10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 82,865 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, the frame around the steering box disconnected from the steering due to excessive rust. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
- Howell, NJ, USA
A few years after the vehicle was purchased, the dash began to develop cracks and holes. This has gotten worse and worse to the point where a dash cover had to be purchased to avoid things falling down behind the instrument cluster. Currently, there is more missing than still in place in the vehicle. This is a common problem in this generation, and Dodge has not addressed it, other than to claim it is strictly cosmetic. The plastic pieces are extremely sharp, and have resulted in a number of superficial cuts when working on the defrost vents, or when adjusting the carpeted dash cover. Other pieces have fallen into the vents and then been ejected into both driver and passenger's faces when the air conditioner/heater are turned on. Pieces of plastic rattle behind the dash, and have fallen into the air conditioner controls and radio harness, possibly being the cause of the failure of the front speakers (but not verified) if they have cut the wires. If the airbag deploys, the perdon in the seat is likely to be blinded or disfigured from the amount of dangerously sharp shrapnel, assuming it has not already been cut and rendered useless. Replacement dashes from Dodge are priced at nearly $1,000, which is a ridiculously exorbitant amount to expect customers to pay in order to fix a defective product installed by the company. Overlays of decent quality cost nearly a third of that.
- Andalusia, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that there was extensive rust, corrosion, and holes along the entire frame and undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact stated that the frame was detaching due to the failure. The vehicle had not been inspected and diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
- Hamlin, WV, USA
My dashboard has hole in it. Its been cracking for a while and really didn't pay att
- Teaneck, NJ, USA
Dash is falling apart. Every day pieces are coming off. Also I need to replace the heater core and I'm afraid the that the dash will completely fall apart.
- Manhattan Beach, CA, USA
I'm concerned the cracked dash will become sharp plastic projectiles if the airbag ever deploys.
- Corona, CA, USA
Car accident occurred when vehicles back cab hydroplaned and fishtailed out of control at less then 25mph and hit a tree head on. No airbag deployed and driver was hurt.
- Fairfield, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 mph, the front end of the vehicle shook and vibrated violently. After stopping the vehicle, it was discovered that the front sway bars detached and the steering control arms separated due to rusting of the subframe. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 158,888.
- Plymouth, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and fractured. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was 149,000.
- Mt Holly, NC, USA
The dashboard is breaking apart and throwing shardes of it in my face when driving
- Moscow Mills, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured completely. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
- Bastrop, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that multiple fractures developed on the dashboard of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Dashboard came apart, plastic flying in cab.
- Muskegon, MI, USA
My dashboard is cracking and falling apart in on itself I have tried blowing but it continues to crack apart and it is falling in on the dash afraid if its ever in an accident classic will fly everywhere and cut or kill someone. It started doing this in two thousand and ten after I moved to Florida. And the paint on the vehicle hood quarter panels front and upper doors and around the lower doors is fading away.
- Hudson, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the engine stalled without warning. However, the check engine light had illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was merged to the emergency lane and restarted the vehicle. Also, the vehicle over heated multiple times. In addition, the dashboard began to crack and later collapsed. The contact noticed that the crack was near the air bag and could potentially inadvertently deploy the air bag. The failure caused the entire instrument panel to malfunction. The contact stated that the pieces from the dash board fell into the air vents causing the A/C unit to malfunction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the engine and dashboard needed to be replaced. Also, the technician stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
- East Ridge, TN, USA
I am the owner of 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and recently took it to the shop for a muffler repair. The technician that was doing the repair notified me of the extensive corrosion that was on the left hand side of the vehicles frame just under the driver side aft door. The corrosion is the worst I have ever seen and has deemed the vehicle not drivable. I had just pulled my camper the week before with my wife and 3 kids in the car. The frame is literally hanging on by a piece of metal 3 inches wide, the bottom and sides of the frame are completely gone in a 16 inch section. In my opinion it is completely unacceptable for a vehicle that is only 12 years old to be scrapped because of defective metal. Not to mention that if I had not had my muffler repaired I never would have seen the corrosion and would have put my families lives at risk. How many owners have the same problem with their vehicles and do not even know? I have pictures but could not attach them to this message.....you really need to see the pics.
- Clarksville, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and starting to crumble. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
- Makin , GA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the frame was severely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 140,000.
- Warwick, RI, USA
The dashboard has developed large cracks. It is distracting while driving and could possible be a safety issue. I also almost cut my hand when applying interior cleaner/shine this past Saturday. I know I need to be careful but it is pretty ridiculous for this to be cracked so bad. Dodge needs to step up and at least offer steep discounts to get this fixed.
- Antioch, TN, USA
- Newport, ME, USA