2013 Ram 1500: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · SC

My 2013 Ram 1500 has had issues with the horn not working when the middle of the steering wheel is pushed but sounds when the key fob is used to lock doors. The EVIC control on the steering wheel would also not work. This started in 2018 where the problem was intermittent. This was part of recall R36 where the rubbing of the steering wheel harness on the retainer springs could cause an electrical short and or inadvertent air bag deployment. I took my vehicle to Bill Volz WestchesterDodge, Cortland Manor, NY for the recall on 10-19-15 with 18,205 miles. I feel the work wasn’t done properly because the problem reoccurred in less than 3 years and about 6,000 miles later. The horn and EVIC has not worked in over 7 months. My concern is that I could be driving on a major interstate when my vehicle airbag deploys causing a crash. I contacted Chrysler customer service on 1-13-2025 and spoke to a representative. That person called me back on 1-14-2025 and stated that he referred my case #[XXX] , to a specialist who would contact me in 2-3 business days. As of 2-2-2025 I have not received any response from Chrysler customer service. I need assistance in correcting this safety issue. See attachments. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 29, 2024 · Electrical · AK

The door locking system does not work as intended. When locking the doors via the key fob, door mounted button, or putting the vehicle into drive, only the drivers door and tailgate lock. The passengers door, and both rear doors do not lock. This problem has been reproduced numerous times [XXX] ). There seems to be no detection or indicators showing that this issue is occurring. The only way to find out is by visually noticing that the door locks have not engaged, or by physically trying to open the doors. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 16, 2022 · Electrical · AZ

Revision "N" of the Body Control Module (BCM) is defective and causes the door auto door locks to not lock correctly by either either the key fob or the interior lock buttons. This results in the doors not locking and children can open the doors while driving at any speed. Many other reports of this are on the Ram Forums here: https://www.ramforum.com/threads/automatic-door-locks-will-unlock-but-wont-lock.79219/

Filed Oct 3, 2020 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · CO

Bcm module that controls automatic door locks only locks the drivers door and the tailgate. Pushing the key fob will unlock all doors but will only lock the drivers door and tailgate. Many people on the ram forum report the same issue. It's a problem because I can't lock the doors and keep my kids inside with the child safety locks on. Unless I get out of the car or reach over and behind me to lock them manually. Pressing the door switch on either side of the vehicle will not lock the other three passenger doors or tailgate. This is also a safety issue for us if someone were to try and carjack us because the doors won't lock.

Filed Jul 1, 2020 · Electrical · 16,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced several electrical failures which were attributable to the keyfob. The contact stated he was on several occasions unable to turn the vehicle off due to the failure. Additionally, the vehicle would start-up, lock and unlock the doors independently. The vehicle was taken to lithia chrysler jeep dodge of tri-cities (7171 w canal dr, kennewick, wa 99336) where the keyfob was replaced however, the failure persisted. The contact attempted to use the replacement keyfob however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 5,000. *bf the consumer has stated the failure was estimated to be less than 16,00 miles.

Filed Jan 28, 2020 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · MS

My truck was backed into my driveway, parked overnight, and would not respond to key fob. I tried second fob, also had no response. I manually opened door and truck would not respond in any way. I call road side assistance. Tow truck jumped battery, which allowed truck to start, but promptly died once cables were removed. Tow truck towed vehicle to dodge dealership for assessment. Initial diagnoses was failed alternator. However, once alternator was replaced, several other issues arose, immediately. The pdc and cable, battery as well as wiper motor, among other items in line, were also damaged. Smoke instantly filled engine compartment. The mechanic stated that it appeared that voltage had been backfed thus causing extensive damage not noted earlier. The dealership thinks that if they submitt additional repair requests to mopar, beyond alternator failure, that this will result in non payment by my extended, lifetime warranty package I purchased with vehicle. I have the damaged pdc but was not allowed to keep other items. I also have photos of items replaced. My insurance company stated that this pdc issue to be a known issue with this make and model. I've had electrical problems since august, beginning with transmission celanoid as well as failure to recognize key fob. Other issues since, which also appear to be electrical issues, have resulted in numerous days off work, $100 deductibles being paid, and frustrating hours on the phone with insurance companies, both mine and the tow truck.

Filed Jan 21, 2020 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · WA

My 2013 ram will lock the doors randomly, with no one in it or near it. Its happened many times, now I have to leave a window down if im just unloading the back, or carry a spare key. I've been working in the yard, keys not even on me, and I hear "click" and all the doors are locked. This is a safety hazard as I could get locked out somewhere. I live in deep woods, there are no neighbors to have a conflicting key, so to speak. I have almost been locked out several times, but have either had a spare key, or left the window down while pumping gas, etc. This happens with the motor off, no one in the car, key fob may be in my pocket or 100 yards away in the house in a drawer. Happened again yesterday, truck hadnt even been driven, I was out shoveling snow and I hear "click", all locked up again.

Filed Nov 21, 2019 · Electrical · 108,000 miles · WA

Interior door lock/unlock button located on interior drivers door panel will not function, I.e. Will not lock, unlock the doors. Key fob will lock/unlock doors, but not door panel buttons at any time, moving or stationary. Window function buttons were not working, but have started working on their own. But the inability to lock or unlock the doors seems like a huge safety factor. They did work initially, suddenly stopped working recently.

Filed Nov 6, 2019 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle's doors began to lock and unlock independently and the engine started independently. The contact took the vehicle to elder chrysler dodge jeep ram (1798 tx-31 bus, athens, tx 75751, (903) 677-2292) and paid $300 to have the key fob replaced and programmed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000. *bf

Filed Sep 21, 2019 · Electrical · TX

Door locks won't close with key fob or inside switch. Locks stay open while driving. Door looks only lock manually. Stationary and while moving.

Filed Jul 20, 2019 · Electrical · 77,350 miles · GA

Child door looks and auto door locks not working. Either by in interior switches or key fob. Some or all door will not lock without manually pressing down the manual door locks. Common problem found when searched on ram forums dealer replaced body control module and new key fobs.

Filed May 24, 2019 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 1500. The contact stated that the push button start function failed to work properly. As a result, the vehicle was unable to start due to the intermittent failure. The alternator and battery were checked by an independent mechanic and the contact. Steve landers chrysler dodge jeep ram (501‑404‑2738, located at 401 colonel glenn plaza loop, little rock, ar 72210) diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.