This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The dashboard beginning to disintegrate. If a crash were to happen shards of plastic could be thrown at the passengers. Have heard incidents of falling shards of plastic affecting electrical such as lights.
My father bought this truck new in 2001, and I bought it from him in 2008. About 20000 miles on the unit when I bought it. In 2008, the dash started cracking and became very brittle, pieces began to break out and has continued to crack and break. It is now 2014, about 32000 miles on this unit, and I am going to have to replace the dashboard with an aftermarket product. Based on the number of complaints from other owners, I would believe that the materials used in the original dash were below acceptable quality. No front end zerk fittings for steering components- cheap design and construction. I had to have new front end assemblies with zerk fittings, at a cost of about $1400. (because Chrysler/Dodge went cheap in construction.) my last Dodge vehicle, I think I can do better.
I purchased the 2001 Dodge Ram new and it has been garage kept and has less than 70,000 miles. I was driving across a railroad crossing at the speed limit of 30 mph. This crossing is not rough. For lack of a better term the dash exploded. Pieces of the dash hit me in the face and pieces were all over the front seat. The dash is essentially gone now exposing the airbag module, electronics and sharp metals that should be 'under the dash'. this is dangerous and someone is going to get hurt, either from the dash failure causing them to loose control when it fails, the pieces causing a fire or because the sharp areas are exposed that could cause additional injuries in a crash.
Since Dec of 2004 I have had my transmission replaced 3 times on this vehicle, the last time I was on a highway when it "blew" and was told by several ppl that I was very "lucky" it didn't catch fire, L know of many others who have owned these trucks and have had similar transmission problems!! I also have had my spare tire cable break while the truck was on a roadway, and my spare tire when rolling down the road behind me, by the grace of god...no cars were coming, in addition, I have a severely cracked dash, I am having to have the heater core replaced...smoke coming out of the vents...when the core is replaced, the dash will have to be replaced also, due to the condition of the dash!! Dodge needs to do something about these vehicles!
- Gastonia, NC, USA
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Vehicle's dash board is cracking, presumably due to sunlight and possibly lack of uv inhibitors in the plastic. There are several cracks and open holes above the instrument cluster. This causes a hazard because various wiring and electronic components, including airbag systems, are located under the dash panel. Sunlight could cause harm to the wiring and inadvertent spills by occupants could compromise the various systems contained in the dashboard.
Removed my front dash mat to clean my truck and I found the dash is cracked in multiply spots. I have looked online and found that this is a constant problem with many other Dodge owner. Some even stated that the small pieces could break off and damage wiring on the inside of the dash and cause a fire.
The dashboard on my truck started with massive cracking and has now fully collapsed. Online research shows that many have experienced the same problem with the same make and year of the vehicle. I've called Dodge and they claim that since there is no official recall, and the truck is no longer under warranty, there is nothing they can do. I do not believe that an entire collapse of the dashboard is normal and is a manufacturer's defect. This, of course, can then exposes the instruments and wires underneath to the extreme heat which has additional safety concerns.
The dash panel directly under the windshield is completely disintegrated away within a month. A small crack developed, and within a month the dash panel was completely gone. Now there is exposed components to the elements.
The dash on my 2001 Dodge 1500, began to crack a few years ago for no apparent reason. Now, there are several long cracks and large sections of the dash are rattling. I am having intermittent electrical problems with the instrument panel. Frequently, none of the dash displays work, including speedometer, odometer and the fuel gauge. This is a very dangerous problem. I am very concerned that part of the dash is going to fall in or fall off while I am driving or an electrical problem will occur while driving. On-line searches have revealed that many people have already reported this problem and the safety concerns that they have.
Cracks appeared in the dashboard for no obvious reason. Within a matter of months large chunks began falling out of the dash. The bezel also cracked. Lack of dash exposes some electrical components underneath. Whether this has caused damage to these components including the airbag is unknown at this time.
I am an owner of a 2001 Dodge 1500 truck that was in perfect condition up until 2 days ago, that was when my dashboard caved in. I took my truck to my mechanic for a summer tune-up. I live in Arizona and when those triple digits start rolling in you want to be sure your ac is blowing cold and mine seem to be having some airflow problems. When my mechanic got through inspecting the truck he discovered that my dashboard was slowly "caving in" causing some electrical problems. He decided to take the dash off to get a better look and when he took the screws out the whole dashboard just broke into many pieces. I am very concerned because that dash has many electrical components behind it which could potentially cause some major problems. I am also in favor of a recall, because the dashboard inspector must of been on vacation in 2001 when they let this truck leave the factory with issues like that. Recall that dash!!!
Both parts of my dash boards are cracked, after all this time I now have no dash at all and now im having electrical issues. Dodge wont help, I know of 2 people whom got their dash replaced for $100 and when I go they tell me first $1500 then $600 im the original owner. Please help. Dodge wont! also my son cut his wrist on the jagged piece on what's left of a hollow dash im willing to pay the $100 deductible but after all this time I feel Dodge should step up to the plate and replace for free. Thank you
Dash had began to crack and cracks have progressed to point of they reach the trim bezel. Initially dealer said to just wait they felt Dodge would recall because it was very common problem. They didn't advise to replace because it would just happen with new one as well. But nothing was ever done and after contacting Dodge customer assistance I was told because of age of truck and mileage now (60,000) nothing could be done. My concerns are if involved in an accident the dash could just crumble and send sharp pieces flying throughout interior. As well as interior of dash being exposed and causing operational issues while driving.
My 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 has had the dashboard disintegrating since 30,000 miles as I was informed by the previous owner. It only had cracks but since I have owned it the dash has literally disintegrated with sharp objects flying about the cab when windows are down. My research suggest that Chrysler used inferior products as a cost reduction, did not acquire the proper manufacturing temperatures which results in cracking, and the dash is inadequately mounted causing flexing. This is a very dangerous situation.........and not a cosmetic issue as Dodge has hidden behind!! when the dash breaks, sharp objects are in flight throughout the cab. When it breaks near the air bags, I believe they will deploy themselves and that alone is a serious event while driving in traffic! Dodge has a history all the way back to my first purchase of a brand new 1973 Dodge Ram, ignoring warranty and making excuses of why things aren't their fault! it's high time this company assumes it's responsibility especially after tax payers bailed them out!!!! I have fought many battles with this company concerning warranty issues as well where a brand new 1976 Dodge Ram I purchased spun the races in the rears as a result of defective manufacturing!!! the time for making excuses is old, it's time for action and assuming responsibility for an inferior product!!!
I want to complain about the dash cracking and falling completely apart. I have sharp pieces sticking out everywhere and if I hit something and the air bags came out they would pop. You can see in my engine. I'm also scared if some pieces fell into my engine it could tear up something. Mostly worried about mine and my passengers safety. Why was this not on a recall list? I have read that it is a defect for this year Dodge.
We purchased our new Ram truck Feb 23rd, 2001 & have kept it garaged when not in use, serviced as required by Dodge, washed & waxed as needed & used the best vinyl protectant available on the interior to keep our truck looking new. Suddenly a crack appeared on the passenger side of the dash that makes a very distracting rubbing crunching noise when the vehicle is in motion. We feel Dodge is aware of using inferior materials in the dash of ours and others trucks & that a recall should be made to correct this defect. This is such an awful, ugly defect that it lessens the selling & trade in value of these vehicles & the owners should not have to take this hit due to the decision of Dodge to use inferior materials in the manufature of these trucks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Marietta, GA, USA