2013 RAM 1500 Problems: Steering (1,274 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2013 RAM 1500 is Steering (47% of 1,274 owner reports). There are 12 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Steering — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-15 1,274 complaints · 12 recalls
What problems show up on the 2013 RAM 1500?
595 of 1,274 filings named Steering (47% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Electrical (141 reports).
There are 12 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Lights, Transmission / driveline, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.
What owners reported
System named most often: Steering 595 complaints · 46.7% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 72
- Fires 10
- Injuries 37
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering (STEERING) | 595 | 46.7% | 17 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 141 | 11.1% | 0 crashes · 4 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 104 | 8.2% | 1 crashes · 2 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 72 | 5.7% | 13 crashes · 0 fires |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 51 | 4.0% | 15 crashes · 0 fires |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 45 | 3.5% | 2 crashes · 1 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 37 | 2.9% | 3 crashes · 0 fires |
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 36 | 2.8% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 29 | 2.3% | 5 crashes · 1 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 150 | 11.8% | 10 crashes · 3 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 13V610000 was reported 285 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 15V459000 was reported 453 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 15V460000 was reported 453 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 15V461000 was reported 806 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 17V821000 was reported 1,760 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 19V347000 was reported 2,192 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2013-Q2 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2013-Q3 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2013-Q4 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2014-Q1 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2014-Q2 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2014-Q3 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2014-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2015-Q1 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2015-Q2 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2015-Q3 | Owner reports | 33 | |
| 2015-Q4 | Owner reports | 23 | |
| 2016-Q1 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 20 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2016-Q4 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 20 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 22 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 33 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 25 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 22 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 27 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 24 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 20 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 103 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 41 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 45 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 57 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 69 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 53 | |
| 2025-Q1 | Owner reports | 36 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 39 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 42 | |
| 2025-Q4 | Owner reports | 29 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 28 | |
| 2026-Q2 | Owner reports | 30 | |
| 2026-Q3 | Owner reports | 34 | |
| 2026-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 13V128000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 13V177000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 13V237000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 13V287000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 13V610000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V459000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V460000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V461000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 16E041000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V302000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V821000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V347000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ15004 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE16014 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ23003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ25003 |
Safety Recalls (12)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Lights, Transmission / driveline, and Airbags.
-
Recall campaign 13V128000
Safety recall 13V128000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reset the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N22.
-
Recall campaign 13V177000
Safety recall 13V177000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N25.
-
Recall campaign 13V237000
Lights
- Report date
- Component:
- Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Central Body Controller software, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N35.
-
Recall campaign 13V287000
Safety recall 13V287000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESC module software, free of charge. The recall began on September 11, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N37.
-
Recall campaign 13V610000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.
-
Recall campaign 15V459000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
-
Recall campaign 15V460000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.
-
Recall campaign 15V461000
Safety recall 15V461000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.
-
Recall campaign 16E041000
Safety recall 16E041000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S30.
-
Recall campaign 17V302000
Safety recall 17V302000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.
-
Recall campaign 17V821000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
-
Recall campaign 19V347000
Safety recall 19V347000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-14
Showing 10 of 1,274 complaints · page 1 of 51
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. Additionally, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with electronic power steering failure and an ESC software failure. The contact was informed that the ESC software needed to be updated, and the electronic power steering unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Power steering. While driving lost all control of the power steering. Mechanic said it's a fault in the internal of the electronic power steering.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
1. Electric Power steering Rack and Pinion assermbly quit working. Turning into my drive way to park and the power steering completely quit working causing me to almost run into the side of our new ( 1 month 2026 KIA ) before I could get my 2013 1500 stopped. 2.Yes it is avaible for inspection. 3. I have not taken it to anyone, I have been a mechanic in the military and work for serveral auto dealerships ( 76 years old now ). 4. Service Electric Power Steering warnng light came on same time the power steering quit working only for a second then went off, now warning light comes on with key in run position briefly but goes out and when the engine is running I get no warning light.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
We were going to the beach a couple of days ago. While I was driving down the highway the power steering went out. All of a sudden I had no control over the steering. I was fortunate enough that the person on the right side of me was alert enough to recognize that something wrong was happening as I quickly veered into his lane. I was able to slow down enough and fight the wheel for control and get it parked on the medium. If he wouldn't have been alert this could have had some bad results. He pulled over and checked on us. Ensured we had a phone. The truck is available for a inspection. The truck is a 2013 but it has been pampered taken care of. Milage is only 47,510 miles. If the miles of the truck truly represented the age. 13 years old but it's well under 50,000 miles.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that one of the brake calipers was locking up, causing the vehicle to veer from side to side while accelerating. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where a technician diagnosed the vehicle with a seized brake caliper. The service center confirmed the failure. Due to the constant dragging, the brake pads became excessively worn and failed to perform as needed. The brake parts were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact was able to control the vehicle; however, the steering wheel was firmer than normal.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Intermittent loss of power stering
CrashFireInjuryDeath
While making a left turn the steering wheel jerked slightly and vehicle suddenly became difficult to steer. Noted a red flashing steering wheel icon with a red flashing exclamation mark icon on the instrument panel. An accident was narrowly avoided only due to the strength of the driver to manually turn the vehicle sufficiently to avoid collision. Mechanic diagnosis is that the Electronic Steering Assist Motor or Module in the EPS Rack and Pinion assembly had failed. Vehicle has not been repaired as of yet.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
No warnings for power steering going out it just completely went out.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Started vehicle, drove about 400 meters and the power steering went out while making a left turn. More than went out, as it felt like it actively fought me. I've driven vehicles without P/S before, and this was significantly worse. It almost caused me to overrun the turn and collide with an embankment. I restarted the vehicle after a bit, and the power steering worked fine again for about 400 meters, whereupon it failed once more with similar symptoms. I can feel the steering wheel actively trying to work back the other direction when turning. It seems to be actively trying to return to straight status. I received a warning on the cluster about servicing power steering during both incidents. This warning cleared on startup.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Lost all power steering
Ram 1500 Complaints and Recalls by Year
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2013 RAM 1500?
Owners named Steering most often — 595 of 1,274 reports (47%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2013 RAM 1500?
NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Lights, Transmission / driveline, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2013 RAM 1500?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-14. YearTell is not a government agency.