Ram›RAM 3500 Cab Chassis›2013›5.7L/ram/ram-3500-cab-chassis/2013/5-7l/

DD platform

2013 Ram RAM 3500 Cab Chassis — 5.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis 5.7L.

Engine 5.7L

The 2013 Ram RAM 3500 Cab Chassis 5.7L is a heavy-duty work vehicle built on the DD platform, powered by the 5.7-liter engine and requiring 7.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil for routine service. Reliability records for this model year document 18 recalls and 114 total owner complaints, with steering cited as the top complaint area by a significant margin. These metrics position the 2013 model as a year carrying substantial documented field issues, signaling that researchers should prioritize inspection of steering components and verify completion of all 18 recall campaigns when assessing specific units.

Model year2013 2012 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05083285AA. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05083285AA alt 04892339BE
Engine air filter	53034051AB alt 68441763AA
Fuel filter	68197867AB alt 68157291AA
Spark plug	SPLZFR5C11
Battery	BBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades	55277446AB
Serpentine belt	04627589AA alt 04627751AA
Thermostat	52028898AJ alt 68534176AA

Diagrams

Fuse box diagram89 fuses Power distribution wiring6 sheets

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	226 in
Overall width	79.1 in
Overall height	74 in
Wheelbase	140.2 in
Curb weight	4978 lb
Track (front / rear)	69.3 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.5
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.4 Pints,
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API · MS-6395

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 70 ft-lbs, MT: 55 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	254.5 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	160.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	160.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.38 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.00 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.18-1.38 lbs
Oil Group	PAG

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	195 °F
Engine Compression	100
Engine Oil Pressure	25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Other	DUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	190 ft-lbs / 260 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Other	DUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0009 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.338 in / 1.535 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	M12 bolts 1-10	25 ft. lbs
2	M12 bolts 1-10	40 ft. lbs
3	M12 bolts 1-10	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 12,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 15,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 15,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Diesel Emissions Fluid (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Tie Rod (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 mi	Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 12,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 20,000 mi	Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2013 Ram RAM 3500 Cab Chassis top in one area — the steering, 15 of 114 reports (13%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the steering are also the target of recalls 19V-021 and 18E-096 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 7 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

535

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

114

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 7 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 114 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering15

Engine14

Steering,Suspension7

Electrical System6

Suspension6

Fuel/Propulsion System5

Vehicle Speed Control5

Unknown Or Other3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 18 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V021000Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:ConnectionReported 25/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate. Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of…

18E096000Steering:LinkagesReported 16/10/2018

Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD… Remedy: Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 535 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
S1203000003 REV.A	2026-06-26	Service Brakes	Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
112906	2026-06-17	Engine	BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
112906	2026-06-17	Engine	BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
S1623000028 Rev. K	2026-06-12	Electrical System	Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window…
S1623000028 REV.J	2026-06-05	Structure	Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 3500 Cab Chassis. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R battery Vehicles taking 7.0 qt DD-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05083285AA Engine air filter 53034051AB Fuel filter 68197867AB Spark plug SPLZFR5C11

Fuse box & wiring diagrams

Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.

Wiring diagrams

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis 5.7L take?

7.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 18 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.