10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,798 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Ram 3500 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ram 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Jun 152021

3500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

THE VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED TO THE DEALER. ON DAY THREE THE DEALER INFORMED VEHICLE OWNER THAT THE DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP, UNDER NHTSA Recall Number17V-562 IS NOT REPAIRABLE AS FCA DOES NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE, DEALER STATES THAT FCA HAS 160 NEW WATER PUMPS ON HAND AND ALL OF THEM ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS SAFETY RECALL REMAINS OPEN.

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

problem #26

Aug 142020

3500

  • 123,000 miles
While driving on a city street at approximately 35 mph, an engine spring valve broke, causing catastrophic engine damage. The engine is a total loss and must be replaced. We are hoping there are others out there who have experienced that same failure so that a recall can be issued. We are currently stuck with the $15K bill.

- Quincy, IL, USA

problem #25

Aug 012019

3500

  • 128,000 miles
I've had multiple recalls on this vehicle, my check engine light has been going off continually, I've had the water pump and catalyst converter replaced just to name a few, which to my luck my truck was still under warranty, now it's not. Again the check engine light goes on and off randomly, try to take it to the dealer to have diagnosed and I'm told they can do nothing about it until the light comes back on, I finally was able to get it to the dealer with the check engine light still on and now this time there were up to 5 items listed, the one that concerns me is the one regarding the turbo actuator not communicating. The dealer told me that I would have to replace it, this is going to cost me $3900 alone, my truck only has a little over 120000 miles on it, for this many things to be going wrong I am starting to thing I might have bought a lemon. I have read multiple people in forums who have had the same issue as well as one person who also submitted a complaint here on your website. Please look into this and hopefully this item will be added to the multiple recalls this vehicle already has on its rap sheet. Thank you for considering my complaint.

- Helendale, CA, USA

problem #24

Jan 012019

3500

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My truck is a lemon. I've had over ten recalls and the problems just continue. Now my check engine light is on and the dealer told me my turbo actuator is not communicating with the turbo. They want to replace it at my cost of $3500. My truck only has 80K miles on it. I told them the turbo and everything still works fine!!!! just the check engine light is on. They said eventually it will go bad. They said I can still drive it but that at any time it could go in to limp mode where it shuts down and only lets you drive 5mph. This sounds dangerous! especially if I'm pulling a trailer. I asked how long before it goes bad and they say they have no idea!!! I don't have the money to replace a part that still works! this is obviously a faulty part that should be recalled. I've had 10 or more recalls with this vehicle already. Including a alternator that caught fire. I have four friends with this same problem. Please recall the turbo actuator!!!! I need your help. This isn't right and I have no one to turn to. It's dangerous avdci have to keep using this truck for important work. Thank you fur listening. (xxxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #23

Oct 012017

3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 17V562000 (engine). The parts needed to repair the defect were not available. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Phoenix, OR, USA

problem #22

Feb 192018

3500

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. While attempting to start the vehicle, the service engine indicator illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning odor in and out of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to classic Chrysler Dodge Jeep (1102 walton drive, texarkana, tx 75503) where it was diagnosed that an unknown system was contaminated and needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Texarkana, AR, USA

problem #21

Sep 252017

3500

  • 59,510 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. While driving approximately 25 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer (us one Chrysler/Jeep in sanford, South Dakota) where it was diagnosed that the upstream nitrous sensor failed and needed replacement. In January of 2017, the vehicle was taken to autonation Chrysler Jeep/Ram in albany, Georgia because the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The rear nitrous sensor was replaced under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 59,510.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #20

Jul 232017

3500

  • 100,000 miles
My Ram truck went into a malfunction and limited the speed to 5 miles per hour causing a major highway safety issue. The truck put all passengers and operators in danger. The def system in this vehicle can only be reset by a Ram dealer which causes other issues besides extreme dangers driving conditions.

- Nampa, ID, USA

problem #19

Mar 032013

3500

  • 115,000 miles
Scr failed Ram has recalls on June 2013 forward my truck was built in April.

- Madison, TN, USA

problem #18

Mar 032017

3500

  • 115,000 miles
Scr failed

- Madison, TN, USA

problem #17

Oct 132016

3500

  • 37,650 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Shaft on water pump sheared causing water pump to fail and serpentine belt to come off. Vehicle being driven on freeway at highway speeds. Serpentine belt failure results in loss of power steering and vacuum to power brakes. This in turn causes difficulty in vehicle control.

- Eagle, ID, USA

problem #16

Jan 282015

3500

  • 6,700 miles
On Dec. 15, 2014 I received a recall on my 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel. The recall was for a inline fuel heater that may catch fire, it had no apparent fix, no parts, no instructions and no timeline as to when it would or could be fixed. I called the dealership and spoke to the service manager about my concerns, he told me that it was a remote possibility next to none, that the vehicle would catch fire. I asked him if I could park it inside and he said yes, and that the recall was just being sent out as a precaution. On the evening of Jan 28th 2015 at approximately 0:920 pm smoke detectors alerted my dog and he woke me up. I woke my wife up yelling (fire) I panicked I took in a deep breath covered my mouth with my forearm, opened the personal entry door and stepped inside the garage not realizing how bad it was. The amount of heat being generated from the diesel fuel and the structure was so hot the back draft pulled the door out of my hand trapping me in the garage and because it was a schlage combination style there was no turning back, all I could see was complete black and red, red flames was shooting out from under my truck. My neighbor was kicking on my garage door yelling to wake up. I panicked again and hit the up button on the main garage door hoping to make a run for it, the garage door went up about a foot and fell hard because it pulled the door motor from the mounting brackets. I knew the only way out was the front door I used the side of the Dodge as a guide and burnt my left hand, made it out the door and my neighbor handed me the garden hose hanging on the fence. All fire reports indicate the fire started under the hood of the Dodge, the fire investigator from Chrysler said in front of laramie county arson investigators that it originated at the fuel heater. State farm may have settled with Dodge. Please read attachment.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #15

Jul 182015

3500

  • 21,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. While driving approximately 65 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the def fluid injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was repaired twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Payson, UT, USA

problem #14

Jul 262015

3500

  • 31,421 miles
Our Ram 3500 seems to have a wire chafing problem. On 26 June 2014 the truck locked in 4th gear. ECM was replaced in fairbanks at 16490 miles. On 18 July 2014 the same thing happened at 18481 miles, the dealer in soldotna ak found a chafed wire in the wiring loom. On 29 July 2014, the truck completely died, the ECM fuse was blown. The PCM was replaced. On 26 July 2015, the truck completely died again, ECM fuse was blown. Mileage was 31421. Prestige Dodge in longmont co replaced the ECM and then on the test drive the truck locked into 4th gear. They then replaced a portion of the wiring harness to correct a chafed wire. I was recently notified about another wire chafing problem with the airbags. I must wonder if somehow there is a wiring loom problem with this model truck. In all 3 incidents in 2014 we were towing our trailer on paved highways at highway speed and it was fortunate that we were able to get off the road without being in an accident. The event on 26 July 2015 occurred just after we had dropped off the trailer.

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #13

Oct 012014

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) and 15V541000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Columbus, IN, USA

problem #12

Jul 172015

3500

  • 40,000 miles
July 17, 2015 - while stationary, I started truck only to have all warning lights on the dash illuminate, wipers activate on their own, and radio unit power off. Eventually, all power was lost to the dash. Truck was towed to dealer for repair. Truck received new PCM and was returned to me. July 17, 2015 - later that evening, the truck was towed back to dealer for the same problem. Truck was in the service center for two months receiving a new wiring harness and new computers. September 16, 2015 - truck returned to me. October 13, 2015 - while driving on a city street the truck exhibited the same problem. Momentarily lost engine power and transmission functionality. Lost all power to dash including trailer brakes. The truck sat idling for approximately one hour while waiting for a tow truck. I have recorded video of the dash continuing to flicker and power up and down erratically. October 16, 2015 - truck still at service center awaiting diagnosis and parts.

- Monument, CO, USA

problem #11

Jul 012014

3500

  • 13,000 miles
Truck loses power when accelerating from a dead stop. As the accelerator is depressed or feathered, the engine loses all power for 2-3 seconds leaving the driver helpless. If I allow the accelerator to return to idle position and then depress the accelerator again, the engine regains power and the vehicle accelerates. This is a very unsafe situation as I was towing a 12K pound trailer and was attempting to pull onto the highway. When the vehicle lost power, I was in jeopardy of being hit by oncoming traffic. This issue has occurred several times. I took the vehicle to the dealer but they were not able to duplicate the fault. I explained that this issue happened while the vehicle was under a load. The dealer never placed the vehicle under a load during their testing.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

problem #10

May 252015

3500

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after numerous attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted without being prompted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #9

Jan 202015

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable timeframe to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not provide a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

- Tennessee Colony , TX, USA

problem #8

Feb 232015

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Reno, NV, USA

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