Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, the defroster was engaged but failed to respond or perform as designed. The contact rolled down the windows due to the loss of visibility of the roadway. Additionally, the vehicle lost heating system functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that he recalibrated the defroster actuator; however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle would only blow cold air. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V177000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 206,500.
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, and at other speeds, the vehicle started making an abnormal ticking sound and decelerated independently. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine failed to rev and the vehicle slowly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal ticking sound had become louder and more frequent, causing her to stop driving the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but declined to set up an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to make an abnormal sound. The contact was able to park the vehicle at an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the camshaft, rocker arm, the valves and both manifolds to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic and had the camshaft rocker arm, the valves, and both manifolds replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for an oil change and the mechanic was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, he began to hear an abnormal sound. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine misfired. The contact stated that her husband depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that her husband was able to safely drive the vehicle to his destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed camshaft and misfire in cylinder #3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the HVAC system failed to defrost the windows. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was not diagnosed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V177000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
Vehicle has been serviced 7 times by Lithia Nissan with continuing issues last service date was May 22nd 2023 in which the following services were performed; Oil filter housing, 2 gaskets, installed OEM oil cooler and cleared codes, Pin fit issues with master switch, repaired pin issue. Vehicle has been serviced 2 times by Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Eugene address 2121 Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD. Eugene OR 9740[phone] Last service date Oct. 2nd 2023 in which the following services were performed; Engine system repair, injector-fuel, cleared codes, Pin fit issues with master switch repaired pin issues. Vehicle serviced 1 time by Goodyear location 164 W 7th AVE Eugene OR 9740[phone] service date Oct. …
Related recalls
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.
Engine complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 130 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Ram 1500, 10% of the model year's 1,279 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ram 1500 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-177 (engine and engine cooling, May 7, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ram 1500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.