Dashboard and cap is cracking up into jagged pieces. Should the air bags deploy, severe injury could result from being punctured from plastic shrapnel much more than the cause of the airbag deployment. I feel the manufacturer should implement a replacement at no expense.

- St Louis, MO, USA

The dash panels on my 01 Dodge 1500 Ram quad cab truck have cracked and are falling apart. The holes in the dash have exposed wiring and electrical components. It appears the molded plastics used in the dash panels are deteriorating over time due to the sun's heat and rays. I suspect, like polypropolene tubing, all dashes made of this defective plastic will desinigrate. Anyway, after some research it seems that a aftermarket dash cover is the best remedy, however I'm concerned about the sharp edges of the old dash panel could cut some wiring over time and cause a vehicle fire.

- Loganville , GA, USA

The dash was cracked when I purchased the vehicle over two years ago. There were cracks running over the area above the steering wheel and over the glove compartment, running into the area of the passenger airbag. It has steadily gotten worse. Just yesterday, 29 October 2010, the front cover quite literally exploded into fragments. The dash is currently not attached, it is just hanging. It stays in place for the most part but can very easily be lifted. I have seen, heard and read of many other Dodge dashboards with this same problem. If it is so prevalent, the manufacturer should be held responsible. A solution to this defect, be it a recall or reimbursement for repairs, is seriously past due.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

2001 Dodge Ram dashboard - I am the owner of a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup. My dashboard has caved in and apparently, this problem is pretty common with this year and make. In addition to the wiring all now being exposed, I am now concerned about the extent of the damage in relation to its' proximity to the air bag on the passenger side of the vehicle. Due to the total exposure in the area of the vehicles' placement of the dashboard, which is now non-existent, it could possibly endanger a passenger's life while riding on that side, unless I turn the airbag function off. This apparently is a major defect in the Dodge line. There are indications throughout the website, but also specifically listing that there is no recall to date. I was told the same thing when I contacted my Dodge dealer locally.

- Baytown, TX, USA

Dash board is cracking into pieces actually disinegrating. If by chance cuts any wiring it could cut my lights out or something else I am not that familiar with the electronics of an automoblbile. Thank you

- Bordentown, NJ, 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

I now have two Ram 1500 trucks with dash top failures here in Texas. I was hit from the rear in my 2000 Ram 1500 and plastic pieces from the already cracked and cracking dash hit me in the face as it exploded on impact causing many minor facial cuts but none in my eyes. Being blinded caused me to loose control of my vehicle. I then hit a telephone pole. Air bag deployment occurred that cut both air bags on both sides with more shards of the dash. My 2001 Ram 1500 also has a severely cracked dash and is getting much worse. This occurred within 6 months of purchase. Chrysler Corp. Refuses to respond and the dealership will not respond with any help claiming they are not responsible plus they have no parts or any way to fix the problem. They claim there are no plans for the parts to be manufactured either. This problem has become an epidemic to Ram owners and will someday become and cause serious and potentially fatality problems. Accident reports are not showing the dash as a problem. They indicate the cracked dash was caused by the accident and is a result. Insurance companies claim it is a manufactures problems. The owner takes the hit unless he can convince the insurance adjuster to total the vehicle. The present political situation nation wide is stopping my pleas to my representative on my complaints and pleas for assistance to fall on dead ears. Dodge dealers are hiding the fact that a cracked dash Ram 1500 trade ins are being junked to hide this major issue. Thusly it is not getting the proper attention. At local auto auctions the Dodge Ram 1500's do not sell. As a note: There is also a major transmission problem as noted by most transmission shops all over the country. To my knowledge, nothing is being done to correct many and most of Dodge Ram 1500's problems because of the dashes. "get them off the road at the owners expense" is Chrysler corporations plan as per the factory representative when he was cornered. I have bought my last Dodge.

- Austin, TX, USA

Air bags did not deploy in two separate crashes one being head on at 35mph over $6000. In damage to truck 2 nd time same truck after being rolled because steering box gave out again 2nd time for that too. No air bags company claims crash was not enough to deploy truck was totaled and my husband in the hospital for a evening with head trauma.

- Palmer, MA, USA

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4. The last 3 years my dashboard has been cracking. 3 years ago I went to the dealer service department at tidewater Dodge and the service manager stated they would not fix it under warranty and I left disappointed. He claimed it wasn't their fault. At the time I accepted his logic until lately I found out I am not the only one. Since then I have a neighbor with the same problem with the same year truck. I then learned that if you go on a computer search engine and type "Dodge dashboard cracks" there are numerous chat rooms and websites set up just for this problem. You will see how many people have the same problem without Chrysler acknowledging the problem is theirs. You don't see this problem in other trucks. We need help please. My concern is safety. It is cracking so bad I feel unsafe driving it because if I have a minor accident and the passenger airbag deploys, it will explode and send splinters of plastic at me and my passengers. I can't help but to shiver thinking of splinters, propelled under pressure, entering my eyes and/or neck in a small front end accident that deploys the airbag. Can you picture that" how would you feel? has this happened and someone thought it was their fault? I shouldn't feel unsafe in my vehicle and think Chrysler should take responsibility for faulty equipment. The dealer cost of replacement is $1,000 - $1,200 each. That is the reason they won't recall the problem. Is it a money maker for a failing company" I feel the dashboards came without uv protection and the sun has weakened the plastic. Chrysler has covered this up by obtaining a new dashboard supplier after they found the problem. I need to get this fixed soon for my sanity. Any help would be appreciated.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

I, like many others are experiencing cracked dash problems. I have had my 2000 Ram 1500 and now my 2001 Ram 1500 dashes crack and fall apart. The dealerships tell me that Dodge does not support repair or replacement of the dash. They no longer stock and back orders are ignored the dash and the instrument bezel that cracks over a short period of time. This is a safety issue as the 2000 truck was totaled in a wreck and I was injured by the dash debris and not the accident.

- Austin, TX, USA

2001 Dodge 1500 4X4 total dashboard is cracked and big pieces falling out, started at 20,000 miles and would not fix. Have 90,000 know and Dodge can not tell me if it will effect my air-bag deployment on passenger side. Joked to me saying have people ride in the back seat.

- Ocala, FL, USA

I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, about six months ago I noticed a small crack in my dash right behind the passenger airbag. Now, I have three craks in the dash, two of them are about six inches long and the one above the airbag now goes all the way down the dash. I feel this is an issue that should be addressed due to the fact that it is a common problem in the second generation Dodge Ram. Also, it should very easily be a safety concern as far as possibly ripping an airbag upon deployment, or sending loose pieces of jagged plastic flying in the event of a collision.

- Stonewall, LA, USA

My 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 was involved in a major crash resulting from the other car running a red light. The Ram had major front impact and front driver side impact. The drivers airbag did not come out resulting in damage to drivers face, arm and wrist.

- Austin, TX, USA

: the contact stated while driving 55mph in normal driving conditions, the contact lost control of the vehicle which left the roadway and struck a large tree without warning and the airbags did not deploy. The contact was not wearing a seat belt, and minor injuries were sustained. There was extensive damage to the front of the vehicle; the vehicle was totaled by the insurance Agency as a result. The police were on the scene and a report was taken. The dealer and manufacturer were not alerted.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

: the contact stated the frontal side airbag exploded inside the dashboard of the vehicle while driving 25 mph. There was not an impact to the vehicle to cause deployment. The contact expressed that the local dealers refused to service the vehicle after a brief inspection. The manufacturer has been contacted but also offered no resolution to the contact in regards to servicing on the vehicle.

- Seneca, SC, USA

Head-on collision with tree going about 25 mph. Air bags did not deploy, but car was totaled. No injuries.

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

: the contact stated while driving at 50 mph control of the vehicle was lost causing it to crash into a tree. Upon impact the frontal air bags failed to deploy. Although the contact was wearing the seat belt there were injuries sustained to the neck and head. The vehicle was driven away from the crash site. The vehicle has not been inspected. Updated 2/28/2006 -

- Brandon, MS, USA

2001 Dodge 1500 impacted into a creek embankment front end first and none of the air bags deployed.** answer required***. the driver sustained multiple injuries. The consumer contacted the manufacturer.

- Unknown, DC, USA

2001 Dodge 1500 quad cab I called the daimler Chrysler in marshall Texas and they told me they have seen a few of the dashboards. I explained it was crumbling. He told me it wouldn't hurt anything as the air bags are bolted in he also stated it was out of warranty. I called the main customer 800 service line that tx dealer gave to me and once again I was told it was out of warranty and they didn't care who I contacted after I talked to them as it was out of warranty. I even told them I would call the better business bureau and they still didn't care. The dashboard has cracks running across the entire board. Will it fall" will it cause an accident" I have pictures that I will be sending when I hear from you.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

2001 Dodge Ram 1500 traveling 25 mph.driver lost control after hitting black ice and control was never regained. Vehicle traveled ditch line and proceeded down 50+ foot embankment to hit on the nose of the truck at an estimated travel of 50 mph. Vehicle stood on front end then fell on to the drivers side.driver was treated at hospital for neck, back and left shoulder injuries. Air bags never deployed.manufacturer was notified of air bag failure and after several weeks we were notified that impact was not enough to activate sensors. When I called investigator, I was told that a letter would come about decision and no futher actions would be taken. Vehicle was totalled and driver is still under going treatment for injuries to back.other calls were placed to manufacturer, especially after we received a recall on the vehicle for the air bags 30 days after the incident. We were told this did not affect our vehicle. We are not satisfied with the report and results and are uncertain if anyone even looked at the vehicle since it was towed to a locked facitility and the owner of the facility had let insurance adjuster and owners only in to the secured site. Facility owner stated he seen no one else requesting to view or test this vehicle for malfunctions. We would like to see the exact method and results of the manufacturers determination of no defect. We are still pursuing this investigation.

- Morganton, NC, USA