2013 Ram 1500 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 240 Electrical System complaints for the 2013 Ram 1500, 19% of that year's 1,276 total complaints. Owners reported 6 fires and 3 crashes tied to this system, with a median failure mileage of 37,100. One related recall (13V237000) covers premium tail lamp turn-signal software.
- Electrical System complaints
- 240
- 19% of 1,276
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 6
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 37,100 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Some trucks reportedly burst into flames while driving or parked, with smoke and flames coming through the dash or from under the body.
- Owners describe the ignition switch failing or the key sticking in the switch, sometimes triggering electrical failure and fire.
- The infotainment/radio display reportedly goes blank or burns out, in one case tied to a USB port issue during a recall repair.
- Some owners report a false 'vehicle not in park' warning message appearing while driving.
- A logic-circuit design issue reportedly causes a delay of about one second between pressing the horn and the horn sounding.
- Owners describe sudden no-start conditions with false fuel cap warnings and repeated clicking or knocking noises.
When 2013 Ram 1500 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 2, 2013, latest Aug 13, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2013 Ram 1500
- NHTSA 13V237000Jun 4, 2013Electrical System17,411 vehicles
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 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."
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.
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's recall campaign number is N35.
Electrical System complaints by 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA lists 240 Electrical System complaints for the 2013 Ram 1500, which is 19% of the 1,276 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2013 Ram 1500?
- Yes. Recall campaign 13V237000, reported June 4, 2013, covers a Central Body Controller software issue affecting turn signal operation on trucks with optional premium tail lamps. The remedy is a free software reprogram by dealers.
- Did the 2013 Ram 1500 electrical issues cause fires or crashes?
- NHTSA data tied to this component shows 6 fires, 3 crashes, and 1 injury reported for the 2013 Ram 1500.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2013 Ram 1500?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on the 2013 Ram 1500 is 37,100 miles.