RAM 5500 · model year

2013 RAM 5500

6 NHTSA complaints, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013RAM5500 carries 6 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 5500 is power train with 2 filings, followed by wheels (1) and engine (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 9 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 7 investigation files overlapping the 2013 5500, and 4 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

6
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

6 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN2
WHEELS1
ENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SUSPENSION1

Recalls (9)

21V39800027/05/2021

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible whe

15V46100023/07/2015

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

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 equip

15V45900022/07/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

17V82400021/12/2017

EQUIPMENT

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers ma

17V82100020/12/2017

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

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.

16V73900013/10/2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.

17V56200012/09/2017

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

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.

14V63500008/10/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

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.

13V28800002/07/2013

STRUCTURE

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2013, through March 8, 2013. An incorrect bolt may have been used to attach the track bar to the frame.

Recent Complaints

20160112SUSPENSION

PULLSTAR PUMP HOIST & UTILITY BODY > TOTAL WEIGHT 17,000LBS BOTH REARMOST SHACKLE BOLTS FOUND OVER ONE HALF THE WAY OUT OF PLACE WITH THREADED ENDS WITH NUT MISSING. NEAR DISASTER.

Mileage: 20,000

20150320ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 COOLANT LOW - CAUSED BY REPAIR #1 SO THE WARRANTY COVERED THE WATER PUMP AND WATER PUMP BEARING THAT WERE DEFECTIVE, BUT NOT THE BELT THAT WAS DAMAGED DUE TO IT. ALSO DURING THIS REPAIR IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT NEVER WENT OFF AFTER REPAIR AND A P20EE THAT ONLY TEMPORARILY GOT RESET. 03/20/15 WARRANTY RUNNING OUT, BUT LUCKILY STILL COVERED... P20EE ERROR HAS BEEN PRESENT THE LAST 2 DAYS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SINCE LAST REPAIR. BECAUSE OF P20EE, THE TRUCK WENT LIMP AND THE DRIVER IS ABOUT 45 MIN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WITH A DIESEL TECH. TRUCK BOUGHT BRAND NEW JULY 2014. ALL MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE. TRUCK WELL TAKEN CARE OF. ALL WE WA

Mileage: 88,720

20150320POWER TRAIN

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 COOLANT LOW - CAUSED BY REPAIR #1 SO THE WARRANTY COVERED THE WATER PUMP AND WATER PUMP BEARING THAT WERE DEFECTIVE, BUT NOT THE BELT THAT WAS DAMAGED DUE TO IT. ALSO DURING THIS REPAIR IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT NEVER WENT OFF AFTER REPAIR AND A P20EE THAT ONLY TEMPORARILY GOT RESET. 03/20/15 WARRANTY RUNNING OUT, BUT LUCKILY STILL COVERED... P20EE ERROR HAS BEEN PRESENT THE LAST 2 DAYS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SINCE LAST REPAIR. BECAUSE OF P20EE, THE TRUCK WENT LIMP AND THE DRIVER IS ABOUT 45 MIN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WITH A DIESEL TECH. TRUCK BOUGHT BRAND NEW JULY 2014. ALL MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE. TRUCK WELL TAKEN CARE OF. ALL WE WA

Mileage: 88,720

20140927ENGINE

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 RESPONDS. THIS DELAY COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, SINCE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO, AND COULD THEREFORE ALLOW YOU TO BE IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO. THIS "DEAD PEDAL" SYNDROME HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD IN THE LAST YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 1,300

20140927POWER TRAIN

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 RESPONDS. THIS DELAY COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, SINCE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO, AND COULD THEREFORE ALLOW YOU TO BE IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO. THIS "DEAD PEDAL" SYNDROME HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD IN THE LAST YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 1,300

20140812WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS WEARING OUT THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT END WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

Compare 2013RAM5500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 4 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 RAM 5500 have?
The 2013 RAM 5500 has 6 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 RAM 5500?
Yes, the 2013 RAM 5500 has 9 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 RAM 5500?
The most-complained component for the 2013 RAM 5500 is POWER TRAIN with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include WHEELS and ENGINE.
Is the 2013 RAM 5500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.