2013 Ram 3500: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 18 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
114
Complaints
18
Recalls
3
Crash reports
7
Fire reports
2
Injuries
96.5
Severity index
Severity index 96.5 - High. 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 3500 ranks 35 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 76% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 37 | 32.5% |
| ENGINE | 27 | 23.7% |
| SUSPENSION | 18 | 15.8% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 17 | 14.9% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 15 | 13.2% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 15 | 13.2% |
| POWER TRAIN | 11 | 9.6% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8 | 7.0% |
The single most-reported system is STEERING, cited in 37 of 114 complaints (32.5%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V021000 | 25/01/2019 | STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate. |
| 18E096000 | 16/10/2018 | STEERING:LINKAGES | Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD trucks. Improper installation and machining of the original |
| 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 |
| 21V398000 | 27/05/2021 | WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel s |
| 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 |
| 17V824000 | 21/12/2017 | EQUIPMENT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. Th |
| 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 |
| 17V499000 | 10/08/2017 | WHEELS | Streetcar ORV LLC, dba American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks, modified by AEV to be equipped with cast aluminum Katla 8.5" road wheels. The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss. |
| 17V562000 | 12/09/2017 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant. |
| 16V739000 | 13/10/2016 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 15V541000 | 26/08/2015 | STEERING | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ram 2500 trucks and 2013-2014 Ram 3500 trucks and cab chassis manufactured October 9, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have inadequate welds securing the front track bar frame brackets, which may result |
| 14V635000 | 08/10/2014 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat. |
| 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 |
| 13V240000 | 04/06/2013 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks manufactured January 7, 2013, through February 28, 2013 and equipped with optional premium headlamps. The headlamp shutters may function improperly when in high-beam mode. Thus, these vehicles fail to confor |
| 13V122000 | 03/04/2013 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 6, 2013. The engine cover may trap an excessive amount of heat under the cover. |
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.