Is the 2013 Ram 2500 reliable?

The 2013 Ram 2500 has 273 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Ram 2500?

Top problems: ENGINE (49 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (41 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (31 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Ram 2500?

Yes, there are 16 recall(s): STEERING:LINKAGES, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH, EQUIPMENT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT, WHEELS, AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT, SEAT BELTS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC., ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Contact any Ram dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Ram 2500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Ram 2500 is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Ram 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Ram 2500 has 273 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 273. The most common issue is engine problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: i just purchased this truck less than 1 week ago; brand new. i was slowly approaching an intersection (stop sign) with vehicles in front of me; waiting to turn. the truck suddenly started surging/lurching forward for a period of 5-10 seconds; nearly hitting the vehicle in front of me. i placed th. There are 16 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 7 crash reports 4 injuries

273

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

49 complaints

18%

• I JUST PURCHASED THIS TRUCK LESS THAN 1 WEEK AGO; BRAND NEW. I WAS SLOWLY APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION (STOP SIGN) WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME; WAITING TO TURN. THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED SURGING/LURCHING FORWARD FOR A PERIOD OF 5-10 SECONDS; NEARLY HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PLACED TH
• DURING NORMAL DRIVING WHEN TURNING OR CHANGING LANES AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY TO MERGE INTO MOVING TRAFFIC, THE TRUCK WILL STOP RESPONDING VIA ACCELERATOR COMPLETELY. THE TRACTION CONTROL IS ON, BUT NOT ACTIVE DURING THIS EFFECT. BASICALLY ANYTIME I ACCELERATE RAPIDLY FROM A STOP THE TRUCK D
• WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 RAM 2500 CREW CAB 4X4 (VIN [XXX] ) I WAS ON AN ONRAMP HEADED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND I TRIED TO ACCELERATE FROM ROUGHLY 10-15 MPH TO HIGHWAY SPEED BECAUSE OF THE SHORT ON RAMP AND HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK REFUSED TO ACCELERATE AT EVEN A MODERATE SPEED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR WAS FUL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“I JUST PURCHASED THIS TRUCK LESS THAN 1 WEEK AGO; BRAND NEW. I WAS SLOWLY APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION (STOP SIGN) WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME; WAITING TO TURN. THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED SURGING/LURCHING FORWARD FOR A PERIOD OF 5-10 SECONDS; NEARLY HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PLACED TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ram 2500

Based on 217 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 35K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 64K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (16)

STEERING:LINKAGES16/10/2018

Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD trucks. Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle.

Risk: The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Ram 2500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ram 2500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

5.7L HEMI: 8,000 mile oil intervals; EcoDiesel: shorter intervals for DEF and fuel filter. Towing usage requires severe service intervals.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ram New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2013 2500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ram dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 273 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: I JUST PURCHASED THIS TRUCK LESS THAN 1 WEEK AGO; BRAND NEW. I WAS SLOWLY APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION (STOP SIGN) WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME; WAITING TO TURN. THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED SURGING/LURCHING FORWARD FOR A PERIOD OF 5-10 SECONDS; NEARLY HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PLACED TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I JUST PURCHASED THIS TRUCK LESS THAN 1 WEEK AGO; BRAND NEW. I WAS SLOWLY APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION (STOP SIGN) WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME; WAITING TO TURN. THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED SURGING/LURCHING FORWARD FOR A PERIOD OF 5-10 SECONDS; NEARLY HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PLACED TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: LEFT HOUSE DRIVING EAST ON 8200S WHEN APPROX 5200 W I LOST STEERING AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT, HITTING A STREET LIGHT AND SKIDDING ALONG A CONCRETE FENCE. I STOPPED, EXITED VEHICLE AND TWO MEN THAT WITNESSED COME UP AND SAID YOUR STEERING ARM BROKE, AT THE TIME I WAS IN SHOCK AND ATTRIBUTED THEM SAYIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WELL THE FIRST TIME I GOT DIESEL IT LEAKED ALL OVER THE GROUND SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME IT IS DOING WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. IT NEED FUEL SO I FILLED IT UP AGAIN AND DROVE WERE I NEEDED TO GO I LOOKED AND DIESEL WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE REAR SPRING, BRAKES AND WHEEL SO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 16 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)