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
Dashboard cracked, finally cracks ran together and pieces fell out.The trim piece around air vents, ac controls cracked and now it seems like since the outer surface is gone the main structure that these pieces connect to has cracked and pieces fell off. So now basically I have to have all new parts, this should be a recall because everyone I've seen have same problems.
- Jimmy M., Ashland, AL, US
Pieces of the dash have already gotten in our eyes. If there should ever be a crash (God forgive), we are certain there will be additional unnecessary injuries from shrapnel of broken dash. Certain airbag deployment will send shrapnel at alarming speed towards occupants of vehicle.
- Clyde M., Spring Branch, TX, US
click to see larger images
The dash started breaking up about 5 years ago. I always had a dash cover so at least it wasn't visible. I only realized it about 5 years ago but it probably was breaking before I saw it due to it being covered. I've tried to find a replacement at salvage yards ever since I discovered the damage but nobody has them . Every place I went to says it's a common problem with Dodge trucks and as soon as they get a usable dash it immediately sells.
I started looking online to find one and found unbelievable amounts of complaints about this same issue and Dodge refuses to do anything to help. The affected trucks are '98-2003 and mine is a 2001 that I've owned for 12 years.I called Dodge when I learned that this is a safety hazard--dash pieces can drop down causing the lights to stop working, the airbags to deploy while driving or not deploy at all if there is a crash. The windows could be down and the wind could cause a piece to fly up and injure the driver--things like that. This is when I contacted Dodge and I was instructed to take it to a dealer for photos and call them back. I did this but when I called back , they didn't care about the photos. They simply sent me to a dealership to waste a few hours of my day . Didn't even ask which dealer has the photos. Just said they wouldn't do anything about it. It is shameful to treat a longtime Dodge owner this way.
My truck interior is in near perfect condition and has 118,000 miles. I've had to replace the radiator but other than that my truck has been a gem for the 12 years I've owned it. The New York Times has even done an article about the Dodge truck dash problem and cites over 1700 complaints for this exact problem. Google "Dodge dashboard" and the top links are people having this issue. Mechanics, junk/salvage yards and everybody else is aware of this manufacturing problem but Dodge does nothing. It is clearly a fault in the manufacturing process of the plastic dashboard and will cost probably $1200-1600 to fix.
- somberreptile, Sarasota, FL, US
Dodge should make this a recall since its so hard to find A REPLACEMENT BECAUSE ALL ARE CRACKED. MINE CAME COMPLETELY APART, PIECES WENT EVERYWHERE.
- Robert D., Pueblo West, CO, US
I have looked at many complaints about this and dodge should do something. it is a safety hazard and people could be injured by it. Ford had to do a recall like this over the same thing many years ago how come dodge don't? you can look it up. the safety council deemed it unsafe.
- Andy W., Plant City, FL, US
I have a huge crack in my dash along with a few small cracks. Have been told its due to age but I disagree!! I own SEVERAL Dodge vehicles I have this problem with only one. I own a 82 Ram dash looks like new. The dash has been covered for years and is not parked in direct sun. I have been very loyal to the Dodge brand and I am very disappointed that this issue has not been fixed.
- dalger, Luray, VA, US
The dash in my truck is such terrible condition that the glove box fell out on my passengers feet and busted
her toe, turning her toe and foot black and blue. There are pieces falling from the main dash as big as a dinner plate, I mean you can throw a cat through these holes. I did my best to glue the pieces back into piece, but as with anything broken, all the pieces did not fit adequately enough for the entire dash to go back together. I cannot get the gauge trim to stay on without duct tape. I never thought that putting my dash back together like a jigsaw puzzle with a bottle of GORILLA GLUE would be part of enjoying my truck. There is not a plastic piece inside, map light console, etc. that has held up. You expect a certain amount of wear and tear when you own a vehicle, but a dash should be solid enough to take a great amount of the brunt of a head on collision. I would think that safety and company integrity would be enough to warrant a recall,
- Franklin L., Walker, WV, US
Finally noticed the dashboard cracking which is severe.
- dcoach43, Ocean Shores, WA, US
I want to sell my truck, and though the broken dashboard doesn't interfere with its operation, it looks worse than, well, you know what. It isn't just cracked, it's broken into many large pieces, with half of the dash missing. The plastic is brittle. I don't want to replace it with the same product. Does anybody know of another year or model that would fit? I think I should be able to go into a Dodge dealership and get it replaced for free. It is obviously a manufacturing defect.
- Carol B., Santa Rosa, CA, US
Entire dashboard (top portion) is cracked and broken. I've had to throw bits and pieces of it away. Dodge will not do anything to help resolve this. I've finally ordered a molded dash cover from Covering, but absolutely feel that this is a MANUFACTURING defect that goes above and beyond any standard wear and tear that a vehicle should encounter.
- Nick H., Lebanon, VA, US
This dashboard is defective and cracked and spidered from stress cracks. It is very apparent that this dashboard is a factory defect. The plastic used is very brittle and crumbles easily. It is very hard to believe that an American company like Chrysler would make such a cheap product. Next time I will go elsewhere to purchase a truck.
- Victoria S., Mesa, AZ, US
I find it really anoying that chrysler want fix there mess. It seems like only yesterday america was bailing out the auto industrie and now they want stand up and take blame for the junk they are selling. our hard earned money goes to pay for these vehicles that they charge outrageous fees for and then when the consumer has a problem they dont want to fix it. Then the big three auto manufactures want to no why people are buying foreign.
- Michael D., Lexington, NC, US
This pickup has been garaged all of its life, so cracking was not caused by sun or extreme temperature changes.
- Randy D., Newcastle, WY, US
It is what I would call a defect from chrysler. They wanted to charge me over 500 dollars to fix with another defective part.There is so many out there its not funny. The rattle it makes drives me crazy.which could cause me to lose concentration on my driving. If i am in an accident and the airbag does not deploy correctly are the sharp edges of the dash causes me unnecessary harm I will file suit against chrysler.
- Ivan F., Collnsville, AL, US
We have been driving with the dash board shattered for over 3 years. Every time you close the door more of the dash falls into the wiring and vents, floor all over. It is almost completely gone. If we were to be in an accident the airbags would come straight out of the top of he dash and hit the windshield. When you turn on the fan you have to cover your face from flying dash pieces. This has been a issue for a very long time. At first when we discovered it we thought someone took a fist or a hammer to the dash. We blamed our son and kids for breaking it. Know we find out this is a very wide spread problem. Thanks Dodge for blaming the kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How long have you know this is a factory default? I am very angry with you for not coming clean on this shattered dash issues. Shame on you.
- Randy M., Saint Michael, MN, US
I am often made fun of by family and friends and complimented by strangers about how nice my truck is. I keep it spotless inside and out. I keep the paint waxed and clean, the carpet spotless, dash and tires shiny.
I only buy Chrysler products because they do not normally use cheap or low quality parts. I can't imagine owning any other brand. The truck is now 13 years old and only has 78k miles on it. I can count on my fingers how many problems I have had with it. During dinner my son told me I had a brake light out, I stood up, left my food to go replace the bulb. I just cannot stand for things to not be right.
Even with all of the care I that I give this amazing machine and the low miles the dash is falling apart. I am not fond of aftermarket parts especially something like the dash should be OEM. Since the OEM dash is cracking all over and there are rattles (that drive me crazy) I do not want to buy another OEM dash. I don't think an aftermarket dash would fit right and would likely rattle or rub and be inferior so I haven't done anything. Around the bolts are the largest cracks. One of these days the dash is going to break loose, land on my legs while I am driving causing my foot to press the gas pedal and cause an accident.
- Jake W., Olympia, Wa, US
I have been cut from the exposed edges, I drive this truck very little because it is so dangerous.
- Kelly M., Ewa Beach, HI, US
When my truck was only a few yrs old, the dash cracked right down the center. Dodge replaced the dash(even though the warranty went out 30 prior).
Only 1 year later the new dash started cracking. A little at first, but now it is basically holding only by a few sections. The pieces are falling down inside and I am afraid it is going to cause major damage, not to mention this stuff will be deadly if I were to get in an accident. The dash trim has also cracked, so has the plastic piece right under the steering wheel, and the cup holder broke when Dodge replaced the first dash.
Dodge, you really need to recall the dash boards.
- Rebecca V., Sugar Land, Ft.bend, US
great truck engine and body wise.....terrible dashboard that has crumbled and disintegrated
- Luie H., Chino Hills, CA, US
This has affected thousands of Dodge trucks. It is a known problem, and Dodge is doing nothing to address the issue. Other people report that this is costing anywhere from $3XX for an aftermarket dash they install themselves to $1XXX to get an OE replaced by the dealership (which is likely to crack again due to sub-standard manufacturing processes.)
It is unacceptable that such a reliable and trustworthy brand to be treating its customers this way. Not only is this a cosmetic defect, the plastic shards can cause wiring issues by fatiguing the insulation on under-dash components, or be blown through the air vents - hitting passengers and potentially causing injury to eyes or accidents.
- jsharp629, Auburn Hills, MI, US