Recall 13V288 affects 747 2013 Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks for incorrect track-bar bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 747 2013 Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks because the track bar frame attachment has the wrong bolt. If that bolt breaks or falls out, the truck can suddenly pull to one side and raise crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The track bar on the 2013 Ram 4500 and 5500 is a suspension link that helps hold the front axle in the correct side-to-side position under the truck. It connects the axle area to the frame, so steering and suspension forces stay controlled while the truck turns, brakes, and carries load.
In recall 13V288, the concern is the bolt used where the track bar attaches to the frame. On included trucks, that attachment hardware is not the correct bolt for the joint. If the bolt does not hold the joint as designed, the track bar connection loses the secure frame attachment it needs, and the front suspension no longer stays located the way it should.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on noise, looseness, or a dashboard message to appear before the track bar attachment fails.
Who's affected?
Covers the Ram 4500 and 5500 truck classes, both tied to the same body or structural component.
| 2013 Ram 5500 | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2013 Ram 4500 | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 747 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect track bar attaching bolt can break or fall out. If that happens, the vehicle can suddenly pull to one side, increasing crash risk. Schedule service soon and drive cautiously until the fasteners are inspected. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Ram 4500 or 5500 is included in this recall.
- Use the owner notice Ram mailed after September 3, 2013, if you have it.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer and ask about the free track-bar fastener inspection and replacement that fixes the incorrect bolt attaching the track bar to the frame.
- Reference recall number 13V288 and Ram recall N41 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra space and avoid abrupt steering inputs.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician inspects the track bar fasteners that attach the track bar to the frame. If the wrong bolt or related hardware is found, the technician replaces the track bar fasteners as needed. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 13V288. The repair path is an inspection first, then replacement only where the fasteners require it.
Timeline
| July 2, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 3, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V288?
Recall 13V288 covers 747 2013 Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks with an incorrect track-bar bolt at the frame. The bolt can break or fall out, causing the truck to pull suddenly to one side and increasing crash risk. Ram dealers inspect and replace the track-bar fasteners for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Ram 4500 or 5500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 13V288. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer and ask for the track-bar fastener inspection and replacement. Reference recall 13V288 or Ram campaign N41 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 13V288, a franchised Ram dealer inspects the track-bar fasteners and replaces them as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is sudden steering pull from the track-bar fastener problem. If the incorrect bolt breaks or falls out, the truck can pull to one side without the driver expecting it, increasing crash risk. The repair path is a free dealer inspection and fastener replacement.
What if I bought my Ram 4500 or 5500 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013 Ram truck is included, then call a franchised Ram dealer and reference recall 13V288 or Ram campaign N41.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V288000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-247-9753 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V288 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V288000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →