CarModelProblems.com

2013 Ram 1500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 7.9× the fleet median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
1,251Complaints
12Recalls
72Crashes
10Fires
37Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Steering (48.8% of complaints) — is the subject of an open NHTSA investigation (RQ23003, opened Aug 2023).

Steering complaints here are 7.9× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering610 · 48.8%Under investigationRQ23003
Electrical System216 · 17.3%Investigation closedRQ15004 → recall 15V508000
Engine122 · 9.8%RecalledRecall 13V177000
Air Bags93 · 7.4%RecalledRecall 17V302000 · Recall 15V459000
Power Train84 · 6.7%RecalledRecall 17V821000 · Recall 13V610000
Service Brakes66 · 5.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING610 · 48.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM216 · 17.3%
ENGINE122 · 9.8%
AIR BAGS93 · 7.4%
POWER TRAIN84 · 6.7%
SERVICE BRAKES66 · 5.3%
Unspecified / other50 · 4%
SUSPENSION44 · 3.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL36 · 2.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM34 · 2.7%

Percentages are the share of the 1,251 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 12 campaigns

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

NHTSA campaign 19V347000 · 2019 · reported 05/09/2019

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

NHTSA campaign 17V821000 · 2017 · reported 12/20/2017

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 17V302000 · 2017 · reported 05/09/2017

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 15V459000 · 2015 · reported 07/22/2015

This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

NHTSA campaign 13V287000 · 2013 · reported 07/02/2013

A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 13V610000 · 2013 · reported 12/06/2013

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'. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

NHTSA campaign 15V461000 · 2015 · reported 07/23/2015

Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

NHTSA campaign 13V237000 · 2013 · reported 06/04/2013

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts

NHTSA campaign 15V460000 · 2015 · reported 07/22/2015

Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 16E041000 · 2016 · reported 05/16/2016

If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 13V177000 · 2013 · reported 05/07/2013

Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Parking Brake

NHTSA campaign 13V128000 · 2013 · reported 04/03/2013

If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“HAD TO START BRAKING QUICKLY AND THE SHAKING WHAT THE DEALER NOW TELLS ME IS FROM WARPED ROTORS CREATED A VERY UNSAFE FEELING AND HAS…”NHTSA complaint 10745393 — filed 07/31/2015 · STEERING
“ON THE INCIDENT DATE I EXPERIENCED MY VEHICLE DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT IN STEERING. I CHECKED MY TIRE PRESSURE WHICH CHECKED OUT. I THEN HAD…”NHTSA complaint 10744494 — filed 07/28/2015 · STEERING
“THERE IS A LOUD "CLICK" NOISE INSIDE OF THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. IT OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS THE WHEEL COMPLETELY TURNED TO ONE…”NHTSA complaint 10743687 — filed 07/27/2015 · STEERING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

4520137311220159876201793133201993522021672092023269176202586

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ram 1500?

Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 610 of 1,251 NHTSA complaints (48.8%), followed by electrical system (216), engine (122), air bags (93). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?

1,251 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 72 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 37 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2013 Ram 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V347000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2013 Ram 1500's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. NHTSA has an open investigation (RQ23003) into steering that has not led to a recall. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.