7.7
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $530
- Average Mileage:
- 97,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 184 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace dashboard (88 reports)
- not sure (49 reports)
- replace dash (14 reports)
- complain, complain, complain at dealer (12 reports)
- cover with a dashboard cover (12 reports)
- get a dashboard from online for 260 + shipping then diy (5 reports)
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Condition is concerning from a safety standpoint. The structural integrity of the dash which also houses the passenger airbag is obviously compromised, There are sharp edges where the dash has cracked and where large pieces of plastic are missing. This would very likely cause injuries in the event of a crash.
- mlipinski, Fort Lauderdale, FL, US
The dash cracked all the way through. The little piece by the window fell apart, not a big deal, we bought a new piece and replaced it but now the entire dash has a giant crack all the way through. We take very good care of this truck it has low miles and is covered often. I called the dealer and they want $2300.00 to replace. That seems a bit excessive to me. I know this is an older truck and I would not mind having the dash replaced if they would be reasonable about the price. The dealership of course states it is old and out of warranty so we are stuck.
- kmarkle4, cypress, CA, US
Really looking for a solution. Not sure what to do or how to fix it. Anyone get it covered for free?
- Anthony B., Lindenhurst, US
I couldn't believe that my dash was already cracked. I didn't get it fixed but think with so many complaints on a cracked dashboard that the problem wouldn't be fixed by the manufacturer. I decided to file a complaint because I would like to them to know that it is an obvious problem to the 2003 Dodge 2500. Let's get it fixed.
- Trevor H., Cedar City, UT, US
I called Dodge customer service and they gave me the standard answer. "It's out of warranty. It would be hard to determine whether it was a manufacturing defect or not." Obviously it is a defect. Mine, like thousands of others, is cracked. No, I have not crashed it or went 4 wheeling. Just stupidly drove it to and from work. How ridiculous am I to expect it to last forever! Sadly I am often more concerned what the inside looks like than the outside. I have a lot of clients ride with me. They are going to wonder how my work is if I allow my truck to go to pot like that. More than that, I am worried about what would happen if the airbag deployed in a crash. would those pieces of the dash be propelled around the cab at lethal velocity. I wouldn't be so bad but this model is already been subject to about 3 or 4 recall notices and now I find out that mine is one of the ones with the airbag problem also.
- Dan M., Monroe, OH, US
Obviously from the amount of information on this specific problem in Dodge Trucks, especially 2003 models, the dash materials are substandard. I put a sun shade in the windshield whenever necessary and windows cracked to keep the vehicle as cool as possible because Implanned on keeping it for a long time. Probably why it took longer to crack than most.
- Greg B., San Antonio, TX, US
click to see larger images
Because of the dash falling apart the small pieces fell into the vent and damage the flap that allows the AC/Heat control to be stuck on half way. So it does not get HOT or really COLD.Cannot change the vent direction from floor to defrost or any were else for that matter.
- rams, Corinth, TX, US
Because of the dash falling apart the small pieces fell into the vent and damage the flap that allows the AC/Heat control to be stuck on half way. So it does not get HOT or really COLD.Cannot change the vent direction from floor to defrost, or anywhere else for that matter.
- rams, Corinth, TX, US
Being a multiple Dodge vehicle owner I am thoroughly disappointed that Dodge does not help its current owners of their vehicles with this outstanding problem with their trucks. I would be embarrassed if this is how I responded to my customers if I had a problem with my products that I manufactured. Being the owner of some 25 trucks in the past this is the first cracked dash I have encountered.
- mbudnick, Warrenton, OR, US
my dash board cracked in many many pieces. It is a problem with several complaints I hear. I bought an after market 2 piece system that Siliconed to the existing dash, but it really has no available surface to stick to. Dodge needs to replace this, there are pieces of the dash falling all inside the dash, and no telling what problem may occur down the road.
- Blaine B., Montz, LA, US
There is a real possibility that passengers could suffer great harm if the air bags deployed and the shards of plastic explode ever where. At this point I have put a dash cover on it. Too expensive to replace. What is sad is that I have keep treatment on the dash all of the time. Only real problem with this truck. We really like it and has served us well.
- abaugher, TULSA, OK, US
Significant cracking has occurred causing large, sharp, jagged pieces of plastic to protrude from the dashboard. There is real concern that hazardous debris could cause injury in a crash.
- Richard L., Roswell, GA, US
The dash has been cracking for the last couple years. This truck is owned by a girl and very well kept. I even use a sun shade to block the sun and keep my windows cracked on real hot days. Just recently huge chunks have been falling out of the dash and going down inside. Lord only knows what that is causing. Dodge needs to step up and fix the issue. It's not all of us doing this to our trucks it's Dodge putting in junk plastic and not willing to fix it. Highly pissed that you would pay that much for a truck and this stupid sh*t happens and you guys won't fix.
- sallymd, Glen Burnie, MD, US
Another disappointed Mopar customer. 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. Dashboard is cracking (both front and rear pieces). Also has the defective paint which gets white spots through the clear coat. Dodge should provide a competitive offer on the parts to customers as a minimum. Instead they continue to offer the defective parts at inflated parts prices. Poor leadership is an understatement.
- 1govna, Jamestown, RI, US
click to see larger images
I have been buying Dodge Products my whole life. I will never buy a Dodge or Chrysler again if this problem is not taken care of. I will be also telling all my friends and social media how this is handed. The cracks on my dash, came out of nowhere. Nothing touched my dash, it is just disintegrating on it's own and falling into my under compartment. Now there is a recall on air bags for this model. That will throw shards of metal. It looks like there will also be shards of plastic being thrown as well. They better get this right or they will stand to lose a lot of business.
- szyndler, dearborn heights, MI, US
My Dodge Ram truck is the best on the road especially with the Cummins Diesel engine, with only 167,000 miles on a 500,000 mile engine, The DASHBOARD IS A PIECE OF CHINESE JUNK!!!! Chrysler Corp should be ashamed of not taking care of your loyal customers and fixing the problem. Remember Chrysler Corp, without a customer you have no business!!!! Fix the problem!!! If my truck isn't taken care of I will never return and will NEVER recommend a Chrysler vehicle. You have a right to fix this if you are a decent person with a conscience!!! Don't let us loyal customers down. I can be reached at 513-375-2656
- Patrick C., Sarasota, FL, US
Recently air bags have been on all the front pages because in the event of an accident stray fragments of metal and plastic can erupt like shrapnel into a person's face when the air bag is deployed. The dash of the 2003 Dodge Ram pickups is made of an inferior plastic that with age deteriorates easily, too easily, to the point that it can very quickly become a stream of sharp shrapnel type objects that can have the same devastating impact of permanent injury or even death from these shards of loose and broken plastic. Dodge replaced the plastic used to make the dash in 2004, but to date nothing has been done to correct and rectify the 2003 dashes.
Cracks and holes in the dash also create a potential hazard of greater proportion as it does not prevent objects from falling into the instrument cluster and backside of the dash. This has the potential of creating a short circuit and possible electrical hazard.
- ejbeaulieu, Fort Worth, TX, US
DODGE HAS USED INFERIOR MATERIALS ON THE DASHES OF THESE TRUCKS! I have 2 of them and know of hundreds of others with this same problem. I had one of these trucks kept in the garage and only put a few hundred miles on it in 3 years and the dash cracked as soon as my other one did. Dodge used the sorry plastic to get the trucks by until the warranty was up and they kept using the inferior materials for years and may still be using it, not caring how dangerous ti is or how bad it looks, if they cared they would at least sell you a better replacement part at or below their cost and not want to charge you over $900 for the same inferior replacement part!!
- james69z28, Lakesite, TN, US
click to see larger images
I bought this truck 07/25/2014 with no cracks in the dash. Three months later it has one little crack. Then the more I drive it the more it cracks. The air conditioning has a sensor that doesn't work and requires the dash to come out and the mechanic says he will not be responsible for removing the dash because the dash will crumble into little pieces. I would never buy a Dodge product ever again if Dodge doesn't recall this truck and replace the faulty dash. I am now stuck with this expensive piece of crap 2003 Dodge 2500 turbo diesel. I am sure they would dock me on a trade in because of the cracked dash WTF!!!!!!!!
- James P., Bullhead City, AZ, US
Dash cracked and falling apart. Plastic fell down into defroster ducts and jammed defroster blend door and heater/ air conditioner blend door. Plus I have foam blowing out of all the ducts. Only bought the truck for the engine. If Ford had the contract with Cummins I would not have this problem. Dash not cracked on my old '72 F100 or my not as old '93 F150.
- Ron G., Morven, GA, US