The dashboard of my 2001 Ram 1500 pickup recently started cracking for no apparent reason. The cracks were straight line cracks from the screw holes on the passenger side and not the spiderweb type that result from exposure. Yesterday a piece broke off over the ventilation intake and fell into the dash and suddenly black smoke began pouring out of the vents. A travel fire extinguisher had to be emptied into the vent system to keep the cab from becoming engulfed. Chrysler says there is no recall even though I have found hundreds of complaints about this same problem. If one of my friends did not have the extinguisher in their car this might have ended with loss-of-life - mine. The vehicle smells like smoke whenever it is started and I am concerned that it will catch fire again if I attempt to drive it.

- Northridge, CA, USA

Dash is collapsing.

- Hunstville, AL, USA

Purchased a used 2001 Dodge Ram in 2004. Kept it clean, stacked nothing on the dash, kept in the garage good part of the year. Fall of 2008 went out to my truck and found 4 cracks in the dash and one in the bezel around the instrument panel. Have not called Dodge yet due to no warranty and purchasing truck used.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup that in 2005 a crack started from the windshield to the front of the dash and then a few months later another crack and then the whole dash started caving in and now there is not really a dash left and everything under it is exposed to the elements.

- Livingston, TX, USA

The entire dashboard is cracking and falling apart. One large hole now about the size of an average hand is visible in my dash. Cracks are spread throughout the entire top of the dash.

- Mckinleyville, CA, USA

2001 Dodge pickup. Got in one morning and the dash was cracked. It had not been driven for a least a week. No apparent reason for this. Got in the truck another day and there were two more cracks. To this date the truck still only has 18,000 miles on it. I think Dodge should replace these dashes. 8/11/09.

- Dexter, OH, USA

Dashboard is falling apart.

- Deltona, FL, USA

Dash cracking.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup, the dash board is cracking all over. There are complete pieces which fell through one in the largest size the of 8"X6, there are many more holes also in the dash. I know of numerous other 2001 Dodge Ram pickup owners who have the same defect in there vehicle. If the vehicle was involved in an accident a piece of the dash could easily fly up and into the face or eye of the driver or front seat passenger, causing serious injuries or life changing (blind) event..

- Pasadena, MD, USA

Dash board is falling a part in my Dodge pickup truck.

- Canton, OH, USA

2001 Dodge Ram 1500 whit dashboard that has severe cracking. I'm starting to have electrical problems also.

- Eldon, MO, USA

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and since last year the dash start to shown a lot of deep cracks on top and in a dash trim line. I made some research and find out this is common in this particular model and year, dealership said is nothing they can do about it except sell me a new dash and trim. Im afraid like in others people situation the dash will collapse while im driving, this vehicle is equipped with dual air bags and this can activate anytime with this collapsing noise are developing from the dash due the structure unstable condition.

- Bonaire, GA, USA

1. no events, took extra special care of the truck, was parked in a garage 80% of its life 2. cracked upper dashboard. Gets worse every season. It is in pieces, large holes exposing vital mechanical and electrical parts 3. hasn't been replaced.

- Plano, TX, USA

Dashboard of 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 suddenly began to crack in several places.

- Anderson, IN, USA

2001 Dodge Ram, 65000 original miles and dash is badly cracked. If it continues to crack the dash is going to fall in. I have to worry about sharp plastic pieces (which have cut my skin just touching) falling into dash and cutting wires (fire issue) and cracked dashes may lead to ripped airbags on deployment(safety issue). This truck has always been taken care of and honestly I think it needs to be fixed.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

I purchased a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck new from the dealer. The plastic dash has developed cracks from the windshield to the front. These large cracked pieces create a safety issue in an accident or airbag deployment. The plastic material used in manufacturing is obviously defective.

- King, NC, USA

Dashboard cracking.

- Dallas, GA, USA

2001 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicle dash is cracked to where is loosely attached on the passenger side. Dash constantly rattles. This seems as though it will interfere with the passenger airbag since the dash is cracked around it. Plastic dash trim ring is also beginning to crumble which may be a safety issue in the future. Dash has been this way for several years but is beginning to grow worse at a much quicker rate.

- Middletown, PA, USA

The 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 has a problem with the dash cracking and breaking off. Now Dodge has refused to repair this problem but in my opinion this is a major risk factor. By allowing the dash to crack and fall into the wire system infront of the driver and passenger, its a fire hazard waiting to happen. By not fixing the problem Dodge is risking the lives of hundreds of people if not thousands. Dodge is also losing out on life time buyers like my self that do not want to put their lives at risk. The risk of a fire is to great in my opinion and if one life can be saved by the recall or if the fire causes someone to crash into someone else or being trapped in the fire and being burned to death this needs to be recalled.

- Movalley, IA, USA

2001 Dodge Ram 1500 dash is cracking and breaking. This is a known issue with Dodge trucks 1999-2003.

- Robinson, TX, USA