8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$530
Average Mileage:
83,750 miles
Total Complaints:
614 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. Dodge should issue a recall (386 reports)
  2. replace dash (126 reports)
  3. not sure (83 reports)
  4. bought a dash cover (8 reports)
  5. glue it back together (5 reports)
  6. dodge needs to pay for 1/2 or all the cost of parts/repair (2 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #594

Mar 022016

Ram 1500 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,333 miles

Never owned a vehicle with this problem. Another problem using plastics where they can cause problems. Chrysler should recall this item as it is potentially dangerous from flying debris both during a crash and simply splinters flying into a person.

- Frank L., Cape Charles, VA, US

problem #593

Nov 012016

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

I want a new dash and I'm not paying for it. Dodge can pay for it, it's their bad parts.

- Victoria M., Tucson, US

problem #592

Jul 012016

Ram 1500 Laramie Slt 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. TOYOTA RECALLED THEIR DASHES FOR MINOR CRACKING AND HAVING A STICKY SURFACE. IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE.

- Ronald H., Moorestown, US

problem #591

Dec 102015

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 215,000 miles

The amount and the cost of a truck things need to be recalled

- bob.campbell, Bowling Green, US

problem #590

Jan 012014

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

click to see larger images

cracked dashboard

I love my truck and have plans to keep it forever. However several years ago the dash started chipping away little by little. Now it is ready to fall on my lap. I hate to drive it anywhere because I'm afraid of what might happen. I haven't gotten it fixed because I didn't realize how bad off it is. It has a dash cover on it so it didn't come to my attention right away. But now piece by piece it is literally falling in my lap. I've always used a windshield cover and dash mat to protect it from the sun but after doing research on this the sun isn't even an issue. Once I took the cover off I was shocked to see how bad off it really is. I have to get this resolved but I hope that the company pitches in here also to make good on my investment.

- Tammy L., Osprey, US

problem #589

Jul 112016

Ram 1500 Club Cab V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 167,000 miles

Bought the truck used and it already had a dash cover. Lifted the cover to look at dash and it's destroyed. Bad material used or something.

- Miguel F., Tomball, TX, US

problem #588

Mar 092017

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 156,000 miles

My auto shop was working on my AC and when they pulled off the dash rug they noticed the dash falling apart and sent pictures to AAA. They said it was in very bad shape.

- waya77rf, Orangevale, US

problem #587

Jan 012007

Ram 1500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

2001 Dodge Ram 1500, low miles, only 37,000 in 2017.

Always parked outside, hot and cold weather. rain, sleet, snow, dust, dirt, and mud.

Dash began cracking about 2007. Pieces keep breaking off and it looks bad, and might be dangerous in a crash. Dash bezel brittle and breaking in 2010. A minor inconvenience for a farm truck.

In 2017, I decided to replace the dash and instrument bezel, with an aftermarket dash top (not a cover), and a Mopar OE dash bezel (not a cover). Both pieces are solid (not covers). The aftermarket dash top is made from ABS plastic, and is said to be durable. The Mopar dash bezel is required to get a clean fit around the instruments, who knows if the materials used in construction will hold up any better than the original?

I think that Dodge/Chrysler Corp cut a lot of corners when they built these Rams (1998-2005 or so). I had to install new tie-rod ends, etc that had grease fittings, because the original ends were sealed components, that wore out prematurely. At 37,000 miles in 2017, the engine and transmission are holding up OK.

The clear-coat paint on top and on hood started peeling off about 8-10 years ago, but the truck has always been out in the weather. A good Toyota paint job would still look fairly good at this age, IMO.

- ellbee, Stoneville, NC, US

problem #586

Sep 012015

Ram 1500 Larime 360

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

i have a 2001 dodge ram 1500. i take very good care of my vehicle and the dash is cracking for no reason!!!!

- Scott K., Windham, ME, US

problem #585

Oct 012008

Ram 1500 XLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

it's broke into pieces time by time, i don't want to spend money on this. I want dodge recall the item

- Minh V., Quincy, MA, US

problem #584

Aug 012011

Ram 1500 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

The dashboard cracked and has a huge gaping hole. Ridiculous.

- drivingmissdaisy, Gladstone, OR, US

problem #583

Jul 012014

Ram 1500 4x4 Off Road Standard V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

2001 DODGE 1500 4X4 WITH A DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE ITS BEEN BEAT WITH A HAMMER SEVERAL TIMES AS THERE ARE MANY PIECES " FLOATING AROUND " AS WELL AS CRACKS, ETC. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OUTSIDE FACING THE SUN ITS WHOLE LIFE EITHER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR DODGES OF THIS ERA, AND I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. I'VE OWNED VEHICLES FOR 60 YEARS WITH NOTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING.

- rkleinsd, Hot Springs, SD, US

problem #582

Jan 012011

Ram 1500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,500 miles

the dash is all but gone, it just crumbled when the windows are down pieces of plastic fly all over mostly cosmetic but for 24,000 very cheap

- pwhelan, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #581

Aug 052016

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 240,000 miles

Every piece of my dash and anything made of the same material has cracked or is in crack mode, I mean all. I have to tape my dash together as the lower dash assemble trim bezel has totally been destroyed. All my instruments have fallen out or are about to.The whole interior is cracking. I can not believe that Dodge has not taken care of this. The plastic they used is like a big bowl of tortilla chips. There is nothing to screw in to. The truck has been great except for the disappearing dash. Some one PLEASE HELP!!!!!

- daryle, Moreno Valley, CA, US

problem #580

Oct 152006

Ram 1500 Limited 5.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 93,000 miles

The dashboard was cracked within 4 years of purchase which has totally disintegrated into pieces. Leaving wiring and parts totally exposed. The instrument panel cover is also crumbling apart. The hazards of of those pieces flying into your eyes and face is a major health concern, also those pieces from the so-called dashboard could be projectiles during impact. Can't understand why after thousands of complaints from owners of 2001-2004 Dodge truck models having defective dashboards and instruments panels Dodge-Chysler has not done a responsible recall and backed their products??!!!!???!!!!!

- robertordz, Corpus Christi, TX, US

problem #579

Jun 012004

Ram 1500 WS V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 18,000 miles

When the cracks on the dash started to get worse I called Dodge customer service line they told me the vehicle was out of warranty and they would not help.After that conversation I started to investigate to see if this was happening to anyone else, and to my surprise there are many thousands of Dodge trucks over many years that have this defect,these cracks will become projectiles in a front end crash and could cause bodily harm.I wish we could have a class action suit against this car maker because this is negligence on their part.

I also thought about taking this claim to small claims court

I bought this vehicle in2001 NEW and still have the vehicle with only 63000 miles today 6/5/2016

- sunnybear01, Freeport, FL, US

problem #578

Nov 032014

Ram 1500 Laramie 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

just randomly one fall/winter, my dash just started to crack. I use a sun shield at work during the summer, i use a dash protectant occasionally when cleaning dash. I used a clear epoxy to help slow down the cracks and to keep the pieces that had cracked all the way around and were loose back together, ie, keep the dash from falling to pieces. It continues to crac around the epoxy and random new cracks all over the dash. Any slightly bumpy roads makes it worse. I cannot believe GM and Dodge have not done a recall on this issue yet. It's completely horrible!

- Jeremy V., Rochester, MN, US

problem #577

Aug 042012

Ram 1500 Magnum V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,000 miles

we bought this vehicle from an individual. we bought because of the mileage and good body, little did we know that this dodge also had hair line cracks that we didn't see right away. now the whole dash is cracking really bad by the air bags. my wife is very concerned about this if we got into an accident the whole dash would explode sending sharp peices of plastic into us. I never have been a dodge person and this does make me really upset with the company. the they don't stand behind their vechicels especially when it comes to safety they should have a recall and replace with a non defective plastic dash

- wesseling, Bloomingdale, MI, US

problem #576

Nov 052004

Ram 1500 SLT 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Dodge should recall the dashboards they are defective and are causing potential injuries or even death possibly if an accident was to occur.

- Edmund C., Waxahachie, TX, US

problem #575

Jan 182007

Ram 1500 SLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

click to see larger images

cracked dashboard cracked dashboard cracked dashboard cracked dashboard

The entire top of the dash literally turned into crumbled pieces of sharp shards. When you held the pieces in your hand they turned into dust. There were tiny sharp dash pieces all down inside the dash frame causing problems with cut wires and some got into the ducting. Poor quality plastic and poor manufacturing processes. Even the dash gauge bezel was cracked and had to be replaced with after an market one.

- Michael D., Lansing, NC, US

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