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.
I was driving on the expressway with my windows down when a piece of dashboard flew up and struck me in the face. I will not risk getting seriously injured while driving this vehicle...Dodge needs to take care of this known problem and make their vehicle safe!
It just cracked out of nowhere. One day I went to work in the company truck and when I got home I went to get something out of my Dodge and there was a 16 inch crack in the dash. I always lock my truck and I take good care of my things so this was no accident. I found out later on that Dodge may have used defective plastic in the fabrication of their dashboards from 1998-2006. I have worked in manufacturing before and I understand that sometimes when a problem comes up it is "too far gone" to solve on that lot number or batch, so you adjust it for the next one... but 8 years!! You've got to be kidding me! If it is true about the defective plastic then shame on Dodge for not providing their customers with the best product possible. I still love my Dodge but this was a very poor manufacturing decision to move forward for 8 years with defective plastic.
bought pickup from bank. Repo. noticed last year that a crack began right over the passenger side airbag (topside). Just kept going and has covered the whole dashboard. Another started this year from the windshield and met the other. In cold weather the crack is very visible, warm weather you can hardly tell that it is there. Dodge should really do something about it.
The dash cracked several times over the years and disintegrated upon removal during heater core replacement last week. New dash vent is required and is definitely defective quality from the manufacturer.
I've been taking really good care of my truck. It is a 2003 and it only has 60K miles. NOW, a huge crack appear on the dashboard (passenger side by airbag). I have other older cars that just sit in the sun all day and NO problems with those dashboards.
First crack appeared in April of 2009. Since then I've had seven more cracks appear. Not just the inner part close to the windshield but the large heavy duty plastic dash has cracked in several places. The truck has never been wrecked or abused. I will never buy a Dodge or Chrysler product again. Seems that the problem started in 1998 and lasted all the way through 2006. 8 years of them ignoring complaints from their customers. Not good.
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 looks great except for a few scratches (its a work truck). Used to love to drive it and laugh at all the Hemi jokes. Now it looks like a ghetto truck, dash cracked in multiple places, vents have no grids. I'm afraid its going to completely cave in. I have to pick my daughter up from school in this truck with her 3 friends. After reading all the complaints I'm afraind its become a saftey issue. Got a quote from the dealer to replace it for $1,700, no offer to pay for half. I'm really ticked now that i know about all the others.
Mr Brother-In-Law, My Next Door Neighbor, the internet searches, it seems everyone has a cracked dash when they own a Dodge Ram truck! Mine started around two years ago and it just keeps getting worse. When I went to the Dodge dealer, again two weeks ago there is no recall and he thought the replacement dashes were of a better material, but it sounded like he was guessing! After reading about every Dodge truck owner's similar issue why is it nothing is being done? Dodge should be ashamed of itself for it's usual lack of caring for their customers, unless your willing to buy a new vehicle! My dash keeps getting worse, I'm not sure a cap is the solution, aka www.txdashcovers.com, well it may be the only one! I'll keep searching! If anyone knows of a better method I'm All Ears!!!!
I take pride in my Ram. This was my "Dream Truck" and I have spent more than $10,000 in upgrades for the truck. The exterior of the truck is in excellent condition and the interior is as well with the exception of the dash. it is embarassing to let someone inside and see that the dash is caving in.
My dash on my 2003 Dodge Ram cracked about 3 months after I paid it off. My Ram was the first Dodge I owned, as well as the first pickup I owned. The next $30,000 I spend definitely won't go to Dodge, especially with the garbage they are selling (and won't fix).
Does anyone have a dodge ram truck that has a cracked dashboard? The cracks look like they were cut with a saw. This is a major problem all over the internet . I have a 2003 dodge ram and reported this to chrysler. They will not repair it and take responsibility for a problem with that is inherent. They told me I would have to pay $800 for repair. We have been loyal Chrysler customers, having had 6 vehicles in the last 20 yrs. Will this be my last? It will depend on Chrysler's response. There are numerous complaints on the internet for the same problem. Customers are not being helped by Chrysler for defective materials that make up the dashboard. This problem has been featured on an Orlando, Florida television station.
I was shocked to find out the extent of this problem with the 1998-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Pick up. No wonder foreign vehicles are so popular. Dodge should be forced to fix this problem.
Ok this is my second Ram. My 95 rolled 100,000 miles and the dash cracked, had gaping hole in it by the time I traded it in. Figured it wouldn't happen to my next Ram. Sure enough, 2 weeks after I got it paid off, I got in it after work and it caught my eye. My dash cracked all the way from the passenger airbag location to the second dash cover at the windshield. Now I'm gonna be out $200 to buy a dash cap from Coverylay. Dodge should really do something about this problem instead of giving everyone the runaround. I think this is a real safety issue that could lead to more problems. What if the passenger airbag wiring got damaged by the sun???
2 days after I purchaced this truck,I went out to get in the glovebox and noticed the dash was cracked from the glovebox all the way to the smaller cover along the windshieald..About 2 days later ,the other dash cover along the windshield cracked.What's up with that?? Is the air bag still going to work? Is it safe?
Same as the rest.... recently noticed a crack on the top of the passenger side left of the corner of the airbag... will try and pic later.
There has to be a problem some where thats alot of people with the same issue to be a coincedence...will call dealer and local rep on Monday 20th 2010. 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 5.7 Hemi about 65000 miles....
I have the exact same problem as everyone else who spent their hard earned money on a 2003 Dodge Ram. My dash is falling apart. First crack started in 2006 just above the top left corner of the glove box and spread all the way back to the defrost vent. The second one is just to the right of center line of the instrument panel. That one started at the defrost vent and has now spread to the front of the dashboard almost completely splitting the dashboard in half. a piece has broken off of the defrost side of the crack so now there's a hole almost big enough to put your hand through in the dashboard. WHY ISN"T DODGE RECALLING THESE TRUCKS AND FIXING THIS CRAP?????
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I was driving on the expressway with my windows down when a piece of dashboard flew up and struck me in the face. I will not risk getting seriously injured while driving this vehicle...Dodge needs to take care of this known problem and make their vehicle safe!
- William L., Pembroke Pines, FL, US