2013 Ram 1500 MPG
EPA ratings for the 2013 Ram 1500 run from 13–18 mpg in town to 19–25 on the highway, or 15–21 combined, depending on which of its 10 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 21 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive and is rated 15 mpg combined. That is 5 mpg better than the best gasoline 2012 version (16 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 HFE 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular · 426 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 · 450 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Regular · 451 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 474 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Midgrade · 525 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Midgrade · 514 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 549 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Midgrade · 558 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 562 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Midgrade · 578 g CO₂/mi |
2013 Ram 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2013 Ram 1500 costs about $3,110 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (21 mpg combined), or roughly 21 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (16 mpg combined) comes to about $4,080 a year, $970 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2013 Ram 1500 specs
2013 Ram 1500 buyers could choose between 3 engines, according to EPA records: 3.6 L 6-cyl, 5.7 L 8-cyl and 4.7 L 8-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a standard pickup truck.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 5.7 L | 8 | Automatic 8-spd; Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive; Rear-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 4.7 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2013 Ram 1500 problems
Owners have filed 1,281 complaints about the 2013 Ram 1500 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Steering is the most-reported area (40% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (14%) and engine (8%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 91 complaints a year: more than the 2012 (46 a year) and fewer than the 2014 (136 a year).
That ranks 7th of 17 Ram 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 1,281, 72 mention a crash, 10 a fire and 25 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 645 | 40% |
| Electrical system | 227 | 14% |
| Engine | 123 | 8% |
| Air bags | 94 | 6% |
| Power train | 86 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 69 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 50 | 3% |
| Suspension | 45 | 3% |
| Structure | 40 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 37 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 35 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 32 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 17 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 15 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 15 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 14 | <1% |
| Wheels | 12 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 9 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | <1% |
| Equipment | 6 | <1% |
| Seats | 6 | <1% |
| Tires | 6 | <1% |
| Visibility | 4 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 2 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Interior lighting | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an unknown steering message displayed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. …
2013 Ran 1500 with 120000 miles. Service Anti-lock Brake System advisory message. Truck will start but will not switch into gear.
I have my vehicle at the dealership to check a ticking noise from the 5.7L engine in my truck. I was told that there are broken exhaust bolts causing the noise. …
2013 Ram 1500 recalls
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2013 Ram 1500, plus 1 recall of replacement equipment made for it.
The most recent, campaign 19V347000 from May 2019, concerns latches/locks/linkages.
Air bags account for 3 of the 12 campaigns, more than any other area.
13V610000 · December 6, 2013 · Power train
Problem: In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
Risk: The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge.
13V287000 · July 2, 2013 · Electronic stability control (esc)
Problem: Due to a software issue with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) module, the ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started.
Risk: A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESC module software, free of charge.
13V237000 · June 4, 2013 · Exterior lighting
Problem: In the affected vehicles, the turn signal indicator may not flash at a double rate to give a notification to the driver of a turn signal malfunction. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: Without a warning that the turn signal is malfunctioning, the driver would continue to use the vehicle, unaware that other drivers on the road are not being notified that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Central Body Controller software, free of charge.
13V177000 · May 7, 2013 · Engine and engine cooling
Problem: In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Risk: Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge.
13V128000 · April 3, 2013 · Parking brake
Problem: The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the parking brake performance requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reset the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V347000 | May 9, 2019 | Latches/locks/linkages | 2013–2018 |
| 17V821000 | December 20, 2017 | Power train | 2009–2017 |
| 17V302000 | May 9, 2017 | Air bags | 2013–2016 |
| 16E041000 | May 16, 2016 | Equipment (equipment) | 2012–2016 |
| 15V461000 | July 23, 2015 | Equipment | 2013–2015 |
| 15V459000 | July 22, 2015 | Air bags | 2012–2014 |
| 15V460000 | July 22, 2015 | Seat belts, Air bags | 2013–2015 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 6 versions of the 2013 Ram 1500; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Regular PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Quad PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Quad PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Ram 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2013 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2013 Ford F-150 (19 mpg) and 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 (18 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 16 | 488 | 29 | 4 |
| 2011 | 16 | 689 | 43 | 4 |
| 2012 | 16 | 698 | 46 | 7 |
| 2013 | 21 | 1,281 | 91 | 12 |
| 2014 | 23 | 1,777 | 136 | 17 |
| 2015 | 24 | 1,459 | 121 | 18 |
| 2016 | 24 | 1,554 | 140 | 17 |
Every Ram 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2013 models
FAQ
Is the 2013 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2013 Ram 1500 has 91 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (7th most of 17 model years), 11 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 21 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2013 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are steering (645), electrical system (227) and engine (123). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2013 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 1 replacement-equipment recall. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 1500 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 15–21 mpg combined (13–18 city, 19–25 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 1500 per year?
About $3,110 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,080 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).