RAM 5500 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 4 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Limited NHTSA data — only 4 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 4 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
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.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When I pulled out from a stop into the intersection I realized the cars were closer that I first thought, and when I instinctively pushed the accelerator to the floor to get out of the way, nothing happened for what seems like eternity but maybe just a portion of a second…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was wearing out the tires. The contact stated that he replaced both front tires on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the front end was out of…
02/26/15 while under warranty.... #1 - water pump & water pump bearing defective - coolant leaked, leaks around shaft, belt damage due to failed water pump. #2 - check engine light is on after repair complete PCM codes p2509 BCM power signal int p20ee scr nox cat…
Pullstar pump hoist & utility body > total weight 17,000lbs both rearmost shackle bolts found over one half the way out of place with threaded ends with nut missing. Near disaster.
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 5500 reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 4 owner complaints have been filed for the 2013 RAM 5500, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2013 RAM 5500?
Only 4 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2013 RAM 5500 without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 RAM 5500?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my RAM 5500 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 5500?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 4 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.