2013 RAM 1500 Driver assistance Problems

Abs module shut down causing truck to lose control. Now all drive train systems are locked out

NHTSA ID

11748866

Incident

Jun 21, 2026

Dash light came on for ABS. Took my truck to a Dodge Dealership to be repaired plus other non urgent work to be done. On my way to taking it to the Dealership, I started experiencing issues with braking and right before I arrived, braking meant pushing the brake pedal all the way to the floor, it also felt delayed. While checking in my truck with the Service Department, they mentioned some Recalls that I needed done and they would take care of everything. Received a call later that everything was replaced except for ABS Control. They said they didn't have one and would search for it. Week went by, I called and they said it was back ordered with no ETA. It has been there since August 2025. My only vehicle. No warranty but I still owe 11k to the bank. I contacted Ram which sent me to contact Stellantis. Explained everything in hopes they would provide a loaner or rental. This is their response. I understand your frustration. The Stellantis rental reimbursement policy is a goodwill consideration. If the vehicle doesn't meet the guidelines the request is rejected. There is no exception, or appeal process. Let me know if you have any questions or further concerns. I replied, I am requesting exception review due to a manufacturer-controlled backorder of a safety-critical ABS component that has rendered the vehicle undrivable. This is the last communication I received which is from today 2/12. There is still no definite ETA for the part at this time, but our parts team is still working to get it expedited. I will receive another update in 5-6 business days and will follow up with you then.

NHTSA ID

11717710

Incident

Aug 15, 2025

My ABS, Traction Control, and BRAKES light illuminated while driving. I used an OBD2 scanner to check for any alarms or issues and found out my ABS Control Module has an internal fault. The part has been discontinued and the replacement is on backorder for more than a year. The only fix I have been able to find is using third party repair or out having a refurbished part from anonymous sellers online with no guarantee of it working. This issue impacts the anti-lock braking system, the stability control, and cruise control functionality of my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11688316

Incident

Sep 3, 2025

ABS light would come on when driving periodically on and off. for a few months it felt like brakes were locking up, Steering was very difficult and hard like the steering wheel was locked making it difficult to turn the steering wheel. dashboard components would periodically turn off and restart. when driving it would make a grinding noiselike the brakes were locked, this would occur with the abs light on and off. the major incident when driving on the freeway. the speedometer completely failed, the digital and needle both were not working. the abs light and warning came on, i pulled over because the speedometer was not working at all, but i was able to drive. the abs warning kept beeping. i was able to pull off of the highway into a parking lot, and the truck shut off and locked. unable to restart the truck at all.

NHTSA ID

11623515

Incident

Jun 10, 2024

All at once I have an ABS , Brake, Traction Control on instrument panel illuminated.Service Trailer Brake diagnostic message. Will not set cruise. 06/03/24. Am not driving for fear of failure and presently cannot afford diagnostic repairs. Just turned 100,000 miles and is not used for daily uses. Cannot believe a failure of this magnitude happened with very low mileage

NHTSA ID

11617982

Incident

Jun 10, 2024

Service Electronic Braking System, ABS, and traction control lights are all firing. Mechanic diagnosed failed ABS module but Ram dealers in my area (Birmingham, AL) have confirmed the part is not available and can not give me a estimated timeframe for repair. This renders my vehicle unsafe to use while I wait on a part Ram is unable or unwilling to provide. Another mechanic gave me the same story and my limited research shows this has been going on for at least 3 years. Dealerships are taking the few available parts for warranties I assume, leaving local mechanics and older vehicles unable to obtain the necessary parts for safe operation which is unacceptable and creates unnecessary danger.

NHTSA ID

11612406

Incident

Aug 27, 2024

Power steering stopped working with no warning as the truck was being driven up a busy Highway at 65 MPH. Lost momentary control of the truck but was able to pull over and turn it off without incident. When it was restarted the engine light came on with an error message popping up. It was on a very busy highway but we were able to limp it home, going miles under the speed limit with emergency flashers on for safety. It is very hard to steer and the brakes do not seem to be working correctly now. After starting it again today to see if its still giving an error, another light is on regarding the ABS system and the power steering is not working at all. The truck is not safe to drive as and the problem has been confirmed by a local dealership and the truck is on a waiting list to see about further diagnostics & repairs. It is available for inspection at any time.

NHTSA ID

11600257

Incident

Jul 4, 2024

Failure of all steering wheel controls. with random cruise control suddenly activating ...transmission gear control self activation (will drop into lower gear causing driver to fly forward and vehicle behind to take evasive action). radio changes channels by itself. i found info that lead me to believe it was a clock spring issue. was taken to dealer. they diagnosed it as a steering wheel harness that had all the wires pulled out of the plug..800 to repair a 20 dollar wire harness... next drive after repair. buttons all worked again but radio still changing channels..cruise intermittent..gear dropping by itself still..almost rear ended again..back to dealer just to get told they could not do anything for a couple weeks..they are lucky this was not in inter on ice.... original symptoms could not change the display..stuck on tire pressure screen.. no phone control. no radio control. no cruise control , no gear shift control..but things would change on their own.. back at dealer again for further investigation

NHTSA ID

11593675

Incident

May 22, 2024

Reduced braking efficiency, loss of speedometer, loss of cruise control, brake light stays on when not depressing the pedal, electric power steering assist not functioning. Check engine light on, abs light on, traction control light on.

NHTSA ID

11590402

Incident

Jan 24, 2024

Driving fine with no problems then all of a sudden a bell starts chiming about 6 to 8 times then the steering light comes on and the ABS light comes on in the dash and starts blinking , then I lost power to the steering wheel ,was very hard to steer. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the engine off and waited a few minutes to crank it , every thing went normal and I drove home, but before I got home it did it again but this time it went haywire and the wipers came on and the dash lite up like a Christmas tree. I finally made it home and parked it . I sent off the TIPM unit to get repaired ,fixed but steering is still not wanting to work , will call my mechanic to put it in the shop. I have a truck that I have spent a lot of money fixing one thing after another , have already replaced the motor in 2020 . It seems like this truck is a lemon. Thank you01

NHTSA ID

11576447

Incident

Jan 26, 2024

Defective ABS moudule. been on waiting list for parts approx 2 years.

NHTSA ID

11574263

Incident

Apr 20, 2022

My abs control computer has failed. No abs/esc or cruise control. Dodge says the controller is on engineering hold and will not be available until March of 2024 at the earliest. This has been out since May. It is a safety issue that I need repaired. I cannot believe it has taken so long to get the part.

NHTSA ID

11559084

Incident

May 1, 2023

Steering froze while driving

NHTSA ID

11548475

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the traction control warning light and the brake warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that he continued driving until it was safe to pull over. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road and read the Owner’s Manual. The contact then continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed upon depressing the brake pedal; however, he was concerned that the traction control failure could cause the vehicle to skid while slamming on the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the Adaptive Cruise Control mode was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and then to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown module needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that parts were not available. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

NHTSA ID

11536948

Incident

Mar 7, 2023

Mileage

141,000 mi

I was driving and slowing down to 45 mph going through Corrigan, TX on 59. The truck all the sudden accelerated pulling to the left, then all of a sudden slammed to the right and went over a curb. I had no steering control and my foot was all the way down on the brakes to try and stop. I'm lucky it didn't happen 20 min before when 75mph was speed limit. The a frame broke, Ball joints, broke rack and pinion, cracked the weld that holds the a frame to the truck, and I'm not sure what else is broken yet. My rim and tire both need to be replaced. The aluminum broke straight across. This should not have happened and could have gotten me and others killed. I am getting the truck taken to dodge to find out what all broke and how much it is going to cost. I should not have to pay for this. This should never happen and it put me and everyone around me in danger. I am still a nervous wreck from this.

NHTSA ID

11533156

Incident

Jul 17, 2023

I was driving on Monday Nov. 14th. and I was at a complete stop and started to turn left. As I was accelerating and turning left... the steering wheel locked up and I could not turn the wheel left or right. I got home safely, and I looked online and noticed there is a current recall identical or very similar to what happened to me. The Recall number is VB9

NHTSA ID

11493820

Incident

Nov 14, 2022

The power steering went out without any knowledge and all of a sudden the light came on the same time the power steering went out and almost slammed head on first into oncoming traffic but was able to recover the vehicle without any damage they say there is a recall for the power steering online for this electronic power steering rack and pinion device so when I brought it into the dealership to have it looked at they told me there was no recall on this and gave me an estimate of over $3000 to fix the rack and pinion electronic steering device and the company I brought it to was the same place I bought it from and I still owe on this vehicle it has 56,000 miles on it now but I bought it used at 30,000 miles I’ve only put 26,000 miles on this vehicle in six years I bought this vehicle from Dayton Andrews Dodge in St. Petersburg Florida and they were unwilling to help me except for charge me an ungodly amount which I cannot afford so now I have a truck that I’m paying for and I still owe $7000 on it so what can I do can you help with getting this done with the recall that’s online. Please I’m a single dad, and my children were in the car to when this happened so it definitely was a scare for everyone. This is our only means of transportation.

NHTSA ID

11451686

Incident

Nov 22, 2021

ABs brake system malfunction lights stays on cruise control not working some days the break lights don't come on the cruise control starts back working

NHTSA ID

11443005

Incident

Dec 7, 2021

To: I have a 2013 ram 1500 4x4 my miles 48,000 .Generally safety defect the drive shaft column, lower steering shaft column intermediate. Like all Bushings control arms, ball joint and lower ,upper, bar links , etc.The defects components fall apart easy to the bolts, nuts, rubber bushing. Its a problem for poses a very risk to all drivers on road. Definitely it should bring ATTENTION to all 2013 ram 1500 4x4 an all ram Chrysler can recall so it can repair and very safe for all drivers , families whenever in all vehicles. Anyway I will park my ram in the driveway, when if it recalls the vehicle and drive for it safe !!!!!! Thank You From A VERY SAFE DRIVER!!!!!

NHTSA ID

11441359

Incident

Nov 22, 2021

VEHICLE HAS 77,000 MILES AND @ 1000 MILES AGO A NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN RIDE AND HANDLING. RIDE HAS BECOME VERY STIFF AT ALL SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. VEHICLE ALSO HAS A TENDENCY TO GIVE THE FELLING OF FLOATING WHEN CORNERING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANY CODES TO TELL THEM SOMETHING IS WRONG? THEY HAVE CHANGE MANY PARTS, SHOCKS, IDLER ARMS, RUBBER SUSPENSION BUSHINGS, ETC, THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE ROUGH RIDE, BUT CANNOT FIND THE REASON? I BELIEVE IT IS A SENSOR OR REGULATOR VALVE, THAT CONTROLS THE AIR SUSPENSION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHEN CORNERING. THE TRUCK RIDES LIKE THE THERE IS EXCESSIVE AIR PRESSURE IN THE AIR BAGS TO SOFTEN THE RIDE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS,

NHTSA ID

11363053

Incident

Jun 5, 2020

Mileage

77,000 mi

I WAS SHOPPING IN IKEA AT ATLANTIC STATION WHEN I CAME OUT I SAW FIRE TRUCKS IN THE PARKING LOT JUST TO WALK UP AND FIND THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PUTTING OUT THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11310858

Incident

Oct 27, 2019

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GIVING TROUBLE FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS, WITH THE ELECTRICAL PANEL GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL SPEED OR BRAKES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMING ON RANDOMLY, SIGNALS NOT WORKING, FALSE ALARMS FOR WASHER FLUID, RADIO AND BLUETOOTH SHUTTING DOWN AND CAR SHUTTING DOWN AND NOT STARTING ALTOGETHER. I'VE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND MECHANICS, WHO ALL HAD A HARD TIME DIAGNOSING AND FIXING THE PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD TO SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON TOW TRUCKS AND REPAIRS, AND AM NOT CONVINCED THE ISSUES ARE ADEQUATELY REPAIRED. I ALSO FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. THE PREVIOUS SECTION WOULD NOT LET ME CHOOSE ALL THE ISSUES BUT I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG, BRAKES, ELEC. STABILITY CONTROL, ELECTRICAL, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN, SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, SUSPENSION, VISIBILITY/WIPER AND WHEELS.

NHTSA ID

11300516

Incident

Nov 20, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

THERE IS A SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUM THAT ALLOWS THE AIR BAGS, VOLUME CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL, HEATED STEERING WHEEL, AND ANYTHING ELSE LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO WORK. IT BROKE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SHOULD BE A RECALL SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11267701

Incident

Mar 19, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED ON AN INCLINE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT STILL DRIVEABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FRESNO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT 866-275-2896 (LOCATED AT 6162 N BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED A REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. *AS '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).'*JB

NHTSA ID

11206328

Incident

Mar 13, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

ENGINE CHECK, TRACTION CONTROL, ANTI-SKID LIGHTS COMES ON WITH A MESSAGE THROTTLE CONTROL REQUIRES SERVICE. THE ENGINE LOSSES ALL POWER OR STALLS MAKING VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, STOP AND GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE REPLACED THE THROTTLE CONTROL WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON , IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE TRUCK SITS FOR A DAY OR TWO ALL PROBLEMS CLEAR. 4-23-2019 IS MY THIRD INCIDENT IN 4 MONTHS.

NHTSA ID

11203135

Incident

Apr 4, 2019

Mileage

72,000 mi