YearToAvoid

2013 Ram 1500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 86 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Ram 1500, 7% of that year's 1,276 total complaints, with 18 crashes and 2 injuries linked to this area. Median mileage at failure was 23,806.5 miles. A 2013 transmission recall (13V610000) covers AWD 8HP45 transmissions in some 2013 Ram 1500 4x4 trucks.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
86
7% of 1,276
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
23,807 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the truck rolling away or shifting out of park on its own while unattended, sometimes striking trees, poles, or parked vehicles.
  • Several complaints describe the vehicle rolling backward down an incline or driveway after being placed in park, leading to crashes.
  • One owner reported the rotary shifter engaging into gear by itself after the truck sat running and unattended for about twenty minutes, causing it to crash into a house.
  • Some owners noted the vehicle moved forward or reversed independently even on level ground, without anyone in the driver's seat.
  • In at least one case the vehicle continued moving after the driver attempted to brake, with the engine revving and the truck still advancing into other vehicles.

When 2013 Ram 1500 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 24, 2013, latest Jul 7, 2026.

2013 Ram 1500 transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter62013 Q12014 Q32016 Q12017 Q22018 Q32020 Q12023 Q32025 Q3
86 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2014 Q1 (6).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Ram 1500

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 13V610000Dec 6, 2013Transmission & Powertrain4,194 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201386 (7%)
  2. 2014191 (11%)
  3. 2015225 (16%)
  4. 2016202 (13%)
  5. 201798 (11%)
  6. 201859 (9%)
  7. 2019205 (14%)
  8. 202062 (10%)
  9. 202198 (14%)
  10. 2022101 (17%)
  11. 202328 (14%)
  12. 202414 (19%)
  13. 202547 (13%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 86 complaints in the Transmission & Powertrain area for the 2013 Ram 1500, which is 7% of the 1,276 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2013 Ram 1500?
Yes. Recall 13V610000 covers 2013 Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles with ZF 8HP45 all-wheel-drive transmissions, and a later recall, 17V821000, also touches transmission-related components on Ram 1500 trucks.
What is the most common transmission problem reported on the 2013 Ram 1500?
Owners most often describe the truck shifting out of park on its own and rolling away unattended, sometimes striking objects, trees, or other vehicles.
At what mileage do these transmission problems typically show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 23,806.5 miles for complaints filed in this area.
Were there any injuries or crashes linked to these transmission complaints?
NHTSA data tied to this area for the 2013 Ram 1500 shows 18 crashes and 2 injuries.

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.