What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2013 RAM 1500

Typical pattern

3.9% of complaints about the 2013 RAM 1500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2013 vehicle — around the middle of the 210 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.2 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (637 complaints), typically at 11.5 yr or about 90,000 miles.

Complaints
1,603
Median age at failure
9.2 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=767
Crash / fire / tow
10.1% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
637 reports · 90,000 mi
11.5 yr
8%
Electrical system
226 reports · 38,000 mi
6.3 yr
4%
Engine
121 reports · 70,000 mi
6.3 yr
7.4%
Air bags
94 reports · 54,000 mi
4.7 yr
24.5%
Power train
85 reports · 25,600 mi
4.5 yr
23.5%
Service brakes
69 reports · 56,000 mi
10.6 yr
13%
Other
50 reports · 60,000 mi
6.7 yr
8%
Suspension
45 reports · 71,000 mi
6.6 yr
8.9%
Structure
40 reports · 36,741 mi
4.4 yr
15%
Speed control
37 reports · 24,791 mi
5.9 yr
18.9%
Fuel / propulsion
34 reports · 76,000 mi
11.0 yr
2.9%
Exterior lighting
32 reports · 45,000 mi
3.9 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V347000 2019-05-09
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

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.

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.

17V821000 2017-12-20
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift

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 ped

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.

17V302000 2017-05-09
Air bags

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.

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.

16E041000 2016-05-16
Equipment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling aftermarket Mopar Canvas Seat Covers for certain 2012-2016 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat thorax airbags.

If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.

15V461000 2015-07-23
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.

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.

Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.

15V459000 2015-07-22
Air bags:frontal

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.

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.

15V460000 2015-07-22
Seat belts

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.

Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

13V610000 2013-12-06
Power train:automatic transmission

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.

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'.

13V287000 2013-07-02
Electronic stability control (esc)

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.

A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.

13V237000 2013-06-04
Exterior lighting:turn signal

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."

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.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 500 mi 3 mo in service
PLASTIC KEY ---CAN NOT REMOVE FROM SWITCH----WILL TURN OF ENGINE---BUT WILL NOT COME OUT OF KEY HOLE----HAVE TO LEAVE IN TRUCK---DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME----NEXT TIME DRIVEN MAY COME OUT AND THEN MAY NOT-----THIS SEEM LIKE NOT READING TRUCK SHIFT HANDLE IS NOT IN PARK-----YOU CAN LEAVE IN TRUCK AND LOCK BUT DASH LIGHTS DO NOT TIME OFF---HAVE TAKEN DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT FIX-----THIS COULD LEAD TO A LOT OF THINGS---THEFT, ECT. ECT. ECT. NEED SOMETHING DONE. *TR
Electrical system 89 mi 6 mo in service
THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE. FOUR TIMES I ENCOUNTERED THE DISPLAY OF THE MESSAGE VEHICLE NOT IN PARK WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY CONFUSING AND DANGEROUS MESSAGE SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO A DOOR NOT BEING FULLY CLOSED. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 11TH. THE MANAGER APPEARED TO BE AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS MESSAGE AND SAID HE WILL REPORT IT TO AN ENGINEER WHEN HE VISITS THE DEALERSHIP. THE REASON FOR REPORTING THIS IS I AM NOT SURE THIS PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system 1,200 mi 6 mo in service
OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR INACCURATELY READS TEMPERATURE (USUAL 8-12 DEGREES LESS THAN ACTUAL AMBIENT TEMPERATURE) THIS AFFECTS SEVERAL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLES FEATURES (AUTO HEATED SEATS AND STEERING WHEEL ALSO VENTED SEATS). *TR
Power train 612 mi 5 mo in service
AFTER DRIVING ON SNOW AND SLUSHY ROADS I COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE OR PARK POSITION. I COULDN'T EVEN MOVE THE SELECTOR INTO THOSE POSITIONS. *TR

Other 1500 model years

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