2013 Ram 4500

Routine

Owners filed 3 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine2
000
Service Brakes1
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs21V398000
Filed May 27, 2021447,985 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us, Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.

Risk. Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.

Equipment17V824000
Filed Dec 21, 201761,791 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift17V821000
Filed Dec 20, 20171,482,874 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

Risk. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel17V562000
Filed Sep 12, 2017443,874 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.

Risk. The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator16V739000
Filed Oct 13, 201674,811 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.

Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.

Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.15V461000
Filed Jul 23, 20151,416,903 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.

Risk. Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.

Air Bags › Frontal15V459000
Filed Jul 22, 20151,059,444 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.

Risk. This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.

Fuel System, Diesel14V635000
Filed Oct 8, 2014315,325 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.

Risk. If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.

Structure13V288000
Filed Jul 2, 2013747 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2013, through March 8, 2013. An incorrect bolt may have been used to attach the track bar to the frame.

Risk. The incorrect attaching bolt may break or fall out, resulting in the vehicle suddenly pulling to one side, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the track bar fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 3, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N41.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2019122,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 4500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 15, 201952,000 milesCT

WINDSHIELD WIPER HOSES COME UNDONE ALMOST DAILY MAKING THE WASHER FLUID NOT FUNCTION. HAVE HAD DEALER REPLACE ONCE ALREADY BUT THEN FIX DOESN'T LAST LONG. DEF SYSTEM MODULE MALFUNCTIONS AT 52000 MILES CAUSING TRUCK TO GO INTO LIMP MODE MAKING IT UNABLE TO GO OVER 5 MPH EVEN THOUGH IT IS FULL OF DEF FLUID. HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUE WHERE THE DEF SENSOR READS FULL THEN GOES TO EMPTY OUT OF NOWHERE CAUSING THIS WARNING LIGHT AND 5 MPH MAX AND EVEN AFTER ADDING SEVERAL GALLONS OF DEF SENSOR DOESN'T READ FULL. OIL PAN IS ALMOST ROTTED OUT AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT ON A 5 YEAR OLD TRUCK

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 201560,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE RAM 4500.THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIBERS WERE STUCK TO THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

3 of 3 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260400Routine
20250400Routine
20241200Routine
20230400Routine
20223400Routine
20210500Routine
202041000Routine
201961000Routine
20189700Routine
20175700Routine
20161700Routine
20157820Routine
20148910Routine
2013 — this page3900Routine
20091200Do not drive
20080100Routine

Compare every 4500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 27, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.