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2013 Ram C/v Tradesman
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
4 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 28, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 4 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 Ram C/v Tradesman, plotted where owners report it happening.
Transmission & drivetrain
25%1 complaints
“WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE THE TRANSMISSION AREA DOES A HARD JERK FORWARD FROM 1-2 GEAR. WHEN DOING A HARD STOP ALSO DOES A HARD LUNGE FORWARD WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSE …”
Electrical system
25%1 complaints
“KEY FOB NOT WORKING THIS IS THE 3RD TIME.”
Engine
25%1 complaints
“I HAVE A 2013 DODGE RAM TRADESMAN THAT WAS BUILT DEC 12, 2012. LAST 8 OF THE VIN ARE DG509430, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE SAYS AC BYPASS VALVE. AFTER DOING …”
Brakes
25%1 complaints
“2013 RAM C/V COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AT 800 MILES DEALER DETERMINED MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. *TR”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Air Bags · 14V528000
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram C/V Tradesman cargo vans, equipped with two front bucket seats and no rear seating, manufactured July 25, 2012, to August 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, road hazards such as potholes may cause the front passenger side curtain and/or seat air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
Risk: Inadvertent air bag deployment can increase the risk of crash or injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the software in the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P51.
Electrical System · 13V283000
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and RAM C/V Tradesman vehicles manufactured May 10, 2012, through June 7, 2013. A software error may result in the opposite side airbags deploying from the collision point (a left side impact would deploy the right side airbags and vice versa).
Risk: In the event of a crash, the wrong side airbags could deploy leaving the occupant with no airbag protection at the point of impact, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the occupant restraint control module, free of charge. The recall began during September 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N44.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Ram before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 Ram C/v Tradesman. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Ram C/V TRADESMAN beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every C/v Tradesman model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Ram C/v Tradesman against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.