RAM 3500 problems
114 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Steering: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 24,700–86,500 mi
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was on pa turnpike attemping to merge from a service plaza, when an opening in traffic was available I applied power to merge into line . As I did this my truck did not respond !! I was pulling a 36' fifth wheel trailer at the time and my merge into traffic became very…
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V541000 (Steering); the contact stated that after the repair while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced the death…
Starting in july 2014 my 2013 Ram 3500 has had death wobble at least 6-7 times. Going down interstate around 65-75 MPH if the right tire hits a pot hole the front end starts to shake uncontrollably. In order to get the truck to stop I have to come down on the brakes very hard…
Truck was smoking under hood so pulled over to side of road and truck was on fire under the hood. Truck was completely burned. Found a recall on your website #p65. *tr
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ25003 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2013 RAM 3500 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 RAM 3500 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 RAM 3500?
The 2013 RAM 3500 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 24,700–86,500 mi; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 RAM 3500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 37 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 56,895 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 56,895 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my RAM 3500 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 RAM 3500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 114 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.