2013 Ram 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (613) · Electrical System (96) · Engine (92)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ram 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
609 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (12)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:tailgate:latch 2019-05-09 · campaign 19V347000 · 1,103,209 vehicles
Defect: 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 f
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift 2017-12-20 · campaign 17V821000 · 1,482,874 vehicles
Defect: 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 op
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Air Bags:side/Window:curtain 2017-05-09 · campaign 17V302000 · 1,021,279 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.
Equipment 2016-05-16 · campaign 16E041000 · 345 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S30.
Equipment:electrical:radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 2015-07-23 · campaign 15V461000 · 1,416,903 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle tha
Air Bags:frontal 2015-07-22 · campaign 15V459000 · 1,059,444 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
Seat Belts 2015-07-22 · campaign 15V460000 · 667,441 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2013-12-06 · campaign 13V610000 · 4,194 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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'.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's recall number is N65.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2013-07-02 · campaign 13V287000 · 45,896 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N37.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal 2013-06-04 · campaign 13V237000 · 17,411 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N35.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2013-05-07 · campaign 13V177000 · 498 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N25.
Parking Brake 2013-04-03 · campaign 13V128000 · 6,574 vehicles
Defect: 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. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the parking brake performance requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N22.
Service bulletins (526)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-06-12 · S1623000028 Rev. K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
outside power fold rearview mirror noise or loose at pivot. mirror contacts door window glass in the folded position.
Structure:body 2026-06-05 · S1623000028 REV.J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
outside power fold rearview mirror noise or loose at pivot. mirror contacts door window glass in the folded position.
Structure:body 2026-05-29 · S1623000028 REV.I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
outside power fold rearview mirror noise or loose at pivot. mirror contacts door window glass in the folded position.
Structure:body 2026-04-30 · S2623000032 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
squeak or squawk noise coming from either side door of the vehicle, it could be just one door or more. the noise can be present in either the upper or the lower hinge.
Structure:body 2026-04-01 · S1623000028 REV.H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
outside power fold rearview mirror noise or loose at pivot. mirror contacts door window glass in the folded position.
Structure:body 2025-08-16 · 31-001-25 REV. B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
aluminum body panel corrosion repair aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.
Showing the 6 most recent of 526 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-21 · Steering · 135,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. the contact stated that while driving 5 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. the steering failure warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with electronic rack and pinion failure. the contact was inform…”
2026-10-21 · Steering · 73,661 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an unknown steering message displayed. due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. the contact was informed that the steering module was inoperable and needed to be replaced. upon investigation, the cont…”
2026-10-09 · Steering“power steering is intermittently working. my truck barely made it to the side of the road because it was so hard to steer. if there was more traffic at the time i don't think i would have made it. …”
2026-10-07 · Steering · 196,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. the contact stated that while driving 5 mph and attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. additionally, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with electronic power steering…”
2026-09-26 · Steering“power steering. while driving lost all control of the power steering. mechanic said it's a fault in the internal of the electronic power steering.…”
2026-09-17 · Steering“we were going to the beach a couple of days ago. while i was driving down the highway the power steering went out. all of a sudden i had no control over the steering. i was fortunate enough that the person on the right side of me was alert enough to recognize that something wrong was happening as i quickly veered into his lane. i was able to slo…”
2026-09-17 · Steering“the contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that one of the brake calipers was locking up, causing the vehicle to veer from side to side while accelerating. the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where a technician diagnosed the vehicle with a seized brake cal…”
2026-09-17 · Steering“1. electric power steering rack and pinion assermbly quit working. turning into my drive way to park and the power steering completely quit working causing me to almost run into the side of our new ( 1 month 2026 kia ) before i could get my 2013 1500 stopped. 2.yes it is avaible for inspection. 3. i have not taken it to anyone, i have been a mechan…”
2026-09-09 · Steering“while making a left turn the steering wheel jerked slightly and vehicle suddenly became difficult to steer. noted a red flashing steering wheel icon with a red flashing exclamation mark icon on the instrument panel. an accident was narrowly avoided only due to the strength of the driver to manually turn the vehicle sufficiently to avoid collision. …”
2026-09-09 · Steering“no warnings for power steering going out it just completely went out. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.