2013 Ram 1500 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2013 Ram 1500 has 1,276 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 58 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most 1500 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 65. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Latch, Column shifter, and Air bags.

Complaints

1,276

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (637 of 1,276), then Electrical system (227) and Engine (123). Those filings include 72 that report a crash, 10 that report a fire, and 25 that report an injury.

Next to 2014

The 2014 1500 has 1,767 complaints, 91 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Ram 1500. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (12)

Recall latches, locks, and linkages, tailgate, latch 2019-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 19V347000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shifter 2017-12-20 · NHTSA campaign 17V821000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Air bags 2017-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 17V302000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Equipment 2016-05-16 · NHTSA campaign 16E041000

Summary 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 thorax airbags.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S30.

Recall equipment, electrical, radio 2015-07-23 · NHTSA campaign 15V461000

Summary 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 affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.

Remedy Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.

Recall air bags, frontal 2015-07-22 · NHTSA campaign 15V459000

Summary 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 harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.

Recall Seat belts 2015-07-22 · NHTSA campaign 15V460000

Summary 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 curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2013-12-06 · NHTSA campaign 13V610000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Electronic stability control (ESC) 2013-07-02 · NHTSA campaign 13V287000

Summary Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 4x4 trucks manufactured June 26, 2012, through February 5, 2013. Due to a software issue with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) module, the ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESC module software, free of charge. The recall began on September 11, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N37.

Recall exterior lighting, turn signal 2013-06-04 · NHTSA campaign 13V237000

Summary 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."

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.

Recall Engine and engine cooling 2013-05-07 · NHTSA campaign 13V177000

Summary Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured manufactured June 25, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N25.

Recall Parking brake 2013-04-03 · NHTSA campaign 13V128000

Summary Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles manufactured December 17, 2012, through January 22, 2013. The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the parking brake performance requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reset the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N22.

Complaints by component (1276 total)

Steering

637

Electrical system

227

Engine

123

Air bags

Powertrain

Service brakes

Suspension

Structure

Speed control

Fuel and propulsion system

Exterior lighting

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Fuel system, gasoline

Seat belts

Visibility and wipers

Wheels

Hydraulic brakes

Engine and engine cooling

Latches, locks, and linkages

Forward collision avoidance

Equipment

Seats

Tires

Visibility

Air brakes

Lane departure

Interior lighting

Traction control

Show 20 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"1. Electric Power steering Rack and Pinion assermbly quit working. Turning into my drive way to park and the power steering completely quit working causing me to almost run into the side of our new ( 1 month 2026 KIA )…"
Steering · filed 2026-09-17
"We were going to the beach a couple of days ago. While I was driving down the highway the power steering went out. All of a sudden I had no control over the steering. I was fortunate enough that the person on the right…"
Steering · filed 2026-09-17
"The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that one of the brake calipers was locking up, causing the vehicle to veer from side to side…"
Steering · filed 2026-09-17
"While making a left turn the steering wheel jerked slightly and vehicle suddenly became difficult to steer. Noted a red flashing steering wheel icon with a red flashing exclamation mark icon on the instrument panel. An…"
Steering · filed 2026-09-09
"Intermittent loss of power stering"
Steering · filed 2026-09-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2013 Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 2WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2013 Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars
2013 Ram 1500 Regular PU/RC 2WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2013 Ram 1500 Regular PU/RC 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
1500 two-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	14	20	16 MPG	$4600
1500 two-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$3250
1500 two-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$4350
1500 two-wheel drive	4.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	14	20	16 MPG	$4050
1500 two-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$3250
1500 four-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Four-wheel drive	13	19	15 MPG	$4950
1500 four-wheel drive	4.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Four-wheel drive	14	19	16 MPG	$4050
1500 four-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	16	23	19 MPG	$3400
1500 four-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$4350
1500 HFE two-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	18	25	21 MPG	$3100

Specs and fitment

DS generation (fourth gen), 2013–2018

Body styles Pickup

Oil FCA MS-6395 5W-20 (Pentastar V6; see manual for HEMI/diesel) , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 275/60R20, 265/70R17, 285/45R22, 285/70R17 (trim dependent)

Towing capacity 10,620 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Owner complaints for mid-generation years (especially 2014) concentrate on steering. Safety recall 15V-459 covers certain 2012-2014 Ram 1500 trucks among other Rams with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center: the steering-wheel wiring harness can rub the driver air-bag retainer spring and short so the frontal air bag may deploy unexpectedly; dealers inspect, secure the harness, and add protective caps. Safety recall 17V-302 covers certain 2013-2016 Ram 1500 trucks: off-road driving or debris can fault the Occupant Restraint Controller so rollover curtain air bags and pretensioners will not deploy; dealers update ORC software. Safety recall 20V-475 (later addressed again under 23V-411) covers certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 trucks with the 3.0L diesel whose crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate and stall the engine; dealers update powertrain control module software. Those diesel campaigns apply only to EcoDiesel-equipped trucks, not the gasoline majority.

Compare

Next year 2014 Ram 1500 See every Ram 1500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ram 1500 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2013 Ram 1500?

Is the 2013 Ram 1500 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2014 1500 has 1,767 complaints, 91 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Ram 1500 been recalled?

The 2013 Ram 1500 has 12 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Ram 1500?

Owners have filed 1276 complaints about the 2013 Ram 1500 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Ram 1500 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Ram 1500 is 17.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Ram 1500 use?

FCA MS-6395 5W-20 (Pentastar V6; see manual for HEMI/diesel)

What does NHTSA recall 15V-459 cover on the Ram 1500?

Safety recall 15V-459 covers certain 2012-2014 Ram 1500 trucks among other Rams with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center: the steering-wheel wiring harness can rub the driver air-bag retainer spring and short so the frontal air bag may deploy unexpectedly; dealers…

What generation is the 2014 Ram 1500?

DS generation (fourth gen) (2013-2018).