2013 RAM 1500 Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 RAM 1500. Part of Generation 4 — 2009–2018.

20102014
Complaints
1,540
Crashes
103
Fires
15
Injuries
51
Fatalities
Recalls
11

Worst 2013 RAM 1500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1584 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:97,000 mi
Crash-related:21
#2211 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:44,726 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:5
#3122 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:72,718 mi
Crash-related:5
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 RAM 1500.

Steering Defects
584
complaints
Crashes
21
Fires
Avg Miles
97,000
Electrical Faults
211
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
5
Avg Miles
44,726
Engine Problems
122
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Avg Miles
72,718
Airbags
93
complaints
Crashes
21
Fires
Avg Miles
58,524
Transmission / Drivetrain
81
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
Avg Miles
38,725
Brakes
63
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,979
Suspension Failures
43
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
59,063
Unintended Acceleration
35
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
36,455
Body Structure
34
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
40,058
Fuel System
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
52,620
Headlight/Taillight Failures
28
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,904
Electronic Stability Control
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
70,922
Seat Belt Issues
15
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
60,857
Wipers & Visibility
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
82,669
Gasoline Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
40,363
Wheel Issues
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
90,139
Hydraulic Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
106,709
Seat-Related Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
39,040
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
108,540
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
27,738
Steering:Rack And Pinion
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
65,397
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,425
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
21,390
Other Equipment
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 RAM 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 RAM 1500

11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~6,825,723 vehicles.

19V347000Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
~1,103,209 affected

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.

17V821000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
~1,482,874 affected

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.

17V302000Air Bags:side/window:curtain · Airbags
~1,021,279 affected

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.

15V461000Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
~1,416,903 affected

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.

15V459000Air Bags:frontal
~1,059,444 affected

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.

15V460000Seat Belts · Air Bags:side/window
~667,441 affected

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.

13V610000Automatic Transmission
~4,194 affected

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.

13V287000Electronic Stability Control
~45,896 affected

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.

13V237000Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
~17,411 affected

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."

13V177000Engine & Cooling
~498 affected

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."

+ 1 more recalls

Other RAM 1500 Years

2013 RAM 1500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 RAM 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2013 RAM 1500 has 1,540 NHTSA complaints, 103 crash-related, and 11 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 584 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 RAM 1500?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (584 complaints, avg 97,000 mi); Electrical Faults (211 complaints, avg 44,726 mi); Engine Problems (122 complaints, avg 72,718 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 RAM 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,026 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 RAM 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 RAM 1500 include 103 crash-related reports, 15 fire reports, 51 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 RAM 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 6,825,723 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 RAM 1500?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full RAM 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2013 RAM 1500

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