2013 Ram 1500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2013 Ram 1500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ram 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2013 highlighted. 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 1250 complaints 2013 2014: 1731 complaints 2015: 1425 complaints 2015 2016: 1500 complaints 2017: 858 complaints 2018: 640 complaints 2018 2019: 1445 complaints 2020: 607 complaints 2021: 654 complaints 2021 2022: 582 complaints 2023: 182 complaints 2024: 68 complaints 2024 2025: 288 complaints 2026: 57 complaints 2026
2013: 1250 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
200937
20100
20110
20120
20131250
20141731
20151425
20161500
2017858
2018640
20191445
2020607
2021654
2022582
2023182
202468
2025288
202657

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 49%

49% of complaints: steering — 609 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 216 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231011

DRIVING VEHICLE ON PAVED ROADWAY TRAVELING APPX 30 MPH. VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. WITNESS SAID FLAMES SHOT OUT BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE BODY. LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS AROUND THE VEHICLE AS I PULLED OFF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140123

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 122 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231011

AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 93 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN PASSEAT IS DECLINE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COME ON,HAVE AIRBAG SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171224

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 84 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED OVER THE CONTACT'S FOOT, CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, AND STRUCK A CONCRETE PILLAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171221

SAFETY TIMELINE

2013 — complaint volume: 1250
R 20130422 — 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 incorrec

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.

Campaign 13V128000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130625 — 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 val

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. Owners may contact Chry

Campaign 13V177000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130627 — exterior lighting

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 vehi

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. Chrysler'

Campaign 13V237000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130911 — 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

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. Chrysler's recal

Campaign 13V287000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140331 — power train

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. I

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 1-800-853-140

Campaign 13V610000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150724 — RQ (closed 20160105)

Software security vulnerability

R 20150825 — equipment

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...

Remedy: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge.

Campaign 15V461000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150908 — air bags, 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.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 15V460000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150918 — air bags

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. These repairs will be done free of charge.

Campaign 15V459000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160701 — equipment

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16E041000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20161216 — PE (closed 20240125)

Vehicle Rollaway

R 20170626 — air bags

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and 2014-2016 Ram 3500 vehicles.

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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.

Campaign 17V302000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180226 — power train

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...

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 17V821000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190523 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

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.

Campaign 19V347000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230804 — RQ (open)

Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering

I 20250703 — RQ (open)

Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2013 Ram 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (609 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (216 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (122 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V128000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V177000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V237000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V287000 (electronic stability control (esc)) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V610000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V461000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V460000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V459000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16E041000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V302000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V821000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V347000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2026 ▲ 2024

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2016 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2013 Ram 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Ram 1500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ram 1500?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.