Most common 2013 Ram 1500 problems
Share of the 1,279 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ram 1500 complaints by model year
Best 1500 years: 2024, 2013, 2023. Years to avoid: 2025, 2019, 2022, 2016. Compare all years →
2013 Ram 1500 recalls (11)
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain
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).
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015.
Show 5 more recalls
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: 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.
Parking brake
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2013 Ram 1500:
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
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…
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
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…
Software security vulnerability
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…
Vehicle Rollaway
Basis - 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. These complaints involved multiple Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary shifter design.
What 2013 Ram 1500 owners say
Steering all 640 →
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road using excessive force on the steering wheel, ran into a culvert, then ran over the culvert into a driveway and crashed into a trash can, where it came to a stop. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and remained at the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,359.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light was illuminated, and the cruise control feature disengaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the part was not available and was under engineering review until April 2024. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: S200500000. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the failure occurred on two occasions. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle on each occasion, and the warning light was no longer illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel became inoperable. …
Electrical system all 227 →
Component or system that failed / malfunctioned The brake system (pads, calipers, hydraulic fluid) failed three times in less than 90 days. The right-side tie rod end also separated from the steering assembly. Both components are available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk The brakes repeatedly lost all stopping power while driving, with the pedal going to the floor and the reservoir emptying within minutes. On one occasion, the brake pads and caliper fell off the wheel assembly, confirmed by the dealer's own shop manager. The tie rod failure caused uneven tire wear and a highway blowout, forcing an emergency tow. These issues placed me, my child, and other drivers at risk of a serious crash. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center? Yes. Premier Auto (the dealer's affiliated garage) confirmed and attempted repairs three times. …
I bought it in 2018 & 1 month later no radio, gps, backup any of the stereo system worked. The only thing that worked was volume. I took it in & they charged me $125 diagnosis & was gonna be over $600 for new system. I never got it fixed. In 2022 with only 122000 miles it had to go in the shop for an engine overhaul because of the problem with missing on 5th cylinder. I have never owned a Dodge Ram before & never will again. I have had nothing but problems with it. I made phone calls & wrote emails & the closest I got to a recall is 2014 was the cutoff year & mine is 2013. I did back into a dumpster because the backup camera doesn't work in January of 2020. I had insurance with White's Insurance out of Purdy but I don't have the paperwork anymore.
Engine & cooling all 130 →
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and ascending a hill, the engine misfired with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the front end of the vehicle was shaking and vibrating while the vehicle lost motive power. The contact arrived at his destination and used an ODB scanner to retrieve DTC codes: P0303 (Cylinder #3 misfire), P0300 (Random misfire), and P219A (Engine Unbalanced). The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam shaft needed to be replaced on the right side of the engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to shift to park and restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,748. The contact stated that this failure has occurred several times but has only taken the vehicle to the dealership 5 times. No cause of the failure has been found due to the fact that the vehicle is not showing any codes. The manufacturer is requiring a second opinion from a different mechanic, but the contact has not received one yet.
2013 Ram 1500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Ram 1500 a good car?
Based on 1,279 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 1500 rates better than average: 44% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 1500 at the same age. It is one of the best 1500 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Ram 1500?
The steering — 640 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rack and pinion. Next are the electrical system (227) and engine & cooling (130).
How many recalls does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?
There are 11 recalls for the 2013 Ram 1500, the most recent from May 9, 2019 (latch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ram 1500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2013 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2019, 2022 and 2016. See the full Ram 1500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Ram 1500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 62,000 miles; 41% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.