Periodically when turning my steering wheel the dash and radio screen turn off and re-boot. When making a turn, left or right, every display and gauge on the dash and the radio/ back up camera screen all shut off and re-boot as if you have just put the key in and turned the ignition to the on position. I have no information for roughly 15 to 30 seconds.
2013 RAM 1500 electrical problems
severe 156 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
156
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2crashes
6fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 156 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 156 electrical 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.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
There have been several instances where my gauge cluster intermittently reboots itself while driving. I would say this occurrence has happened over 20 times during the year I have owned my truck. I bought it back in of september 2013. In addition, I have noticed that my map lights flicker. Not sure if it's an electrical issue. I've brought my truck in to the Ram dealership for service and they…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2013 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 156 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 108 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 17,000 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,000; a quarter make it past 81,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.