2013 Ram 1500 Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2013 Ram 1500, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Ram 1500, 2012 to 2018 model years
Photo: Oggy81, CC0
How the 2013 compares

About average for the 1500

Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical 1500 year. The main thing to watch is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 92,000 miles.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other 1500 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 1,283 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ram 1500. The most reported problem area is the steering (643, 50% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 5th of 13 1500 years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 12 recalls.

Complaints1,283filed with NHTSA
Recalls12for this model year
Crashes7237 injuries reported
Fires10reported in complaints

7 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

Own one?

Get recall alerts for your 2013 1500

Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.

Add it to My Garage
Shopping for one?

Start a free car search

Tell us what you want in a 2013 1500 and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.

Start my car search

Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Ram 1500 before you buy.

Steering

643 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 92,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving my truck, on a public roadway, I had a sudden, and complete lose of steering. A service power steering light and warning showed up on the dash. The vehicle cannot steer at all. Prior to this incident, there was no sign of failure or any warning lights.Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 73,661 miles

Electrical system

228 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

i was driving and the headlights dimmed and went out, almost causing accident. I brought it to my mechanic and at [XXX] it says the alternator on your vehicle may experience a rapid alternator failure due to diode thermal fatigue. Variability in the failure mode ranges from no output, reduced output, and/or a fully shorted to ground…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to check the Carfax report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 136,000, and at the time of reviewing the Carfax, it was discovered that the mileage…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 220,000 miles

Engine and cooling

130 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Noticed a tick from engine. The noise kept getting worse and worse. I was driving on beltway when engine lost power out of nowhereOwner complaint, filed 2024
Exhaust bolts at rear of exhaust manifolds spontaneously broke. This appears to be a well known issue with the 5.7L Hemi engines. Apparently the exhaust manifolds warp and the force is enough to break the bolts holding the manifold to the cylinder head. This manifests as a ticking sound when the vehicle is started, exhaust gas containing…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Air bags

94 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

My vechile service airbag system light keep coming on when driving. I check my my storage memory on the cluster and there is nothing stored. I took it to auto zone where they hook up the computer and everything check out good. they said check to see if there a recall on it since everything check out and it is a saftely issue.Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Brakes and stability control

93 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

A ton of 2013 ram 1500’s are having ABS module problems or needing repairs. Very unsafe to travel without it working properly. Unable to get a new part because Mopar discontinued making them. For what reason? I think this is the exact reason. Something needs to be done about it. To many reports of ABS modules being broken or not working/…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability/traction control system on my 2013 Ram 1500 have malfunctioned. The Serious incident occurred when another vehicle pulled out in front of me and I had to brake hard. Dash immediately displayed the ABS and brake warning lights, The normal hydraulic brakes operated, but ABS did…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission and drivetrain

86 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train) was performed on the vehicle, the vehicle started experiencing transmission failure. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal loud clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 252,486 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 8 MPH and making a right turn, the contact heard a loud snapping sound coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact steered the vehicle into a parking lot and became aware that the passenger’s side tire was flat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 48,000 miles

Fuel system

50 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was at a stoplight, the fuel tank detached. The driver was able to reconnect the tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there was no…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 150,000 miles
The front gas tank stap bracket on the frame rusted through while driving. The gas tank was just inches from the road and the strap was rubbing against the driveshaft.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Body, doors and structure

46 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (34).

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was alerted today November 2025 that the fuel tank bracket support strap was unable to be reattached to the frame due to a rusted frame body where it was supposed to attach to. Luckily, it didn't come completely off and allow the fuel tank to drop to the ground while I was driving with my 2 young children in the truck causing a massive…Owner complaint, filed 2025
2013 Ram 1500 truck has corroded fuel tank strap, which could lead to a fuel leak or fire. Dealer discovered while preformed oil change service.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Lights, wipers and visibility

46 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The heat works on the passenger side but not the drivers side. This makes it impossible to see on cold days because the defrost will not work. It is in the shop now. They have changed actuators, blend doors, heater core and still can't find the issue. When checking the internet, I see that this is a common problem with Dodge, Ram…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Suspension

44 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Ram has a known issue with the air suspension giving out which can cause the lights to shine up in the air or lower on the pavement. This can also lead to one side dipping or leaning which makes driving difficult at best. It’s such a known problem many individuals opt to delete the suspension and go with one of the many after market…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The air suspension in my Ram 1500 fails suddenly without notice. When the air suspension fails, the truck becomes very unsafe to drive. It is difficult to keep the truck on the road and it happens without warning. Sometimes it corrects on its own when I restart, other times I can make it work for a while by disconnecting the battery.…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Cruise control and acceleration

37 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 19,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving on Monday Nov. 14th. and I was at a complete stop and started to turn left. As I was accelerating and turning left... the steering wheel locked up and I could not turn the wheel left or right. I got home safely, and I looked online and noticed there is a current recall identical or very similar to what happened to me. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. While driving 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the cruise control disengaged without warning. The dealer was not notified. The [VIN] was called and the contact was waiting for a supervisor to call him back. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 48,000.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 48,000 miles

Seats and seat belts

19 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was rear ended at a dead stop. Upon impact my seat(drivers) slid all the way back causing me to not keep my foot on or reach the break causing me to roll forward and hit the person in front of me.Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 34,000 miles
My seat belt on the driver side will not fasten. It won't go all the way in even if I press the release button it does not click to locked it just comes right out.Owner complaint, filed 2015

Wheels and tires

18 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

My tpms indicator dash light continues to illuminate and then turn themselves off at their own choosing. I confirmed my tire pressure readings are accurate with a pressure gauge and my tire pressure is below the tire or vehicle door frame recommended tire air pressure. There is no bearing on whether or not the ambient air [VIN] is above…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 128,000 miles
The spare tire mount wore out at 91k miles. Mopar refuses to repair the item despite the fact that they acknowledge it is both a safety hazard and a non-wearable item.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 91,174 miles

Driver assist systems

9 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (6).

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am receiving code C2200, and the ABS, brake, lights on confirmed by my local Jeep, Dodge, Ram dealership. The dealership wants to sell me aftermarket ABS module telling me it's a 50/50 chance of it working with electronic flush. All other ABS modules are on backorder with the current safety recall for 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500's.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Dash light came on for ABS. Took my truck to a Dodge Dealership to be repaired plus other non urgent work to be done. On my way to taking it to the Dealership, I started experiencing issues with braking and right before I arrived, braking meant pushing the brake pedal all the way to the floor, it also felt delayed. While checking in my…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Ram 1500 complaints by year

Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2013 full-size trucks

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2013 Ram 1500About average12Steering
2013 Ford F-150Among the worst years3Transmission and drivetrain
2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500One of the better years5Air bags
2013 GMC Sierra 1500One of the better years6Air bags
Compare side by side

2013 Ram 1500 recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2013 Ram 1500, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Doors, hood and latches

May 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V347000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Transmission and drivetrain Column shift

Dec 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V821000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Air bags

May 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V302000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Equipment

May 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16E041000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Equipment Radio / tape deck / cd etc.

Jul 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V461000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Air bags

Jul 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V459000
Risk
This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness.
Full recall summary

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.

Seat belts

Jul 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V460000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Transmission and drivetrain

Dec 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V610000
Risk
The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

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.

Stability control

Jul 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V287000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Lights Turn signal

Jun 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V237000
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.
Full recall summary

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."

Engine and cooling

May 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V177000
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.
Full recall summary

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."

Parking brake

Apr 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V128000
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.
Full recall summary

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."

2013 Ram 1500 questions

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

The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Ram 1500 are the steering (643 complaints), the electrical system (228 complaints) and the engine and cooling (130 complaints).

Is the 2013 Ram 1500 a good year to buy?

About average for the 1500. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical 1500 year. The main thing to watch is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 92,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other 1500 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?

NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2013 Ram 1500. The most recent, from May 2019, covers the doors, hood and latches. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2013 Ram 1500 problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 92,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 37,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Ram 1500 years should I avoid?

The 1500 years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2014. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

Looking at a 2013 Ram 1500?

We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.

See Our Services
Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.