmission vehicles than an older six-speed model. That price differential forms the foundation of the damages theory — plaintiffs argue they overpaid for a feature that did not deliver real-world value. If the case certifies and settles, compensation per buyer would depend on the total settlement fund, the number of valid claims filed, and whether individual buyers can document their purchase price. Speaking with a product liability attorney before any opt-out deadline is set can help you understand what your situation may be worth.

What Should 2022-2023 Ram ProMaster Owners Do Right Now?

1. You are likely already included. Most buyers of 2022-2023 Ram ProMaster vans are automatically part of the proposed nationwide class. You do not need to file anything today to preserve your membership in the class.
   
2. Save your purchase and financing records. Hold onto your window sticker (Monroney label), dealer invoice, purchase agreement, and any financing documents. These show the price you paid and the specifications you were sold — both central to the damages claim.
   
3. Document the advertised specs at time of purchase. If you saved any Ram brochures, dealer printouts, or website screenshots showing the nine-speed transmission was advertised as a selling point, keep them. The lawsuit hinges on what buyers were told when they wrote the check.
   
4. Note your driving experience. If you have ever used your van’s manual mode selector and confirmed the transmission never exceeds seventh gear in real-world driving, write that down with the date. Owner forum records and your own firsthand observations may be useful if the case reaches discovery.
   
5. Monitor the docket. The case is No. 2:26-cv-04407 in federal court. Track filings at no cost using PACER at pacer.gov. When class certification is ruled on or a settlement is announced, it will appear there first.
   
6. Consider individual options. Buyers who feel their losses are significant — particularly fleet operators who purchased multiple vehicles based on the nine-speed upgrade — should speak with a product liability attorney before any opt-out deadline is set by the court.

Ram ProMaster Nine-Speed Transmission Lawsuit Timeline

Milestone	Date
2022 Ram ProMaster launches with nine-speed TorqueFlite transmission — advertised as segment-exclusive	Q4 2021
2022 and 2023 Ram ProMaster vans sold to U.S. buyers nationwide	2021–2023
Owner complaints emerge on ProMaster forums — eighth and ninth gears reportedly never engage	2022–2024
NHTSA opens Preliminary Evaluation PE26002 into 2022-2023 ProMaster power steering failures — separate issue, same model years	March 2, 2026
Class action filed — Gonzalez et al. v. FCA US, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-04407	April 24, 2026
Next scheduled hearing	TBD — check PACER docket No. 2:26-cv-04407
Expected resolution	TBD — no settlement announced as of May 28, 2026

Ram ProMaster Nine-Speed Transmission Lawsuit — Frequently Asked Questions, No. 2:26-cv-04407

Is there a class action lawsuit against Stellantis over the Ram ProMaster nine-speed transmission right now?

 Yes. Gonzalez et al. v. FCA US, LLC d/b/a Stellantis North America et al., No. 2:26-cv-04407, is an active proposed class action filed on April 24, 2026. It alleges the 2022-2023 Ram ProMaster was falsely advertised as having a functional nine-speed transmission when only seven gears engage in real-world driving. No settlement has been reached as of May 28, 2026.

Do I need to do anything right now to be included in the Ram ProMaster class action?

 No immediate action is required to remain in the proposed class. What you should do now is save your purchase records, window sticker, and any documentation of the nine-speed advertised specs. These will matter if the case reaches a settlement requiring proof of purchase or price paid.

Why do the eighth and ninth gears allegedly never engage on the Ram ProMaster? 

The lawsuit explains that the van’s large, boxy commercial body creates significant aerodynamic drag. The vehicle’s software monitors driving conditions and only shifts into higher gears when the situation calls for it — which, given the ProMaster’s size and typical use, the complaint says never happens in everyday operation. The van is simply too slow and too wind-resistant to trigger the software threshold for eighth or ninth gear.

Is the Ram ProMaster transmission lawsuit the same as the NHTSA power steering investigation?

 No. These are two completely separate issues involving the same model years. The NHTSA investigation, opened March 2, 2026, concerns intermittent or complete failures of the power steering assist system in 2022-2023 ProMaster 1500, 2500, and 3500 models. The transmission lawsuit is a consumer fraud case about advertised gear count, not a safety defect. You can follow both issues independently.

When will the Ram ProMaster nine-speed transmission case settle?

 There is no settlement timeline to report. The case was filed on April 24, 2026, and is in the very early stages of litigation. Automotive false advertising cases of this type typically take two to four years from filing to final resolution, depending on class certification and the parties’ willingness to negotiate.

What specific laws does Stellantis allegedly violate with the Ram ProMaster transmission advertising?

 The complaint alleges violations of the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, California’s False Advertising Law, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, and the New Jersey Unfair Competition Law. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act applies to all buyers nationwide, regardless of state.

Can I file my own lawsuit against Stellantis instead of joining the Ram ProMaster class action?

 Yes. Class membership does not prevent you from opting out and pursuing your own individual claim, particularly if you purchased multiple vehicles or can show losses significantly larger than the class-wide price premium. Speak with a product liability attorney about whether an individual approach makes sense before any opt-out deadline is published.

How much could Ram ProMaster buyers receive if this case settles?

 No money is available and no settlement exists as of May 28, 2026. The price premium of up to $6,070 over older six-speed models forms the core of the damages theory — buyers argue they overpaid for a feature that delivered no real-world benefit. Actual recovery per person would depend on the total settlement fund, class size, and proof of purchase. A product liability attorney can give you a better estimate based on your specific purchase.

Sources Used in This Ram ProMaster Transmission False Advertising Article

• Autoblog — Ram ProMaster Lawsuit Claims Owners Paid For Two Gears They Can’t Use, May 22, 2026: https://www.autoblog.com/news/ram-promaster-lawsuit-claims-owners-paid-for-two-gears-they-cant-use
• NHTSA — ODI Investigation PE26002 Resume, March 2, 2026: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2026/INOA-PE26002-10013.pdf

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the original court complaint (Gonzalez et al. v. FCA US, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-04407, filed April 24, 2026), NHTSA Investigation PE26002 (March 2, 2026), and Ram ProMaster launch documentation. Last Updated: May 28, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.