Is the 2013 Ram 2500 a bad year?
178 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 47, 2.8× a quiet 2500 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 18k–64k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 2500 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 38,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 47 (26%) | 18k–64k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 41 (23%) | 12k–85k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 31 (17%) | 22k–48k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 30 (17%) | 8k–54k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 23 (13%) | 31k–53k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 22 (12%) | 17k–78k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 14 (8%) | 2k–46k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 9 (5%) | 21k–50k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 8 (4%) | 31k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (3%) | 10k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 38,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 178 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When driving this vehicle there is a very strong smell of diesel in the cab and coming from the ventilation system when stopping.
Starting at about 15,000 miles, rear main seal developed a leak. The seal was replaced, leaked again and replaced by a seal and sleeve.
I recently merged onto the highway where I live and I let off the throttle very quickly and then got back into it and my truck didn't accelerate at all for a couple seconds.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 38,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Ram 2500: 16
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.
Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle. The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
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.
These water pumps may leak coolant. The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss. If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of 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.
The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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 electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat. If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The headlamp shutters may function improperly when in high-beam mode. Improper headlight shutter function during high beam use may reduce the drivers visibility and possibly blind oncoming traffic. Either condition may increase the risk of 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.
The engine cover may trap an excessive amount of heat under the cover. The excessive heat under the engine cover may result in an under hood fire.
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: 292
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Ram 2500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P21C4 - (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) Reductant Line Heater Control Circuit High…
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Ts may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Software security vulnerability
Neighbouring years
2012 2500: 283 complaints, keep it · 2014 2500: 345 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 2500 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 2500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 1500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Ram 2500 a bad year?
178 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 47, 2.8× a quiet 2500 year. At 38,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 18k–64k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ram 2500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (47), electrical system (41), steering (31), fuel system (30), suspension (23). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 18k–64k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ram 2500 have?
16 recall campaigns list this model year: Latches and locks (NHTSA 19V-347), Steering (NHTSA 18E096000), Equipment (NHTSA 17V-824), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-821) 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.