7.9
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $850
- Average Mileage:
- 82,400 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 534 complaints
Most common solutions:
- enough complaints to dodge will get a recall-1-800-992-1997 (231 reports)
- replace dashboard (134 reports)
- not sure (102 reports)
- replace dash (15 reports)
- band together class action suit- imply fit/merchantability (14 reports)
- call 1-866-726-4636 (Dodge) & 1-888-327-4236 (NHTSA) (14 reports)
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I feel that the material used for the dash is substandard. should be replaced by the manufacturer. This is unacceptable.
- Allen P., Miami, FL, US
Am needing to replace the evaporator core in my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. To do so I will need to remove my entire dash, which is in shambles. Afraid that should I remove the dash to replace the evaporator core my dash will shatter into a million pieces and I'm left with an instrument cluster duct taped to my steering column. So, am going t have to live without A/C...in South Florida...thanks Dodge!!!!
- mjz75, Naples, FL, US
click to see larger images
I am the 2nd owner of this 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. It has been a wonderful vehicle for me over the past 10 years with very minimal problems. In January 2014, I drove over a speed bump and while doing so, I heard a "pop" sound from the dash area. I didn't think anything of it at the time. The next day, I noticed a crack in the main dash area that extended from the front to the seam (3/4 back to the windshield). Over the past 2 years, as you see in the photos, the cracking has continued and become worse to the point large sections broke off and fallen down into the dash. One piece had jammed an a/c blending door actuator, which I was able to pry out and fix the door. My concern is, if I am unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision, where are those razor sharp shards of plastic going to hit when the passenger airbag deploys? I no longer allow my grandchild to ride in this vehicle due to the dash cracks. If an area of the dash is pressed on, a large section just breaks off as if the plastic is the consistency of a cracker. Dodge created this dash and has put my safety and the safety of all other owner at risk. This should be on a priority list for a recall. I've owned vehicles from other makers older than this one and have never had an issue with plastic dash boards cracking.
- jrowe, Marana, AZ, US
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Bought this vehicle brand new after retirement from US Army with expectations of keeping the truck for long term. Within a couple of years I noticed a small stress fracture which over time has produced a cracked dash board that rattles when you drive and sore for the eyes to look at. I am very disappointed in Dodge and hope that Dodge will do the right thing for the consumers who have experienced the same problem. Replace dashboard at no cost to consumer NOW! At this time I would not buy another dodge product or recommend to my friends to buy one. Dodge, stand by your product and change my feelings.
- Gerald L., Lincolnton, GA, US
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Looking terrible is the lease of my problems;
I'm having Electrical issues with my turning signals and Brake lights going out a few times per years also i keep getting a dash indicator showing "light out "then goes away. I'm worry because i gave the truck to my youngest son years ago and i'm always having to remind him to be careful. If i could afford a new truck i would buy it for him but, it WON'T ever be a DODGE or Ram vehicle.
- Gustavo M., Warner Robins, GA, US
click to see larger images
This year after my factory recall for air bag problem there was significant more damage to the dashboard . This is poor product makeup and poor dealership in not saying anything about it. The problem got totally worse after they completed the recall. Pieces have broken off and fallen down inside of dash. What say ye?
- Don W., Bristol, VA, US
Daimler Chrysler really used cheap plastic for the dash in this vehicle. Cracking in many spots regardless of covering the dash with a sun reflector. Just junk, and now affordable replacement. The dash covers are not a solution. They just cover it up, but the mess remains underneath.
- jimhaas3, Kyiv, Ukraine
This problem could cause injury in an accident. The plastic used to make the dashboard was defective and will crack into small pieces causing injury to driver and passengers.
- Deanine H., Jacksonville, FL, US
I like the truck all except dashboard that is probably the worst design and workmanship l have ever seen. It started to crack in 2006, and was right down the middle after that the cracks were every where. now it's starting to have pieces are starting to fall out of it. Like I said this sorriest workmanship I haver seen.
- rdurrence, Jacksonville, FL, US
This dash is definitely a safety hazard, 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.
- delca, Moreno Valley, CA, US
Started cracking after extended warranty expired along with other problems after warranty expired
- Greg C., Humble, TX, US
Had a small crack, no biggie. Then I took it in for an air bag recall. When I picked it up the passenger side dash is a total mess. I bring it to the dealers attention and they say no way we did it, we go thru the glove box, never touched the dash??? Total bullshit and I told them as much! They gave me the customer service number for Dodge. I call, and while I am on the line, Dodge puts me on hold to call my dealer where I had the recall done. The dealer says that "they may have done the damage" WTF!! I go back to the dealer and they say tough sh*t.
My truck may be a 2003, but it looks like new! The dash rattles and God help my passenger if the air bag ever deploys. It would cut them to pieces.
- Mel W., Greenwood, SC, US
Ok I purchased a 2003 doge ram low miles clean looks good and no problems but the dashboard if you tap on it it could make a hole it is barely holding together it cracks all of the vent covers have dropped off into the vents leaving just holes this is not a problem normally seen on any vehicle its a screwup in manufacturing this dashboard is falling apart like he material it is made of is faulty.
- Bruce S., Port Saint Lucie, FL, US
Dash has been busted through for about 3 years. Then completely disintegrated when I attempted to removed it to replace the heater core.
- Brandon B., Sunnyvale, CA, US
they should have already recalled this problem. dodge uses useless material on their dashes. ive seen other types of trucks at salvage yards with very bad front end collisions and the dash was still in tact, but u drive my dodge down the road with windows down and the wind will blow shards of the dash in your face then they want to charge me 266.00 just for the uper defrost vent cover of dash thats thier fault dash is falling apart
- Joseph B., Hot Springs National Park, AR, US
Dash of my pickup began rapid disintegration. I looked it up on line an discovered this is a huge problem for several years of production (2002-2005). Dodge won't fix it. Given the age of the truck I could live with a dash cover replacement but I think they should have them available and install them as part of a recall. Do I think it will happen? No. Will this influence my next car purchase. Oh Yes!
- Bruce W., Woodbury, NJ, US
My 2003 Dodge Ram's dash is falling apart. I've used the window shade and still the freaking thing is falling apart. Today I put my window down and a piece of it flew into my eye. I almost hit another car by veering right. I had to pull off the road to dig it out. Dodge YOU SUCK. This is an obvious factory defect. If it were 1 or 2 I'd say different but it's not. Bunch od crap that I'll NEVER buy again. I'll tell everyone I know that's in the truck shopping mode to stay away. Why should we support them, they're not supporting us.
- Clyde S., New Bern, NC, US
THE CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATING DASH IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY DODGE.
- Levi M., Huntley, IL, US
Dash board is cracking to pieces. part has dropped down in the fan for the vents.
- George S., Winnsboro, SC, US
The dashboard has single crack in it. I received a recall to replace the air bag. the dealer will not replace the air bag without fixing the dashboard. This is no longer a "COSMETIC" issue.
- Peter Z., Jackson, NJ, US