RoadVitals

2013 RAM 3500 Fuel system Problems

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

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
20
Latest Apr 26, 2020
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.
18%
of 114 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.
2
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 fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 RAM 3500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 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 fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel system
Filed Apr 26, 2020

THE DEF GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF DEF FLUID THAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK, IT IS ALWAYS SHOWING FULL.

NHTSA ID
11322293
Incident
Jan 2, 2020
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 7, 2018

THE ISSUE OF THE "DEAD PEDAL" NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THIS HAS LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HAULING A 40" FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER AND NOW TODAY AT LUNCH I STOP AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND HAD TO PARK MY TRUCK THERE AS I HAVE A DEAD PEDAL. YOU GIVE IT GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. GOOGLE IT, ITS A HUGE ISSUE AND COULD VERY EASILY COST SOMEONE THERE LIFE.

NHTSA ID
11100433
Incident
Jun 7, 2018
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 11, 2016
Fire reported1 injury reported

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 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.

NHTSA ID
10864479
Incident
Jan 28, 2015
Mileage
6,700 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 24, 2015

THE NEW DODGE RAM EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS DIESEL EXPERIENCE A DEAD PEDAL, OR PEDAL DELAY WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL 3/4 TO FULL THROTTLE. THIS POSES A SERIOUS RISK WHEN NEEDING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, OR MOVE THE VEHICLE UNDER EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS HAPPENS UNDER ALL CONDITIONS: STOPPED, ROLLING, UNDER ACCELERATION ETC. IF YOU PUSH THE PEDAL TOO FAR THE TRUCK WILL NOT RESPOND TO OPERATOR COMMANDS AND WILL TAKE 1.5-2 SECONDS TO START PICKING UP SPEED. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. THERE IS NOT EXCUSE FOR A VEHICLE NOT RESPONDING TO DRIVER INPUT. MANUFACTURE CLAIMS "TURBO LAG", THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. YOU CAN BUILD TURBO BOOST, MONITORED ON THE VEHICLE GAUGE, THEN PRESS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE TRUCK WILL NOT RESPOND FOR 1.5 TO 2 SECONDS. PLEASE LOOK AT FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE CUMMINS FORUM BELOW, IT HAS NUMEROUS ARTICLES ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HERE AS A LINK TO JUST ONE OF THEM. HTTP://WWW.CUMMINSFORUM.COM/FORUM/2013-GENERAL-DISCUSSION/1836593-VERY-SLOW-THROTTLE-RESPONSE.HTML PLEASE, HELP FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF HARMS WAY. THIS TSB SOMEWHAT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FIXES IT PARTIALLY, NOT TO THE POINT THAT IT IS SAFE. TSB 18-041-15 I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURE KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE, BUT IS NOT FIXING IT DUE TO EMISSIONS RELATED PROGRAMMING ON THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE AFTERMARKET SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY VOID THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY, AND IM NOT WILLING TO LOSE MY WARRANTY ON A NEW VEHICLE. I WILL BE SUBMITTING ANOTHER ONE OF THESE FOR MY 2015 AS WELL, SINCE THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10806538
Incident
Nov 2, 2015
Mileage
24,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Oct 22, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10785383
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Oct 21, 2015

MY VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP FOR A 5TH TIME FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, MESSAGE SAID ERROR WITH DEF SYSTEM , CALL DEALER. THEN MESSAGE CAME UP AND SAID IN 200 MILES TRUCK WILL SHUT DOWN TO ONLY 5 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW WARRANTY IS REFUSING TO FIX IT AGAIN BASING THEIR CASE ON "CONTAMINATED DEF" FLUID AS THE CAUSE. I WAS TOLD THIS IS AN ISSUE ON THESE TRUCKS AND TO FIX WOULD BE $1700 OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE THE DEF WAS CALLED "CONTAMINATED", EVERYONE STARTING CALLING ME ASKING FOR $ TO REPAIR THE SYSTEM SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT THE FLUID GOT CONTAMINATED. DISTANCE DRIVEN FROM DEF ERROR CODE 3 REPAIR AT THE DEALER TO DEF ERROR CODE 4, LESS THAN 100 MILES AND NO DEF FLUID WAS ADDED SINCE IT LEFT THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING AND NO ONE WANTS TO FIX IT. TRUCK IS SITTING AT THE DEALER AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE 200 MILE SHUT DOWN SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10785161
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel systemSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 30, 2015

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK STARTING SHAKING VIOLENTLY, THE SPEED WAS REDUCED THE SHAKE CEASED BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. WHEN TAKEN IN A DODGE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT REPAIR,WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT. THIS VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DUE TO FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID
10778710
Incident
Sep 11, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 30, 2015

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 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.

NHTSA ID
10744853
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
13,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10672188
Incident
Jan 13, 2015
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 31, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10669265
Incident
Nov 29, 2014
Mileage
8,000 mi
Body & structureEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 9, 2014
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10663050
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
15,800 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 23, 2014

RANDOMLY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HAZARDS AND/OR COLLISIONS AND WHILE MERGING ONTO MOTORWAY, GAS PEDAL BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE FOR UP TO 5 SECONDS. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS FROM A DEAD STOP; HOWEVER, HAS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10638287
Incident
Jul 5, 2013
Mileage
750 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 27, 2014

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MESSAGE SAID ERROR WITH DEF SYSTEM , CALL DEALER. THEN MESSAGE CAME UP AND SAID IN 200 MILES TRUCK WILL SHUT DOWN TO ONLY 5 MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS AN ISSUE ON THESE TRUCKS. THEY COULD NOT GET A NEW PART FOR 2 WEEKS. I WAS 3RD ON LIST AND 5 MORE BEHIND ME. THEY'RE HAVING TO ORDER SO MANY THAT THEY'RE BACK LOGGED. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS FIXED FAST! SURELY, THEY WILL DO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10628989
Incident
Aug 25, 2014
Mileage
20,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2014

MY TRUCK HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH A TERRIBLE DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC THERE IS A SEVERE DELAY BETWEEN IMPUTING THROTTLE AND THE TRUCK ACTUALLY ACCELERATING. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE TRUCK TAKES 3-6 SECONDS TO REALIZE THROTTLE INPUT. THIS HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE OR TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THERE IS NOTHING AVAILABLE TO RECTIFY THIS. I AM CLEARLY NOT ALONE ON THIS, MANY OF US HAVING BEEN HAVING LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS ON THE FORUMS IN HOPES OF A FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627800
Incident
Oct 9, 2013
Mileage
25 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2014

THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE TIMES WHERE I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND GOT THE FAMOUS "DEAD PEDAL" THAT DODGE HAS PROGRAMMED INTO THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS TOO MUCH TORQUE MGMT. OR SOMETHING AND THERE ARE MANY CASES, WHERE YOU EXPECT THE VEHICLE TO TAKE OFF AND IT WILL SIT THERE FOR 2-3 SECONDS BEFORE MOVING, THEREFORE PUTTING YOU INTO A DANGEROUS POSITION. WE NEED THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. IN THE FORUMS, THERE ARE MANY, MANY THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME VEHICLES - 2013-2014 VEHICLES WITH CUMMINS 6.7L DIESEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627795
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
9,212 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2014

MY 2013 DODGE DIESEL CONSUMES 1 GALLON OF DEF (DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID ) EVERY 85 MILES WHILE TOWING. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS ABOUT 1000MPG. IT IS USING 10 TIMES THE AVERAGE. IT IS VERY COSTLY AND DIRTY TO FILL THE DEF TANK. I'M ADDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT MULTIPLE PLASTIC 2 1/2 GALLON JUGS AND THE BOX THEY COME IN. THE FACTORY HAS NO FIX AS OF YET ,THE DEALER HAS BEEN GOOD WITH ALL THE REPAIRS EXCEPT THIS. THEY ARE HELD BACK BY THE FACTORY WITH A LACK OF INFORMATION, I'M TOLD. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS IS DOING TO MY TRUCK/ENGINE OR THE ENVIRONMENT IT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627183
Incident
Nov 6, 2013
Mileage
2,161 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 31, 2014

THE TRUCK HAS WHAT I DESCRIBE AS A "DEAD PEDAL". I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AND LET OFF THE THROTTLE IN AN EVASIVE MANEUVER, BUT REALIZED I NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY TO AVOID BEING HIT. I PUSHED TO ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, AND THERE WAS A 2-3 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE BEGAN ACCELERATING. I AVOIDED BEING HIT ONLY DUE TO EVASIVE STEERING. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE VERIFIED THIS CONDITION IN A CONTROLLED SITUATION, AND CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM EACH AND EVERY TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10618055
Incident
Aug 29, 2013
Mileage
3,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 15, 2014

WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN PRESSING AGAIN, (LIKE MERGING OR A ROLLING STOP) THERE IS A LAG OF 1-2 SECONDS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. RAM SAYS THAT IS NORMAL. THIS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ID
10610607
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
6,500 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR OF DIESEL FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ODOR WAS PRESENT WHEN THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 50 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND RELEASING THE THROTTLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN 4TH GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF ALL FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6000.

NHTSA ID
10585366
Incident
Oct 16, 2013
Mileage
6,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, SHE SMELLED AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF DIESEL FUEL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONLY WHEN THE FRESH AIR CONTROL SETTING WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DETECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ID
10560993
Incident
Oct 16, 2013
Mileage
6,000 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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Data on this page last refreshed .