Recall 13V128 affects 6,574 2013 Ram 1500 trucks for an incorrectly set parking brake cable equalizer. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 6,574 2013 1500 trucks because the parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and the parking brake can fail to hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. If the parking brake does not hold, the truck can roll while parked and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The parking brake cable equalizer on the 2013 Ram 1500 is part of the mechanical parking brake system. When you set the parking brake, cables pull the rear brake hardware into position, and the equalizer balances that cable tension so both sides hold the truck in place after it is parked.
On affected Ram 1500 trucks, the equalizer was set incorrectly during assembly. That setting leaves the parking brake with too little holding force for the required 20% grade. The service brake pedal still stops the truck while driving, but the parking brake is the system that holds it when it is parked. If it does not hold, the truck can move on a slope after the driver leaves it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is in the cable adjustment, so the parking brake handle or pedal can feel normal even though the brake does not have enough holding force on a grade.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Ram 1500 | Parking brake |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 6,574 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the parking brake does not hold as designed, the parked truck can roll and increase the risk of a crash. Use extra care when parking and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Ram 1500 is included in this recall.
- Review the owner notice Ram mailed on April 22, 2013, or contact a franchised Ram dealer if you never received it.
- Schedule the free parking-brake cable equalizer reset if required, which helps the parking brake hold the truck when parked.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 13V128 and Ram recall N22 when you call.
- Park on level ground when practical and use extra care on grades until the dealer confirms the parking brake repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Ram's repair instructions call for the dealer to check the parking brake cable equalizer and reset it if required. Once the dealer repair is available, a Ram technician adjusts the equalizer so the parking brake can hold the truck as designed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm the remedy status for your VIN before arranging service.
Timeline
| April 3, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 22, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V128?
Recall 13V128 covers 6,574 2013 Ram 1500 trucks with a parking brake cable equalizer set incorrectly. The parking brake does not meet the required holding performance on a 20% grade, so the truck can roll when parked. Ram dealers reset the equalizer for free when required.
What should I do if my 2013 Ram 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 13V128. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer and ask for the parking brake cable equalizer inspection and reset. Reference recall 13V128 or Ram campaign N22 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 13V128, a franchised Ram dealer resets the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V128?
The safety risk is a parked truck rolling away. In recall 13V128, the parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly, so the parking brake does not hold the vehicle as designed on a 20% grade. A rollaway increases crash risk.
What if I bought my 2013 Ram 1500 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the repair regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013 Ram 1500 is included, then call a franchised Ram dealer and reference recall 13V128 or Ram campaign N22.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V128000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-247-9753 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V128 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V128000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →