The Lemon Index2013 Ram 1500.
The 2013 Ram 1500 is about average by owner complaints: 384 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 89, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 20 recalls, and it gets 15 to 21 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 96 YouTube videos about the 2009–2018 Ram 1500, 22.7M views. The 2013 is the same truck.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.5M views
RAM Key fob Not Working / Responding **Quick Fix**- 2016 Ram 1500MJ Altairy · 431K views · 9 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
How to Adjust/Aim Headlights on a 2009–2018 Ram 1500/2500/3500 (DIY)LethalGarage · 484K views · 5 videos - Steering & suspension1.0M views
How to Install a 2012-2014 Ram 1500 4-Inch Suspension Lift KitRough Country · 469K views · 8 videos - Oil changes & service659K views
100k Mile Service Ram 1500 Truck 4th Gen 2008-181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 579K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4624K views
How to Replace Front CV Axles 2011-2018 Ram 15001A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 357K views · 5 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers613K views
How to Replace The Lifters and Camshaft on a 2013 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi (Every Step in 30 Minutes!)Jack Fletcher · 613K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors498K views
How to Replace Camshaft Sensor 2011-2018 RAM 1500TRQ · 219K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank415K views
RAM 1500 Gas Tank REMOVAL - DIY - 2009-2018BoostedMotorsports · 361K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ram Truck 1500 4th Generation 2009-171A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 2.6M views
2010 Ram 1500 250,000 miles - reliability reviewReagan Hughes · 91K views
Top 5 Problems Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 2003-2009 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 71K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,572 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ram 1500 year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 95K miles on the car (847 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 37K–126K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 10K–77K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 22K–92K miles
Recalls 20
- latches/locks/linkages 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.
- steering 2018
Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle.
- equipment 2017
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
Show all 20 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
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.
- engine 2017
These water pumps may leak coolant.
- wheels 2017
The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss.
- airbags 2017
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).
- electrical 2016
The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
- equipment 2016
These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015.
- equipment 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
- seat belts 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 …
- engine 2014
In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
- transmission & drivetrain 2013
In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
- stability control 2013
Due to a software issue with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) module, the ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started.
- lights 2013
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.
- lights 2013
The headlamp shutters may function improperly when in high-beam mode.
- engine 2013
In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core.
- parking brake 2013
The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade.
- engine 2013
The engine cover may trap an excessive amount of heat under the cover.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 732 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Flash: Air Suspension Message Battery Voltage Low This Bulletin involves updating the Air…
- Hands Free Module - CTM ?
- Integrated Center Stack If vehicle is found within 50 mile radius of the Detroit Metro area…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenPost recall remedy brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) failure2025
- OpenIntermittent/comp loss of power steering2023
- ClosedSteering loss due to linkage separation2018–2019
- ClosedVehicle rollaway2016–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 Regular PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ram 1500 Regular PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
When attempting to start the vehicle, there was no electrical power. Fiddled with buttons for a few minutes the all of a sudden it was back to normal. This happened multiple times. Dealers told me they never heard of this problem.
2013 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10629421
More owner reports
I rear ended a semi that was parked on the side of the road. I was going approximately 51 miles per hour. No airbag's deployed, but the front of my vehicle was destroyed.
NHTSA complaint 10748120
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 65,000.
NHTSA complaint 10785061
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Ram 1500 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2013 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (30%), engine (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?
20 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Ram 1500 get?
15 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Ram 1500 safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,000 and 95,000 miles. The middle report was at 55,000 miles, from 847 complaints.
Does the 2013 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Ram 1500 have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works