2013 RAM 3500 problems & reliability
114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 RAM 3500, alongside 16 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2013 RAM 3500 vehicles were involved in 14 fatal crashes with 3 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 37 | 32% |
| Engine | 27 | 24% |
| Suspension | 18 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 17 | 15% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 15 | 13% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 | 13% |
| Power Train | 11 | 10% |
| Unknown OR Other | 8 | 7% |
| Wheels | 7 | 6% |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 44,118 miles (middle 50% between 15,225 and 86,125 miles), based on 92 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while attempting to sell the vehicle, the contact discovered there was a discrepancy in the mileage. The contact stated that the Carfax mileage was 47,029, and on March 10, 2015, the mileage was recorded at 49,873, and nine days later the mileage was recorded…”
Electrical System · filed Aug 22, 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 65-68 MPH over a bumpy road surface, the steering wheel and the front end of the vehicle shuddered significantly. The contact decelerated, exited the freeway, and pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The…”
Suspension · filed Jan 13, 2025
“I have been having problems with a recall issued by nhtsa. The recall was v06 drag link. When the recall wa preformed, the alignment nuts on the drag link were welded so the couldn't come loose. I've had to have my truck realigned 2 times since the drag link nuts were welded. As of right now the nuts are not welded…”
Steering · filed Nov 20, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Recall Query RQ25003 · opened Jul 3, 2025 · open
- Steering loss due to linkage separation
Preliminary Evaluation PE18016 · opened Dec 17, 2018 · closed Dec 12, 2019 · led to recall 19V021000
- Software security vulnerability
Recall Query RQ15004 · opened Jul 24, 2015 · closed Jan 5, 2016 · led to recall 15V508000
Technical service bulletins
535 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2013 RAM 3500. The 10 most recent:
Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 26, 2026
Bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 17, 2026
Bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 17, 2026
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
S1623000028 Rev. K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 12, 2026
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
S1623000028 REV.J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 5, 2026
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
S1623000028 REV.I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 29, 2026
Squeak Or Squawk Noise Coming From Either Side Door Of The Vehicle, It Could Be Just One Door Or More. The Noise Can Be Present In Either The Upper Or The Lower Hinge.
S2623000032 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 30, 2026
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
S1623000028 REV.H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2026
SPEAKER - NONE
110603 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 2026
SPEAKER - NONE
110604 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2013 RAM 3500 has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2013 RAM 3500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 44,118 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.