YearToAvoid

2013 Ram 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

58/100

#6 most-complained of 13 1500 years

The 2013 Ram 1500 has a Complaint Index of 58, ranking 6th worst out of 13 model years, with a Caution verdict. Steering complaints dominate at 50% of the 1,276 reports, and 11 recalls have been issued.

Complaints
1,276
Recalls
11
Crashes / fires
72 / 10
Injuries / deaths
37 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
17
15 city / 21 hwy

Top 2013 Ram 1500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering637 (50%)
  2. Electrical System240 (19%)
  3. Engine165 (13%)
  4. Airbags94 (7%)
  5. Brakes93 (7%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain86 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires58 (5%)
  8. Other56 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body52 (4%)
  10. Fuel System50 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the rear axle failing at highway speed (around 65 mph), causing loss of control and crashes.
  • Some vehicles caught fire under the dashboard while parked, later diagnosed as caused by the body control module.
  • Drivers describe the engine dying or shutting down without warning at freeway speeds, sometimes repeatedly after dealer visits.
  • Several owners report airbags failing to deploy in side-impact and head-on crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
  • Owners describe sudden loss of traction and braking while driving in rain, leading to hydroplaning and collisions.
  • One owner reported flames shooting from both sides of the vehicle while driving at about 30 mph, with smoke filling the cab.
2013 Ram 1500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter1212013 Q12014 Q42016 Q32018 Q22020 Q12021 Q42023 Q32025 Q2
1573 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q3 (121).

2013 Ram 1500 recalls

11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V347000May 9, 2019Structure & Body1,103,209 vehicles

    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 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.

    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.

    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. 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.

  2. NHTSA 17V821000Dec 20, 2017Transmission & Powertrain1,482,874 vehicles

    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 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.

    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.

    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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.

  3. NHTSA 17V302000May 9, 2017Airbags1,021,279 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window:curtain

    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.

    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.

See all 11 recalls for the 2013 Ram 1500 →

2013 Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Gasoline or E85
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other 1500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Caution581,2761117
2014Avoid921,7661619
2015Avoid751,4481719.5

All Ram 1500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ram 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Ram 1500 has a Complaint Index of 58, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 6th worst among the 13 model years covered.
What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Ram 1500?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 637 of 1,276 complaints (50%), with a median failure mileage of 91,040 miles. Steering-related issues were also tied to 21 crashes.
Does the 2013 Ram 1500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 Ram 1500, covering areas including airbags, transmission and powertrain, brakes, and structure and body. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2013 Ram 1500 compare to other Ram 1500 years?
The 2013 model's Complaint Index of 58 is lower than 2014 (92), 2015 (75), 2016 (83), and 2019 (100), all rated Avoid, but higher than 2018, 2020-2024, which rate Good or Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Ram 1500?
The 2013 Ram 1500 gets an EPA-rated 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.