KnownCarProblems2013 Ram 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,279 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ram 1500, most often about the steering (50% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles). It is 5th of 15 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 11 recalls.
Most common 2013 Ram 1500 problems
Steering
640 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, electric power assist system, linkages, hydraulic power assist.
Vehicle has electronic power steering. The computer controlling the power steering has failed at 92,000 miles. Pretty dangerous due to the size, weight & tires on a big truck like this. I understand that at 92,000 mile things fail but the computer that controls steering is dangerous. I called chrysler and they said…
Eps failure - an indicator light that is not in the manual mind you, suddenly appeared and the power steering completely stopped working. Occasionally the light will cut off and it will work again for a short time then cut back on. This is very dangerous so the truck is undrivable. There was a recall for this on some…
Electrical
227 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, instrument panel, starter assembly.
On the evening of january 14th 2015, I drove to a local gas station and shut off the engine while I put fuel in my truck. When I put the key in the ignition, the truck would not start and the message center stated "wrong key fob". The truck had to be towed to a local chrysler dealer. It has now been at the dealer for…
I started noticing my drivers side headlight flickering for a few days and now the low and high beam lights are both out. I attempted to replace the bulbs and realized they were fine. The day after, the windshield wipers turned on by themselves and now my driver side window wont roll down. I've been told that it is my…
Engine
130 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
I have a dodge Ram 15000 crew cab laramie. Both tail lights are malfunctioning in the blinkers. When I turn the blinker on it blinks really fast and says the tail lights are bad and need to be replaced. The lights in the back are half out when this happens. It does not happen all the time. I did see there was a…
Takata recall hi I have a 2013 Ram 1500 and it seems the exhaust manifold bolt heads are broken and the manifold is leaking it makes a loud ticking nose and in my research it seems like it happens to most if not all Ram 1500 so I was wondering why this is not a recall and if it could be I believe it is due to the kind…
Air bags
94 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
While driving down the road both driver and passenger front and rear side curtain airbags deployed along with the seat air bags and seat belts locked
Owned truck for approximately 2 years with no problems observed. Received notice of 3 recalls 2 of which were related to air bag issues. Work was preformed by dealer I purchased truck. Approximately 1 month later air bag light comes on. This is the first time ever a light came on. Dealer examined found defective…
Transmission
86 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. While the vehicle was parked, it rolled over the contact's foot, crashed into a tree in a grocery store parking lot, and struck a concrete pillar. A bystander noticed that the gear shifter had shifted out of park. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the body damage…
Vehicle has severe vibration that started at approximately 22,000 miles. Vibration has gotten so bad that at speeds in excess of 65 MPH if you hit a bump in the road the vehicle will switch lanes on it's on and you must slam on the brakes to regain control. I took vehicle to dealership and was told that the drive…
Brakes
79 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Driving assistance features were rendered unavailable during a software update which I believe contributed to a collision. The vehicle was in motion on a highway when control was lost resulting in a crash.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was a faulty ABS module with code c2200-49 retrieved. The ABS showed an internal failure. The contact…
Fuel system
50 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
I was driving on a road near my home and noticed a strong smell of gasoline in the vehicle. I immediately drive back to my house. When I pulled into the driveway the smell got even stronger and white vapor could be seen coming from the hood area. When I exited the vehicle I could see gasoline running out from under…
Front end shook bad, engine light flashing. Truck cut off. Would not start. Towed to dealer. Was told to drive 50-several hundred miles for computer to reset. Engine light never went off. Truck did the same two more times! Taken back to dealer june 5th. Then told evap leak.. Engine light still on after this time as…
Other or unspecified
50 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
Ac unit is randomly not starting when vehicle starts but will kick in adter driving/running a little while random times and distances. No engine code and when looked at cant find a reason
When in park and turned off going to start the truck it will not start and states the truck is not in park. It will take several times trying to start giggling the gear knob to get the truck to start. Its random does not happen with any set circumstances such as using auto start prior to starting with key. This has…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Ram 1500 recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began may 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on october 18, 2019. Owners may contact fca US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US's number for this recall is v44. Note: 2015-2017 my ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18v-486 for this issue.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2015-2017 ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before april 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On august 29, 2019 chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
Transmission: column shift
Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the btsi, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began february 26, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t79.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2016-2017 ram 3500 cab chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 ram 1500 and 2010-2017 ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in park may cause the brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of park into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Air bags: curtain
Risk: If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the orc software, free of charge. The recall began june 26, 2017. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t25.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 ram 1500, ram 2500, and 2014-2016 ram 3500 vehicles. Certain driving conditions, such as driving off-road or debris striking the vehicle may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault within the occupant restraint controller (orc). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying.
Equipment: radio/tape deck/cd etc.
Risk: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a usb drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own usb drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on a
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 chrysler 200, chrysler 300, dodge charger, and dodge challenger, 2014-2015 jeep grand cherokee, cherokee, and dodge durango, and 2013-2015 dodge viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on september 18, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r36.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured january 18, 2011, to october 7, 2014, and equipped with the electronic vehicle information center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Seat belts
Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the occupant restraint control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on september 8, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r23.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured june 20, 2012, to january 26, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'park'.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on march 31, 2014. Customers may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is n65.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 chrysler 300 AWD, dodge charger AWD, and dodge ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with zf all wheel drive ("AWD") 8hp45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESC module software, free of charge. The recall began on september 11, 2013. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n37.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 ram 1500 4x4 trucks manufactured june 26, 2012, through february 5, 2013. Due to a software issue with the electronic stability control (ESC) module, the ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started.
Lights: turn signal
Risk: Without a warning that the turn signal is malfunctioning, the driver would continue to use the vehicle, unaware that other drivers on the road are not being notified that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the central body controller software, free of charge. The recall began june 27, 2013. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n35.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured september 9, 2012, through march 5, 2013 and equipped with optional premium tail lamps. In the affected vehicles, the turn signal indicator may not flash at a double rate to give a notification to the driver of a turn signal malfunction. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge. The recall began on june 25, 2013. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n25.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 ram 1500 trucks manufactured manufactured june 25, 2012, through december 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal vehicle motor safety standard (fmvss) no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems."
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reset the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge. The recall began on april 22, 2013. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n22.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 dodge ram 1500 vehicles manufactured december 17, 2012, through january 22, 2013. The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the parking brake performance requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Post recall remedy brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 14 vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports and 6 ewr death & injury (d&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) system in certain model year (my) 2013-2018 ram pickup trucks.the subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.the failures of the btsi described in the voqs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17v-821 or 18v-100.both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the btsi locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of park without
Intermittent/comp loss of power steering
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 380 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or complete loss of power steering assistance in certain 2013-2016 ram 1500.the failure allegations occur at various speeds with limited detectability to the driver.on march 23, 2016 fiat chrysler automotive (fca) conducted recall campaign 16v-167 to address a possible contamination of the electrical power steering unit in certain model year 2015-2016 ram 1500. The recall involved 440 vehicles and potentially resulted in loss of power steering assist.consumer complaints indicate a similar failure may be occurring in vehicles that are out of scope of the recall.a recall query has been op
Vehicle rollaway
Summary
Basis â on december 16, 2016, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe16-014 to investigate 43 vehicle rollaway incidents with operators alleging they had shifted to park and then exited the vehicle prior to the rollway incidents.â these complaints involved multiple fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary shifter design. â of the 43 consumer complaints, 25 complaints alleged crashes, and eight complaints alleged at least one injury. Subject vehicles â when NHTSA opened the investigation, the subject vehicles were model year (my) 2013-2016 ram 1500 vehicles and my 2014-2016 dodge durango vehicles
Software security vulnerability
Summary
On july 23, 2015, fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) launched safety recall 15v-461 to remedy security vulnerabilities in approximately 1.4 million model year (my) 2013 through 2015 vehicles equipped with uconnect head units (hu) 8.4a (ra3 radio) and 8.4an (ra4 radio) manufactured by harman international.on july 24, 2015, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened recall query, rq 15-004, to investigate hu security vulnerabilities and remedy effectiveness in the recalled population and to determine whether similar units have been supplied for use in other fca vehicles.in an august 11, 2015 letter, fca submitted a second part 573 safety recall report expanding the scope of the uconnect ra4
Questions about the 2013 Ram 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ram 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (640 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); electrical (227 complaints, typically around 37,000 miles); engine (130 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 9, 2019 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Ram 1500?
- It is 5th of 15 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 1,279 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.