2013 Ram 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report losing power steering assist, sometimes suddenly and at speed, with the steering wheel becoming very stiff or hard to turn. Complaints also cover instrument cluster and electrical glitches, engine misfires tied to camshaft and lifter wear, and, on higher-mileage trucks, rusted fuel tank straps. Reports arrive across a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 miles to well past 200,000.

1. 1
   Steering

   Loss of power steering assist / steering wheel seizes

   • 631 complaints (49%)
   • median 90,080 mi at 8.5 yrs old (191 state mileage)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 69 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe the power steering assist dropping out while driving, often with a 'Service Power Steering' message and a warning light, leaving the wheel very firm and hard to turn. In many reports the assist returns after the truck is shut off and restarted, then fails again later, and over time the loss becomes constant. Dealers and independent shops frequently diagnosed a failed electric power steering rack, gear, or control module and quoted replacement, and several owners say the part was on backorder. Some owners note the dealer told them their vehicle was not covered by a steering recall. Reported from under 30,000 miles up to about 284,000, with many cases in the 70,000-150,000 mile range; several note it happened at low speed in turns or right after starting.

   What to check: During a test drive, feel for any stiffness or hesitation in the wheel at low speed and after a cold start, and watch for a power steering warning message. Ask whether the electric steering gear or control module has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “12-5-21 driving to and from store. Power steering warning light activated and loss power steering. Put the vehicle. Into reverse when realized no steering. I thought mt steering wheel was locked. Dealer has it at this time. No work being done. I feel this is related to the recalls in the past and recent recalls. Help me please.”

   NHTSA complaint #11388160, filed 2021-01, 2 miles

   “My power steering momentarily locked up yesterday and then again today driving at slow speeds turning the wheel sharply. At first I thought it was a problem with the hydraulic power steering pump, belt, or fluid until I looked into it and found it was electronic and there has been similar issues with other vehicles of the same make and there were safety recalls for other Ram trucks with different eps part numbers. I thought for sure mine would be on the list but was not.”

   NHTSA complaint #11404343, filed 2021-03, 125,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster and electrical cutouts

   • 153 complaints (12%)
   • median 38,500 mi at 3.8 yrs old (80 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe the gauges and instrument panel dropping out or resetting while driving, sometimes as if the truck restarted, with lights and displays going dark and then coming back. Others report steering wheel and dash controls for cruise control, radio, and climate failing intermittently, and some had the cluster replaced with the problem returning. Complaints also mention the center screen not lighting so radio, climate, and camera controls become unusable. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 150,000, often described as intermittent and occurring at highway speeds.

   Recall 15V4610003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the truck and cycle through the gauges, radio, and climate controls, watching for flicker or reset. Ask whether the cluster or any modules have been replaced and whether radio software updates were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “None of controls on steering column are working. First the cruise control stopped.. Replaced the fuse it looked burnt out. Did not solve. Then radio controls quit along with left side dash controls. While driving the cruise was not working. The radio while driving and the left side dash controls worked while sitting g I. Driveway but when I moved they froze.”

   NHTSA complaint #11292423, filed 2020-01, 150,000 miles

   “The truck acts like it was restarted when im driving down road . The lights go out all the gages turn off and reset its not a good thing when u are driving at night. It has happened more then the one time on 01/09/2020 it has happened 3 times this month an be for that it would do it here and there. When I first purchased it the dealer had it every week for 3 months but it never did it for them but there should be some records of me having it in there. It would happen at different speeds anywhere from 30 MPH to 60 MPH”

   NHTSA complaint #11388769, filed 2021-01, 34,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS module failure with warning light

   • 101 complaints (8%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (45 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,300 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light coming on, sometimes along with loss of speedometer and odometer function or cruise control dropping out. Dealers and independent shops diagnosed a failed ABS control module, and several owners say the part was unavailable or on backorder and repairs were deferred. Reported from about 43,000 to 161,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm all warning lights go out after start-up and that the speedometer and odometer read correctly. Ask whether the ABS module has been replaced or is awaiting parts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Component or system that failed / malfunctioned The brake system (pads, calipers, hydraulic fluid) failed three times in less than 90 days. The right-side tie rod end also separated from the steering assembly. Both components are available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk The brakes repeatedly lost all stopping power while driving, with the pedal going to the floor and the reservoir emptying within minutes. On one occasion, the brake pads and caliper fell off the wheel assembly, confirmed by the dealer’s own shop manager. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11690765, filed 2025-10, 132,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated, after which the speedometer and odometer ceased to function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11625081, filed 2024-11, 161,000 miles

Buying note. Check the electric power steering carefully with a cold-start test drive and a scan for stored codes, since that is by far the most-reported area, and inspect the fuel tank straps and ABS function on higher-mileage examples. Ask for records showing whether the relevant recalls and any steering or module repairs were completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.