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Engine & cooling

2013 Ram 3500 Engine problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2013 Ram 3500's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 25% of all its complaints, most recently on July 7, 2021. They describe 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
29
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine recalls for the 2013 Ram 3500

Engine and engine cooling: diesel

17V562000443,874 vehicles affected

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

Engine and engine cooling: diesel

14V635000315,325 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Engine and engine cooling

13V1220006,143 vehicles affected

The problem
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 6, 2013. The engine cover may trap an excessive amount of heat under the cover.
The risk
The excessive heat under the engine cover may result in an under hood fire.
The fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing engine cover with one that is a different design, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on May 31, 2013. A second letter was mailed to owners with instructions on how to obtain the free remedy on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N19.

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

The vehicle was provided to the dealer. On day three the dealer informed vehicle owner that the defective water pump, under nhtsa recall number17v-562 is not repairable as fca does not have the replacement part available, dealer states that fca has 160 new water pumps on hand and all of them are defective. This safety recall remains open.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11423719
Engine & cooling

While driving on a city street at approximately 35 mph, an engine spring valve broke, causing catastrophic engine damage. The engine is a total loss and must be replaced. We are hoping there are others out there who have experienced that same failure so that a recall can be issued. We are currently stuck with the $15k bill.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11352705
Engine & cooling

I've had multiple recalls on this vehicle, my check engine light has been going off continually, I've had the water pump and catalyst converter replaced just to name a few, which to my luck my truck was still under warranty, now it's not. Again the check engine light goes on and off randomly, try to take it to the dealer to have diagnosed and I'm told they can do nothing about it until the light comes back on, I finally was able to get it to the dealer with the check engine light still on and now this time there...

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were up to 5 items listed, the one that concerns me is the one regarding the turbo actuator not communicating. The dealer told me that I would have to replace it, this is going to cost me $3900 alone, my truck only has a little over 120000 miles on it, for this many things to be going wrong I am starting to thing I might have bought a lemon. I have read multiple people in forums who have had the same issue as well as one person who also submitted a complaint here on your website. Please look into this and hopefully this item will be added to the multiple recalls this vehicle already has on its rap sheet. Thank you for considering my complaint.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11254812
Engine & cooling

My truck is a lemon. I've had over ten recalls and the problems just continue. Now my check engine light is on and the dealer told me my turbo actuator is not communicating with the turbo. They want to replace it at my cost of $3500. My truck only has 80k miles on it. I told them the turbo and everything still works fine!!!! Just the check engine light is on. They said eventually it will go bad. They said I can still drive it but that at any time it could go in to limp mode where it shuts down and only lets you...

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drive 5mph. This sounds dangerous! Especially if I'm pulling a trailer. I asked how long before it goes bad and they say they have no idea!!! I don't have the money to replace a part that still works! This is obviously a faulty part that should be recalled. I've had 10 or more recalls with this vehicle already. Including a alternator that caught fire. I have four friends with this same problem. Please recall the turbo actuator!!!! I need your help. This isn't right and I have no one to turn to. It's dangerous avdci have to keep using this truck for important work. Thank you fur listening. ([redacted]) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11190544
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 17v562000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to perform the repairs. The dealer (lithia chrysler jeep dodge of missoula, 5001 grizzly court, missoula, montana 59808) confirmed that the parts were not available to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11104220
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 17v562000 (engine). The parts needed to repair the defect were not available. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. *Tt *tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11076596
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. While attempting to start the vehicle, the service engine indicator illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning odor in and out of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to classic chrysler dodge jeep (1102 walton drive, texarkana, tx 75503) where it was diagnosed that an unknown system was contaminated and needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11075598
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. While driving approximately 25 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer (us one chrysler/jeep in sanford, south dakota) where it was diagnosed that the upstream nitrous sensor failed and needed replacement. In january of 2017, the vehicle was taken to autonation chrysler jeep/ram in albany, georgia because the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The rear nitrous sensor was replaced under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 59,510.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11030097
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

My ram truck went into a malfunction and limited the speed to 5 miles per hour causing a major highway safety issue. The truck put all passengers and operators in danger. The def system in this vehicle can only be reset by a ram dealer which causes other issues besides extreme dangers driving conditions.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11012070
Engine & cooling

Scr failed ram has recalls on june 2013 forward my truck was built in april.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10958430
Engine & cooling

SCR FAILED

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 10958429
Engine & cooling

Shaft on water pump sheared causing water pump to fail and serpentine belt to come off. Vehicle being driven on freeway at highway speeds. Serpentine belt failure results in loss of power steering and vacuum to power brakes. This in turn causes difficulty in vehicle control.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10925012
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel systemFire1 injury

On dec. 15, 2014 I received a recall on my 2013 dodge ram 2500 diesel. The recall was for a inline fuel heater that may catch fire, it had no apparent fix, no parts, no instructions and no timeline as to when it would or could be fixed. I called the dealership and spoke to the service manager about my concerns, he told me that it was a remote possibility next to none, that the vehicle would catch fire. I asked him if I could park it inside and he said yes, and that the recall was just being sent out as a...

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precaution. On the evening of jan 28th 2015 at approximately 0:920 pm smoke detectors alerted my dog and he woke me up. I woke my wife up yelling (fire) I panicked I took in a deep breath covered my mouth with my forearm, opened the personal entry door and stepped inside the garage not realizing how bad it was. The amount of heat being generated from the diesel fuel and the structure was so hot the back draft pulled the door out of my hand trapping me in the garage and because it was a schlage combination style there was no turning back, all I could see was complete black and red, red flames was shooting out from under my truck. My neighbor was kicking on my garage door yelling to wake up. I panicked again and hit the up button on the main garage door hoping to make a run for it, the garage door went up about a foot and fell hard because it pulled the door motor from the mounting brackets. I knew the only way out was the front door I used the side of the dodge as a guide and burnt my left hand, made it out the door and my neighbor handed me the garden hose hanging on the fence. All fire reports indicate the fire started under the hood of the dodge, the fire investigator from chrysler said in front of laramie county arson investigators that it originated at the fuel heater. State farm may have settled with dodge. Please read attachment.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10864479
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. While driving approximately 65 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the def fluid injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was repaired twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,000. The vin was unavailable.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10821722
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Our ram 3500 seems to have a wire chafing problem. On 26 june 2014 the truck locked in 4th gear. Ecm was replaced in fairbanks at 16490 miles. On 18 july 2014 the same thing happened at 18481 miles, the dealer in soldotna ak found a chafed wire in the wiring loom. On 29 july 2014, the truck completely died, the ecm fuse was blown. The pcm was replaced. On 26 july 2015, the truck completely died again, ecm fuse was blown. Mileage was 31421. Prestige dodge in longmont co replaced the ecm and then on the test...

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drive the truck locked into 4th gear. They then replaced a portion of the wiring harness to correct a chafed wire. I was recently notified about another wire chafing problem with the airbags. I must wonder if somehow there is a wiring loom problem with this model truck. In all 3 incidents in 2014 we were towing our trailer on paved highways at highway speed and it was fortunate that we were able to get off the road without being in an accident. The event on 26 july 2015 occurred just after we had dropped off the trailer.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10786677
SteeringEngine & coolingFuel system

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) and 15v541000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident Steering · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10785383
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

July 17, 2015 - while stationary, I started truck only to have all warning lights on the dash illuminate, wipers activate on their own, and radio unit power off. Eventually, all power was lost to the dash. Truck was towed to dealer for repair. Truck received new pcm and was returned to me. July 17, 2015 - later that evening, the truck was towed back to dealer for the same problem. Truck was in the service center for two months receiving a new wiring harness and new computers. September 16, 2015 - truck...

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returned to me. October 13, 2015 - while driving on a city street the truck exhibited the same problem. Momentarily lost engine power and transmission functionality. Lost all power to dash including trailer brakes. The truck sat idling for approximately one hour while waiting for a tow truck. I have recorded video of the dash continuing to flicker and power up and down erratically. October 16, 2015 - truck still at service center awaiting diagnosis and parts.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10782890
Engine & coolingFuel system

Truck loses power when accelerating from a dead stop. As the accelerator is depressed or feathered, the engine loses all power for 2-3 seconds leaving the driver helpless. If I allow the accelerator to return to idle position and then depress the accelerator again, the engine regains power and the vehicle accelerates. This is a very unsafe situation as I was towing a 12k pound trailer and was attempting to pull onto the highway. When the vehicle lost power, I was in jeopardy of being hit by oncoming traffic. This...

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issue has occurred several times. I took the vehicle to the dealer but they were not able to duplicate the fault. I explained that this issue happened while the vehicle was under a load. The dealer never placed the vehicle under a load during their testing.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10744853
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge ram 3500. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after numerous attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted without being prompted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10724536
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable timeframe to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not provide a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10722852
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2013 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10689940
Engine & coolingFuel system

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, dieselNHTSA 10672188
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

I was on pa turnpike attemping to merge from a service plaza, when an opening in traffic was available I applied power to merge into line . As I did this my truck did not respond !! I was pulling a 36' fifth wheel trailer at the time and my merge into traffic became very perilious! After what seemed like a very long delay ( and some braking by other motorists ) my vehicle finally started to accelerate. Once the motor responded I had plenty of power to achive speed with traffic . I have told dealer about dead pedal and was told " never heard of it " this has happened to me more that once! *Js

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10669265
Fuel systemBody, doors & structureEngine & coolingFire

Truck was smoking under hood so pulled over to side of road and truck was on fire under the hood. Truck was completely burned. Found a recall on your website #p65. *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel system, diesel · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10663050
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Stepped on accelerator pedal, backed off and stepped back down on pedal. Truck did not respond. Very dangerous when pulling out in front of oncoming cars. This is an ongoing condition, happens all the time if I push on the pedal too hard, the truck takes several seconds to respond. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10627675

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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