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.
Like everyone else that has the same problem, dash broken and cracked, foam blowing out the vents. I suspect the foam build up around my control valve to switch from defrost to direct heat/ac to floor or face is why it has such a hard time converting it over. All car makers have issues, some take care of loyal customers (mostly imports) some don't care. Problem is the new dash they replace it with has the same problem, until there s a costly lawsuit involving serious injury and deemed a faulty dashboard contributed to the injury, nothing will be done
Update from Mar 28, 2016: say goodbye to your dash if you get the airbag recall done on the passenger side
Owned truck for 8 years, always parked inside pole barn. Went to sweep it out this weekend and seen the dash was cracked from far right vent to side window vent. Chrysler needs to recall this.
My dash on my 2003 Dodge Ram started cracking on my Dodge truck and it got so bad that I had to cover it up. I just want Dodge to replace it so I can be happy with my truck again.
dashboard was cracking within 3yrs & not covered per dodge?
It is pathetic to have a truck that was seldom used and was like new except for the cracks in the Dashboard, which started at about 8,000 miles and about 4yrs after buying it and gradually got worse. I complained to the Dealer about the “Cracking Dashboard†in 2008 & 2011 only to be told that dashboard cracks are not covered… I believe that it is a major safety hazard and fear of a future day my airbags deploy as it may send hundreds of flying projectiles into the face, eyes and lungs… The CPSC should force a recall base on the potential safe hazard!
I am very disappointed with the Dodge Ram dash boards. I have multiple cracks in my dash. I keep my truck clean as a whistle. Wax it every year before winter and after winter. It is spot less, and now I have this awful dash that had so many cracks! I want something to be done!!!!
- Jared B.,
Pa, US
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Every Dodge Ram (models from late 90s to maybe 05 or 06) I've seen have the same issue; cracked dashboards. Cracks and falling pieces, no spider web lines or anything. Dodge has failed to correct this issue even though the consequences can hurt people if the airbag is deployed and sharp pieces of plastic are projected into their face, eyes, etc.
I just want a reasonable replacement option. $1500 for three plastic dash parts is not reasonable. Dash Caps are not possible since the current dash is broken into 20+ pieces, there is no foundation to attach caps to. My local Dodge Dealer, Tempe Dodge tells me these parts are no longer available anyway. Can anyone direct me to replacement parts that can be purchased for a few hundred dollars? Can we force Dodge to provide suitable replacement parts.
The dash started cracking after five years. Always garaged and cared for. Then suddenly, craaaaaaack, down the main stress point. Since then it has virtually disintegrated before my eyes. Huge pieces drop off daily and now my dash is a gaping hole filled with shard of plastic. I complained and, what? Out of warranty? Everybody I know that owns my year has this problem and Dodge refuses to admit it was a flaw in their design. The rest of the truck is perfect and still runs great.
I just want to replace my dashboard myself. if not how is the dodge dealership going to charge me to do it. It's cracked really bad and every time I turn on the AC some insulation blows out the vents.
I purchased my truck in 2010 used. It had one small crack in the dash(about an inch) on passenger side.
I talked to local dealer about it to see if it could be repaired. He said NEW DASH. He said it was because the other owner had used amorer all on it .Told me not to use it anymore and it shouldn't get ant worse.He suggested I put a cover over it to protect it. Now it you TOUCH IT it falls apart. I am ashamed for people to look inside my truck. It is hard to believe that DODGE will not recall these dashes(at their expense).I really like this truck,couldn't wait to get it. Now if you try to sell it first thing people ask is the dash cracked.
I love the performance of my 5.7 Ram Sport but only after 6years of it being in existence the dash board started to crack. The Cracks have now become huge shards of plastic that breaks off and moves around inside the truck. as I read on this website earlier, if I were to hit something head on and a shard of plastic broke loose, the airbag could potentially drive the piece of plastic right into my face or chest.
I think Dodge should at least pay half of the bill and use better material so that this would not happen within the next 6-7 years. A good Truck can be on the road for more than 20 years. I consider my truck to be a "good truck", I should not have to worry about being stabbed in the chest by a piece of dashboard.
I was not prepared to give pictures, I will provide later. I am a loyal Dodge truck owner, this is my third Dodge truck. in the past I have owned a 1997 white short bed sport that I kept for 3years 2000 prior to being transferred to Japan (military)I sold it. upon my return from Japan in 2003 I purchased a 1998 same color extended cab. I kept the '98 for two years until 2005 when I traded for the truck I have today. I have had no mechanical problems out of any of the trucks that I have owned.
This dash is definitely a safety hazard and, especially if involved in a wreck. Pieces of plastic will injure occupants. I can't believe how many dashes are involved. This is a definite design flaw and should be recalled.
It started with three cracks. It has since become a big holes in the dashboard. I am the original owner of the truck. Never had a major problem with with the truck except for this one. It is not fail a company knows the dashboard were make with defective materials and will not conduct a recall. If I knew the truck was assemble with defective materials, I would have invested my money in it. I did not buy a used vehicle, I brought a brand new truck. the dashboard should be replaced by Dodge at no expense to me.
I can't believe Dodge won't do anything about the issue with dashes cracking. This is my third Dodge Ram and all three of them had cracked dashes. That is sad that they won't stand behind their products.
This is a manufacturing problem and Dodge should stand behind its products. I will never purchase another Dodge and anyone that ask me about it I will tell them, just don't do it. Simple as that.
I keep my truck in great shape and I've done several things to slow this process down but it keeps getting worse. It's sad that a company knows there's a problem but chooses to ignore it. This is my second Dodge (1987 Dakota) which I bought new and traded in on this truck and this might be my last Dodge.
Called for an estimate..total is $896 for the part and approximately $300-350 for labor. When one considers that there is no indication of improved replacement parts...a poor product will replace a poor product....at the risk of safety, depreciation, and aesthetics of a necessary vehicle. The safety factor is obviously the biggest issue and I am quite distressed that the manufacturer is willing and knowingly risking my family's safety. This will be a huge consideration for future purchases.
I dropped into a Dodge dealership while stationed in Everett Washington in 2011 to inquire about a repair dash as it just started cracking and was told by the employees that this was a known issue with the Dodge Trucks but wasn't something they replaced for free. They offered to order the 1600+ dollar part and install it for an additional 400+ dollars. I declined. The dash has continued to crack but has not fallen apart. Now due to the passenger airbag repair/recall the auto work will require the dash to be replaced out of pocket which is bull because it isn't something I did and is a known safety issue with Dodge trucks. This repair should be covered by Dodge as it is a "KNOWN" issue.
It is a damn shame that an auto maker as big as Dodge (as much as they brag about reliability) would let a vehicle look like this. Not only is it ugly but it is also very dangerous. If a person were to get in a wreck and the airbag should go off the dash is in little pieces like scrap metal and could blind, injure, or even kill. Yet they know about it, thousands of complaints and they refuse to recall it. This is my way of saying if anything should happen to me or my family because of this I can take all legal action available as they have been told of this condition.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Like everyone else that has the same problem, dash broken and cracked, foam blowing out the vents. I suspect the foam build up around my control valve to switch from defrost to direct heat/ac to floor or face is why it has such a hard time converting it over. All car makers have issues, some take care of loyal customers (mostly imports) some don't care. Problem is the new dash they replace it with has the same problem, until there s a costly lawsuit involving serious injury and deemed a faulty dashboard contributed to the injury, nothing will be done
Update from Mar 28, 2016: say goodbye to your dash if you get the airbag recall done on the passenger side
- Ivan C., Glen Burnie, MD, US