2013 Ram 1500: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Locks, Steering · 13,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 19V347000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) and 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that while moving the gear shifter out of park(P), the gear was stuck in park(P). The contact opened the door and rocked the vehicle back and forth, then closed the door and moved the gear shifter out of park(P). The contact moved the gear shift lever. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was part of the inheritance his father left. The contact's father had experienced the same failure. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, after the vehicle was started, the power steering failed to function as intended and locked up, and the contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel. The contact used force to move the steering wheel. The message "check the steering" was displayed on the dashboard. Most recently, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact used force to maneuver the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the electrical system inside the rack and pinion had failed. The contact was informed that the entire steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2019 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · MO

My 2013 dodge ram 1500 tradesman has 47338 miles on it and it went into what they refer to as limp mode while going down the highway at 65 MPH the shop said it is a common problem with these trucks but there is no recall on it why. I am now 7 months out of factory warranty even though the low miles there needs to be an investigation into this problem there are way too many complaints on line about this it's not safe driving at 65 or so and have it kick down to 4th gear mechanic can't believe I had this happen with so few of miles.

Filed Sep 19, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 76,000 miles · PA

On 3 separate occasions, while driving and attempting to stop, the engine stalls. A message displays to "put the vehicle in park, to start", but lost power to everything else. Twice it allowed me to start from park, the 3rd time it would not start. I put it in park, had my foot on the brake, but it did nothing. I shut if off completely, then turned it back on and it started. Additionally, while parked, the driver's side door would not unlock with the keyfob. All other doors unlocked, not the driver's door. I tried several times locking/unlocking, I had to open the rear door and manually pull the lock knob. One other time, while sitting still, the driver's door unlocked itself, when my roommate pulled on the door handle, the door opened and the alarm went off. On another occasion, I was trying to back into my parking space, I went to pull up to straighten out, and the vehicle would not go into drive. I had to shift into park, then back to drive to make it work.

Filed Aug 16, 2015 · Electrical · 8,200 miles · CT

Attempted to start my ram 1500, after turning the key the message screen read wrong key fob. My truck does not utilize a fob. The truck was stuck in park and needed to be towed to a dealership. Did some research online seems this is a common problem with 2013 ram 1500s and can be a recurring issue.

Filed May 26, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 14,000 miles · TX · crash

I was sitting in my truck in front of a convenience store for 20-30 minutes with the engine running while I caught up my texts and calls. When I got ready to leave I put my foot on the brake and put the vehicle in reverse. I glanced my mirrors and looked over my right shoulder and started to ease my foot off of the brake as I've done many times in the past. The next thing I know, I'm moving forward as if I had stomped on the accelerator and I crashed through the framing and glass of the store front. As I was penetrating the structure of the store I tried to put the vehicle into park and I was pushing on the brakes. Then the truck reverses and I realize I'm headed towards the gas pump and possibly other customers. All this time I was pushing on the brake and I would let off and hold them again. The engine was revving at what sounded to be the maximum then it would drop for just a bit and rev again. When I was headed for the gas pumps after leaving the building I pulled the vehicle shifter down to drive because it wouldn't go into park and I was in such a state of panic I hadn't thought to turn off the ignition. I was holding on for dear life to the steering wheel and letting go of it just didn't occur to me. After putting the vehicle into drive and running into the building for the second time, the engine dropped back to an idle and I put it into reverse and slowly backed out of the damaged storefront, put the truck into park and shut it off.I thought about it after it was over and even if I had inadvertently placed the truck into drive, letting my foot off of the gas pedal would have allowed the truck to merely bump into the concrete stopping block stopping it, it felt like the truck had a mind of its own.

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Acceleration · 14,000 miles · NV

After a weekend of camping I loaded up the truck and was on my way home doing approx 45-55 MPH. I stop at a red light and as soon as I get a green I proceed to accelerate except I have no acceleration. I looked down and see "service throttle control". My vehicle has now entered limp mode leaving me to drive 120 miles home on the interstate at 15-25 MPH with very limited acceleration if any. Also 3 weeks before this I had sparatic acceleration at stoplights almost as if my truck wanted to jump into the back seat of the car ahead of me. I did not think too much of this as it only happened a hand full a time and thought it to be fuel in the lines but now that ive done my research I nkow this to be the issue. This is a very unsafe condition and needs answers.

Filed Aug 7, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 7,000 miles · FL

Check engine light, lightning bolt light and service electronic throttle control error message comes on approximately 40-50 miles after refueling. Truck goes into limp mode then clears itself after starting 4 or 5 times over the period of a day or two. Dealer can't locate the problem. Has happened 4 times now. Dealer has updated software, replaced gas tank, replaced gas cap, and replaced tps. Same issue is still happening.