10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,282 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 6 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #91

Aug 152017

1500

  • 59,000 miles

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

All steering wheel electrical function not working, including horn, air can not deploy, vehicle had this issue when new and clock spring and wiring was replaced 3 years ago, then recall was done for air bag and now the same problem. Last week almost involved in accident and could not use horn to alert other driver. Cruise control functions also do not operate, I am afraid to let wife drive with kids since air bag will not function if accident happens.

- Lake Grove, NY, USA

problem #90

Sep 082016

1500

  • miles
Service airbag system. Service electronic braking system. Service pwer steering. Service electronic trottle conteol. Service power steering. These came up wore throng it on to leave for the day. That happened 2 times. Truck had to be towed. Upload to software was done. 2 days later the A/C fan went out. It was replaced but still turned off antway. Dealer stayed radio need to be replaced. 5 wks latter - it's beyond installed. Dealer stayed software upload had nothing to do with radio mess up. I beg to differ. Radio controls alot of stuff critical to the function of the truck. It's happened several times for over 8 months. It's been in the shop more than I've driven.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #89

Sep 192017

1500

  • 76,000 miles
On 3 separate occasions, while driving and attempting to stop, the engine stalls. A message displays to "put the vehicle in park, to start", but lost power to everything else. Twice it allowed me to start from park, the 3rd time it would not start. I put it in park, had my foot on the brake, but it did nothing. I shut if off completely, then turned it back on and it started. Additionally, while parked, the driver's side door would not unlock with the keyfob. All other doors unlocked, not the driver's door. I tried several times locking/unlocking, I had to open the rear door and manually pull the lock knob. One other time, while sitting still, the driver's door unlocked itself, when my roommate pulled on the door handle, the door opened and the alarm went off. On another occasion, I was trying to back into my parking space, I went to pull up to straighten out, and the vehicle would not go into drive. I had to shift into park, then back to drive to make it work.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #88

Sep 102017

1500

  • 95,000 miles

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

Randomly instrument cluster will go blank. Sometimes check ABS system, sometimes check transmission shifter, service trailer brake. This has happened for the last4 months. I can not figure any pattern when it happens.speedometer and RPM guages will sometimes stop[ working and the other guages will work

- Elkhorn City, KY, USA

problem #87

Jul 032017

1500 8-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. While driving approximately 25 mph, the caution indicator illuminated and, after driving for a while, the ESC warning indicator also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dallas Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealer (located at 11550 lyndon B johnson fwy, dallas, tx 75238) where diagnostic testing was recommended, but the contact declined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure was not diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000....updated 10/11/17

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #86

Aug 012017

1500

  • 72,000 miles
While driving the vehicle at any speed the instrument cluster and radio goes completely out. The systems reboots (instrument cluster) itself as if its is being started up for. This problem is an reoccurring problem and will happen at any time without warning causing everything to go blank.

- Evans, GA, USA

problem #85

Jan 012016

1500

  • 45,000 miles

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

Head lights cut out do to connectors over heating. Doors locks do not operate at times. In motion or not.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #84

Jul 032017

1500

  • miles
Just out of "Dodge warranty" my 3rd brake light took in water. This resulted in a blown 3rd brake light bulb and now leaking of water into my back window and down into the side behind the cover in my truck. This is while stationary and in motion. Risk of mold and 3rd brake light now not working. The back window is solid never damaged or replaced. The third brake light cover was never taken off or replaced. All manufacturer responsibly and they will not take responsibility for it due to out of Dodge warranty. This truck is a 2013 Dodge Ram with 41,000 miles on it. Never in a accident or any problems except Dodge recalls.

- Lower Burrell, PA, USA

problem #83

Apr 042017

1500

  • miles
Non of the gauges work in the steering column including gas RPM and speed. The wipers run non stop and can't be turned off. Blinkers don't which is dangerous to drive. We have had it into the mechanic and the could not find what was wrong. Huge bill no answers useless van. The gage says no bus. This happens all the time.

- Monona, IA, USA

problem #82

Feb 162017

1500

  • 29,000 miles
I first noticed that, while in drive, the transmission would shift to 4th gear and could not be changed. I could shift from park to reverse but when I tried to go to drive it would go to 4th gear. Then, 2 days ago, I began to notice other problems that appeared to be computer related. When I turned the ruck off there would be a ticking noise in the engine. I checked and it appeared to be the A/C/ compressor. Then it stopped when I unlocked the truck doors. Then I noticed what seemed to be the fuel pump ticking as if calling for fuel. Once again, the engine was off and, once again, it stopped. The next morning my battery was dead. I tried to jump it with no luck so I purchased E new battery. Now when I try to start it, the starter makes all kind of crazy noises and it won't start.

- Brackenridge, PA, USA

problem #81

Aug 162016

1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles

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

When driving my radio will turn off and reset it self along with my speedometer cluster it will all turn off while driving so you don't know how fast you are going until it resets and turns back on.

- Minot, ND, USA

problem #80

Nov 282014

1500

  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact observed that the vehicle lowered onto the tires independently during the winter months without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

problem #79

May 142015

1500 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
Bought the pickup in January 2016 one previous owner everything original the passenger side headlight connector pin needs tightened constantly because the low beam high beam loses connection and won't come on unless you pull headlight and tighten the connector pins. It happens at various times in various situations while driving it will also flicker on and off. Parklight works fine. I don't know actual date because it is so frequently so the date is an estimate. The speed varies also first time I was at 65 on freeway.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #78

Mar 012016

1500

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. While driving at any speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The contact stated that the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #77

Sep 302016

1500 8-cyl

  • 107,356 miles
2013 Dodge Ram 1500 tradesman caught on fire when I was driving it.

- Cleveland, TX, USA

problem #76

Sep 272016

1500

  • 48,000 miles
Purchased truck certified used in Oct 2015. Since then, I have had approximately 9 instances of my instrument panel (or cluster) completely shutting off while I am driving. When it shuts off, the screen in the middle completely goes black, the rpms and speedometer, and other gauges go to zero. After a second or 2, everything turns back on as if I had just started the vehicle (Ram logo pops up, check engine light is on, oil temp light is on, gas light is light on, seatbelt light is on, ect). All gauges then get back to their previous readings, as far as I know, just before the reset. Each time this has occurred, I have been traveling anywhere from 35-55 mph on a straight road. I have taken it to 2 dealerships to have them look at it with each time telling me if they can't duplicate the problem, there is nothing they can do. On a recent incident (9/27/16), it happened on the way to work, so I brought it in that day, as the last dealership instructed me to. Once again, they couldn't pin point the problem, but had contacted Chrysler to see what they wanted them to do. Chrysler had them do a software update, and a week later I had it happen again at night (10/4/16), and once again the next morning (10/5/16). I am hoping that this issue doesn't cause a problem with the power steering and I just haven't experienced that yet. Please help!

- Aldie, VA, USA

problem #75

Sep 242016

1500

  • 58,400 miles
Similar to NHTSA id number: 10898441 I have also experienced an interior dome light flickering and also the drivers power window door lock switches stopped working. I was locked out of the vehicle and it was running with all doors locked (by itself) and windows were rolled up. I had to call roadside assistance to get into the vehicle. The switch continued to attempt locking of the door by constantly clicking. Which I found out the next morning when the battery was dead. I found out this vehicle was made for and first sold in Canada which if that was disclosed to me I never would have purchased it. The digital speedometer and the mechanical speedometer are not showing the same speeds. At 30mph the digital one shows 32mph but at 70mph the digital shows 75mph. Repairs attempted at lithia Chrysler Jeep reno nv unsuccessful. When the door locks failed to work the truck was stationary and this locking also occurred while the vehicle was in motion at slow and fast speeds, city and highway.

- Gardnerville, NV, USA

problem #74

Sep 172016

1500

  • 22,908 miles
Uconnect unit went out, no error codes it was dead no radio no A/C controls. Chrysler replaced it in August 2016. Within weeks ( Sept. 17th) I was on I-59 headed out of town the entire dash went out, instruments reset came back on, 30 minutes later dash went out again and reset, 20 minutes later dash went out again. I turned around and headed back home it went out 2 more times. Speed seemed to not affect it as I was at different speeds and also in park when it went out. I have owned the vehicle for 3.5 years and never had problems until the uconnect unit went out nor did the A/C drip water on my foot and gas pedal which it has now been doing since uconnect unit was repaired now gas pedal is slick with water. I took it to the dealership on Sept.19 after calling Chrysler. Dealership first said BCM was bad waited to see what Chrysler was going to do. Then I get told by dealership a week later that it is instrument cluster. I talked to Chrysler and told them my concern something is making the electrical act up and doing research it makes sense that it could be BCM since both uconnect and instrument panel are connected to it. I now see by reading this site I am not the only one with this dangerous problem. Chrysler needs to find and fix the problem. Parts changing I.e. the uconnect unit and now the instrument panel (at my expense), does not solve the problem and now I am leery about traveling long distances because no one has 'found' the issue causing all the electrical problems. Water (condensation) dripping all over my gas pedal is dangerous and dealership is not concerned, gave me a lecture on using recirculate on my A/C (which I do). My truck only has 23,000 miles on it there should not be all these electrical problems.

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #73

Sep 132016

1500

  • 21,112 miles
At startup, horn and all electrical buttons on the left side of the steering wheel and back of the steering wheel were inoperative. Unable to make hands free calls, blow horn, or change drivers display screens. Will the steering wheel airbag work? truck was sent to dealer for repairs and returned not repaired. It's gaong back again. Milage 21,112, owned 36 months and 3 weeks.

- Hayden, ID, USA

problem #72

Jul 012016

1500 8-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and the service electronic error message illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted minutes later. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the dome light flickered intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. In addition, the doors failed to unlock and lock. The contact had to use the key to function the doors. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000....updated 12/06/16 the consumer stated the gauges were acting up again, but didn't lose power.

- Carlsbad, NM, USA

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