2013 Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
17/100
#11 most-complained of 13 3500 years
The 2013 Ram 3500 ranks 11th of 13 model years with a complaint index of 17, making it one of the better years for this model. NHTSA lists 114 complaints, 16 recalls, 7 fires, and a median failure mileage of 37,650 miles, with Engine as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 114
- Recalls
- 16
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2013 Ram 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine41 (36%)
- Steering37 (32%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (23%)
- Fuel System20 (18%)
- Electrical System17 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (10%)
- Other8 (7%)
- Brakes6 (5%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
What owners report
- Engine compartments have caught fire, with smoke reported under the hood and in one case a truck completely burned.
- Steering has locked up at highway speed, with emergency flashers failing at the same time as the loss of control.
- Alternators have smoked or caught fire after being inspected under a prior recall instead of replaced, sometimes preceded by a low battery warning.
- Wheels have separated from the axle while driving, with the ABS light illuminating and the vehicle shaking violently beforehand.
- Tie rod ends previously addressed by recall have broken into two pieces at the adjustment sleeve while driving.
- Diesel fuel odor has entered the cabin intermittently at highway speed when the fresh air control was activated.
2013 Ram 3500 recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V398000May 27, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires447,985 vehicles
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 stud and possible wheel separation.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
- 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.
- NHTSA 19V021000Jan 25, 2019Steering795,575 vehicles
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.
Risk: A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.
2013 compared with other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ram 3500 a good year to buy?
- Relative to other Ram 3500 model years, 2013 ranks 11th out of 13 with a complaint index of 17, which NHTSA data classifies as one of the better years. It still carries 16 recalls and 114 complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ram 3500?
- Engine complaints make up 36% of reports, followed by Steering at 32% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 23%. Fuel System issues account for 18% of complaints.
- Does the 2013 Ram 3500 have a steering recall?
- Yes. Recall 19V021000 covers 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and related models for an outboard steering linkage jam nut that may loosen, allowing the drag link to separate.
- How many fires have been reported for the 2013 Ram 3500?
- NHTSA complaint data lists 7 fires for the 2013 Ram 3500, along with 3 crashes, 2 injuries, and 1 death.
- At what mileage do 2013 Ram 3500 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 37,650 miles, though Fuel System issues had a lower median of 8,606 miles and Suspension issues a higher median of 53,000 miles.