Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
DEFECTIVE headlamps. Excessive moisture builds up in housing effecting performance of lights in evening. Was stopped by DPS for having bad headlamps. Dealership says it normal, no its not. It's very unsafe to drive at night with moisture in lamps. Had it looked at or inspected by independent shop and DPS. My safety is at risk for you can't see at night with all the moisture in lamps. This is a common problem with Ram 1500 all over the internet.
ABS system has failed and damaged the traction control module. Speedometer does not work and brake lights stay on constantly. Power steering assist does not work. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer and cannot get the parts to fix these issues.
Similar to NHTSA id number: 10898441 I have also experienced an interior dome light flickering and also the drivers power window door lock switches stopped working. I was locked out of the vehicle and it was running with all doors locked (by itself) and windows were rolled up. I had to call roadside assistance to get into the vehicle. The switch continued to attempt locking of the door by constantly clicking. Which I found out the next morning when the battery was dead. I found out this vehicle was made for and first sold in Canada which if that was disclosed to me I never would have purchased it. The digital speedometer and the mechanical speedometer are not showing the same speeds. At 30mph the digital one shows 32mph but at 70mph the digital shows 75mph. Repairs attempted at lithia Chrysler Jeep reno nv unsuccessful. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlamps and turn signals failed to operate properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to chapman las vegas Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (3175 e sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89104) where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that condensation entered the headlamps causing the failure to the LED lights and turn signals. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned TSB: 23-105-18 as a possible solution to the failure however, was informed from the manufacturer that the TSB had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
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 recall, but for my VIN there is not. So it appears all 2013s seem to be affected. I also have a ticking noise in my engine when I start the vehicle. It lessens as the car warms up. I noticed there was a recall in 2012 for bad exhaust manifolds. I believe this is still occurring on these vehicles. I have not repaired either of the items on my truck because I believe it is just malfunctioning. I don't recall how long its been occurring but at least for over a year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the service electronic error message illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted minutes later. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the dome light flickered intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. In addition, the doors failed to unlock and lock. The contact had to use the key to function the doors. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000. ...updated 12/06/16 the consumer stated the gauges were acting up again, but didn't lose power.
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 (TIPM) totally integrated power module and it will cost around $800 or more to replace. So I did some research and cannot believe how many people are having to pay this much money for a faulty part and from the sounds of it, im lucky to have the little problems I do. Reports of peoples vehicles stalling, not starting, airbags not deploying, etc.. How is this not a recall? Peoples lives could be at risk.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. When the contact entered the vehicle, there was condensation covering the inside of the front windshield. The contact researched and found information stating that water was entering the vehicle from the third brake light. Upon further investigation, the contact discovered six inches of standing water underneath the rear seat and the smell of mold inside the vehicle. In addition, the third brake light bulb was shattered. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 02/12/16 the vehicle was repaired.
Bought the pickup in January 2016 one previous owner everything original the passenger side headlight connector pin needs tightened constantly because the low beam high beam loses connection and won't come on unless you pull headlight and tighten the connector pins. It happens at various times in various situations while driving it will also flicker on and off. Parklight works fine. I don't know actual date because it is so frequently so the date is an estimate. The speed varies also first time I was at 65 on freeway.
The truck acts like it was restarted when im driving down road . The lights go out all the gages turn off and reset its not a good thing when u are driving at night. It has happened more then the one time on 01/09/2020 it has happened 3 times this month an be for that it would do it here and there. When I first purchased it the dealer had it every week for 3 months but it never did it for them but there should be some records of me having it in there. It would happen at different speeds anywhere from 30 MPH to 60 MPH
Related recalls
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.
Headlight complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2013 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the lights of the 2013 Ram 1500, 2% of the model year's 1,279 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ram 1500 headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-237 (turn signal, Jun 4, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ram 1500 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 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.