8.7
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $540
- Average Mileage:
- 88,650 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 227 complaints
Most common solutions:
- dodge should make this a major recall (84 reports)
- recall & replace at no cost to owner (74 reports)
- not sure (31 reports)
- replace dashboard (28 reports)
- recall defective dash (5 reports)
- never buy another dodge (3 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
my dash board is being held together by gorilla glue to prevent it from falling on the floor of the truck, it is to the point of i am afraid to drive my vehicle because of the likelihood of the dash completely crumbling...this is beyond a crack, this 15 to 20 cracks across my dash board from the front to the back, a piece 5 inches wide and 8 inches long fell into the dash and the dash is cracked around the screws that attach it to the inside of the truck...dodge refused to do anything about it in April and everyday there are more cracks and everyday they all get worse....there are too many issues with dashes for it to be a coincidence...this is clearly a manufacturing flaw in the plastic and needs to be resolved by dodge...this is a recall item and everyone on this complaint form should start a contingency lawsuit against dodge advertise like the attorneys do for the drug recalls and lets see how much many people we can find with the same problem and make them fix the problem and uphold some responsibility to manufacturing issues that consumers are complaining about....
- machelle, Austin, TX, US
Today I decided to research purchasing a new dash for my husband's 2000 Dodge Ram and I found all of this information abut the defect. I had no idea it was a defect until today - I just assumed it was over exposure to the sun. I then called my local dealership to see if Chrysler has changed its position and is offering any help and I was told that they've "updated the replacement part" so that the new dash now purchased to replace the original damaged dash will no longer crack. Great, but what about cost? No help.
I've contacted my local news station and reported the problem to see about gaining some media coverage. I've also searched NHTSA's website and they do not consider it a safety issue. The research I've found shows that some people are experiencing electrical issues and attribute it to wires being exposed to the elements which used to be hidden behind the protective dash. The electrical issues include break lights, head lights and dash lights going out. This makes the cracked dash a safety issue. I certainly hope something is done soon.
- Diana B., Wichita, KS, US
Replacement dash for my color was almost 50% higher than same dash in a different shade of gray. Clearly this was a cash cow for Dodge. I did the replacement myself and spent most of a Saturday doing it. Otherwise, I would have had to pay someone to do it. Why was my dash more expensive just because the color (charcoal) was different?
- mhowell, Round Rock, TX, US
If most people are having the same issue with the cracked dashboard. Dodge/Chrysler should step up to the plate and get this problem fixed. I almost did not buy another Dodge Ram because of the dash. When I went into the dealer to have the issue resolved, it was going to cost in excess of $750.00. There are no salvage yards that have these dashes available because they are already cracked. Not a good quality product, and being a Dodge owner all of my buying life, I really expected more than this out of the company.
- Frank D., Killeen, TX, US
problem is rampant. see my previous note sent to you regarding first 2 dashboards which have been replaced
- Leroy B., Lonoke, AR, US
i am now replacing the dashboard on the 2000 ram dodge 1500 for the second time(first
was 2003) which will make my 3rd dashboard. interestingly, in order to save money,
i called salvage yards for a dashboard and there were none because they were all cracked as well. i have contacted dodge and i'm not sure the problem has been corrected. what a pain . what poor quality in the vehicle. the problem is widespread throughout the country and well documented
- Leroy B., Lonoke, AR, US
My dashboard is cracked in at least 20 different areas with one piece actually caved in over the driver's area. I have tried to repair the cracks with epoxy, but they continue to spread. Until now, I thought I was the only one with a defective dash. Apparently, there are many of us and Chrysler has yet to attempt a resolve. News station 6 out of Orlando, FL has reported on this issue, and you can read about it online. They reported floods of e-mails coming into their station of owners with the exact same problem. Shame on Chrysler for not addressing this issue better. I too would love to see a class action lawsuit. I would be in the front as well!!!!!
- jsimpson, Monroe, NC, US
Dashboard cracked and subsequently broke into small pieces. Repair shop has tried for 9 months to get a replacement and cannot get the back ordered part. Local dealers are no help, and problem appears to be fairly chronic.
- Michael B., Brandon, MS, US
I've read about this being a problem so I have watched closely and sure enough while cleaning the interior I found my dash has started cracking. It starts at the defroster vent on the drivers side and is working its way straight up. I marked where the crack stops and will watch daily to see if it continues, which I'm sure after reading all the complaints it will. Just another reason to switch to Honda or Toyota.
- Steve D., Ansonia, OH, US
My dash exploded unbelievable never seen this before and hopefully never again!
- Kurt W., Tucson, AZ, US
click to see larger images
I feel mad every time I get in my truck and see inside my dash. This ram problem is the only bad thing in my truck & I feel that dodge should make a mayor recall since the price of this part is extremely expensive.
- robertopr, Anasco, PR, Puerto Rico
I will never own another Dodge. There service support is about worthless.
- Frank B., Colorado Springs, CO, US
from the time i bought this 1500 Ram, the dashboard was loose, i had the dealer fix it, they tighted, after the warrenty was up that is when the dashboard started cracking, I have called the dodge company, and the would do nothing about it. first i glue the pieces together, got me a dash cover, but after a year the dashboard cracked in to hundred of pieces.
- Arnold C., Oceanside, CA, US
the interior is garbage all plastic cigarette lighter housing broke, sunglass holder broke, map light broke I will never buy another dodge again
- Joseph S., Ronkonkoma, NY, US
Surprise, surprise....another cracked dashboard here, and the dealer wants a ton of money to fix it. After searching online for "cracked 2000 Dodge Ram dashboard" I find that it's pretty much the rule and not the exception. Of course Dodge refuses to replace it - I hope it doesn't take someone being injured by shrapnel during an airbag deployment to force them to address this issue. It IS a safety issue, not merely a cosmetic issue. Even if it was only cosmetic, the fact is that a lot of us paid a chunk of money for a truck that can't hold its value due to inferior quality. The resale/trade-in value of my truck is in the tank with that lovely cracked dashboard staring out at everyone.
You would think the money they would spend fixing this would be an investment in their future customer base, but apparently they aren't concerned with that.
This was our first and LAST Dodge product. Dodge won't ever see another penny of our money, and we will be sure to advise ALL of our friends away from this company's products.
- crankychris, Dalton, GA, US
Dash started cracking in june 2003, progressively got worse over next year and then early in 2005 it completely disintegrated, I have huge chunks of the dash missing and the bezel is about to fall off because there is nothing for it to attach to. Was going to replace dash cap but before I could it got to this point and now that won't fix it. Need a complete new dash and that will cost me 1300.00 for Dodge using substandard plastic.
- jtaylor.3, West Monroe, LA, US
I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 that has a severely cracked dashboard. At first I thought it cracked because I had the evaporator replaced at about 36001 miles (you know, just out of warranty) and perhaps the technician had 'torqued' the dash a little when he re-installed it. After talking with a local body shop though this cracked dash problem is quite common among the Dodge Ram 1500 trucks. The body shops won't even touch it because too many pieces break in the process of replacing the part. I think it is called the 'upper pan' and I think Dodge should be replacing this piece of sh*t dash board. I used a sun shield a lot to protect the dash and interior from the hot Texas sun so I do not think this is due to over exposure from uv's. Just my two cents worth, but I have had too many problems with this vehicle in too short of a period of time and I will consider other brands before Dodge when I purchase my next vehicle. Dodge ain't listening either...
- spade, Baytown, TX, US
Dodge should have had a recall on these. I've seen many of them cracked across the center above the radio. I've only had the dash removed once by a dealer to fix and electrical problem, but they deny doing it.
- Dale G., Pocomoke City, MD, US
We bought this Dodge Ram truck new and the dash started cracking within about 36,000 miles. Some pieces have fallen down inside the dash but we have covered the dash with a dash cover so it's not as noticeable. Since so many folks are having this problem this should be a recall on the dashes. We have never had a dash do this before and we have even owned older vehicles that did not do this. Dodge should replace it.
- Judith W., Kissimmee, FL, US
Another person added to the list of complaints about my Dodge Ram 1500 Dashboard falling apart day by day. The dealer said the dashboard cost about $1,000 and another 1,000 for labor to replace it. He recommended that I buy a $50.00 dashboard cover, one of the contoured ones. I recommended that Dodge recall all trucks (make year) that are having this problem. Dodge SUCKS!
- Derrick M., Fayetteville, NC, US