10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
86,147 miles

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problem #47

Jan 012010

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Dashboard started cracking in 2010 and has progressively gotten worse. It now has open holes and completely cracked. And since the last few months it is causing electrical failure and dangerous to drive. This situation I have now found out to be very common for my truck and now realize that this is not common wear for this or any other vehicle. Chrysler has told me they are not excepting any responsibility for the product failure and that it's up to me to pay for the costly repairs. This is unacceptable as this problem is clearly a product defect that they are aware of and should at no cost to the consumer be fixed.

- Santa Ana , CA, USA

problem #46

Aug 142013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle has severe dash cracking. Power windows are not working and lamp indicator will not shut off causing ongoing beeping. Concerned that dash parts are stuck inside causing driving conditions to be unsafe. Would like to be notified if an investigation has been done to remedy the problems at dealer cost.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #45

Jun 122013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 117,320 miles
There was an electrical failure in the wiring system from the fuse block this is known to be a common problem with the Dodge Ram the ABS light, brake light and airbag light as well as the engine light all come on also the odometer and speedometer also stop working. This stops the ABS system from working as well as the airbags I have had to change the fuse block as well as the rear speed sensor, and the dash cluster because of this over a three year period now, the first time all of my lights stopped working as well as the dash gauges and door locks. Why is this and ongoing problem with this and nothing seems to get done about it the first time I got a copy of a service bulletin and Dodge tried to tell me it was only good for diesel models and I have the same issues. There seems to be a real history of these problems with this vehicle and the dealers are all aware of this.

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #44

Jun 072008

Ram 1500

  • 70,000 miles
I was just driving along, crack my dash cracked from front end to almost the back. The crack caused me to jump swerve my truck almost causing an accident. Dodge has been no help and my dash has deteriorated even more ever since, I'm getting very worried it might affect the air bags as all the dash pieces fall into the recess where the air bags are which would be a bad thing should there be an accident.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #43

Sep 122007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
Hi, I read an article by channel 6 news problem solvers in orlando, Florida. That did a report on dashboards collapsing in 2002 Dodge Ram and other models. In the article, it showed that Dodge was replacing the dashboards at a cost of $100 to the customer. 2 years after I bought my truck, my dash started cracking. A friend of mine had a 2003 quad cab and he was experiencing cracks in his dash in the exact same spots. A year later he traded his truck in and I still have mine. My dash is still continuing to crack to this day. Since my dash started cracking, I have had other problems with my truck. My stereo is messing up. My A/C and blower motor don't work right. My heater core leaks. In summer time I have no A/C. in winter I have no heat and no window defroster. When it rains, I have no defroster. These are a safety issue if I cant see where im driving. For the past 2 years, I've been trying to get Dodge to replace my dash. They will replace it only at full cost to me! will you finally force Dodge into recalling these 01-04 Dodge Ram, Dakota and durango dashboards"?????????????????????".

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #42

Aug 012012

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 126,932 miles
Air conditioning works fine, as long as the vehicle is moving. When stopped at traffic lights or intersections, the A/C gets warm, as if the condenser is not working. When starting up again, it gets cold after a bit of time. Searched the internet, and found this is a problem that occurs often, and many said check the fuse #39. On Aug. 1, I checked the fuse, and found that the plastic and metal parts of the fuse had melted onto the spot it was plugged into. All of the other fuses seem to be fine, but there is a tiny chunk of metal I cannot remove from the fusebox to plug in another fuse, nor do I want to plug in another fuse, as I don't know why the previous one melted. I am not sure if this is covered in any recalls. Also, when I tried to have the truck inspected, it failed for the check engine light, and there are several recalls listed in the possible cause list for the code that registered in the inspection machine.

- Franklinville, NJ, USA

problem #41

May 302012

Ram 1500

  • 208,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the keys could be easily removed from the ignition while driving or when any gear. Occasionally, the vehicle could not be shifted into park, causing the vehicle to accelerate backward. The dealer was notified of the issue who advised that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 208,000.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #40

Jun 072003

Ram 1500

  • 11,615 miles
Vehicle blower motor fuse was blown on this occasion, and then later dates the ac condenser fan fuse was blown. The 40 amp fuse for the blower motor was replaced to fix the first problem. The condenser fan fuse was replaced at least once, and then the fuse box - where the condenser fan fuse goes - melted so that the fuse could not be replaced. Taking it to the dealer today. Also noticed lots of dashboard cracking complaints. I also have a dashboard that is seriously cracked. Paid to replace the part closest to the window, but the dashboard over the instrument panel was not replaced. Asked dealer to replace it three times, and all three times they said none was in stock. One person told me that they don't like replacing them because of the complexity of the job.

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #39

Feb 282012

Ram 1500

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quadcab. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact approached a turn however, the turn signal failed to respond when engaged. The windshield wipers, horn and rear brake lights became inoperable. In addition, both turn signals would not function upon activation. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and was unable to determine the cause of failure. In addition, large fragments of material separated throughout the dashboard surface. There were also numerous cracks within the dashboard. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the permanent malfunctions. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

- West Berlian, NJ, USA

problem #38

Dec 272011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 144,875 miles
When turning left and signal is applied, the right blinker comes on inside & outside and when right signal is applied nothing happens inside or outside.

- Burlison, TN, USA

problem #37

Feb 122012

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 85,075 miles
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 slt 2wd 5.9 V8 (gas) with 86,000 miles. Turn signals have suddenly become dangerously intermittent. Also, occasionally when signaling 'left' the right dash indicator for the turn signals will flash instead. It happened twice today, we turned the signal off then back 'on' and it worked properly. Because this is intermittent we cannot duplicate the problem to determine if the outside bulbs are flashing left or right, therefore we worry they might be incorrectly signaling our intentions to other drivers. While searching on-line for a solution before we determine a repair course of action, we discovered this is common to the Dodge Ram trucks from 2002 through at least 2008 model year trucks, but the dealer did not mention or address it in advance of failure. We paid in advance for a seven year 100% warranty with no deductible, which has not expired. We believe Dodge had prior knowledge of the weakness and could have repaired it during the no-deductible warranty period. The passenger door window switch continues to fail. Its a simple plug-in module and I have replaced it twice with the factory part, and now its intermittent again after less than one year. From the mileage its clear we are not wearing out switches.

- Gresham, OR, USA

problem #36

Sep 012011

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
Severely cracked dash board. Parts falling down into the electrical wiring including airbag area. Continues to crack in different areas. Major portions of the dash is caving in. Could cause gauge, lighting, airbag and heating/cooling problems.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #35

Jan 052009

Ram 1500

  • 60,000 miles
1) electrical problems. Lights kept going in and out 2) dash cracking and crumbling. Pieces falling into air vents and preventing windshield from defrosting! dangerous! could cause an accident. Dash is in such bad shape that if passenger air bag were to be deployed it could kill someone due to flying pieces of hard plastic all over the vehicle. Make Dodge recall this product! what are you waiting for? you already have thousands of complaints for this problem!

- Locust Grove, GA, USA

problem #34

Oct 012011

Ram 1500

  • 143,000 miles
About 50% of the time when I turn the turn signal to the left the right side blinks. I have to turn them off and try again and it will work. The other day I was entering a on ramp and I signaled to the left and no one would let me in. I had to slow down so I wouldn't get ran off the road but almost got rear ended. I looked down and the right signal was on but the lever was to the left. I could have died. I have also noticed that the hazard button will not stay down. It is always popped up and the hazard flashers stay on and run the battery down. I have to take the button down so the battery wont drain.

- Victoria , TX, USA

problem #33

Sep 012011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
Have had a cracked dashboard for quite some time now, I have filed a complaint before and could not get a resolution from Chrysler/Dodge. My dashboard has cracked to pieces causing a safety hazard. Finally my electrical systems have started to malfunction due to the pieces of my fallen dashboard falling on electrical components, there was a small short/fire that caused my cruise control to stop working and my dash lights also. I feel it has been long enough and something needs to be done before, someone not as lucky as me, gets really hurt from this safety hazard issue that has haunted us Dodge Ram owners for a long time. We need to get our dashboard replaced asap.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #32

Feb 022009

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Significant cracks in both primary dash and auxiliary dash section between dash and windshield. Existing cracks growing/opening and new ones developing. Starting to experience unexplainable electrical issues, like power windows, and door locks not working on occasion. Dealer quoted replacement cost is outrageous.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #31

Jul 102011

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
I own a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 and my taillights/running lights suddenly stopped working. I was nearly rear ended by another vehicle. I checked with a technician and he stated this was a common problem due to moisture in the fuse box. It was going to cost me close to $1000 dollars to be repaired. The tech stated this should not happen and it is a manufacturing defect. He stated a replacement comes with a shield to protect it from shorting out. It sounds to me like this is a problem that Dodge should be liable for since it is a "manufacturing defect"

- Uniontown, OH, USA

problem #30

Jun 182009

Ram 1500

  • 29,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the instrument panel was cracked approximately one inch starting from the passenger side. Over a two year period, the instrument panel caved in and the indicators were no longer concealed by the panel. Both the manufacturer and dealer were notified of the failure and diagnosed that the instrument panel would have to be replaced yet the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 29,000 and the current mileage was 35,000.

- Passadina, TX, USA

problem #29

Jan 232011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
I was driving home one night from shopping at walmart and was pulled over by the local law enforcement for not having any tail-lights on my 2002 Dodge Ram. Come to find out, none of my parking lights worked, but the signal and brake lights did work. Upon further investigation and a visit to the local Dodge dealer to find out that the parking light circuit had blown and I would need a new fuse box ($550) and a front control module ($250) and an hour and a half of labor ($133.50) + tax, totals close to $1000 to repair a defect that Chrysler/Dodge knows about and has the diagnostic equipment to search for such a problem. According to the parts person at that same Dodge dealer I went to, this a common problem with Dodge trucks. From my investigation on the internet, I found I am not the only person with this problem and that this is not the only model year that has this problem. There should be a recall on Chrysler/Dodge's part before this result in an accident and/or loss of life on the road due to a faulty circuit on a circuit board. They are making money on an item that involves public safety.

- Palmer, MA, USA

problem #28

Feb 122011

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Started truck turned on headlight switch, was on high beam so pulled lever to dim an lights would not dim then wipers come on and wouldnt shut off and wiper sprayer come on and would not shut off but if I held lever back all went off so have to drive holding lever back.when I got home and shut truck off all of the problems would not shut off even with key out of ignition so had to tie lever back.

- Pittsfield , MA, USA

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