The dash on this truck, started to crack in 2017, and each year it has gotten worse and worse until it is in the shape it is in now. We have tried covering it but it has broken up into small pieces and is basically becoming non-existent. When we started looking into this, we found that we are not the only ones having this problem. It appears that there was a defect in manufacturing or the product used for the dash. Very frustrating and dangerous as pieces fall down in and can come out the vents into driver/passenger's faces.

The manufacturer fails at realizing, that wires exposed to UV light & heat, could cause the wire sheaths to start to crack and also become brittle and flake off. Fraying of wire harnesses can cause electrical problems, even fires.

If this occurs and people are injured, major lawsuits can be pursued by those effected by this flaw.

The IMBECILES who came up with this design of a plastic unsupported dash should be held liable.

I have rebuilt and modified cars for most of my life. If I were an engineer when RAMs were being considered for the use of a plastic dash, I would have had the dash designed to include "Ribbing" (ribs) on the underside (at a MINIMUM) to support the flexing stresses.

IF Dodge were to consider either giving me another dash, OR, if I were to pay 'Dealer Cost', I would seriously consider enforcing this new piece with the following...

* Aluminum strips * Rivets * Fiberglass Mat & Resin * Industrial strength glue * Vinyl

Since the entire assy. has to be either dropped (partially) or removed, I would drill holes in the new dash and create 3 maybe 4 CRIS-CROSS patterns, whereas, it attaches to every other bolt holes ALONG with the longer strips x's 2 from driver to passenger side screwed in to the metal.

Bending to certain angles in the aluminum strips, are required to AID in supporting the dash to the truck sheet metal.

While upside down and the aluminum strips riveted onto the dash, apply fiberglass resin & matting to further strengthen the dash and seal in the aluminum.

LIGHTLY grind or sand the underside of the dash, so that fiberglass resin adheres better. #80-#120 grit to create a roughened surface.

Now, with all those rivet heads sticking out on top of the dash, take your vinyl, insert some thin padding to your dash and form the vinyl as best as possible to all the crevices of the dash molding.

Apply enough industrial strength glue and attach the vinyl. The vinyl will form better when a heat lamp or a heat gun is used to WARM IT UP, thereby making it more pliable, to fit into those tight spots. Overlap the vinyl and fold over, so when you reattach the dash, it pinches the vinyl. TRIM ONLY when the glue has dried.

When reattaching your customized dash, use PLASTIC WASHERS where applicable. Cut "X's" in the overlapped vinyl at the bolt holes. Screw in, but DON'T over tighten, otherwise you'll dislodge the glued vinyl at that point.

WARNING: DO NOT EVER USE ANY ARMOR ALL or anything similar on ANY interior vinyl!!! Vinyl has to breath (expand/contract). Plain soap & water is recommended.

Finally...purchase a sun shade and use it to protect your dash & keep the vehicle slightly cooler.

Lost all respect for Sam Elliott and his Ram Tough commercials. 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, SLT Off Road Quad Cab 4 x 4, Babied, Bought new off show room floor, Go to town truck. Only 4 years old and dash began cracking. Now in dozen pieces as well as Instrument bezel cracking. Garage kept and utilized sun shade visor across window when not in garage with window cracked to ovoid inside heat build up. Was so proud of this truck for was my first 4 x 4 bought new. Have had Ford and Chevy, bought used and drove for as much as 20 years and No Cracked dashes. Babied Ram 1500 dash should last more than 4 years. Sure, I know, After Market at LMC truck and I have the experience to replace and probably will soon for after 14 years of looking at that dash and feeling the pain all over again, pretty much sick of it. Truck now only has 130,000. Only satisfaction with keep the piece of crap dash is gives me the opportunity to bash ever passenger in the truck when the conversations about my clean good looking truck with the all busted up dash comes up. Believe me, I see to it that the conversation comes up. Love bashing Sam Elliott's "Ram Tough" bs.

Dash has cracks all over and in time it cracked off leaving holes. I then used duck tape to cover the holes. Now with more cracking the defrost area to clear the inside windows is not working properly. Also the adjust to flow heat and deforest does not work correctly. The cost to replace $600.

In time I must save this money and get my dash replaced because I'm afraid of an accident which in turn could cause parts of the dash to hit me in the face before the air bag is opened.

I firmly believe this is a manufacturing problem and if a sample of the dash was test they may find out that the plastic was incorrectly made causing the dash to crack and come apart.

I, like the other owners, only had my truck for a few years. I have had a dash cover on it, since I had it. I really never payed much attention to the dash ,until one day I heard a loud cracking noise . I removed my dash cover, and there was a large hole in my dash ,and the piece fell into the hole. I too have had no luck with DODGE, and I too think there should be a recall to replace this problem ,since I already paid for my truck in good faith to them . Come on DODGE.....make it right for all of us who drive Dodge...

J.ELGIN SANTA FE ,TEXAS

The dashboard cracked in 2015 and finally broke into pieces this week, to my disbelief. I will find an OEM replacement and do the work myself, as I want to keep my truck in working order. I have never had a dashboard fall to pieces before, and will probably keep the truck running for as long as the power train holds up, but I will never buy a Dodge truck again.

The paint is now failing after 15 years, as the clear coat disintegrates and leaves a scarred mess. This is being treated as normal by body shops, but not by me. A repaint will be required, and I will never get the finish done correctly without paying big bucks.

Initially, I was thrilled when I purchased my 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport, that is, until the dash started cracking. Those cracks evolved into huge pieces completely falling out. I took my truck to Huffines Dodge in Lewisville, TX to find some remedy to my problem, but was informed that it was MY problem and that they could do nothing about it, other than SELL me the same sub-standard, shoddy, faulty dash at the cost of about $600.00, and that would be with ME installing it, not them!

The more I have researched for a solution to this, the more I have learned what a HUGE epidemic this is with Ram trucks manufactured from 1996 to 2003, with TENS OF THOUSANDS of complaints for this same problem. I have also learned through my investigating, that the after market dash caps that are sold to resolve this problem are virtually ineffective and appear as the "band aid" that they truly are. It is shameful that Dodge will not take responsibility for this by doing what is ethically and morally right, which would be to replace the dash at no charge to the owner of the vehicle. It's obvious that DODGE chooses to leave their millions of faithful customers holding the proverbial bag, and choosing to continually manufacture and sell cheap, poorly made parts and vehicles with the OUTRIGHT LIE of Dodge being the vehicle with the best resale value!

The fact is, that this problem has drastically reduced the resale value of my truck, and snow cones will be sold in hell before I ever purchase another Dodge vehicle. I hope that the people who read this complaint, and the hundreds of other complaints about DODGE VEHICLES, will consider the contents of our message(s), and NOT throw their hard-earned AMERICAN cash away on FOREIGN-MADE DODGE VEHICLES AND PARTS.

This is a problem I have never came across before. It started after 4 or 5 years of owning the truck. It has become steadily worse as time progresses. When I took the dash out for a heater core replacement it literally fell apart, broke into pieces. At the time I needed to get the truck up and running and had to glue the thing back together using aluminum sheet metal as the under backing to keep it together. This is not fair and will keep me from buying another Dodge unless Chrysler buys and installs a new dash in my truck.

Very disappointed in Dodge for pawning off this exceedingly cheep dashboard.

I feel awful every time that i get into my Dodge Ram and see the cracks that have spread though out my dash. The crack and some areas have even developed into holes where you can see straight through the plastic molding. What really hurts the most is knowing that i have nothing to do with the destruction of this disastrous habit that spreads like a plastic rash. Yes sir I have tried to hide the lines of longitude that map out my degree of uncertainty every time an admirer asks me what happen to my truck i make a blank face and twiddle my thumbs and leave them with a non verbal expression like i don't see the elephant on my couch. However many of my fellow men and women that drive the Dodge Ram gripe with bright lights should be able to see my plight that i wear and tear Does Dodge Chysler care or do they wear the a mask whenever someone ask for a ride in my truck i'm not sure how they perceive me after they get in my Dodge in see my plastic rash that spread through out my dash.

The dash has disintegrated. It started with plastic forming dust, then loosing its luster, to cracking, and now pieces have fallen into the firewall area. I covered up the ugliness with a cover but the cover is collapsing due to the continued disintegration of the dash. The bezel cover came off last week as the tabs and plastic the tabs are fixed to have broken time after time to the point I can't mount the bezel. This is ridiculous. I've never seen such junk.

Originally I thought it was me but I see that others with a Dodge P/U are having the same issues. This is my third Dodge Ram 1984, 1993 and now this 2000. I NEVER had these issues with the 84 or 93. What is going on with Dodge? Please help as I do not know what to do next with the exception of replacing the entire dash and bezel.

I cannot believe that a few months after having my truck, which was very low miles even though used, my dashboard started literally falling off. I tried to reattach it but the clips were not even there. It was not long before the dash was cracking and falling down when I drove. Don't think that is dangerous? Try hauling horses in bad weather because you are counting on your 4WD and the dash falls towards you when you are driving.

My son ended up just pulling it completely out because it was a safety issue. He then searched extensively in junk yards and all of the dashes were either gone or cracked to pieces. Needless to say, without the dash there are no controls for the air or heat (direction/close/etc), so that is a fail. Of course now multiple electrical things are happening so ??? This is a safety issue, not a cosmetic one.

This is really a bad problem that should have been for caught before these vehicles went out to the consumers. The materials used to make the dash board must have been substandard or untested by the manufactor. I hope that this problem can be resolved by replacement at a local dealer with no cost to the owner. I really like my Ram because it is a reliable truck. The problem went from little cracks to total destruction, causing vibrating sounds across the whole dash. If not already, there should be a recall for all existing defects of this nature. This is not an exaggeration, it's a real problem.