8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$710
Average Mileage:
94,750 miles
Total Complaints:
210 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (73 reports)
  2. replace with new dashboard (60 reports)
  3. should be a recall (35 reports)
  4. replace with better quality after market dashboard (22 reports)
  5. epoxy and a dash cover (7 reports)
  6. filed a complaint with. www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov (6 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #150

Feb 012010

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

Dodge has known about this for years and has yet to do a recall. This problem injured my hand just while cleaning my own vehicle! I sliced my hand open on the sharp plastic wiping off dust, and yes i was using a rag. This is an issue that dodge and the govt agency need to address in a recall before more serious injuries occur.

- Will B., Kansas City, MO, US

problem #149

Jan 012011

Ram 1500 SLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

Same problem different truck busted dash and dodge tells me Oh well

- Michael S., Travelers Rest, SC, US

problem #148

Aug 082005

Ram 1500 SLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

Placed a complaint with dodge and all they told me was that they couldnt help me. So I am left with a truck that has a busted dash that I consider to be very unsafe. If I have an accident it is going to fly into pieces. They need to own up to this problem and fix this even if it is to partially pay for it. Im scared to drive it. so now what?

- Michael S., Travelers Rest, SC, US

problem #147

Aug 042009

Ram 1500 LT 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

This all started in 2009 with a long line crack and now is a full blown mess. Holes in the dash, large pieces falling onto the wiring harness sun light baking wiring. Not only is it an eyesore, it could cause a fire.

- gator137, Springfield, MO, US

problem #146

Aug 242010

Ram 1500 STL 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

The pieces are sharp in wreck it would be like shrapnel the stuff is sharp and brittle

- down1369, Alpharetta, GA, US

problem #145

Mar 012007

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,698 miles

My dash started as a crack in it, then it just went to hell from there and appears that this is not the first issue with it several people have had the same issue. Dodge should own up and issue a recall since it is the material that they manufactured! The dash with that is not UV resistant and just looks like hell and has caused several sharp edges on my dash I keep it covered with a carpet lining so that my children do not get cut on the sharp edges. I am looking for what they call a Dash Cap which is a plastic lining that you glue on to correct my problem, but as being a Dodge owner who thought that they were buying a dependable truck really got fooled in their quality of materials.

- Shaun R., Parrottsville, TN, US

problem #144

Jun 012009

Ram 1500 LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

HEADACHE,HEARTACHE,MENTAL ANGUISH, EMBARRASSMENT. I can't believe that a Company such as Dodge would not come up with a solution for this prob. with everything they have taken from the American consumer they should feel proud to offer a prompt fix for this awful issue. I Love my truck but cant' stand to drive it during the day. only under the cover of darkness. lol crazy huh.

- mountainlion, La Feria, TX, US

problem #143

Feb 032004

Ram 1500 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

dodge needs to fix this problum every truck i have seen around the modle of mine is like this !!!! You can't lay any thing up there it will fall through the hole !!!

- Jo Ann K., Calhoun City, MS, US

problem #142

Jul 052011

Ram 1500 Sport 5.2L - V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,400 miles

Cracked dash was definitely a bummer. Managed to find a new one of better material to restore the dash to like new. Plan on giving to my son after some restoration/upgrades are completed.

- bogiefl, Saint Augustine, FL, US

problem #141

Jul 142010

Ram 1500 Sport 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

The dashboard is in pieces. It can be put in a box like a puzzle. Tried gluing it back

with super glue but to no avail. Its embarrassing and the dash is exposed to all the

heat from inside the car, and dust.

- Jennifer L., Moreno Valley, CA, US

problem #140

Apr 222011

Ram 1500 3.2L V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 126,234 miles

It is a shame that we can not make a auto that the plastic doesn't crack, having broken pieces hit you while you are driving. If the plastic is faulty then it should be fixed by the company not the owner. I could have lost an eye or worse yet is that it could have hit my grandson and blinded him or worse.

- lgordon1250, Conroe, TX, US

problem #139

Jun 102008

Ram 1500 LX 318

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

The dash cracked no big deal, then it keep cracking now big chunks are falling out, they come through the dash pop out fly through the inside. I have checked on replacement dashes the cost is excessive $445-$550, a glue on dash cap while probably the best solution I am not sure it will stay or if it would hold the loose pieces. If this is the best automakers can do they deserve to go out. REALLY PISSED ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!

- Joe G., Paris, AR, US

problem #138

Jun 082010

Ram 1500 Sport 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

The dash (plastic) cracked top to bottom.It crackles and pops driving. I have to agree, I bought a 99 Dodge Ram new from the dealer. Babied the hell out of it and it cost me a fortune cracked dash, A/C twice, rear end 2 times, man I could just go on , biggest lemon I have ever owned

- vicjr1020, Lake Elsinore, CA, US

problem #137

Oct 102007

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

This dash is total junk, it is cracked all over the top of the dash by the windshield.

- wjames31, Cusseta, GA, US

problem #136

Sep 122004

Ram 1500 SLT 5.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 58,000 miles

click to see larger images

dashboard cracked dashboard cracked dashboard cracked dashboard cracked

My Dodge Ram's dash began to show signs of cracking around 6yrs ago. Now it is just caving in and falling apart to the point I'm scared of airbag failure. My Dodge has always been babied tinted side windows, sun screen, parked in a garage, and armor-alled. I thought i was alone with this problem until I did a Google search and found there are thousands of us almost all with the same year 1999 Dodge Ram 1500. If they can take my money for a bail-out they can afford this to make this right, do I hear the chant RECALL, RECALL.

- Richard G., Mountain View, OK, US

problem #135

Mar 182009

Ram 1500 Sport 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

Started small, and grew into more cracks in weeks. I tried to fix it, and new cracks developed.

- dave-illinois, Arilington Heights, IL, US

problem #134

Feb 172011

Ram 1500 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Such poor materials for such a nice truck. It is a shame that this has not been recalled and repaired long before now, the internet has thousands of complaints about this problem.. Does anyone listen anymore about poor workmanship and materials?? What a shame.

- texmoore, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #133

Dec 242010

Ram 1500 Sport 360

  • Automatic transmission
  • 198,000 miles

the dash started with a small crack on the passenger side .then a new one has appeared in the center of the dash much more and the dash will fall out on the floor . dodge needs to start a recall on this because this all started with the truck siting in the driveway because i have a company truck to drive . this truck may not move for months at a time

- briancrook, Oreana, IL, US

problem #132

Feb 022010

Ram 1500 V8

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles

We are Dodge people, but seriously thinking about switching when this problem came up. Was planning on keeping it for the duration, because I love to drive it and it has been a good truck. Who would have thought it would start falling apart on the inside!!! It is on it's way to having no dashboard!! It breaks more everytime we drive it, not counting all the squeaks, noises and cracking it makes!! Dodge should have a recall on this!!!

- loryjen, Benton City, WA, US

problem #131

Dec 282010

Ram 1500 Magnum 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

Well, the Dash Cap cover developed a couple of major cracks. I tried to epoxy the dash board cap twice and it seemed that the fix turned into more cracks while starting to paste the last cracks. I decided to take the Dashtop cover off and then presto the whole thing disintegrated into about 15 pieces. I took it out and managed to put the biggest pieces together. Finding the right epoxy was tough, I finally came to the conclusion that I may have to Bondo it all. Maybe that will hold it together.

I thought I had a singular experience, but judging from the complaints I have read eases some of the bad thoughts I was having about myself in not noticing the first crack and immediately gluing it. I think it would have turned out the same because of the cheap materials used in the fabrication of the part.

- fmsalinastx, Harker Heights, TX, US

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