RoadVitals

2013 RAM 2500 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Nov 9, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
23%
of 178 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 RAM 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 41 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 41, in the owner's own words

BrakesElectrical
Filed Nov 9, 2023

DTC C0020-01 appeared after hitting a speed bump along with service TCS and ABS system. This message is displayed sometimes at random but mostly during common bumps in the road. Any wheel spin during wet weather also creates the message. Contacted the local Chrysler deal and was informed this was common and to report it. I have yet to spend money to fix the issue since finding that the wrong part is often replaced and I am no longer under warranty.

NHTSA ID
11554389
Incident
Apr 4, 2023
Electrical
Filed Oct 31, 2023

Hi, I own a 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 and the door locks do not lock all the time. The concern here is that when I have children in the truck the child safety locks do not lock and to me this is a concern. I had the door lock actuators replaced and that still didnt fix the problem. After doing research, there is a body control module that controls all electrical functions to the interior of the truck. If you use a scan tool and clear any codes in the module the door locks work perfectly for about 5-6 start cycles. The part #68200252AG is not available through mopar and has no replacement part number that supersedes the old one. Other item to note is this part number is the 6th updated revision. There is something wrong here and Mopar doesnt seem to care.

NHTSA ID
11552925
Incident
Oct 31, 2023
Electrical
Filed Oct 4, 2022

Front passenger door and both rear door locks operate intermittently. . Doors will unlock with key fob or either front door buttons or front door handles; but they will intermittently lock with key fob or front door buttons or while in drive. Doors not locking keep child safety locks from engaging and children being able to exit vehicle without being in park. Also, prevents vehicle from being securely locked and protecting from theft of items. Truck been to dealership and told of problem they checked but could only get it to replicate issue 2 times and found nothing causing the problem. I have also found multiple Ram forums with a lot of people with same issue. There haven't been any warning lamps or messages before or during issues. The problem is intermittently and has last anywhere from a couple of days to several months at a time.

NHTSA ID
11487779
Incident
Oct 3, 2022
Electrical
Filed May 17, 2021

My alternator randomly for the past couple of years randomly surges voltage and the dealership has tried contacting for the recall but told me I have to make a report for s68 campaign for alternator fix

NHTSA ID
11417541
Incident
May 4, 2021
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 11, 2020

THE LAST TIME MY TRUCK WAS IN FOR RECALL WAS IN 2016. THEY DID NOT FIX IT THEN AND HAVE NOT FIXED ANY RECALL SINCE, BUT THEY CLAM THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE RECALL OPEN AS OF DATE. NONE OF THE RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THIS IS BEING PENCEL WHIPED.

NHTSA ID
11374203
Incident
Aug 11, 2017
Mileage
24,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Oct 21, 2020

DOOR LOCKS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY WITH KEY FOB, DOOR PANEL CONTROL OR KEYLESS TOUCH ENTRY MECHANISMS. STARTED AS INTERMITTENT ISSUE BUT IS NOW HARD FAILURE...PROBLEM MANIFESTS WITH FOLLOWING SYMPTOM: USING ANY LOCK/UNLOCK MODE ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR AND TAILGATE LOCK/UNLOCK, WHEREAS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND TWO REAR DOORS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH ANY AVAILABLE MECHANISM...ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND TWO REAR DOORS DO NOT LOCK WITH THE SPEED ACTUATED LOCKING MECHANISM EITHER. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP IN SEVERAL OWNERS FORUMS.

NHTSA ID
11365635
Incident
Oct 21, 2020
Mileage
58,241 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V739000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED BY WESTBURY JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM (516-333-2666, LOCATED AT 111 BOND ST, WESTBURY, NY 11590) IN FEBRUARY OF 2018. IN OCTOBER OF 2019, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AN ODOR OF SMOKE WAS DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT SAW SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE BATTERY INDICATOR WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR BURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN INVESTIGATOR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

NHTSA ID
11277596
Incident
Oct 25, 2019
Mileage
79,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2019

BODY MOUNT CONTROL (BCM) . WHICH CONTROLS THE DOOR LOCKS HAS A HIGH RATE OF FAILURE INCLUDING MY TRUCK. DRIVERS DOOR LOCKS WHEN YOU HIT THE LOCK ON THE KEY FOB. BUT THE PASSENGER, AND BOTH BACK DOORS DO NOT DUE TO A FAULTY BODY MOUNT CONTROL (BCM). HAVE SEEN LOTS OF PEOPLE REPORTING SAME SYMPTOMS AND FAILURES ON 2013 RAM TRUCKS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY

NHTSA ID
11240201
Incident
Jul 26, 2019
Mileage
96,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 12, 2019

DRIVER SIDE AND TAIL GATE ARE THE ONLY ITEMS THAT WILL LOCK USING KEY FOB OR DOOR LOCK SWITCH

NHTSA ID
11231386
Incident
Jul 5, 2019
Mileage
86,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 4, 2019

BACKUP CAMERA SCRAMBLES AND GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BACKING UP, AND REAR PASSENGER TAILLIGHT POSTING OUT IN SYSTEM MESSAGES ON STARTUP AND STORED MESSAGES BUT IS NOT OUT.

NHTSA ID
11193753
Incident
Apr 4, 2019
Mileage
89,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 24, 2018
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR STARTED SMELLING AND RAPID CHANGES IN VOLTAGE. WHEN STOPPED AND OPENED HOOD ALTERNATOR WAS SMOKING AND STARTING TO CATCH ON FIRE. TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN ON CITY STREET AS WELL AS A HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP IN JULY TO CORRECT ALL RECALLS. THE DEALERSHIP DID ALL OTHER RECALLS OTHER THEN ALTERNATOR THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY COULD GET THE PARTS. IT IS NOW DECEMBER 23RD AND NO CALL WHEN THE ISSUE HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID
11163318
Incident
Dec 23, 2018
Mileage
50 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 26, 2018

FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY WORK MAKING IT A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11153952
Incident
Oct 20, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 18, 2018

DOOR LOCKS SOMETIMES LOCK WHEN THE LOCKED BUTTON IS PRESSED. DOES NOT MATTER IF IT'S THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE TRUCK, THE AUTO LOCK ONCE YOU GO ABOVE 10MPH, OR THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE. SINCE THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK, KIDS MAY BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AT SPEED AND GET HURT!

NHTSA ID
11152299
Incident
Aug 12, 2014
Mileage
1,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 27, 2018

DEAD PEDAL ISSUE WHEN ACCELERATING THEN MOMENTARILY LETTING OF THROTTLE AND REAPPLYING THROTTLE, THERE'S A 2-3 SECOND DELAYED RESPONSE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING IT.

NHTSA ID
11114215
Incident
Aug 22, 2016
Mileage
64,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Jul 21, 2018

WIPERS RUNNING WITH KEY AND WIPER SWITCH OFF. WENT TO GO TO WORK AND WALKED OUTSIDE TO FIND WIPERS RUNNING IN LOW. DISCONNECT BATTERY TO STOP. WAITED 5 DAYS, AS SOON AS I CONNECTED, THEY STARTED UP. PULLED FUSE AND THEY STOPPED, HAVEN'T USED TRUCK SINCE.

NHTSA ID
11112818
Incident
Jul 13, 2018
Mileage
112,450 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 26, 2018

2 MONTHS AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED FOR THE SCR CATALYST FAILURE IN THE RAM 2500 2013 TRUCK, THE DEF SYSTEM HAS UNDERGONE A COMPLETE FAILURE AND NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THE TRUCK IN CURRENTLY IN A MILEAGE COUNT DOWN THAT CAN NOT BE STOPPED UNTIL REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE UNDRIVABLE ONCE THE COUNTDOWN REACHES ZERO. THE SYSTEM UNDERWENT COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE RAIN. THE FUSE FOR THE SCR FEED HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE THE ISSUE FIRST APPEARED AND EACH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED DURING WET CONDITIONS. NO STANDING BODIES OF WATER WERE CROSSED AND NO RIVERS WERE FORDED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE RECALL AND COULD BE DRIVEN IN WET WEATHER WITHOUT WORRY. THE VEHICLE IS NOW A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND CONTINUES TO HAVE RECALLS MADE TO IT THAT HAVE NO SOLUTION. THERE ARE TWO OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE THAT HAVE NO PRESENTED SOLUTION OR DATE FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11074899
Incident
Feb 25, 2018
Mileage
28,000 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Jan 19, 2018

BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK IS MALFUNCTIONING. VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF PARK WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL.

NHTSA ID
11063753
Incident
Jan 19, 2018
Mileage
135,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 6, 2018

TRUCK HAS BEEN HARD TO START SINCE I BOUGHT IT THEN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. DEALER SAID IT WAS WIRING HARNESS COST WAS $1500 FOR PARTS AND LABOR AND THAT DIDN'T FIX IT NOW THEY SAY IT'S THE COMPUTER IS FRIED WHICH IS GOING TO BE $2500 PARTS

NHTSA ID
11060881
Incident
Nov 26, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 26, 2017

ONLY MY TAILGATE AND DRIVER DOOR WILL LOCK. MY DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN I START TO DRIVE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LOCK MY DOORS ONLY THE TAILGATE AND DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK.

NHTSA ID
11048461
Incident
Nov 2, 2017
Mileage
115,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 15, 2017

BODY CONTROL MODULE. ELECTRICAL FAULT DOESN'T ALLOW THE ABILITY TO LOCK THE DOOR. TO LOCK THE DOOR YOU MUST MANUALLY LOCK THE DOOR. SAFETY ISSUE HAVING TO MANUALLY WALK AROUND TO EACH DOOR TO LOCK IT IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS.

NHTSA ID
11015361
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
51,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 29, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A RAPID ALTERNATOR FAILURE DUE TO DIODE THERMAL FATIGUE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF DUE TO AN UNDERHOOD ELECTRICAL FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V739000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10938449
Incident
Dec 23, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 18, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED AND NO REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V739000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,300.

NHTSA ID
10927007
Incident
Nov 2, 2016
Mileage
64,300 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 8, 2016

VERY COMMON IGNITION ISSUES! RAM IGNITIONS WITH THE KEY FOB THAT YOU PLACE IN DASH GOES OUT CAUSEING NO STARTS. IF YOU GOOGLE 2013 RAM IGNITIONS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SHOW UP. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FREE OF CHARGE! NEED TO GO BACK TO A ACTUAL KEY!

NHTSA ID
10924946
Incident
Oct 19, 2016
Mileage
65,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Aug 29, 2016

WIPERS FUNCTION WHEN NOT TURNED ON, LIGHTS FLICKER ON & OFF WHEN ON HIGH BEAM, HIGH BEAMS WON'T COME ON AT ALL, TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR GOES ON & OFF WHILE DRIVING, RADIO DISPLAY WILL NOT TURN ON & WE ARE UNABLE TO CHANGE RADIO STATIONS, A/C WILL NOT BLOW AT SELECTED SPEED, TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN TURNED ON. ALL ABOVE WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, HIGHWAY & CITY TRAVELS.

NHTSA ID
10899177
Incident
Aug 29, 2016
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE PARKED, THE SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE, SRS AIR BAG, AND LOW COOLANT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE RADIO WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WITH THE VOLUME EXCESSIVELY LOUD. ALL THE LOCKS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10889336
Incident
Aug 14, 2015
Mileage
85,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .