10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,960 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 1500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #175

Jan 262024

1500

  • miles

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

Driving fine with no problems then all of a sudden a bell starts chiming about 6 to 8 times then the steering light comes on and the ABS light comes on in the dash and starts blinking, then I lost power to the steering wheel, was very hard to steer. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the engine off and waited a few minutes to crank it, every thing went normal and I drove home, but before I got home it did it again but this time it went haywire and the wipers came on and the dash lite up like a Christmas tree. I finally made it home and parked it. I sent off the TIPM unit to get repaired, fixed but steering is still not wanting to work, will call my mechanic to put it in the shop. I have a truck that I have spent a lot of money fixing one thing after another, have already replaced the motor in 2020. It seems like this truck is a lemon. Thank you01

- Marseilles, IL, USA

problem #174

Jul 132021

1500

  • miles
Hello, I'm filing a complaint against the Dothan, AL Ram dealership due to recalls that were never performed. I bought the truck on 7/12/2021 from a third party. I noticed this particular Ram had 12 recalls so I took it in to the Dothan, AL Dodge dealership to have them repaired. They had the truck for 2 weeks and nothing was repaired. Nothing at all. I lost 2 back pack blowers because of the faulty tailgate latch. I had to take the tailgate from my 02 Ram off and put it on the 2013. That's just one incident, there are quite a few and I've spent countless amount of money and time fixing this truck because of the recalls that were never performed. I need an Inspector to see this, it's ridiculous. When I took the truck in for the recalls it had 101,000 miles, a cold air intake, and different features. When I got the truck back it had 114000 miles, the cold air intake was gone, the Vin plate was replaced with a sticker and it had different features. The GM convinced me I was hallucinating. I'm a disabled adult and was taken for a fool and discriminated against. I am going to have to find a lawyer.

- Dothan, AL, USA

problem #173

Jan 272024

1500

  • miles
ABS system has failed and damaged the traction control module. Speedometer does not work and brake lights stay on constantly. Power steering assist does not work. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer and cannot get the parts to fix these issues.

- Pahrump, NV, USA

problem #172

Oct 092023

1500

  • miles

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

I purchased the truck used June 2023. Odometer currently 47,700 miles. The service power steering light flashes on the evic screen. The steering will be extremely difficult because it is electrical power steering. The problem started October 9th 2023 and has been intermittent. A mechanic did hook up the scan tool and there were no codes. So, it has gotten to where I will do 3 start cycles, idle foe a few minutes and after the 3rd cycle, no codes and the steering works as it should. Thankfully, it happens before I drive out onto the road. I will drive up and down my street before I venture out onto major highways and expressways. However, what's not to say it will have this issue while I'm driving, especially winter around the corner. I researched 2013 Ram 1500, and apparently other owners have had the same problem or worse. This is my daily driver and only vehicle I have. Quite frankly, I get scared driving my truck now. I stay in the lane closest to the shoulder just in case. Ram/Stellantis need to do a recall on these 2013 Ram 1500. I have owned early model rams and a 2016 challenger, not one problem.

- Louisville , KY, USA

problem #171

Jan 142020

1500

  • miles
I bought it in 2018 & 1 month later no radio, gps, backup any of the stereo system worked. The only thing that worked was volume. I took it in & they charged me $125 diagnosis & was gonna be over $600 for new system. I never got it fixed. In 2022 with only 122000 miles it had to go in the shop for an engine overhaul because of the problem with missing on 5th cylinder. I have never owned a Dodge Ram before & never will again. I have had nothing but problems with it. I made phone calls & wrote emails & the closest I got to a recall is 2014 was the cutoff year & mine is 2013. I did back into a dumpster because the backup camera doesn-??t work in January of 2020. I had insurance with White-??s Insurance out of Purdy but I don-??t have the paperwork anymore.

- Fairview, MO, USA

problem #170

Sep 292023

1500

  • miles
Electronic power steering unit failure. EPS Unit. Loss of power assist. Warning light came on Friday Sept 29, 2023 at approximately 1:30pm est. when I entered the vehicle and started the engine. Vehicle had been driven and parked for approximately 10 min before I went back to vehicle and leave that location. Warning light was a large icon of a red steering wheel with a red exclamation mark -??? then the screen said, -??service power steering -?? with the red indicator still remaining on. No other warning lights or symptoms prior to the above information. Vehicle taken to Signature Automotive 2725 Northgate Court Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 889-5959 at 8:00 am 10/4/23 for diagnosis. Service advisor stated that there was internal circuit failure. Throwing all -??sorts-?? of internal codes in the electronic unit. Was unable to have system Reestablish communication. Entire rack and pinion unit needs replacement. Called Dodge dealership at 5855 Ga Highway 400 Cumming, GA 30028-4194 I spoke with parts dept. regarding OEM replacement, etc. Advised me that it would be a week to 10 business days before they could get the part. Even then didn-??t guarantee that because of the latest strike happening. Informed me it could take much longer. I was also advised not to drive the vehicle. Due to the fact of steering could lock-up while driving and cause a crash. Putting myself and others at risk! At this time the indicator light is still on. Remains on when vehicle is running. No power assist. Extremely difficult to turn.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #169

Aug 022023

1500

  • miles

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

Issues with pcm, emc, tps. After 98,000 miles everything started not reading correct and giving false check engine light. I bought truck two years ago and it-??s hard to believe dealership didn-??t no. 2013 ram trucks need to be pulled off market. Nobody can tell you what-??s wrong. The truck starts when it wants to. Hits the gas when it wants to. Them machines say no code no problem. If the code that originally popped up said computer not receiving info. Then of course you can-??t read problems.

- North Beach, MD, USA

problem #168

Aug 012023

1500

  • miles
ABS brake Module was diagnosed by the dealership as having a short. I have random brake failure (no accidents to date), speedometer gauge does not work, odometer does not work, cruise control does not work, parking sensors do not work. Dealership told me that a replacement is not available until March of 2024.

- Jacksonville, TX, USA

problem #167

Aug 252023

1500

  • miles
Electronic power steering failed while driving. Power steering has remained inoperable and vehicle can not be safely driven.

- Merritt Island , FL, USA

problem #166

Aug 262023

1500

  • miles
2103 Ram 1500 Electronic Power Steering failed or malfunctioned, my vehicle is available for inspection if needed The loss of power steering capabilities put my safety and the safety of my family at risk by the possibility of and accident and injury. The loss of power steering capabilities is still evident and has been electrically verified. The EPS failure has NOT been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or any other agency.

- Tullahoma, TN, USA

problem #165

Feb 052023

1500

  • miles

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

Lighting on instrument panel cluster works intermitently. When it cuts out, I can not see the speed nor any warning signals. Problem has not been inspected.no warning signs before it goes blank.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #164

May 062023

1500

  • miles
All instruments and control of window wipers stopped responding to their switches. Wipers will not turn off, no horn, no working switches on steering wheel, communication to abs system, trailer brakes, data from abs not being received. Dash cluster flashes out for about 10 seconds while driving not knowing if the vehicle is still running while on the highway or freeway. Everything is pointing to the steering wheel clock spring. All replaced but still no controls or horn or ability to run vehicle safely on the roads. Will not pass inspection from this issue.

- Joshua, TX, USA

problem #163

Aug 132023

1500

  • miles
Backing out of the driveway, the power steering light came on and the power steering completely stopped working. I checked the fuses and they were all functional. This morning, I read an article (published 6 days ago) that other 2013 RAM 1500s have experienced the same issue and that NHTSA is investigating. Please add my truck to the list of those experiencing this issue.

- Avondale, LA, USA

problem #162

Aug 102023

1500

  • miles
The evic cluster that shows speed and other stuff blinks on and off constantly. I heard many people having this problem. It is very distracting to drive the truck with this blinking non stop it is a safety concern.

- Billings , MT, USA

problem #161

Jul 242023

1500

  • miles
Power steering would turn on and off while driving then after 1 day of this there was no power steering at all, no light on the dash until it fully went out, I can see recalls in the past over similar problems and when I called they said it was brought in for a software update and that's it, brought to my own shop and the repair will be a whole new rack, costly and dangerous. When the power steering would turn off and on while driving it would snap the steering wheel back to the center

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #160

Jul 262023

1500

  • miles
On 26 July 2023 I was driving on the feeder road on west 610 south in Houston Texas. While making a left turn onto MLK Blvd my power steering quit in the middle of the turn. The service power steering light illuminated and the steering was very difficult. I was able to manhandle it back to the house but upon arrival it was almost impossible to get the truck into the driveway due to the steering being so hard. After finally getting into the driveway I turned the truck off and then on again and the steering seemed normal. I haven-??t driven the truck sense. My current mileage is 70368. Luckily I wasn-??t on the freeway when this occurred as this was during rush hour traffic. It was already bad enough that the he issue occurred at a traffic light with a dual left turn into three lanes. This is a major safety issue that CDJR should issue a recall for. I have read that there are thousands of other similar complaints for the same issue and was told by the dealer that the parts are on back order. The issue with the steering commands an immediate safety bulletin and a recall as it puts not only the driver and passengers at risk of serious injury or death, it also places the risks on the general public.

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #159

Apr 062023

1500

  • miles
Dealer confirmed faulty ABS unit module part #68210719AB on my 2013 Ram 1500 Big Horn. No antilock brake capability, no trailer brakes, no traction control and 4 dashboard warning lights on. Dealer went to order parts in April and FCA says it's on engineering hold until march 2024 at the earliest. I told FCA Ram Customer Care on multiple occasions that the truck in not useable and is a safety hazard. I contacted FCA in June and they wouldn't give me a case number and basically said it is what it is. Dealer can't do anything and has tried everything to find the part. I saw there was a class action lawsuit filed and multiple complaints about this very same issue, most notably with 2017-18 Ram 1500's but mine is a 2013 with same issues and same part #. I can't be expected to not have a vehicle for 11 months at best. Ram Customer care has not been helpful at all.

- Montrose, WV, USA

problem #158

Jul 032023

1500

  • miles
The electronic power steering suddenly stopped working while I was turning and I almost got in an accident, then the power steering suddenly came back again while I was turning and since it wasnt working I was having to use a lot of force to turn it so when it came back on the steering wheel turned very quickly and I ended up in the ditch. Luckily no one was hurt this could have been very bad. Yes it is available for inspection. The safety of a lot of people were at risk. This is a recall on other 2013-2015 Dodge Ram 1500's, ours however doesnt match the serial numbers of the recalled ones even though it is obviously affected by the same issue. The recall number is VB9/NHTSA 19E-077. The parts have been looked at by a mechanic and they are bad, and very expensive to replace. The electronic dash also stopped working before this so I dont know if there were any warning lights or anything before this happened.

- Paynesville, MN, USA

problem #157

May 102023

1500

  • miles
Truck says service electric brake system.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #156

May 302023

1500

  • miles
Electronic power steering. My steering will go out while driving and I have to pull over, turn the truck off and turn it back on. The power steering will stop working without any notice and has almost cause FATAL accidents if I were not able to recover in time. Last time I brought the truck in to get looked at i was told nothing was wrong drive safe.... which is impossible now cause my power steering randomly fails on this truck. There is no warning or anything that pops up until it is too late. This happens at any time between 0-85 MPH and if im in a turn or going straight.

- Cedar City, UT, USA

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