Is the 2013 Ram 1500 a bad year?
1,283 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 1500 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Ram 1500 are in line with other 1500 years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 92,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 643 (50%) | 54k–136k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 128 (10%) | 38k–114k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 79 (6%) | 27k–110k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 50 (4%) | 10k–103k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipers | 18 (1%) | 15k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 17 (1%) | 40k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 228 (18%) | 14k–77k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 94 (7%) | 35k–76k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 86 (7%) | 5k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 44 (3%) | 29k–79k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 40 (3%) | 29k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 37 (3%) | 10k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 31 (2%) | 21k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 15 (1%) | 31k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 92,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,283 complaints: 72 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 25 report an injury · 66 say the car was towed.
115 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Truck started tapping 4-5 weeks ago. I was advised that it was probably an exhaust manifold leak... To get it fixed at inspection.
I have a Dodge Ram 15000 crew cab laramie. Both tail lights are malfunctioning in the blinkers. When I turn the blinker on it blinks really fast and says the tail lights are bad and need to be replaced.
There is a electrical connector under the dash that comes loose.. The truck shuts down with no control. Will not start cant get out of park to be towed..
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 92,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Ram 1500: 12
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems. Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring. 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.
In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture. The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a software issue with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) module, the ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started. A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. 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.
The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 293
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
CEL (Check Engine Lamp) C006A-49 Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor Internal Electronic Failure And C10CC-00 ESC Sensors
Dual EVAP System Extreme Duty Vapor Canister Filter Kit Customers operating fleet or severe/extreme duty gasoline vehicles in continuous dusty driving…
Throttle Blade Icing Service Fix Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
Vehicle Rollaway
Software security vulnerability
Neighbouring years
2012 1500: 698 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2014 1500: 1,781 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 1500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 2500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Ram 1500 a bad year?
1,283 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 1500 years. At 92,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (643), engine (128), brakes (79), fuel system (50), visibility and wipers (18).
How many recalls does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?
12 recall campaigns list this model year: Latches and locks (NHTSA 19V-347), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-821), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-302), Equipment (NHTSA 16E041000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.