Consumer - There are already several complaints filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The more complaints that are filed the more chances of a recall there will be.
Aftermarket Replacement Dash For 2003-2005 - This dash is advertised to never crack. This is the only full replacement dashboard that I have found for my 2003 Dodge 4x4 3/4 ton. They also have earlier models as well. You can also check out www.lmctruck.com and www.genosgarage.com and both of them have full replacement dashboards for the dodge pickup. Don't buy the one from Dodge, it will just crack again.
At first I thought it was a piece of lint or string sitting up against my front window. But when i tried to wipe it away I then figured out that the string was actually a 1.5 inch long crack. A week later while talking to a church member whom has a Ram (04 or 05). He mentioned his dash is all cracked up. I then decided to make an appointment at the Mark Dodge dealer here in Mobile Alabama. While waiting I went online and did a google search for any known dash board cracks in dodge Rams and found hundreds. It is unbelievable that dodge knows it has problems with the dash boards and is able to drag its feet before making a recall.
I will come back and update this complaint after my visit to the dealer.
I could put up with the eye sore of many, many cracks; however, the problem is so severe now that entire pieces have fallen off and there gaping holes all over the dashboard...I have had to cover the problem with a cloth dashcover.
noticed in my 2003 dodge one day out of the blue the above my radio in the dash was a small crack now its a huge crack going all the way to the second half of the dash towards the windshield. on the driver side were the defrost vent is its cracked right there too. I called dodge and they told me they wont pay for it. Its an out of pocket expense for me. Cause its considered an every day wear and tear. Um If dodge wants to stay in business you'd think they'd listen and care about ALL the complaints there getting for their 2003 model. But NO lets band together and make them fix the worst year they ever built.
- Jennifer K.,
Bodfish, CA, US
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I noticed a small crack on the dash one day when I was cleaning my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. As weeks and months went by, the crack got longer and longer. Then other cracks started appearing. Now, my entire dashboard is covered with cracks. There are pieces of sharp plastic sticking up. This is awful. I understand that there are many other people seeing this same issue and Dodge has not offered a recall to correct the issue. Shameful.
I wished there would be a recall for this. My dashboard looks like the San Andreas Fault lines, with cracks everywhere. I'm just waiting for a plastic piece to go airborne and hit me in my eye or something else...
My 2003 dodge ram 1500 has a cracked dashboard. Its been progressively getting worse. It started off with one small crack, now its everywhere! I have always maintained my truck and cant believe this happened! The dash is so frail now I'm afraid to touch it because it might break even more. Even the handle that you use to pull yourself into the truck broke and I had to rig it for it to stay attached. Why hasn't dodge recalled the dashboard yet. It's ridiculous!!!
Well, I think dodge should at least replace the dash with a better material that want crack, I have owned a 2000 and now a 2003 quad cab, I paid lots of money for, My quad cab is a nice truck, and if this is how dodge is serving there cusumers,and they want fix the problem, I will never own a dodge or Chrysler product again, come on dodge step up and fix the problem, and you will gain alot of respect and customers, thanks Mark Manis
Update from Jan 13, 2012: Well dodge fans found out that the dash in my truck is the second dash this truck has had since it was new, and now it has cracked, and its not gonna stop,its got bigger and more places now then when I first noticed it.When I bought the truck it had 100,000 on it, found out the owner purchased the dash just to sell the truck, well I bought it. HEY DODGE GIVE ME A NEW DASH THAT WANT CRACK, I WILL EVEN PUT IT IN MY SELF,dont want to put you guys out. this is freaking pittyful.
Started out with small crack just above the passenger air vent. Now there are cracks at the defroster vents, and several other areas. There is one crack that is now started to lift.
Called Dodge...Gave me a case number...will pay 25% of total cost for replacement. This is a total load of crap, since this problem is so now known to all Dodge truck owners! The cost out of my pocket will be around a $1000.00!!! C'mon Dodge owners, lets organize and get something done about this!
Why would somebody buy another vehicle from Dodge that costs anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000 if any part that was not a normal wear part would crack and fall apart after 5 years? RIght after I just got done paying my 2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Truck off, and noticed the dash had 2 cracks up by defrost vents. Fast forward 3 years and I now have over 12 cracks and am waiting any day for the dash to cave in. I owned a 1994 Dodge Ram and sold it to buy my 2003 Dodge Ram and I had ZERO cracks, infact I had NO interior issues. I am a big Dodge fan but I am getting to the point that Chevy, GMC, and I would hate to say this Ford will be my next buy unless Dodge takes care of a soon to be safety hazard with plastic shrapnel that could fly at my passengers and/or myself if I would ever get into an accident. Dodge needs to fix this issue, and needs to find better plastic when they do fix this issue.
I first noticed the cracks in my dash during the summer of 2010. Now a year later there are 5 cracks across the dash and one of the vent covers has completely crumbled and fell down into the defrost duct. I have three friends who also drive Dodge PU's between 2000 & 2003 models. They have the same problem with the dash cracks.
The dash in my 2003 Dodge Ram has cracked in two (2) places. Now My dash looks really bad. I talked to the parts manager at a Dodge Dealership about my problem and he told that they all crack ! also, that Dodge has no plans to take care of this problem.
I feel sure that with all the cracked Dodge dashes out there, this is a case of product defect....Don't you think? It's too bad that Dodge donsn't stand behind their products.
I pamper my 2003 dodge ram 1500 and consistently use a sunshade to protect the interior and in only 3 years the dash cracked. Pretty pathetic that Dodge has not yet issued a recall for this safety related matter. I bought my truck because i loved the look of the RAM but embarrassed to drive it now because of the entire dash being cracked. Now i have chunks of plastic in my A/C vents that are stuck and i cant even touch it because it breaks even more. Paid way to much money for this poor quality product. I was considering buying another dodge but not anymore if this is the type of quality and service they will put out.
Everyone I know with a Dodge Ram 1500 has a cracked dash and the cracks seem to be in the same places. a friend of mine has a 2003 Dodge ram 1500 and the dash is cracked in the same areas. Dodge needs to recall and fix.
Last year the smaller section of the two piece dashboard on my Ram1500 cracked so bad it broke in half. I had to buy a new one and replace it and now having to deal with the larger section cracking and looking so bad. It's really about time something get done about this.
After finding the huge crack and going to the dealer only to be told there was nothing they could do about it and it happens, like it's a normal everyday thing, I don't think so! I think things like this should be taken care of by the company, after all we as consumers buy and expect well made dependable vehicles.
Dodge has been my prefered choice for almost 30 years (Bought new in 1988,1993,1996,1998,2003) Its time to buy a new truck but I may have to buy a Ford this time as the local Dodge dealer not only wouldn't fix the problem (Cracked Dashboard) when it happened they now say the truck is in poor condition when it only has 72000 miles and the only thing on the truck that is not perfect is a defective dashboard.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The dash started cracking and now if you barely touch it, it falls to pieces.
- nbolduc, Deltona, FL, US