2013 Ram 1500: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 1,255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 12 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
1,255
Complaints
12
Recalls
72
Crash reports
10
Fire reports
37
Injuries
51.3
Severity index
Severity index 51.3 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 145 2013 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2013 Ram 1500 ranks 97 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 33% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 620 | 49.4% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 225 | 17.9% |
| ENGINE | 122 | 9.7% |
| AIR BAGS | 94 | 7.5% |
| POWER TRAIN | 86 | 6.9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 77 | 6.1% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 50 | 4.0% |
| SUSPENSION | 44 | 3.5% |
The single most-reported system is STEERING, cited in 620 of 1,255 complaints (49.4%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 58 |
| 2015 | 81 |
| 2016 | 68 |
| 2017 | 51 |
| 2018 | 70 |
| 2019 | 107 |
| 2020 | 71 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2023 | 176 |
| 2024 | 224 |
| 2025 | 146 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 70 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 3.2x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V347000 | 09/05/2019 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH | 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 f |
| 17V821000 | 20/12/2017 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 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 |
| 17V302000 | 09/05/2017 | AIR BAGS | 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 Restrain |
| 15V459000 | 22/07/2015 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 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 h |
| 13V287000 | 02/07/2013 | 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 ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started. |
| 13V610000 | 06/12/2013 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 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. |
| 15V461000 | 23/07/2015 | EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 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 affecte |
| 13V237000 | 04/06/2013 | 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 notific |
| 15V460000 | 22/07/2015 | 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. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable cu |
| 16E041000 | 16/05/2016 | 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. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat |
| 13V177000 | 07/05/2013 | 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 valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater c |
| 13V128000 | 03/04/2013 | 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 incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. Thus, these vehicles fail to c |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.