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#BS-2013-RAM150-7AE42013 Ram 1500Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 1,614 owners and 12 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 1,614 complaints, 108 crashes, 15 fires, and 12 recalls. Complaint rate is 4.3x the class average.
Top reported problems
gps uconnect malfunction
27 complaints • Severity 7.5/10
radio not working properly
22 complaints • Severity 7.6/10
power steering stopped working
21 complaints • Severity 9.2/10
various electrical issues
17 complaints • Severity 7.5/10
engine wont turn over will not start
8 complaints • Severity 7.8/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
633 owners reported steering issues — failures commonly reported around 60K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (230 reports) • Median: 60K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Steering (633 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2013 Ram 1500: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 39% of all reports filed for the 2013 Ram 1500, with 633 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 60,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 60K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2013 Ram 1500, with 219 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2013 Ram 1500, with 128 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2013 Ram 1500, with 93 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2013 Ram 1500. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (12 recalls)
PARKING BRAKE
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."
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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."
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."
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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.
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.
+ 7 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2013 Ram 1500 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★3 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (4)
2 investigations still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Vehicle Rollaway
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Software security vulnerability
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
STEERING
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The worst model year for the Ram 1500 is the 2014 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2013 Ram 1500 vs. Class Average (Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD)
This vehicle
1,614
Class avg
374
4.3x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical standard pickup trucks 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,614 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 12 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Ram 1500 Model Years
View all Ram 1500 years →2013 Ram 1500: Frequently Asked Questions
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,614 owner reports. Know before you buy.