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 1 of 5)

problem #88

Aug 012018

Ram 1500 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,224 miles

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

Dodge should recall and replace bad dashboards in Ram 1500 pickups. Ours was in garage since new in 1998, and we used a sun shade when parked outside. Only has 105,000 miles, still looks great except for the severely cracked dashboard. Do you think Dodge's inaction will influence my decision on my next vehicle purchase?

- William S., Newton, US

problem #87

Nov 132002

Ram 1500 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Put a skin over the cracked dashboard. Now the dashboard is falling apart underneath the skin. Lower part is starting to fall apart now too. I know this is an older truck, but to just crumble??? Dodge needs to offer an inexpensive replacement for these older trucks.

- David R., Petal, US

problem #86

Jan 012003

Ram 1500 Sport 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Dash cap and dash bezel has cracked and fell inside the dash itself. My main concern is that if i have an accident and the airbag deploys, i will probably get plastic all in my face. I just want it fixed.

- Greg C., White Oak, GA, US

problem #85

Feb 012017

Ram 1500 Lariet 318 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

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

I know this is a major problems for Ram owners. The broken dash pieces have fallen on the defroster and the fan blows them back out. The small pieces will hit me in the face when driving. This is a very dangerous situation. This should be addressed by the safety council for recall.

- George C., Stockton, US

problem #84

Jan 012014

Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 198,000 miles

This vehicle was purchased brand new. It has always been garaged kept and when used, sun shades where always used to protect the interior and the dash. This vehicle has been on a routine maintenance program including washing and cleaning of the interior. The dash and other plastic components have been wiped down routinely with Armorall and/or Son of A Gun to preserve the integrity of all the plastic INCLUDING the dash. I think Dodge should own up to the fact that their dash cover component was inferior to start with and should make a replacement available for this vehicle and any other year vehicle. After all, we put our faith in their product when myself and others purchased it!!

- Bud D., Blairsville, US

problem #83

Dec 012016

Ram 1500 Laramie 360

  • Automatic transmission
  • 153,000 miles

ME and ALL 1998 Pick Up owners have the same complaint, YOU CHANGED THE MATERIAL TO JUNK FROM 95-98. WHY? THEY STINK! I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN! And will be sure, DAMN SURE the world will know what kind of CRAP Dodge sells the public! Although I think the word is out, I just didn't check before the purchase replacing the heater-core. I'm sure you've heard it MANY TIMES BEFORE!!! I tried to fix but the more I did, the more it FELL APART! PURE JUNK, HORRIBLE etc, etc,!!!

- Kelly P., Lovington, NM, US

problem #82

Jan 082014

Ram 1500 LE 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

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

Everyone I've talked to has the same problem with their dash. I do not have the money to replace it and may have to get another vehicle due to it being a safety issue and not passing a mandatory state inspection. Which I really don't have the money for. I think Dodge should be fully responsible for the replacement of the dash and all related cost.

- Jason J., Scranton, PA, US

problem #81

Nov 282015

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

The dash was slightly cracked already, but around the end of November, the whole thing basically spontaneously shattered.

- glitterflie, Linden, TX, US

problem #80

May 132016

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 191,100 miles

My dash is falling apart. I cannot afford to fix it. If Dodge knew of this problem, why didn't they recall and fix it?

- Charlotte A., Modesto, CA, US

problem #79

Jun 082005

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

I have skewered salvage yards, for a replacement dash and all rams I have found have same cracking of the dash. this doesn't seem to be an isolated issue. I think dodge should stand up for its their faithful customers and replace these poor quality originals with the quality parts they constantly claim they manufacture.

- Johnny A., Hartsville, TN, US

problem #78

Jun 012006

Ram 1500 SLT 360

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

cracked dashboard

It's a faulty part, the dash is cracked is five different places...So fix the sombeech Dodge!!

- hagfan789, Stevens Point, WI, US

problem #77

Dec 012013

Ram 1500 Plain 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,965 miles

You buy a truck taking care for many years cleaning and so forth. You don't expect your dash to crack when it is kept in your carport most of the time. The dash cracked from the windshield to the inside edge over the radio. It has demised the value of the truck. After reading about more dash problems on the internet and that Dodge knew about the problem and did nothing to fix or offer any sort of help I found this site and am joining other with my complaints. It is time for consumer's to starting standing up and letting the world know about these type of problems.

- holcombpoms, Pontotoc, MS, US

problem #76

Dec 212000

Ram 1500 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,211 miles

The dash is trash. I tried to remove the dash to replace the heater core, now all I have is a pile of broken rotted plastic, no dash at all now. I have never seen another American made vehicle with such a cheap built dash.

- Samuel L., Somerville, AL, US

problem #75

Dec 092010

Ram 1500 ST 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 198,000 miles

I am so pissed that 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 made a sh*tty dashboard! Like serious why y'all made a dashboard out of a sh*tty f*cking material. No cup holder. Dashboard completely gone. To order a brand new dashboard is $200-400 dollars. That is crazy! Y'all out of your damn mind. Just put it this way, would y'all buy a $200-400 dashboard??

- Paul S., Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #74

Jan 012013

Ram 1500 Sport 360

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

Purchased my 1998 Ram Sport 4x4 for my 50th birthday. This is the last vehicle I plan on buying. Now it looks like sh*t because the dash is cracked in four or five places, makes noises, and is falling apart. After spending 40K for this truck I think Dodge should fix the problem.

- victorygreg, Lompoc, CA, US

problem #73

Jul 152007

Ram 1500 SLR V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

A few years ago my plastic dash board blow out and cracked. A large piece apparently fell into the dash....never found the piece that disappeared????

- James M., Tyler, TX, US

problem #72

Mar 102003

Ram 1500 LS 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Tried to repair first crack but to no avail. Pisses me off that my wife worked so hard to pay for this and Dodge is ignoring not only me, but others also.

- sock, Lithia Springs, GA, US

problem #71

Jan 172002

Ram 1500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

The dash cracked before the warranty ran out. It was made out of faulty material and it is almost dissolved. If it were not for the dash cover we have had to put on it, we would have pieces flying everywhere. For the price we paid for the truck, we should not have to put up with this.

I know of several people that have the same problem . I feel like there should be a recall on this. The plastic that was used on all the dash is bad stuff. The plastic around the knobs for the lights and a/c is bad also. I think it is pretty bad that the Ford Motor Co did a recall for the same thing and took responsibility for their defective parts, but Dodge can't own up to their mistakes.

- Thomas D., Gatesville, TX, US

problem #70

Jul 082009

Ram 1500 SLT Laramie 360 Cu In

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Have seen other 98 Rams with the same cracks. I kept it clean and protected from u/v and other rays with a windshield shade and chemical protectors. It has cracked again and I'm just tired of looking at it so I'll replace it. Also, I replaced the transmission with a Jasper at about 67,000 (2007). I was pulling my boat....less than 3500 lbs when the transmission clutches began deteriorating. The Jasper has served me well since then. Now 143,000 miles

- dlersch, Waterford, CT, US

problem #69

Jun 152014

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles

As an owner this is horrible and shows poor workmanship and Q/A. As an Emergency Medical Tech. I can see the sharp plastic shards causing serious injuries even with a "low speed" impact let alone if the air bags deploy and send the chunks at you at over 500 feet per second. I can remember Chrysler recalling dashes back in the late 80's and early 90's on the "K" cars they had metal dashes, I feel these plastic dashes are an even bigger danger, I am surprised they haven't killed someone yet. well maybe they have but at this point I am not aware of any.

- Ferol O., Horton, KS, US

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