2013 Ram 1500: complaints, problems and recalls

PLASTIC KEY ---CAN NOT REMOVE FROM SWITCH----WILL TURN OF ENGINE---BUT WILL NOT COME OUT OF KEY HOLE----HAVE TO LEAVE IN TRUCK---DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME----NEXT TIME DRIVEN MAY COME OUT AND THEN MAY NOT-----THIS SEEM LIKE NOT READING TRUCK SHIFT HANDLE IS NOT IN PARK-----YOU CAN LEAVE IN TRUCK AND LOCK BUT DASH LIGHTS DO NOT TIME OFF---HAVE TAKEN DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT FIX-----THIS COULD LEAD TO A LOT OF THINGS---THEFT, ECT. ECT. ECT. NEED SOMETHING DONE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496174 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER DRIVING ON SNOW AND SLUSHY ROADS I COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE OR PARK POSITION. I COULDN'T EVEN MOVE THE SELECTOR INTO THOSE POSITIONS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 612 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499848 at NHTSA ↗

THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE. FOUR TIMES I ENCOUNTERED THE DISPLAY OF THE MESSAGE VEHICLE NOT IN PARK WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY CONFUSING AND DANGEROUS MESSAGE SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO A DOOR NOT BEING FULLY CLOSED. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 11TH. THE MANAGER APPEARED TO BE AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS MESSAGE AND SAID HE WILL REPORT IT TO AN ENGINEER WHEN HE VISITS THE DEALERSHIP. THE REASON FOR REPORTING THIS IS I AM NOT SURE THIS PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 89 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502445 at NHTSA ↗

OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR INACCURATELY READS TEMPERATURE (USUAL 8-12 DEGREES LESS THAN ACTUAL AMBIENT TEMPERATURE) THIS AFFECTS SEVERAL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLES FEATURES (AUTO HEATED SEATS AND STEERING WHEEL ALSO VENTED SEATS). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503328 at NHTSA ↗

IT HAS SNOWED HARD ENOUGH HERE IN VIRGINIA THIS YEAR TO LEAVE SNOW ON THE ROADS. THREE TIMES NOW SINCE BUYING MY 2013 RAM 1500 WITH PENTASTAR ENGINE IN DECEMBER 2012 I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT HELP ME. IT SOUNDS RIDICULES TO SAY THAT "WHEN IT SNOWS I CAN?T DRIVE MY FULL SIZE RAM 1500 THAT SHOULD BE FULLY CAPABLE IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS". AS I UNDERSTAND IT WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW OR SLUSH SNOW IS THROWN AT THE TRANSMISSION, THIS RESULTS IN SNOW PACKING AROUND THE SHIFT…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,004 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504384 at NHTSA ↗

THE RAM TRUCKS USE A LOGIC CIRCUIT TO CONTROL ALL ELECTRONICS. THE HORN IN THESE VEHICLES ALSO USES THIS LOGIC CIRCUIT, INSTEAD OF USING THE TRADITIONAL DIRECT CONNECT OR RELAY CONFIGURATION THAT MOST CARS/TRUCKS USE. BECAUSE OF THIS LOGIC CIRCUIT, THERE IS AN APPROXIMATE 1 SECOND DELAY BETWEEN THE TIME THE HORN IS DEPRESSED UNTIL THE HORN ACTUALLY SOUNDS. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE THIS WEEK AND THE DEALER INDICATES THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TRUCK. THIS IS DANGEROUS. BY THE TIME THE HORN SOUNDS, AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THIS D…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510300 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED YELLOW. IT REQUIRED MEDIUM BRAKING EFFORT. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT ACTIVATED ITSELF AND MOVER ~ 2 INCHES FORWARD WHICH IN TURN ENDED UP APPLYING FAR MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THAN WAS INTENDED. COULD HAVE CAUSED A VEHICLE BEHIND ME TO HIT MY TRUCK. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. I IMMEDIATELY CHECK THE PLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELT TO SEE IF IT COULD HAVE ACTIVATED THE POWER SEAT SWITCH. THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT NEAR THE POWER SEAT SWITCH. …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511205 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND LOWERING THE FOUR CORNER SUSPENSION SYSTEM TO ENTRY/EXIT MODE, AN EXTREMELY LOUD PUSSST (LIKE DISCONNECTING AN AIR TOOL FROM AN COMPRESSED AIR TANK). THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER/PASSENGER TO JUMP AND AND PETS TO BOLT INTO THE DRIVER/PASSENGER SEAT. MY CONCERN IS THIS MAY HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT A HIGH RATE SPEED AND CAUSE THE DRIVER TO BECOME DISTRACTED AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SEVERAL POSTS TO FORUMS FROM JEEP OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SMILILAR ISSUES IN THEIR CHRYSLER MADE VEHICLES WITH AIR SUSPENSION. *…

Owner-reported narrative. 28 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515553 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-04-03 (April 3, 2013)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles manufactured December 17, 2012, through January 22, 2013. The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the parking brake performance requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reset the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N22.

Reported: 2013-05-07 (May 7, 2013)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured manufactured June 25, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Consequence: Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N25.

Reported: 2013-06-04 (June 4, 2013)

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured September 9, 2012, through March 5, 2013 and equipped with optional premium tail lamps. In the affected vehicles, the turn signal indicator may not flash at a double rate to give a notification to the driver of a turn signal malfunction. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Consequence: Without a warning that the turn signal is malfunctioning, the driver would continue to use the vehicle, unaware that other drivers on the road are not being notified that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Central Body Controller software, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N35.

Reported: 2013-07-02 (July 2, 2013)

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 4x4 trucks manufactured June 26, 2012, through February 5, 2013. Due to a software issue with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) module, the ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started.

Consequence: A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESC module software, free of charge. The recall began on September 11, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N37.

Reported: 2013-12-06 (December 6, 2013)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with ZF all wheel drive ("AWD") 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.

Consequence: The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.

Reported: 2015-07-22 (July 22, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2015-07-22 (July 22, 2015)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured June 20, 2012, to January 26, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.

Consequence: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.

Reported: 2015-07-23 (July 23, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2017-05-09 (May 9, 2017)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and 2014-2016 Ram 3500 vehicles. Certain driving conditions, such as driving off-road or debris striking the vehicle may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying.

Consequence: If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.

Reported: 2017-12-20 (December 20, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2019-05-09 (May 9, 2019)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

Consequence: If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.