Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 RAM 1500 body problems
severe 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 31 body 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body 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.
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Squeak Or Squawk Noise Coming From Either Side Door Of The Vehicle, It Could Be Just One Door Or More. The Noise Can Be Present In Either The Upper Or The Lower Hinge.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
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 body system shows systemic failures across multiple structural areas. Fuel tank mounting straps corrode and fail, allowing tanks to sag or separate from the frame—owners report discovering the front strap rusted through at various mileages, sometimes caught only during routine service inspections. Frame corrosion is widespread and progresses fast: owners report cracked, unsafe frames within three to five years, even on garaged vehicles with low mileage.
Tailgates are a major problem. They pop open while driving, fail to latch on first or second attempts, and require manual locking repeatedly. One owner had cargo fall onto the roadway; another had to pull over on an interstate at 65 mph to fight with a failing tailgate. Owners note that 2014–2018 RAMs got recalls for identical tailgate failures, but 2013s were excluded.
The spare tire release mechanism strips out at very low mileage, forcing owners to crawl under the vehicle to manually release it—a serious roadside hazard. Door hinges rust excessively within months. Paint bubbles and rusts near antenna seals or under sound deadening foam, starting within warranty periods. One owner's dashboard is breaking apart in pieces, exposing airbag components. A body control module fire was reported. Cab mounts loosen repeatedly even after tightening.
Same RAM 1500 body reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel tank strap corrosion and failure
Front fuel tank mounting strap becomes corroded and fails, allowing the tank to sag or drop from the frame. The corrosion occurs at the frame mounting point where moisture and road grit become trapped. Only the rear strap remains to support the tank, creating a safety hazard of fuel tank separation, potential fuel leaks, or fire.
When: Occurs across various mileages; one owner reported finding issue at 97k miles with vehicle garaged; another at 50k
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel tank strap breaks free from frame mounting point; Front of fuel tank sags away from frame; Visible corrosion at frame mount; Only rear strap supporting tank
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of fuel tank strap and potentially frame repair; dealer repairs noted when caught during service inspections
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner cited an extended unlimited mileage warranty that expired April 2025; RAM denied coverage after expiration despite known safety issue
Tailgate unlatching and failure to stay closed
Tailgate opens without warning while driving or when parked, then fails to latch properly when pushed back up, requiring multiple attempts to secure. When automatic locks engage at speed, tailgate disengages unexpectedly. One case involved a module failure; most require repeated manual locking or emergency repairs roadside.
When: Multiple occurrences over weeks or months; one at 50k miles, one vehicle with 15k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate opens without warning while driving; Tailgate falls open when parked; Fails to latch or lock on first attempt; Requires multiple manual attempts to secure; Tailgate opens when automatic locks engage at speed; Cargo falls out onto roadway
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed as latch failure or module failure; one repair quoted at $267 for module replacement; gas shock installed by owner as temporary measure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners noted that 2014-2018 RAM models have recalls for this issue; 2013 model excluded despite same problem; no recall or coverage offered for 2013
Spare tire release mechanism failure
Spare tire release mechanism becomes stripped and fails to function, trapping the spare tire and forcing the owner to manually turn the mechanism by hand while under the vehicle. Occurs on vehicles with very low mileage and first-time use.
When: At 26,500 miles, first time release mechanism was used
Symptoms owners cite: Mechanism will not release spare tire; Stripped latch mechanism; Requires manual turning by hand under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer identified mechanism as stripped; owner had to manually turn mechanism under jacked vehicle at roadside
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership and Chrysler corporate both denied warranty coverage despite vehicle being under 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, claiming misuse rather than defect
Dashboard cracking and disintegration
Dashboard begins breaking into pieces and separating from body, exposing internal components including airbag system elements. Creates both a safety hazard from loose plastic shards in cabin and destroys vehicle resale value.
When: Timing not specified; noted as beginning to break
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard breaks into pieces; Sharp plastic shards loose in cabin; Airbag system components exposed; Dashboard separating from body
Frame and body corrosion
Frame and door hinge areas develop excessive corrosion and rust that compromises structural integrity. Frame cracks noted as unsafe for operation; door hinges rust excessively within three months of purchase. Rust appears even on garaged vehicles with low mileage.
When: Three months after purchase noted for door hinges; inspection at various mileages showed frame corrosion; 97k miles on garaged vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Frame corrosion and cracking; Excessive rust on door hinges; Frame cracked at passenger side rear; Moisture intrusion under antenna creating paint bubbling and internal rust
Repairs/costs cited: Frame deemed unsafe by technicians; no parts/repair costs provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership and manufacturer bounced complaint back and forth without resolution; no assistance offered after one month with unsafe vehicle
Paint bubbling and early rust through seal defects
Paint bubbles and fractures, typically near antenna seal, indicating either a seal defect allowing moisture intrusion or sound deadening foam trapping moisture against body panels. Begins within warranty period but progresses after warranty expiration.
When: Noticed right at end of 5-year warranty period; also at 3 years on hood
Symptoms owners cite: Paint bubbling on hood and near antenna; Paint fracturing; Rust visible or imminent after bubbling begins; Moisture intrusion evidence
Water intrusion into rear cabin
Water leaks into rear cabin area of truck during driving and when stationary, but source cannot be diagnosed. Suspected loose light fixture but not confirmed.
When: At 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaks into rear cabin; Occurs both while driving and stationary; Source cannot be located
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose source
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of issue per complaint
Door lock pinching hazard
Door lock mechanism pinches arm skin when lock engages, creating an ongoing injury hazard each time vehicle is locked. Occurs repeatedly at same location.
When: Ongoing issue at every locking event
Symptoms owners cite: Lock mechanism pinches skin on arm when engaging; Happens when arm rests on top of door; Occurs every time doors are locked
Bed splitting
Truck bed splits on both ends, indicating structural failure or material defect in bed construction.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Bed splitting on both ends
Body control module fire
Body control module causes vehicle to catch fire while parked under dashboard. Vehicle exterior and interior badly damaged despite fire being extinguished.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle caught fire under dashboard while parked
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle repaired after fire extinguished; exterior and interior parts badly damaged
Bumper-to-fascia alignment and protection deficiency
Bumper sits flush with fascia and front body panels without proper standoff, failing to protect body panels from minor impacts. Even low-speed contact causes fascia damage.
When: Evident at time of low-speed fence contact
Symptoms owners cite: Bumper flush with fascia and side panels; No protective gap between bumper and fascia; Fascia dents at low impact speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Expensive repair required even for 5 mph contact
Cab mount looseness
Cab mounts become loose on vehicle frame, creating vibration and noise. Bushings can be tightened but failure recurs, indicating either design defect or inadequate bushing material.
When: At 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cab mounts loose; Recurrent looseness after tightening
Repairs/costs cited: Bushings tightened at dealer but failure recurred
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body 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 body problem on the 2013 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 31 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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.