2013 RAM 1500 body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

I was alerted today November 2025 that the fuel tank bracket support strap was unable to be reattached to the frame due to a rusted frame body where it was supposed to attach to. Luckily, it didn't come completely off and allow the fuel tank to drop to the ground while I was driving with my 2 young children in the truck causing a massive fatal accident. I spoke with the dealership regarding any recalls/coverage for this item and was made aware that they was an extended unlimited mileage warranty on this particular item that just expired in April 2025. Here we are just a few months past that and I've been alerted to the same issue, but am being told that it cannot and will not be covered as the warranty has expired. I escalated to RAM corporate customer care and was told the same thing, that they would not cover the issue and no manager would call me back at all. This is a known safety failure of this vehicle which was left by the company to be found by the driver AFTER it broke which could have had a disastrous outcome. This should have been a recall with a fix provided instead of rolling the dice with peoples lives. This could have happened months ago, well within the warranty period, but got worse and worse little by little until we got to this point now. Even me finding it now was serendipitous as I just happened to be under the truck performing other work. The company should 100% cover this repair based on their obvious knowledge of the safety problem.

NHTSA complaint #11699765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

SAFETY DEFECT: Database Classification Failure - 2013 Ram Vehicles Vehicle: 2013 Ram 1500, VIN: [ENTER VIN ABOVE] Owner: [ENTER NAME ABOVE] Email: [ENTER EMAIL ABOVE] Phone: [ENTER PHONE ABOVE] Defect Description: The 2013 model year Ram vehicles suffer from a systematic database classification failure that prevents normal ownership operations and creates safety hazards. Due to the Dodge-to-Ram brand transition in 2013, these vehicles are not properly recognized in automotive databases used by: • Auto parts retailers (O'Reilly's, AutoZone, etc.) • Insurance companies and quote systems • Tire retailers and service centers • Emergency roadside assistance systems • Government vehicle registration systems Safety Implications: • Inability to quickly procure critical replacement parts during emergencies • Delays in obtaining proper insurance coverage • Emergency service complications due to vehicle misidentification • Forced manual workarounds that increase human error risk Consumer Impact: Vehicle owners are forced to spend excessive time and resources (phone calls, manual lookups, repeated explanations) to perform basic vehicle ownership functions. This constitutes an operational defect that prevents normal commercial transactions. Requested Action: NHTSA should require Stellantis to issue a recall to correct the database classification error across all automotive systems, or provide alternative identification mechanisms that ensure proper vehicle recognition. Root Cause: Stellantis' failure to properly coordinate database updates during the 2013 Dodge Ram to Ram transition, leaving vehicles in a "database orphan" state.

NHTSA complaint #11681238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2013 Ram 1500 truck has corroded fuel tank strap, which could lead to a fuel leak or fire. Dealer discovered while preformed oil change service.

NHTSA complaint #11680907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I took my truck in for inspection to sell it. My auto technician said that my frame by the passenger side, rear was completely rusted and cracked and unsafe to drive. I called Dodge on 11/14/24 and they opened a case # [XXX]. They told me to take it to the dealership. I took it to 5 Corners in Cedarburg, WI and had them do an inspection where they also took photos and said that the truck was unsafe. They bounced back to Dodge and now Dodge bounced it back to the dealership. No one will respond and it has been 1 months with an unsafe vehicle. There were no indications of problems and had I not taken it in, what might’ve happened? I have an unsafe vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11630038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

On multiple occasions I have had the tailgate come open/fail to close. Other year Rams have a recall and I believe this year should be included. I have installed a gas shock to help slow it and hold in place. The front brakes have had issues with sticking or not releasing after applying them. I have replaced the unit and does the same thing so I like others believe it might be the brake hose collapsing then releasing especially on the air ride suspension models. In stop and go traffic they will pull or get extremely hot and I’m worried it might melt the tire bead or worse.

NHTSA complaint #11626992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Front welded frame mounting point for gas tank "Tee-Strap" rusted through causing front of gas tank to sag from frame and only be supported by remaining rear gas tank strap. The actual T-strap is structurally sound, it is the the frame mount that rusted through that allowed the Tee-Strap to pull through the mount. It appears that the design of the mounting point allowed moisture and road grit to become trapped in the bottom of the mount causing the rust breakthrough. The car has low mileage for it's age (97k) and has been kept in a garage.

NHTSA complaint #11617647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Gas tank bracket rotted. Strap is unattached.

NHTSA complaint #11586020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

The vehicle failed PA state inspection for corroded frame where the front fuel tank strap broke free from a slot into the frame. Who knows when it popped free. There is now only one rear strap holding the gas tank in up under the vehicle. This could have resulted in a full gas tank just dropping right out of the vehicle. Contacted ram dealer where i got the truck from. First they said ok, we will fix it and ordered the parts. Will call when these are in and ready to be installed. Called back 2 weeks or so later and they denied any recall notice, issue or ordering any parts. Huge safety flaw that could result in fatal accident either by having the fuel tank fall out of the vehicle or being in an accident and it falling out bursting into flames.

NHTSA complaint #11584797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Hello, I'm filing a complaint against the Dothan, AL Ram dealership due to recalls that were never performed. I bought the truck on 7/12/2021 from a third party. I noticed this particular Ram had 12 recalls so I took it in to the Dothan, AL Dodge dealership to have them repaired. They had the truck for 2 weeks and nothing was repaired. Nothing at all. I lost 2 back pack blowers because of the faulty tailgate latch. I had to take the tailgate from my 02 Ram off and put it on the 2013. That's just one incident, there are quite a few and I've spent countless amount of money and time fixing this truck because of the recalls that were never performed. I need an Inspector to see this, it's ridiculous. When I took the truck in for the recalls it had 101,000 miles, a cold air intake, and different features. When I got the truck back it had 114000 miles, the cold air intake was gone, the Vin plate was replaced with a sticker and it had different features. The GM convinced me I was hallucinating. I'm a disabled adult and was taken for a fool and discriminated against. I am going to have to find a lawyer.

NHTSA complaint #11572857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Several times I came back to my truck and the locking tailgate was in the down position even though I had left it up and checked it. I was several miles back a dirt road on a secure base were nobody came near it. If this happens with a load or my trailer attached it could damage the gate or cause the load to fall out. I have inspected it but found no misalignment and this just started in 11-12/2022. The vehicle has only 15k miles on it and I’m the original owner. The truck is also a model with the Rambox sides so the tailgate is different to others. I heard that 2014 and up Rams had a recall and was wondering if the 13 should have been affected? Thanks,,

NHTSA complaint #11509362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Gas tank front strap came out causing the tank to almost touch the ground. After looking into this further I saw serious corrosion in the main frame of the truck that caused the strap to fall off and release the gas tank. It appears this was recalled on this model and then switched to just the 08-2012 models.

NHTSA complaint #11492528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED DASH AT PASSENGER AIRBAG. *LD

NHTSA complaint #11361821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I TRIED THIS ONCE AND LOST IT DOWNLOADING A PICTURE. I HAD A PROBLEM PUTTING GAS IN MY TRUCK. IT KEPT MAKING THE GAS PUMP POP. EVENTUALLY IT TOOK 30-40 MIN TO GET GAS IN IT. I STARTED USING A 5 GALLON GAS CAN TO GET GAS IN IT. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND IT COST OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. ALSO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY TAILGATE OPENING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, ONE OF THE TIMES A TRAILER WAS ATTACHED AND IT OPENED AN HIT THE HITCH AND DENTED IT MAKING IT HARD TO OPEN IT. ONE DAY I STOPPED AT A BUSINESS ON JOPPA RD IN PERRY HALL TO PICK UP 2 LAWNMOWERS AND WHEN I PULLED OUT ON JOPPA ROAD AND THE TAILGATE POPPED OPEN AGAIN AND THE MOWERS FELL OUT AND STARTED GRILLING DOWN THE ROAD AND LUCKILY THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS SAW IT HAPPEN AND HELPED ME CATCH THEM BEFORE THEY CAUSED AND ACCIDENT. I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO DOWNLOAD A PICTURE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS AGAIN. I NEVER GOT RECALLS ON THESE THINGS UNTIL AFTER THESE THINGS HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #11306228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT BUBBLING ON PASSENGER SIDE BELOW RADIO ANTENNA, NOTICED RIGHT AT THE END OF THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. HOWEVER, NO RUST AT THAT TIME, BUT NOW PAINT IS STARTING TO FRACTURE AND RUST WILL BE EVIDENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT DUE TO A COUPLE POSSIBLE REASONS. FIRST, THERE COULD BE A DEFECT IN THE SEAL AROUND THE ANTENNA THAT LET IN MOISTURE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAUSED A BREAKDOWN OF THE BODY FROM THE INSIDE OUT. SECOND, THERE IS SOUND DEADENING FOAM THAT TRAPPED MOISTURE CAUSING THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BODY FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

NHTSA complaint #11302316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAIL GATE DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. IT WILL OPEN, DROP AND FALL BY ITSELF AFTER TAKEOFF. THIS MAY CAUSE CARGO TO FALL OUT OF VEHCILE WHILE IN MOTION. REPEATED MANUAL AND REMOTE LOCKING TAKES SEVERAL TRIES O GET IT TO LOCK, BUT IT IS NOT A GUARANTEE IT WILL STAY LOCKED. IT HAS A LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AFTER TAILGATE IS OPENED AND USED.

NHTSA complaint #11183443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE TAIL GATE FALLS OPEN WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT IS NOT LOCKED. THE TAIL GATE WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN ACCIDENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND IT HAS NOT LATCHED CLOSED PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #11181319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TAILGATE WOULD UNLATCH AND FALL DOWN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (MILTON RUBEN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 3508 WASHINGTON RD, AUGUSTA, GA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11165117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAILGATE FALLS FOR NO REASON AND WHEN I TRY TO PUT IT BACK UP IT WON'T LATCH. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET IT TO DO SO. I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK IT ONCE I DO GET IT LATCHED. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY. IT'S RATHER DANGEROUS NOT ONLY FOR THE RISK OF CARGO FALLING OUT BUT FOR ME HAVING TO STOP ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND FIGHT WITH IT WHILE CARS ARE FLYING BY ME AT 65+MPH. IT'S HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT I WILL PUT THE MOST RECENT DATE BELOW. DEALER SAYS IT'S BECAUSE OF SOME 'MODULE' AND I HAVE TO PAY $267 TO HAVE IT FIXED. SEEMS LIKE IT'S A DEFECT AND DODGE SHOULD BE COVERING THE COST, THE TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD FOR GOD'S SAKE.

NHTSA complaint #11162552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE DRIVING THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS DONE THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS.. I HAVE HAD ITEMS FALL OUT ONE TIME ONTO THE ROADWAY LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENTS ONLY SOME ITEM DAMAGE.I CONTACTED THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DODGE RAM DEALER THEY SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE THE LATCH IS FAILING. THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2015 THRU 2018 RAMS FOR THE PROBLEM I AM DESCRIBING. THEY SAID I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE LATCH TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THERE WAS A PROBLEMS WITH LATER YEARS THAN MINE I WOULD GUESS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2013'S.

NHTSA complaint #11152032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

,WHEN THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ENGAGE FOR THE DOORS AND TAILGATE AFTER REACHING A CERTAIN SPEED, T UNKNOWN TIMES AND WITHOUT WARNING THE TAILGATE WILL DISENGAGE AND OPEN. IT HAPPENS EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS, DEPENDING ON HOW OFTEN I USE THE TRUCK. LUCKILY NO ONE HAS BEEN BEHIND ME AND SO FAR THE TAILGATE CABLES HAVE HELD UP. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL RAM DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THE SERVICE PERSON STATED THEY'VE HAD A COUPLE COME IN LIKE THAT. I SAW WHERE RAM IS RECALLING THE 2015-2017 TRUCKS AND FEEL THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED FURTHER BACK.

NHTSA complaint #11115416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, WATER LEAKED INTO THE REAR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. SUNSET CHRYSLER OF GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE SOURCE OF THE WATER ENTRY, BUT STATED THAT THE WATER MAY HAVE COME FROM A LOOSE LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11002498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE TRAVELING ON A PAVED ROAD AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH, RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS SEPARATED FROM INSIDE BEAD ALL ACROSS TOP OF TREAD TO OUTSIDE BEAD. TIRE BLOWING OUT CAUSED DAMAGE TO FENDER. NO EVIDENCE THAT THE TIRE STRUCK ANYTHING IN THE ROAD, INITIAL REPORT FROM A GOODYEAR REP SAID THAT THE TIRE JUST SEPARATED. NOTHING WAS FOUND IN THE ROAD OR VICINITY TO INDICATE THAT THE TIRE STRUCK ANYTHING

NHTSA complaint #10918152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW IN 2013 AND THE PAINT IS BUBBLING ON HOOD ( RUSTING ) AND IT ALSO FAILED EMISSION TEST WHEN I WENT TO GET INSPECTION STICKER, I DON'T BELIEVE I'M ASKING TO MUCH THAT A VEHICLE 3 YEARS OLD NOT RUST AND PASS AN EMISSIONS TEST.

NHTSA complaint #10899687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

2013 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE CAN START WITHOUT REMOTE IGNITION KEY FOB. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE KEY FOB WAS IN HIS POCKET, THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT OF HIS LEG, OR BENDING OVER, WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO START. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS, AS CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERED THE GARAGE/HOUSE.

NHTSA complaint #10874082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2013 RAM 1500 WITH 26,500 MILES ON IT, HAD FLAT TIRE AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER TRIED TO RELEASE THE SPARE TIRE. THE MECHANISM WOULD NOT RELEASE, HAD TO CRAWL UNDER THE JACKED UP VEHICLE AND MANUALLY TURN THE MECHANISM TO RELEASE SPARE. TOOK VEHICLE TO RAM DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY STATED THE MECHANISM WAS STRIPPED AND WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THE 3 YEAR, 36,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THEY ARE STATED THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFECT IT IS FROM MISUSE. THE RELEASE HAD NEVER BEEN USED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND FAILED. THEY WERE WILLING TO FIX IT FOR A LARGE FEE, BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY. CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE TO BACK THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS AND THAT THE REPAIR CANNOT BE MADE UNDER WARRANTY. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND POOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND COMPLETE DISREGARD TO CUSTOMER SAFETY. HAVING TO CRAWL UNDER A VEHICLE BESIDE THE ROAD WITH ONLY A FACTORY JACK TO RELEASE THE SPARE TIRE IS A MAJOR HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10863477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

ALL 4 DOOR HINGES HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO CORRECT THE RUST ISSUE. RUST WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE COMPLETE DETERIORATION OF THE DOOR HINGES. NOTICED THIS PROBLEM 3 MOS AFTER PURCHASE OF NEW RAM, BUT DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10862792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 1500. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS CONDENSATION COVERING THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED AND FOUND INFORMATION STATING THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SIX INCHES OF STANDING WATER UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT AND THE SMELL OF MOLD INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10808409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.