2013 Ram 5500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 2013 Ram 5500, most often about the power train. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-824 the manufacturer reports only 44% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 27, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2013 Ram 5500 has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train20
Engine10
Engine and engine cooling10
Suspension10
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

2013 Ram 5500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

44%repaired · 2019 Q2

Equipment

Recall 17V-824 · Dec 21, 2017 · 61,791 vehicles · 27,012 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

58%repaired · 2019 Q4

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 17V-821 · Dec 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 vehicles · 860,137 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

80%repaired · 2019 Q4

Engine: diesel

Recall 17V-562 · Sep 12, 2017 · 443,874 vehicles · 355,950 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
63%repaired · 2018 Q2

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 16V-739 · Oct 13, 2016 · 74,811 vehicles · 47,157 repaired

Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

99%repaired · 2017 Q1

Electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.

Recall 15V-461 · Jul 23, 2015 · 1,416,903 vehicles · 1,397,612 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

75%repaired · 2016 Q4

Air bags: frontal

Recall 15V-459 · Jul 22, 2015 · 1,059,444 vehicles · 789,522 repaired

Risk. This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

71%repaired · 2016 Q3

Engine: diesel

Recall 14V-635 · Oct 8, 2014 · 315,325 vehicles · 223,744 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Structure

Recall 13V-288 · Jul 2, 2013 · 747 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ram.

Best & worst years

2013 vs. every other 5500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 5500 median. How we score

'08'09'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2013 Ram 5500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Software security vulnerabilityRQ15004 · closed Jan 5, 2016
    Led to recall 15V-508
  2. Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) FailureRQ25003 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What 5500 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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 EFFICIENCY P20EE HAS A FLASH P2560…
Complaint 10700763 · Mar 20, 2015 · 88,720 miles
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 BEFORE THE ENGINE…
Complaint 10639565 · Sep 27, 2014 · 1,300 miles

Own a 2013 5500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.