Transmission Oil Pan, Heater (TMU), Tube or O-ring Applies to vehicles equipped with 8 speed transmissions only; if you have a leak that appears to be at the pan the use of proper leak detection is recommended. The fluid in the 8 speeds can be detected with a black light and there are aftermarket spray on leak detection materials to help ensure that the leak is properly diagnosed and not from another location such as cooler lines, heater tubes, or case porosity. Please note that the transmission pan gasket is available for many of the 8 speed applications FCA offers. Please review the available quick connect and transfer tube parts, as replacement of the TMU may not be required. If a TOC lin
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 RAM 1500 airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 RAM 1500 have filed 70 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 54,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
70
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 1500 (this page) | 70 |
| 2014 1500 | 95 |
| 2015 1500 | 52 |
| 2016 1500 | 38 |
| 2017 1500 | 49 |
20crashes
26injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 70 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 70 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 11 model years of RAM 1500 in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Customer Satisfaction Notification T61 Reprogram Occupant Restraint Controller The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) on about 10,000 of the above vehicles which was reprogrammed on T25 Safety Recall Campaign may have software that contains a parameter setting which disables the Event Data Recording (EDR). This can prevent the ORC from recording an air bag deployment. All the above vehicle must have the ORC reprogramed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Title Control Module - Air Bag Electronic Control w/side Capability Start Date: 10/19/2015 7:00 AM End Date Message You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return all stock of following part numbers: 68085880AD, 68085880AF, 68085881AE, 68085881AF, 68085881AG. Replacement part numbers are: 68085880AG, and 68085881AH. Please return suspect parts back to your facing depot using Return Code 02, before 09 November, 2015. Return any open orders in process too. Direct all questions via email to mopardmail@fcagroup.com.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗STOP SALE SafetyRecall R47 - Side Airbag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC)- Dealer Notification
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗RA3 And RA4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves upgrading the software on the RA3 or RA4 Radio. A customer may experience, one or more of the following conditions. ? Radio reset, screen lockup, blank screen or sluggish system response time. ? Loss of vehicle position on NAV map. ? Compass indicator turns off. ? Erratic changes to vehicle icon on NAV map. ? Touch screen shut down message. ? Radio surround sound will not stay ON. ? Driver memory feature causes Sirius XM failure. ? Loss of radio presets. ? Battery drain - due to radio remains on. ? Uconnect apps don't load. ? AM/FM popping noises and/or static. ? Backup camera display is blank.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Ram 1500 airbag system is generating a consistent pattern of complaints across two main problem areas: warning lights that persist despite recall work and dealer repairs, and actual airbag failures during crashes.
Warning Light Issues: Many owners report the "SERVICE AIRBAG SYSTEM" light came on immediately after purchase or shortly thereafter. The light goes off temporarily after battery resets or dealer visits, then comes back on unpredictably. Dealers have performed multiple recalls (T61, T79, U53, 15V459000, 15V460000, 17V302000) without resolving the warning. When the light persists, dealers blame loose harness connectors under the seats or faulty seat sensors and demand out-of-pocket diagnostic fees ($125+) and repair costs ($300–$600), claiming the truck is out of warranty despite the recent recall work.
Airbag Deployment Failures: Several owners describe serious crashes where airbags did not deploy. In a 45 mph head-on collision, a 35 mph T-bone, and a 70 mph highway hydroplane, front and side airbags remained inactive despite occupants suffering head trauma, spinal fractures, and bruises. In one case, the airbag warning light was lit on the dash yet airbags still did not deploy. Dodge inspectors found no fault codes, and in one instance, the manufacturer claimed the 45 mph impact "was not sufficient" for deployment—contradicting NHTSA deployment thresholds.
Unintended Deployments: A small number of owners reported airbags deploying without any crash at speeds as low as 3 mph during parking and 30 mph on normal roads, injuring occupants' necks and faces.
Recall Parts Shortages: Multiple owners received recall notices but could not complete the recalls because parts were unavailable for months or over a year, with manufacturers unable to provide estimated availability dates.
Same RAM 1500 airbags reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Service Airbag System Warning Light—Persistent or Intermittent
Warning light and 'SERVICE AIRBAG SYSTEM' message illuminate on the dash either continuously or intermittently. Light may come on at startup or while driving and sometimes goes off on its own, only to recur. Dealers have had difficulty diagnosing the root cause, often finding no fault codes or blaming loose harness connectors and seat-mounted sensors that require repeated squeezing or adjustment to silence the warning temporarily.
When: From shortly after purchase to unpredictable intervals; some owners report light came on first time engine started
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AIRBAG SYSTEM warning light on dash; Audible chime accompanying the warning; Light comes on intermittently or stays on continuously; Light may extinguish for a few days then reappear; No crash or impact required to trigger warning; Light does not reappear during dealer test drive but returns days later
Codes mentioned: Service Airbag System fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have attempted battery reset, harness connector bending, replacement of harness connectors ($300), defective passenger airbag replacement ($600), and seat sensor inspection. Multiple recalls (T61, T79, U53, 15V459000, 15V460000, 17V302000) applied by dealerships did not resolve the issue. Owners report dealers charged $125+ for diagnosis and refused warranty coverage when light persisted post-recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls T61, T79, U53, 15V459000, 15V460000, 17V302000 applied without resolving warning light; dealers claimed recalls should have cleared warnings. Parts unavailable for recall completion in multiple cases. Manufacturer told owners they would not assist and that repairs were not warranty-covered.
Airbag Non-Deployment in Frontal and Side-Impact Crashes
Driver-side and passenger-side front airbags, and side curtain airbags, failed to deploy during significant frontal and T-bone crashes with speeds reported between 35 and 70 mph. In several cases, airbag warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel but airbags still did not deploy. Occupants sustained serious injuries including head trauma, spinal fractures, and bruising.
When: During crashes occurring at 35–70 mph impact speeds; one case at 45 mph head-on collision, another at 70 mph highway hydroplane, another at 35 mph rear-end collision, T-bone at 35 mph, and others at 45–65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated but airbags did not deploy; No airbag deployment during frontal crash at sufficient speed; No side curtain airbag deployment during T-bone impact; Seatbelt failed to retract or restrain properly in some cases; Occupants struck head on steering wheel, windshield, or interior; Vehicle sustained severe frame damage requiring >$10k–$16k repair
Codes mentioned: Airbag control module diagnostic
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were totaled in most cases and destroyed. In one case, a dealer inspection found no fault signals on the airbag computer. In another, Dodge NHTSA inspector concluded impact was insufficient to merit deployment despite the 45 mph speed and occupant head strike. One case involved a 70 mph impact into a guardrail, then a tree, with total loss of traction—no deployment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge inspection found no fault signals. Manufacturer response stated impact was 'not sufficient to merit air bag deployment' despite occupant injuries and structural damage. Owner stated airbag threshold is 15–20 km/h (9–12 mph) but deployment did not occur at 45 mph. Dealer stated recall was unrelated to failure.
Inadvertent Airbag Deployment Without Impact
Airbags deployed without any crash, impact, or collision. In one case, two front and both side curtain airbags deployed at 3 mph while vehicle was being parked. In another, front and rear airbags deployed at 30 mph during normal driving over a ditch (later manufacturer claimed near-rollover, but owner stated no crash occurred). In a third, at 25 mph, passenger side curtain and side airbags deployed without warning or impact.
When: One case at 3 mph during parking; one at 30 mph on an uneven road (claimed near-rollover by manufacturer); one at 25 mph during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deployed without impact or collision; Two front airbags and side curtain airbags deployed simultaneously at parking speed; Driver and passenger injured by unintended deployment—neck, arm, head injuries requiring medical attention; Occupants sustained bloody nose and face injuries; Airbag warning light and crash data log illuminated after deployment; Vehicle crashed into fence as result of unintended deployment
Codes mentioned: Crash data recorded
Repairs/costs cited: In the 3 mph case, owner disconnected battery and control module to prevent additional deployment; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired. In the 30 mph case, dealer could not find a failure on diagnosis. In the 25 mph case, manufacturer stated there was a 'near rollover crash' but owner reported no crash.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer claimed 'near rollover crash' when owner reported no impact or crash. No recalls or TSBs mentioned for these unintended deployment cases.
Passenger Occupancy Sensor Malfunction
Passenger-side occupancy sensor does not detect occupant presence, disabling the passenger airbag even when a passenger is seated. Owner discovered fault when a passenger unbuckled the seatbelt and no warning chime or light activated, indicating the sensor was not detecting the occupant. This creates a safety risk in which the passenger-side airbag would not deploy in a crash.
When: Discovered during normal operation when seatbelt was unbuckled while occupant was seated
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger occupancy sensor fails to detect occupant; No seat-belt warning chime or light when passenger unbuckles; Passenger airbag disabled despite occupant presence; Seat pad sensor presumed faulty
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reached out to Ram; manufacturer stated no intention to repair faulty safety equipment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ram stated no intention of repairing the faulty occupancy sensor.
Recall Parts Unavailability and Delayed Recall Completion
Multiple owners received NHTSA recall notices (15V459000, 15V460000, 17V302000, 15V312000, 15V461000) but dealers and the manufacturer could not provide parts to complete the recalls within a reasonable timeframe. Some owners waited over a year; others were scheduled for recall service only to be told upon arrival that parts were not available. No estimated date for parts availability was provided in many cases.
When: After recall notices received in 2015–2017; some owners still waiting by 2016–2017
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts unavailable; Dealer appointment scheduled then cancelled due to parts shortage; Owner traveled 100+ miles to dealer only to be turned away due to unavailable parts; No estimated completion date provided by manufacturer or dealer; Recall repairs delayed indefinitely
Repairs/costs cited: Recalls 15V459000, 15V460000, 17V302000, 15V312000, 15V461000 could not be completed due to parts distribution issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer unable to provide estimated date for recall parts availability; described as 'Parts Distribution Disconnect.' Multiple complaints state manufacturer exceeding reasonable time frame for recall remedy.
Airbag Harness and Connector Issues
Faulty or loose harness connectors and wiring for the airbag system trigger warning lights. Connectors sometimes bend, disconnect, or require squeezing to reset the light temporarily. Owners have found small objects (e.g., toy football) lodged under seats that may affect wiring. Some dealers suggested that covering wires underneath seats would fix the issue, but this did not resolve the underlying harness problem.
When: Post-recall service or spontaneously at various mileages; one case after toy found under seat
Symptoms owners cite: Service Airbag System warning light triggered by loose or disconnected connector; Owner can squeeze harness connector under seat to temporarily silence light; Harness connector needs to be bent back into position by dealer; Small objects lodged under seat may have affected wiring; Wire harness replacement needed but defective replacement also fails; Dealer suggestion to cover wires under seats does not resolve issue
Repairs/costs cited: Harness connector bending, harness connector replacement ($300+), seat sensor inspection, wire covering recommended by dealers. One case involved replacement of a harness connector that was also defective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer suggested covering wires under seats; some dealers blamed environmental contamination (e.g., 'cold climates') without engineering fix.
Seatbelt Failure to Retract or Restrain
In multiple crash scenarios, seatbelts failed to retract or restrain occupants properly during impact. Seatbelts became loose or were 'tossed around' during crashes, allowing unrestrained movement of occupants and head contact with interior surfaces.
When: During crashes in multiple scenarios; one case cited seatbelt was on but 'tossed around due to seatbelt not holding in place'
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt did not hold occupant in place during impact; Seatbelt tossed around or became loose during crash; Driver-side seatbelt failed to retract after head-on crash; Occupant struck head on steering wheel or interior despite wearing seatbelt
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were totaled; seatbelt system not specifically repaired in any narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V460000 cited 'SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS' but did not resolve seatbelt failure in crash scenarios.
Synthesized from 70 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When passeat is decline the airbag warning light come on,have airbag service.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 70 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 44 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 36,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 54,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/RAM/1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.