I don't remember exactly when it started, but my dashboard started cracking and just never stopped! It now is almost half gone! I keep it covered with a dash mat, because its very embarrassing to me when people are riding in it. I took it back to the dealership i bought it from and they told me they would replace it if I payed for a new one cause it was out of warranty. I said so what, its a defect in material not something I did. The dealer actually asked me what i did to it, did I hit it with something! I said no it just started cracking, He didn't believe me! So I did nothing because I felt i shouldn't have to pay for their lack of using bad materials.

I bought this truck directly from dodge dealership in mid 2000. New truck with less than 25 miles. It's my personal truck not work vehicle and I'm very "picky" about keeping it clean and maintained and it's parked in garage yet after just a few years I noticed dash cap cracking. Then when it was removed in order to replace heater core, it fell apart into pieces. Talked with dealership and was told it wasn't covered in warranty and that I should have used a cover to block direct sunlight. I ended gluing it up as best I could and re-installing it.

Initially there were minor cracks. As time progressed the cracks have become a major issue of concern. The dashboard top has severe crack across the top of the entire dashboard. Now the dashboard is falling in or caving in on itself. I am looking to replace the dash with an aftermarket replacement part, and not likely to be an OEM part. I do not believe the propagation of these cracks can be attributed to either driving or weather conditions. The truck is not driven daily and I have kept the dashboard covered with a fitted cover & the front windshield with a sun screen/deflector in place to reflect the heat & minimize sun exposure.

I purchased my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 sport brand new in 3/2001 and have had very few issues with it save for one. The entire dashboard has completely cracked apart. The pieces are constantly rattling around inside the dash and in the blower now because small pieces fell into the vents. I cannot believe dodge has not issued a recall or offered to replace these obviously defective parts. I still own my vehicle as of 10/2015. I have long hoped dodge would come to their senses and do something about this issue, but I guess not. I have not since nor will I in the future purchase any vehicles from a company that does business this way.

I was trying to get to the blend door to repair it. When I started removing the dash parts they would crack and break apart. Now I have to buy the plastic dash insert for the instrument panel. I also broke the dash board bezel, the clips would not let go be fore it cracked and fell apart. Of course the dash broke while removing the other pieces. It all has to come out to get to the blend door.

The best price I can find for the dash insert is $614+tax has to come from dealer cannot find it any where else. The bezel after market is about$140+tax. And the dash board top panel after market about $331.99 +tax & $62 shipping. This is not counting labor! I always wanted a Dodge Ram, but this one is a joke. This is my last Dodge! May be some day they will hire adult management and engineers. That's $1134, not counting taxes, a big price to pay for replacing a Blend Door.

DASH BEGAN TO CRACK AFTER THE 3RD YEAR. WHEN I TOOK IN FOR SERVICE THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT PROGRESSIVELY HAS GOTTEN WORSE!!! BIG CHUNKS OF THE DASH FALLING DOWN INTO THE DASH. TRIED TO REMOVE FROM BETWEEN THE WIRING AND DUCT WORK BUT CAN NOT GET TO ALL THE PIECES. STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL FUNCTION, RADIO, AIR CONDITION FAN.

I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I AM IN A ACCIDENT THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT OPEN OR IF THEY DO THEY WILL SCATTER PIECES OF THE DASH BOARD. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE COMPLAINED A FEW TIMES AND HAVE HAD THE SERVICE PERSONAL AT VANN DODGE IN VINELAND NJ DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY SAID THEY WILL JUST TO APPEASE ME OR THEY REALLY DID DOCUMENT AND REPORT BACK TO THE MAIN OFFICE.

I HAVE RECENTLY PUT A DASH BOARD SKIN AND BEZEL ON AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF ABOUT 300 DOLLARS. BUT I AM STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL AND AIRBAGS. CHRYSLER HAS A LOT OF RECALLS AND FINES TO PAY AND I AM SURE THEY HAVE MADE A FEW PAYMENTS IN THE FORM OF LAWSUITS WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF IT AS OF THIS DATE

I have been told by mechanics and other Dodge owners this was a common problem due to manufacturers using defective materials to make the dashboards with in the first place. There needs to be a recall for free replacement immediately! I am on a fixed income and cannot afford to replace it. This is a fatal hazard just waiting to happen!

I have listed my complaint everywhere I can. I will be more than happy to be a part of a class action lawsuit in order for something to be done. Henceforth I will never buy a Dodge of any kind in the future.

2001 Dodge Ram extended cab with 8 foot bed. My dashboard started with a crack. I tried gluing it before it got worse, but continued to degrade. Soon the crack created other cracks, these cracks merged and parts of the dash started falling in. The frame of the dash the dash bezel are now junk waiting on Dodge to step up and take responsibility for such a cheap part put on a usually good truck. This was my first real purchase of a newer truck, I bought it used but it had no problems as it was only two years old I believe when I picked it out at the dealership.

I like others have no problem fixing my truck, but when the damn thing is just made in a cheap way that has hundreds of thousands of complaints and the manufacturer hides behind lawyers and government then I know they are not worth spending my hard earned dollars on again. I hope Dodge believes losing potential customers is worth it.

I am currently looking to purchase another truck, believe me there will never be another Dodge in my family again. This is what happens when you let other countries build American cars, cheap, unprofessional, criminals that would rather pay lawyers to protect their known engineering flaws rather than stand with their customers and take the responsibility that clearly lays at their feet for trying to save a few dollars. Money comes and goes, but when you burn customers they take that money to the competition.

Good bye Dodge and good riddance.

The following is a letter/email and their replies thus far, that I wrote to Dodge/FCA US LLC concerning my self destructing dash. I will update future replies upon receipt:

I am writing to you for the second time concerning the crumbling and cracking dash in my 2001 Dodge Ram truck. The first time was approximately 10 years ago. At that time I reported that my truck’s dash was cracking in multiple places and I inquired about a possible recall, due to I knew of a couple of others that were having the same problem. The only reply I received was to inform me that was no recall of the dash at that time.

I am writing to you again on this day because my dash and bezel has continued to crack and crumble resulting in large gaping holes.

I have searched endlessly for replacement dashes via automotive junkyards, ads that mention parting out, newspaper ads, Craigslist and Facebook with no luck. It turns out that everyone one of them are cracked and crumbling. I look into other people’s trucks when I pass by in parking lots and guess what, they are all cracked and crumbling or covered with a crummy piece of material that has all the proper holes cut out for the vents and stuff. And it’s not just the 2001 model that has this nasty little problem. It turns out that the 1998, 1999 and 2000 models are also cracking and crumbling as I type.

I understand that my truck is 14 years old, however, the problem did begin well over ten years ago. I do not believe my truck was under full warranty at the time I got it because it was purchased used. I am not sure about this being a valid recall because it might not affect the safety of the vehicle, but I do believe the replacement cost should be covered by Dodge/FCA US LLC due the fact that part is indeed a defective part as evidenced by overwhelmingly the large number of cracked dashes out there.

Sincerely,

Dodge's reply:

Thank you for contacting the Dodge Customer Assistance Center regarding your 2001 Ram 1500.

In regards to the dash in your Ram 1500, we fully appreciate your concern, particularly in view of the expense and inconvenience involved; however, we are unable to accommodate your request for out-of-warranty consideration. The vehicle has exceeded the time and/or mileage limitations of the warranty (or warranties) we offered on the vehicle at the time it was purchased.

If you have any repairs done to your vehicle I would suggest keeping the receipts and if a recall is added to your vehicle for this issue you can seek possible reimbursement.

Although we are unable to provide a more favorable reply, we appreciate the opportunity to review your request.

Thank you again for your email. Should you require additional assistance, or have any new information to provide, please reply to this email message or call 1-800-4A-DODGE (1-800-423-6343).

Sincerely,

Linda

Customer Service Representative Dodge Customer Assistance Center

For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the following information: REFERENCE NUMBER: 26945651 EMAIL CASE NUMBER: 3144440 REPLY LINK: http://www.chrysler.com/wccs/brand_forms/us/reply.jsp?trk_ID=KMM9142822V93846L0KM&

My reply: Did you read my letter carefully? I stated that I understood that my truck is no longer under warranty and also stated that the problem began much earlier with just a few minor cracks.

The reason I'm asking that Dodge pay for replacement is that the part is obviously defective. The self destructing crumbling dashes installed in all Dodge Ram 1500 trucks from the years 1999 through 2001 are defective. If the hood began to disintegrate for no good reason would that be okay with you as well?

I'm sure that Dodge and other motor companies have paid for repair or replacement on defective parts that were not under warranty or part of a safety recall, simply because the part was DEFECTIVE.

I am simply asking that Chrysler Group LLC recognize and acknowledge that the dash is in fact defective and do the right thing by paying the replacement costs.

Dodge's reply:

Thank you for your reply back, although it does not contain any information that would cause a change in the previous decision. Your request must again be respectfully declined.

Any future communication related to this issue will be retained in corporate records.

Thank you again for your email. Should you require additional assistance, or have any new information to provide, please reply to this email message or call 1-800-4A-DODGE (1-800-423-6343).

Sincerely,

Linda

Customer Service Representative Dodge Customer Assistance Center

For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the following information: REFERENCE NUMBER: 26945651 EMAIL CASE NUMBER: 3144440 REPLY LINK: http://www.chrysler.com/wccs/brand_forms/us/reply.jsp?trk_ID=KMM9143136V3485L0KM&

My reply: Okay. I think I understand. I have just one question to make things crystal clear.

Are any of the factory installed dashes in the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks defective?

And yes, I have a few more questions depending on their answer.

Hello to whom it may concern;

I purchased my 2001 Dodge Ram in 2006 with just a small crack or two in the dash. By 2008 the small cracks turned into large cracks and then the first part over the radio area as shown in picture fell in! At the time, I had placed some items on the dash and had thought that caused it, but when I started to clean it up more started to just break off so I didn't mess with it again! I contacted Barrett Dodge in Athens GA a week later and spoke with the service deportment. They told me there were no recalls and truck was out of warranty so at that time there was nothing they would do other than charge me a crazy price to replace it for me and then, if a recall ever did happen, they said I would probably get back at least half of my repair cost! That still meant I would have paid hundreds for the repair, so I didn't do it.

A few years have pasted, hole got bigger, I'm unable to clean dash at all for fear of it caving in! My radio speakers are going in and out possibly because of it being in the sun. I did have some broken small pieces Blow out onto me from my Air conditioning vents!

The main reason I'm looking into this again now in 2015 is because yesterday my 8 year old son was playing in the truck while I was working on it and he went to get a toy off the dash and his arm went through the dash and cut him leaving about a 1 inch long cut in his arm! This is now why I'm PISSED that now, 7 years later with all the complaints that are now on the internet about this issue, that Dodge has not stepped up nor have they been made to step up and help fix this issue! What if when my son's arm went through the dash and he cut his arm, it would have cut a ARTERY and I was not right there to help him what about that? Does somebody's child have to be seriously injured or, GOD forbid, die from a injury caused by the sharp pieces of this dash before something is done about this??!

I'm now looking into getting this dash repaired mainly because of the safety for my family! I really have not been concerned about the cosmetic look that Dodge has been hiding behind for their reason to not fix this issue! But I will be Dammed if I'm going to let this poorly designed Dodge Dash hurt my Family again!

Well, this is my story for what it's worth! Hope this helps someone! Robert Bell Comer GA

I noticed a large crack on the upper dash approx 4 yrs after buying the truck. I added an aftermarket dash cover to prevent further cracking-- but now, the entire dash has disintegrated. I just learned that this is a very typical problem in Dodge Ram trucks.

Called Dodge (factory?) to see if they would offer some help repairing it since it is a widely reported issue with their trucks-- and since at least one person reported she was offered a 50 percent match by her dealer. Their answer was no. I'm Not happy--and Won't buy another Dodge truck. Too bad because otherwise it's been a good vehicle.

They should stand behind their product where a major defect that has been so widely reported.

Bought dash cover many years ago to fix this problem. In taking dash apart last week to fix the heater core leak, what was left of the original dash was broken to the point that there is nothing left for the cover to attach to. Also there has to be enough of the top dash to attach the complete assembly to the firewall. The only solution at this point is to purchase a complete OEM dash. The price for an OEM dash on Ebay seems to be in the $500 dollar range. (I did find one for $309.86 that had been listed with the incorrect price. They did honor that price and I was able to pick it up locally to save the $91 for shipping.)

At this point there is nothing else to do but spend the money or scrap the truck. The truck is in good shape otherwise and $500 is still cheaper than new truck payments. Not to mention that the prices that I have listed here are based upon me doing all the work myself. Heater core replaced, AC blend door repaired and installing a new dash, I can't imagine the cost for all this at the Dodge "stealership". BTW I plan on keeping the dash cover because I'm sure this new dash will crack eventually.

The cracked dashboard in Dodge Rams is such a problem I don't think I have seen one dash board that isn't cracked. I have friends with Dodge Rams and all of their dashboards are cracked and mine is literally in pieces. I feel like dodge owes it to us to do a recall on them because they used such a cheap plastic to make them with. Whenever you have to work on something behind the dash it only gets worse with every little movement, extending the cracks until it's just another lose piece. There are screws that hold the top of the dash against the firewall and 3 of my screws are now only holding little pieces of dash and no longer serve any purpose. I am worried that this could lead to a great deal of many other problems because there are a lot of things going on within the dash piece that do not need little pieces of plastic falling in them. When I turn on my AC it starts to make a noise that seems to be coming from behind the airbag on the passenger's side. I am now worried to turn on my heat because I believe something has fallen or it touching something spinning over there, and it is a little cold this time of year where I live.