If you’re thinking about buying a wheelchair van or mobile medical van on the RAM ProMaster chassis, you might have heard some old stories about the RAM ProMaster transmission. Maybe you’ve heard outdated complaints about rough shifting, breakdowns, or expensive repairs. That can make you nervous, especially if your wheelchair accessible van needs to drive seniors through snowy roads in Saskatchewan or your mobile health van has to reach rural communities in Northern Ontario.
A transmission problem can mean missed appointments, cancelled outreach days, and people waiting longer for care. That’s a big gap when your goal is to help people stay connected and healthy. The good news is that the RAM ProMaster transmission has improved a lot in recent years, and the majority of buyers feel confident about it.
At MoveMobility, we’ve spent more than 20 years helping organizations remove barriers to healthcare and transportation. In the last three years, we’ve built more than 480 wheelchair vans and 180 mobile medical units. We hold Ford Pro Upfitter and Stellantis QPro certifications, plus the National Safety Mark. We’ve also worked with organizations like Yellowknife Women’s Society and received recognition through the DARE Innovation Awards. We know there are other manufacturers out there, so we want to give you a fair and honest look at the RAM ProMaster transmission.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What has changed with the RAM ProMaster transmission
- How those changes affect a wheelchair van or mobile medical van
- What this could mean for your long-term costs
What changes has the RAM ProMaster Transmission undergone?
If you’ve heard stories about older RAM ProMaster transmission problems, most of those concerns come from the older 6-speed transmission found in earlier models. Starting in the 2022 and 2023 model years, RAM made a major change by replacing that older transmission with a new 9-speed automatic transmission called the 948TE.
That change made a big difference for many wheelchair van and mobile medical van buyers.
The newer RAM ProMaster transmission gives you:
- Smoother shifting between gears
- Better acceleration when merging onto highways
- Lower engine RPM at higher speeds
- Better fuel economy
- A quieter, more refined drive
For organizations that drive long distances across Canada, that matters. A wheelchair accessible van travelling between smaller communities in Manitoba or a mobile health van covering long stretches of highway in Alberta can spend hours on the road every day. Lower RPM means the engine does not have to work as hard, especially at highway speeds.
That can help reduce wear over time and improve fuel efficiency.
RAM has reported fuel economy improvements of up to 9% with the newer RAM ProMaster transmission. That may not sound huge at first, but over years of driving, those fuel savings can add up quickly for organizations running several vehicles.
Do RAM ProMaster transmission upgrades help reduce rough shifting?
One of the biggest complaints with older transmissions was rough shifting and “gear hunting.” Gear hunting happens when the transmission keeps shifting up and down because it cannot decide which gear it wants.
That can make the ride feel jerky and frustrating.
The newer 9-speed RAM ProMaster transmission was designed to help fix that problem. Some drivers say it behaves more like a 7-speed in certain conditions because it skips a few gears to keep the ride smoother. That’s actually a good thing.
Instead of constantly shifting, the transmission focuses on staying in the best gear for the road and speed you’re driving.
For you, that can mean:
- A smoother ride for passengers
- Less driver fatigue on long trips
- Better confidence in winter driving conditions
- Less stress when climbing hills or carrying equipment
That is important when your wheelchair van is transporting seniors, people with disabilities, or patients who may already feel anxious about travel. A smoother ride can help people feel safer and more comfortable.
Do the RAM ProMaster engine improvements support better long-term reliability?
RAM didn’t stop with the transmission. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine also received several updates in recent years.
Older Pentastar engines sometimes developed a ticking sound called the “Pentastar tick.” This issue was often linked to the rocker arms inside the engine. RAM updated those parts in newer models to improve reliability and reduce that ticking issue.
Later models also received:
- Better cooling systems
- Reduced internal engine friction
- Two-stage variable valve lift
- Variable valve timing
These changes help the engine run more efficiently and more smoothly.
That matters because your mobile medical van or wheelchair accessible van may spend long hours idling during outreach visits, health screenings, or patient pick-ups. A stronger engine and better RAM ProMaster transmission can help keep your vehicle on the road longer and reduce the risk of downtime.
When people are counting on you for care, appointments, or safe transportation, reliability matters a lot more than a spec sheet.
Has the new RAM ProMaster transmission made maintenance easier?
One of the biggest worries with any wheelchair van or mobile medical van is maintenance. If your vehicle spends more time in the shop than on the road, it creates delays for the people counting on you.
Newer RAM ProMaster transmission and engine updates have helped reduce some of that stress.
Oil change intervals on newer RAM ProMaster models can now stretch up to 10,000 miles, which is about 16,000 kilometres. Older commercial vehicles often needed oil changes much sooner, which meant more service appointments, more downtime, and more money spent on maintenance.
For organizations running several wheelchair accessible vans or mobile health vans, those extra kilometres between service visits can make a real difference.
That can help you:
- Spend less time scheduling maintenance
- Reduce yearly service costs
- Keep your vehicle on the road longer
- Avoid interrupting important appointments and outreach visits
If your team is driving across British Columbia, travelling between First Nations communities in Northern Ontario, or running patient transportation in Nova Scotia, fewer maintenance stops can make daily operations a lot easier.
Are heavy loads a problem for the updated RAM ProMaster transmission?
The updated engine and RAM ProMaster transmission work together to deliver 276 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. In simple terms, that gives your wheelchair van or mobile medical van the strength it needs to carry passengers, medical equipment, wheelchairs, lifts, and supplies without feeling sluggish.
That extra power becomes even more important if you’re driving in areas with hills, snow, gravel roads, or long highway stretches.
The newer RAM ProMaster also offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 6,910 pounds.
That can be helpful if you need to tow:
- Small utility trailers
- Extra equipment
- Mobile storage units
- Event or outreach supplies
For many organizations, that added towing power means one vehicle can do more work without needing a larger truck.
RAM ProMaster support component upgrades make daily driving easier
RAM also improved several smaller systems that make a big difference during everyday driving.
One of the biggest changes was moving from hydraulic steering to electric power steering.
Electric power steering gives you:
- Better steering response
- Easier turning in tight parking lots
- Less strain during city driving
- Fewer parts that need maintenance
That is especially helpful if your wheelchair accessible van is often parking near hospitals, apartment buildings, or crowded community centres.
RAM also added a new electronic parking brake. That gives drivers one less manual lever to manage and can make parking feel simpler, especially during frequent stops throughout the day.
These upgrades may sound small, but together they help make a wheelchair van or mobile health van feel easier, smoother, and more comfortable to drive.
Got any questions about the RAM ProMaster transmission?
You likely came to this article because you heard older stories about the RAM ProMaster transmission and wanted to know if those concerns still apply today. When your wheelchair van or mobile medical van is responsible for getting people to care, missed trips and breakdowns can feel like too much risk.
After reading this article, you now know:
- The RAM ProMaster transmission changed from a 6-speed to a 9-speed automatic
- Newer models offer smoother shifting and better fuel economy
- Engine updates improved reliability and reduced common issues
- Longer maintenance intervals can lower service costs
- Steering and parking upgrades make daily driving easier
At MoveMobility, we have spent more than two decades helping organizations across Canada find better ways to remove barriers to healthcare and transportation. Our team has worked with groups like Quest Community Health Centre, transit programs, seniors services, and outreach teams in both large cities and remote communities.
We understand that choosing the right wheelchair accessible van or mobile health van can feel overwhelming, especially when every dollar and every trip matters. That is why we focus on helping you make a decision that feels right for your people, your budget, and your long-term goals. If you have questions about the RAM ProMaster transmission or want help choosing the right van, click the button below to talk to a mobility expert.
Recommended next reads
- Ram Promaster wheelchair vans: Everything you need to know: This article gives you a bigger picture look at the RAM ProMaster platform and how it works as a wheelchair van.
- How to choose a wheelchair van (11 steps): This article walks you through how to choose a wheelchair van for your organization.
- Wheelchair van maintenance practices you need to know: This article helps you understand what long-term maintenance looks like after you buy.
English 
French 