8.2
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $880
- Average Mileage:
- 84,050 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 522 complaints
Most common solutions:
- Dodge should recall the dashboard (safety issue) (281 reports)
- not sure (115 reports)
- replace dashboard (105 reports)
- class action lawsuit against Dodge for inferior dashboards (16 reports)
- bought an aftermarket dash replacement (3 reports)
- dashboard, vents, radio replacement (1 reports)
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The Dodge dashboard is due to poor molding problems; I am in the plastics industry and can honestly say the material used was good material. Chrysler chose the cheap route to take on the mold building and design, and (i'm sure) ignored technical advice given about ribbing (strength) and thickness (also strength). Once again not only done wrong, done wrong intentionally to save a few dollars. The amount of material saved, with the crappy mold design used, saved Dodge approx $1.50 - $3.00 per dashboard, based on market costs of the particular type of plastic, as of 11/14/2011.
Way to go Chrysler, another poor job done intentionally. I am switching to another “American Made Truck†once this one is finished falling apart.
(All of the above, obviously is in my opinion, I don’t want those jerks coming after me for liability)
- Kyle A., Austin, TX, US
After seeing how many complaints there were about this problem. I would like to know how to get it fixed...cheaply!
I see several people have contacted Dodge directly about the problem. Some have gotten resolution and some haven't. I would like to know who to contact at Dodge, a website to go to, or anything that will help me fix this problem before it gets worse.
- cardessi, Plano, TX, US
This is my second experience with cracked Dodge Ram dashboards. My first was on a 1999 Dodge Ram, my second on a 2002. I incorrectly assumed that Dodge would have solved this problem by then but they have not. I called a dealership and explained the problem. They quoted me over $1000 to replace it. I have owned a total of 5 Dodge trucks but will never buy another one after learning that the company refuses to acknowledge this problem.
- Ryan H., Houston, TX, US
VERY PISSED OFF, NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHERE THE DASHBOARD CRACKED. SEEMS TO ME THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IF QUALTY METERALS WERE USED, NOW ADAYS EVERTHING IS MADE CHEAP,AS LONG AS THE MANUFACTURES GET THERE PROFIT
- gunsmith, Saint Albans, WV, US
First it was one crack in the middle them it cracked in 2 other places. I had to replace the heater core and it came out in about 1000 pieces. Only place I heard you can get one is from dodge.
- Rob C., Mill Run, PA, US
With the number of Dashes that are being reported across various websites, there should be something done. People spend hard earned money on these vehicles and the defective product is a costly one for consumers to fix if done correctly and not just covered up! Step up Dodge
- zinktx, Bangs, TX, US
I imagine I am among thousands with this problem and if there are certain replacements to look into or definitely avoid,I'd appreciate the input.
- mmichael, Charleston, SC, US
well i have owned dodge trucks for many many years,the one that i traded in for the 2002 model had no problems i just wanted a new one.if i had known that the dash was going to go to hell i would have kept my 97 model,i have had no other problems with the present truck at all.i think that dodge should do a recall and repair this problem,i have taken very good care of this vehicle i allways park it in a garage,when i cant and it is hot out i use one of those heat deflectors in the windsheild,i armorall it all the time on the interior,this truck was a 30,000 dollar truck it has the leather package and all the whistles and bells.and it only has 60,000 miles on it.i know that the dash board cracking is not just a once and as while thing,it seems that they are all that way.
if dodge does not want to fix this,maybe i will buy a ford next time or a chevy or a toyota or a honda,or anything but a dodge
- Gregg W., Terre Haute, IN, US
dash is cracked as everyone else on here is.i have bought new jeeps fords chevy dodge and this one is a pain i am a person who has show cars and i cant stand my cars trucks to look bad in anyway dodge needs to do something soon to fix the problem or i will go back to chevy never had a problem with chevy at all seems like the dodge brands i have bought always have some sort of problems jeep ram charger crysler 300 pt crusier what a joke to rip off the people who keep you in business.
- Tim P., Vincennes, IN, US
I have had my dashboard starting to crack after I had my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 for about 2 years, first it was just a hairline crack in the middle of the dash up by the lower part of the window, then over time it started new cracks and now I have at least 7. They are all running vertical and have gone over towards the instrument panel and almost the the glove box. I called Chrysler Corp. this morning and talked to Alex, with the "Ram specialty team" basically they are not going to do anything. When I said " there are several hundreds of complaints on the internet " he said " just because something is posted on the internet does not necessarily make it true" his other statement to me was" that at some point the owner needs to take responsibility of their vehicle." I then called the dealership where I purchased the truck and asked to speak to the manager, his name is Darren with Maxwell Dodge in Austin, Tex. he said if the corporation cannot do anything his hands are tied. He then ask how much I had brought my truck in to them to have it serviced, I stated that I had not brought it in. He said if I was a "loyal" customer, then maybe he could call Chrysler and maybe they could help out in some way. I wanted to try and see if Chrysler/ Dodge would do the right thing, I now know they do not care about customer service, so my next recourse is to call KXAN in Austin and ask if they would do an investigation on the problem and news report. Someone needs to make us some bumper stickers with the truth about this problem so everyone can see how Dodge treats customers.
- Peggy L., Cedar Park, TX, US
My dash is cracked in 6 or 7 different locations and now I have whole pieces that are no longer connected to anything.
I think DODGE should replace it 100%.
- taraok, Weatherford, OK, US
A couple of years ago, my Dodge Ram 1500 starting getting cracks in the dashboard. It started around the passenger side dashboard speaker. In the couple of years that have passed, the cracks run from front to back and from side to side. Parts of dash, around vents and speakers, have started to collapse. I work from home, so I don't put a ton of miles on my truck (approx 50k) It stays in a shaded part of the driveway. Something like this shouldn't be a problem, especially with the way my truck is maintained.
This problem needs to be fixed by Dodge. From all I can tell, this dash problem is a pervasive problem and could be life threatening, if I were to be in an accident. Furthermore, I'm sure that the electronics, under the dash, are at risk. I've owned this Dodge Truck for 10 years, and owned other Dodge products, but this will likely be the last Dodge I buy, unless Dodge steps up and fixes this problem
- Glen M., Suwanee, GA, US
I will never buy another dodge product. The dash problem has caused my fan motor to stop and short out, just waiting for a fire. No heat or air. an absolute piece of crap.
- Paul L., Byron, GA, US
Started with a small crack, in the center up at the windshield. Eventually spider webbed out to several cracks. Just recently, an entire defrost vent grill collapsed - half of it going down into the defrost duct. Starting reading on how to replace, found out its been a big problem for lots of folks. Just wanted to log complaint too.
- Jason C., Conway, AR, US
I drove my truck with my family on vacation. I arrived to my destination, checked into my hotel, got some rest, woke up the next morning, and my whole dashboard had cracks everywhere. WTF! I can't figure out for the life of me why this happened.
Today I contacted:
http://www.dodge.com/webselfservice/dodge/index.jsp?screenName=recall
I created a case and I hope to get some assistance. It's worth a try.
Cannon
- cannon1500, Duluth, GA, US
click to see larger images
thanks to dash pieces in the air vents, my heater and ac wont work on the drivers side. Now its gonna run 1500k plus to fix both. thanks dodge.
- Adam M., Crowley, TX, US
I have found through research of how to fix my dashboard which is now severely cracked that it's caving in, that Dodge has known about this problem for years and is not fixing. This is a safety issue as there are now sharp pieces of plastic dash that could hurt myself or passenger in an accident or other circumstances. I was trying to find how to fix my dash but now see Dodge is at least repairing some dashes or paying half towards replacing the dash. I should not have to pay to fix this problem if Dodge is now starting to fix or at least address the issue. I currently have my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country and a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and have bought at least two dozen Chrysler products and feel I have been a staunch supporter of Chrysler, even through the hard times they have had. I feel this type of loyalty I have show should be rewarded with acknowledgement ond repair of my dash. I am buying a new car next year and have started looking at other makes due to some of the quality problems I am encountering on all 3 of my current Chryslers but the dashboard makes me the most upset because it has been known and not fixed for loyal customers like me or even new customers so that they will return and buy other Chrysler products in the future.
FIX THIS DASHBOARD PROBLEM NOW! IT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO DO BUSINESS WITH PEOPLE/CUSTOMERS!!
- Dan K., Suffolk, VA, US
Ill Never BUY A DODGE AGAIN MY DASH IS CRACKED EVERYWHERE and dodge wants me to pay 700 dollars and they will pick up the rest for them to fix it. Why the hell should I pay to fix their cheap dash? I didn't manufacture it ! I just purchased the dodge am from guess who? DODGE and they want me to help them pay? WTF ? MAYBE they wouldn't have needed a bailout from the government if they build a solid vehicle free of cheap dash's and they would have returning customers and they would have enough money they wouldn't need a bailout .. shame on you Stinky DODGE take a look at how many people you screwed with your cheapness . I for one will buy a FORD next time. I'll take my 50K some where else. Later fools
- Anthony D., ronkonkoma, NY, US
I'm with the other guys with the same problem. How many complaints does it take to get something done. The whole upper part of my dash ( the one closest to the windshield) has cracks, parts missing some fell into the defroster duct work. Dodge or the other company needs to recall it an fix it right. Its not up to the consumer to fix problems caused by Dodge etc.
- John S., Corbin, KY, US
This is absolutely ridiculous. The cracks started showing up small and almost unnoticeable. Then I noticed there were cracks ALL OVER the dashboard. Next my vents and speaker covers have all but completely caved in. Now my AC doesn't work after it has only even turned on when the control is all the way on high for 2 years, however the fan blew at whatever speed it wanted. Because of the Florida sun? TOO BAD I HAVE A DASH COVER ON IT! All Dodge has to do is admit they made a mistake and recall it. This is my first vehicle I've ever had, and I've always taken exceptional care of it. Dodge-you will NEVER get another CENT of my hard earned money.
- Carly G., Lakeland, FL, US