8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$710
Average Mileage:
94,750 miles
Total Complaints:
210 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (73 reports)
  2. replace with new dashboard (60 reports)
  3. should be a recall (35 reports)
  4. replace with better quality after market dashboard (22 reports)
  5. epoxy and a dash cover (7 reports)
  6. filed a complaint with. www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov (6 reports)
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 5 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #130

Feb 042011

Ram 1500 Sport 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

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

Dashboard is severely cracked and in pieces and passenger airbag housing is coming detached because of the cracked dashboard. Spoke with Dodge and filed a complaint regarding this issue. Dodge asked what should we do. Told them to replace the dash with no cost to the customer. Their reply was that the vehicle is more than 10 years old. I told Dodge that the vehicle is in "mint condition" besides the dash, I have owned older vehicles from different manufactures and never had a dashboard crack and fall into pieces. This dash on this vehicle is "poor" and not quality workmanship and should be replaced with no out of pocket costs to the customer. The rep stated that someone should be contacting me regarding this issue. I will wait and see. But not going to hold my breath on this one. I have seen a lot of complaints regarding this over the internet. This is a known issue and actions needs to be taken.

- Timothy D., Sun Prairie, WI, US

problem #129

Feb 042011

Ram 1500 Sport 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

Dashboard is severely cracked and in pieces and passenger airbag housing is coming detached because of the cracked dashboard. Spoke with Dodge and filed a complaint regarding this issue. Dodge asked what should we do. Told them to replace the dash with no cost to the customer. Their reply was that the vehicle is more than 10 years old. I told Dodge that the vehicle is in "mint condition" besides the dash, I have owned older vehicles from different manufactures and never had a dashboard crack and fall into pieces. This dash on this vehicle is "poor" and not quality workmanship and should be replaced with no out of pocket costs to the customer. The rep stated that someone should be contacting me regarding this issue. I will wait and see. But not going to hold my breath on this one. I have seen a lot of complaints regarding this over the internet. This is a known issue and actions needs to be taken.

Update from Feb 10, 2011: Dodge contacted me yesterday and need to take the vehicle into the local dealership to verify that the dash is cracked and in pieces. I will be taking the vehicle in today. I hope that Dodge does replace the dash at no cost. If so, I will continue to be a Dodge fan. If not, I have found a great fix for the dash and will give it a try. I will continue to update on this issue until it is resolved.

- Timothy D., Sun Prairie, WI, US

problem #128

Nov 262010

Ram 1500 LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

My dash is piece of junk. If Dodge does not want to fix it then this will be my last Dodge....Anybody know if there was a recall. My #330.401.7864

- Gregg W., Dennison, OH, US

problem #127

Jan 012009

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

once the dash developed a small crack, it only took about a couple of months for it to bust into a hundred pieces. also, all the other plastic interior components are made out the same type plastic as the dash and are just as brittle and falling apart.

- Mark H., Arlington, TX, US

problem #126

Dec 242004

Ram 1500 small v8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Told it was cracked when dealer fixed heater core...but got much worst. Now chunks falling off...ugly! Fix it!

- owassoram, Owasso, OK, US

problem #125

Aug 142010

Ram 1500 XLT 318

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

My dash started with a small crack back in august and while I was Christmas shopping in december a HOLE fell through over the glove compartment. It is such an embarrassing spot that I keep my gloves over it so people cant see. I have always loved my dodge truck and would tell people to buy one but not now. After reading that so many others have had the same problem I dont know why the company hasn't recalled the dashes and fixed this. One of my co-workers husband and daughter have 99 dodge rams and they have the same problem. I came to this site really thinking that it must be a recalled to be disappointed. I am a teacher and live on a monthly income and cant afford the cost of fixing this problem and insurance doesn't cover. I am afraid that the whole dash will cave in and then what do I do? I can not believe that the dodge company hasn't done something to help people fix their dash with so many having the problem. After this now my headliner is loose from the windshield and I can put my finger between the windshield and the top. I am sooooooo sad that after 160,000 miles my truck is falling apart inside after trying to take good care of it.I would have to agree with my husband(whose dash and headliner is still in tact after 210,000 miles) and go with GMC.

- Sharon D., Bradyville, TN, US

problem #124

Jun 142006

Ram 1500 6 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 86,000 miles

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

For an 11 yr old truck it still looks and runs pretty darn good. It's all good except for the dashboard which is literally falling apart. Huge chunks have caved in. I covered it with a dash cover but now the cover is conforming to the holes. It looks bad. I was thinking of buying a new Dodge but now that I've learned that it is a widespread problem and Dodge is doing nothing to fix the problem, I think I'll head over to the Ford dealership.

- George I., Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #123

Mar 102006

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The dash started cracking years ago and continues to this day. Now, there are big chunks falling off and it's totally a joke! I just sold a 1997 Honda Civic and the dash is still in tact. It's pretty clear that is is a workmanship issue that should be recalled!!

- csapien, Garden Grove, CA, US

problem #122

Nov 222008

Ram 1500 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,800 miles

dashboard totally broken, split, cracked. in chunks loose. great truck except for dash

- Paul T., Reading, PA, US

problem #121

Nov 072010

Ram 1500 Sport 5.9

  • Automatic transmission
  • 223,000 miles

Well guess I'm with all the rest of you. I blamed my wife as she had hit another car a while back but after reading this, guess I owe her an apology. The whole top has caved in on the dash and it has a least 5 other cracks. I love this truck and was going to give it to my son (16) but he won't want this in the condition it is in.

- Jon L., Powder Springs, GA, US

problem #120

Dec 012004

Ram 1500 V-8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,900 miles

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

It first started with a crack.We were very careful with it.Then it had just fell all the way out.I think that for as much as we pay for there s@@t then they should have a recall on their trucks.I have put a transmission in it and I have to put a motor in it now it is smoking.I will never buy another one.I had a 1982dodge and I keep it for 13 years .I had some problems but not like this.I will go and get me a FORD .

- James J., Winston Salem, NC, US

problem #119

Jul 182008

Ram 1500

  • 167,000 miles

This is a disgrace, I have pieces as large as a half of a pie falling loose. I think that this could be a class action if people became disfigured or hurt by loose or missing chunks of dashboard possibly pushed into you or your passengers face or body by the air bags. I am very disappointed in the quality and disregard for the public's safety.

- vicarsjames, Belton, SC, US

problem #118

Mar 312010

Ram 1500 Extended Cab 318 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

Cracked Dash, several area's, Right side; windshield to glove box, center; U shape from windshield, left side.

- Robert N., Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #117

Dec 092001

Ram 1500 Lariat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Dashboard began with a small crack back in 2001 Put a cover over it to try to stop more damage and hide it. 2010 it is literally falling in parts with at least 6 long cracks. Cannot believe it. I have been an avid Dodge buyer but I'm rethinking my options. With this many complaints I really feel Dodge should do something.

- ccowser, Tucson, AZ, US

problem #116

Aug 212006

Ram 1500 1500 5.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 60,000 miles

DASHBOARD HAS THREE CRACKS IN VARIOUS PLACES. TRIED TO GLUE BACK WITH NO SUCCESS. THOUGHT IT WAS A UNIQUE PROBLEM. TOTALLY AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. I IMAGINE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE NOT REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM.

- Jeremiah D., Headland, AL, US

problem #115

May 202005

Ram 1500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

The dash on these dodge trucks are a piece of sh*t!!!!! Epoxy it back together it cracked around the epoxy. Now there is a great big hole in the center of my dash!!!!

- Stephen T., Nasville, TN, US

problem #114

Jul 072010

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Was a 20 year Dodge fan with a Colt,Dakota, 1500 Van, Intrepid, 1500 truck, but now due to the service and quality of Dodge, I am a proud owner of a 2008 Saturn Aura, originally wanted a Dodge Charger, and a 2010 Ford F250 Diesel 4WD. Sorry Dodge you lost my business. The reason was the fouled oil line in the Intrepid and the busted dash on the Dodge ram 1500.

- Barry H., Lafayette, LA, US

problem #113

Jan 102009

Ram 1500 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

click to see larger images

dashboard cracked dashboard cracked

Hard to believe Dodge is balking at this problem. I was really surprised to see how widespread this problem is. At first I blamed it on the hot Arizona sun, but after reading these complaints from all over the USA, I think not. This truck has been my baby for 11 years. With the low miles for it's age and being in pristine condition (besides the dash), I was hopeing to sell for top dollar so I could buy a new one. But now with this dash problem, how in the world can I get a good price?

I guess when I'm ready to buy new,it's going to be a Chevy. No offense Ford. And no Japanese Crap for me. It's a shame Dodge is so stupid and willing to lose so many customers.

- Alan S., Scottsdale, AZ, US

problem #112

May 162007

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,214 miles

My dash is all busted up with huge holes missing. Pieces fall down from under the dash all the time. I have a dash cover over it hiding it but it rattles really bad. I found online that dodge was replacing the dashes for a fee of about 100-500 (different cost per dealerships). I went to my local dealer but he told me that they were not honoring it since Dodge/Chrysler declared bankruptcy. Bogus. I am pretty ticked off about the lack of ownership from dodge on this issue. It's very apparent that the dash was created wrong and that they should replace them...

- rlk_lizards, Centerville, UT, US

problem #111

Mar 182009

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

double the fun... two trucks, same problem. first, several things need to be understood about Chrysler/Dodge as they relate to the rampant dash cracking issues. 1) Dodge didnt make them.. the interior parts are generally farmed out to vendors who specialize in different items. 2) Daimler managed to ditch it's stake in Chrysler Corp and alleviate themselves of any repsonsilbility they shared as majority controlling interest. 3) Cerberus Management (think... GM, they did so well they almost killed GM too) lost it's stake in Chrysler in the recent bankruptcy issues.. and from the beginning showed no interest in doing anything other than trying to make as much money as they possibly could (which doesnt include allocating millions to repair a problem they inherited)

So, you have the two most recent controlling entities which were running the company when these dashes were made and you have to realize they dont give a Cr@p about fixing your vehicle. They were only in it for the money in the 1st place and whatever people at Chrysler/Dodge that really cared about the company and retaining it's long-time customers had no more than a snowballs' chance in hell at doing any good when it might cost the bigwigs a few million. We didnt warranty too many of these dashes while the vehicles were still under the factory warranty, but in the last decade they are all succembing to the elements.

When driving my truck for the 1st time after moving to a colder area.. you could HEAR the thing cracking somwhere inside when you turned or hit a bump. This truck always had a sunshade in it when parked outdoors and I'd made every attempt at keeping it out of direct sunlight since I bought it. The next thing I noticed was when using the defrost in cold weater, it pretty well immediately started splitting at from the vents in the top of the dash. Incidentally, I worked for a while in the salvage business in 2004-05, and inspected every 1996-2001 Dodge Ram we recieved... during that time I saw only ONE come in with a good dash. I've never bothered to take it to the dealers, both trucks never had dash cracks until warranty expired. been there, done that..

I'll never bad-mouth dealer employees in general, most want to help, but when you have TWO major global institutions that take over ( yes, it was a takeover.. not a friendly merger) like they did, you'd think that something of this magnitude would go a long way towards helping their image. Wont be my last Dodge, but wont be buying another new one. Another thing on the cost of the dealer repair... there are no 'new' dashes being made, only what stockpile remained after they quit making that bodystyle truck... so not only do you have the original (high) price, but semi-annual price increases that reflect the fact they have to occupy warehouse space for however many are still around, taxes, etc.. It's one thing that never really made total sense to me, they'll have stuff like this sitting around for 20 years and end up throwing it away. But, who in their right mind is gonna pay $800 retail for a hunk of plastic that wont be any better than the one it's replacing. Drop it to $200, I'd buy 3 or 4 of them, lol.

- Jim V., Quenemo, KS, US

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