8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$670
Average Mileage:
94,250 miles
Total Complaints:
88 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. dodge should recall the dash (49 reports)
  2. not sure (18 reports)
  3. replace dashboard (11 reports)
  4. new one (10 reports)
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #68

Mar 012013

Ram 1500 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

when i bought the truck it had a few cracks in the dash. I packed them with glue or tried to as much as I could. Over the past 2 years, big pieces started falling in. I had big hole in the dash until last week when I touched the side of the dash, one piece of plastic cut my finger. As I felt around on the dash, it started crumbling all over. I had to remove most of it because the tiny pieces were flying in the air when I drove with the windows down. It will cost 400 dollars to have one ordered and shipped to my home. I will still have to pay someone to put it in, because I don't want to mess anything up. I see a lot of Dodge truck with dash problems but I feel mine is the worse.

- Clannon W., Memphis, TN, US

problem #67

Jun 012008

Ram 1500 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

My truck is my pride & joy. I am really peeved that my dash is sooooo disgusting. It is embarrassing for someone to get in my truck....nice clean, nice seats and then have to see THAT dash caved in. My granddaughter cut her finger on the edge of it. Many times I have hit a bump in the road and heard a piece drop. I was told that Dodge was sending out a recall to replace them....I AM STILL WAITING,,,,,

- dbatsell, Howe, TX, US

problem #66

Jul 122011

Ram 1500 4.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

My 1998 dodge truck dash is cracking more and more each day. It started about four years ago with a small crack, but now it has cracks everywhere. What bugs me is Dodge knows they have a problem yet they are not willing to step up and take care of it.They are loaded with excuses for why they can't fix it for you, ie the vehicle is too old, the mileage too high, out of warranty and any number of excuses. But what they can't explain is why they keep producing a product that's guaranteed to fail. I went to my local dealership (where I purchased the vehicle) for help. They said they knew of the problem and gave me a customer care number to call. What a waste of time! I had about the same conversation with the representative as I did my dealership: we have your money, now you have the problem. What"s odd about this? I went on the internet and typed in "cracked dash" and it automatically pulled up Dodge trucks. Will I buy another product from Dodge? Not after what I have been through today.

- Chris L., Morganton, NC, Wake Island

problem #65

Mar 202005

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,897 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

upper dash is gone ,front cluster bezel is now breaking and carrier plastic is also starting

- Mark L., fort pierce, Florida (FL), US

problem #64

Feb 012012

Ram 1500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

Just trying to find out how to fix the problem without costs out of my pocket because I think it's the company that made the truck didn't do something to the dash board to keep them from cracking.

- robertnewman jr., Havelock, NC, US

problem #63

Aug 042012

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

So I was given this car by my godfather a few years back and it just had a little crack in the dash. Obviously I got a free car so there is but so much complaining I can do. Today I went outside to clean out some cloths from my car and noticed the entire dash is cracked and caving in! My boyfriend just got me a new radio for Christmas and he also does hydro dipping and was going to customize some interior pieces. Now I'm so upset that my dash looks like crap.

I've read some of the horror stories of people getting plastic blown at them or their electrical equipment failing. If that happens Dodge will not want to be on the other end of the phone with me. This is ridiculous!!

- catze, Portsmouth, VA, US

problem #62

Jun 012009

Ram 1500 SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am a proud Dodge vehicle owner. I own a 97 and 98 Ram 1500. Both of which have busted Dashboards. This has become quite problematic as the hard pieces will fall into the dash & creates a rattle. Also they come off in very jagged pieces & create a hazard to myself & others. I also own a 2002 Intreped as well as a 2004 Ram 1500. As a loyal customer for many years, I would think that Dodge would stand good for this Dash issue even though it's not officially a recall of any kind.

- vxeegrl, Savannah, GA, US

problem #61

Sep 012003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

started years ago cracked and continued to crack until a big hole was in it.

- mac090359, MARY ESTHER, FL, US

problem #60

Mar 302013

(reported on)

Ram 1500 Leramie 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 159,652 miles

click to see larger images

cracked dashboard

II AM REALLY UPSET RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE HAND THAT I WAS DELT WITH AS I HAS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500, V8 MAGNUM ,AUTOMATIC AND WAS PLANING TO ADD FEW MORE [ THE 3500 SLINGSHOT & ANOTHER 1500 ] MY DASH BOARD & BEZEL IS COMPLETLY CRACKED UP LIKE LITTLE PUZELS AND JUST WHEN I TRIED STICKING IT ANOTHER CRACK ACCURE NEXT TO IT , I'M SO UPSET ABOUT THIS AS I HAD ALREADY RECOMENDED TO SOME FRIENDS TO BUY SOME MORE RAM TRUCKS HMMMMM NOW I'M THINKING ABOUT ANOTHER DEALER , WE BROUGHT OUR TRUCKS TO BARBADOS SO RIGHT NOW ITS ABOUT $ 625.00 UV DASH & $ 449.00 UV BEZEL PLUS FRAIGHT FROM MIAMI ANOTHER $ 268.00 [ BARBADOS DOLLARS ] WHY DOES DODGE RAM OUTER WINDOW WEATHER STRIPS STEEL RUST AND CAUSE THE RUBBER TO BULDGE , WHY DON'T THERE USED AN ILLUMINUM GRADE METAL ?

- Edson M., Bridgetown, Barbados, Barbados

problem #59

May 012006

Ram 1500 4.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

In early 2005, my 1998 Dodge Ram dashboard cracked on the passenger side. Around May 2006, it actually broke apart into pieces on the driver's side. You could fit a loaf of bread in there! Dodge of course told me it was my problem (thanks Dodge but I wasn't the one who selected inferior plastics during the production process). This gaping hole causes the a/c to be very inefficient and it makes me question how safe this is. I think the airbag would deploy normally but because of all the jagged edges (which are sharp), I wonder if they might pierce the airbag reducing it's effectiveness. Not something I want to find out on my own. I've priced a new dash (made with the exact same inferior plastic) at $1800 plus another $500 to install (uh.... no.) but I think this is something Dodge should fix as it's a potential safety issue.

- Jennifer B., Lutz, FL, US

problem #58

Jun 012010

Ram 1500 SLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This effects the defrosting of the window in the truck. Dodge certainly should recall this dash!

- heleng, Lebanon, OR, US

problem #57

Oct 012012

Ram 1500 SLT 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,000 miles

I spoke with Dodge today and the told me that because the truck is out of warranty and I am not the original owner they can't help me. Obviously this problem goes way beyond me. How is this not recalled? Dash covers don't help when you have no dash. The worst is now that it is cracked, you can't even touch the dash much less work on it because it will crumble and get worse. This is a travesty!!!

- sdeverette, Lillington, NC, US

problem #56

Aug 212004

Ram 1500 ST 3.9L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

click to see larger images

cracked dashboard

Be careful is all I have to say. Dodge/Dealer no help. Cut wrist on dash. Should be a recall with UV protected plastic.

- Kevin C. K., Spring, TX, US

problem #55

Jan 302000

Ram 1500 318

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

The truck was barley 2 years old, I go get in it one day and the dash has a crack in it. Don't know why cause it is very well taken care of, Now i'm using anything that will stick to keep it from blowing out the windows or falling in my lap, Come on Dodge this really bad in any others I have looked at. The Dodge dash needs to be fixed! My truck looks like sh*t and the dash could hurt someone just by wiping the windshield. I did not pay good money for a cheap made truck! Just really disappointed. By the way, I can't fix the dash with super glue!

- Ronnie R., Hendersonville, NC, US

problem #54

Jun 152002

Ram 1500 318

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

my dodge dash on my 1500 4x4 goes through more packs of cigarettes a year than i do. every time i place a pack on the dash it slides and falls into oblivion somewhere through one of the many holes in the dash. we must have sucker written all over us. normal wear and tear my ass, if that were the case there would be no classic cars with dashboards in them my grandfathers 72 duster with 580 thousand miles has a beautiful dash that was american pride, now we have americans who hide and ignore consumers problems. boycott those who only help themselves and could care less about the average joe

- Barron P., North, VA, US

problem #53

Jan 022010

Ram 1500 Laramie Slt 318 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,685 miles

Sorry dashboard and sorry paint job-but that is another problem. Truck has always been very well taken care of, bought brand new in 1998-now has these really ugly problems.

- Keith D., Brevard, NC, US

problem #52

Nov 202004

Ram 1500 5.1L

  • Manual transmission
  • 67,500 miles

click to see larger images

cracked dashboard cracked dashboard

After viewing all the other complaints about this, I think Dodge should issue a recall and find a supplier to manufacturer a dash that will hold up!!!!

- Tenos P., Bend, OR, US

problem #51

Jul 012008

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,300 miles

WE LOVE OUR TRUCK BUT THE DASH IS HORRIBLY WE ARE HAVING TO PAY FOR A NEW ONE AND ITS NOT RIGHT SO IF DODGE WANTS US TO BUY ANOTHER DODGE THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. ALSO THE AIRCONDITIONER WENT OUT ON IT WE PAID 500.00 TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY DIDN'T FIX IT RIGHT BECAUSE THE WHOLE DASH BOARD HAS TO COME OUT SO HE CAN GET TO THE AIRCONDITIONER COMPONETS SO WE CAN HAVE A COOL RIDE IN THIS HOT 98 WEATHER. SO PLEASE HELP US BECAUSE WHEN THE ECONNY GETS BETTER WE WANT TO BUY A NEW ONE IF THAT HAPPENS. I'M HOPING AND PRAYING. GOD BLESS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY SHIRLEY PRESLEY

- Shirley P., Manchester, GA, US

problem #50

Dec 252004

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Dashboard is unsafe because of sharp fragments that have broken off.

- Thomas S., Palm Bay, FL, US

problem #49

Mar 012011

Ram 1500 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

this crack has developed big enough to put a dog in it, and it is still moving across to the passenger side. the pieces are big as saucers. if i was in a wrack the pieces could go through my children like glass. i think that dodge should fix this problem since it has been going on for 8-9 years according to your ad. i also read that their is a problem with the airbags it may not go off because of the dash being cracked, so what protection do i have? this is not a safe vehicle to buy if you have children. do you have to be sued in order to fix this problem? get off your lazy butt and do something about this, you know the problem and yet you do nothing about this. all you want is to make your pockets bigger instead of taking care of your customers. a man told me today that a dodge dealer will break parts in order to make you pay for something that is not even broke when you brought it in to the dealer- name of company is big o dodge in greenville sc.

- black jr, Gray Court, SC, US

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