7.9
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,000
- Average Mileage:
- 86,900 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 30 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (15 reports)
- replace dashboard (15 reports)
The dash on my 2004 Ram truck has big cracks in it and Dodge should pay to fix it.
- Robert L., Lakewood, CA, US
THE UPPER DASH AREA HAS CRACKED AND STARTED FALLING APART. THE VENT AREAS HAVE ALL THE SMALL PLASTIC PIECES BROKEN AWAY AND FALLEN DOWN INTO THE VENT SAME WITH THE SMALL SPEAKERS.
- Lawrence Z., Bradenton, US
I love my 2004 Dodge Ram. This dashboard cracking has been the really only major issue my truck. I currently have 101,000 miles on it. I have had my truck for ten years now. My solution to this problem would be making a replacement dash affordable. Buying a brand new dash for almost 250 bucks is ridiculous for something we know is going to crack or eventually need to be replaced.
- Bernard B., El Paso, US
Everyone I have talked with that owns an older model Ram has the same problem with the dash. How can Dodge say it is a small problem? I'm afraid it will cave in at any time or bump in the road. They should put out a recall!!!!
- Rick W., McKinney, TX, US
Dodge knows there is an issue with these dash boards and they refuse to do anything about it. You pay big money for these vehicles and they use crappy plastic. They say this is no safety issue, but get into a wreck with all this sharp edged plastic all in front of you. Not to mention it looks like sh*t.
- James W., Deltona, FL, US
click to see larger images
In 2004 I purchased my beautiful truck, after four years the top dash cracked by a vent. In the last six years it has slowly crept across my dash and into separate areas. I am so annoyed! Not only has that cracked, but the plastic handles you use to pull yourself up into the cab on both the driver and passenger side have had to be replaced three times. They cannot tell me it's heat because I always put sun covers in my front window. And why would the handles break when they are not even in the sun.
I take good care of my truck and it is upsetting that Dodge has chosen not to use high quality material.
- Marta C., Reseda, US
Started as one small crack and now it's all the way across. Then the grate over the speaker started to fall apart. Now a second crack has started on the passenger side. It's only a matter of time before the whole thing starts falling in. The worst part is when you tell people about it they say; yep, that's a typical Dodge. Happens to all of them. Be careful when you clean it because it will fall to pieces.
You would think they would do something about it since this isn't a new problem. Guess when enough people start buying their trucks maybe they think about putting better quality parts in them. My in-laws have Fords that are 20 years old with 300,00 miles that don't have the first crack....HMMMM
- Jerry F., Red Level, AL, US
How could a dash that's falling apart be ok? You put out junk, what do you think is going to happen?
- shotz1, Salisbury Mills, NY, US
Looks bad I think it should last longer than 10 years.
- Larry S., Roseville, CA, US
I cannot believe that there has not been a recall for the dash on my Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab. I have never pursued this issue until now because the airbags have a recall and they are most definitely going to have to remove the dash to get to them. The dash is in pieces now. This is definitely a safety issue. I have owned many vehicles and owned them for a long period of time and never had one, new or old, that had a dash problem like my Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab.
Once lawsuits are filed for people getting injured by these defective dashes that have fallen apart, then maybe Chrysler will do something about it.
- James E., Merritt Island, FL, US
My dashboard starting cracking in 2008. It started out small, so I didn't worry about it. Before I knew it, I had many cracks throughout the dashboard. I became concerned and decided to replace the dashboard in 2012. So far, no cracks. I did not experience this problem with my first vehicle, which was a Ford. My next vehicle will not be a dodge.
- gerica, Lexington Park, MD, US
The dashboard has continued to crack and fall apart. The plastic is deteriorated and falling away in chunks. I can see the framing underneath the dashboard and it is a matter of time until there is nothing left. I have to replace it before it reaches this stage. This is a defective part that the manufacturer should replace. CHEAP and DEFECTIVE.
- Travis C., Chuluota, FL, US
Dodge knows there are numerous complaints about the cracked dashes. It would go a long way with customer loyalty if some type of assistance could be offered.
- jack rb, Savannah, GA, US
Unbelievable, just falling apart. All vents and speaker grills gone. Cracked everywhere.
- Robert C., Ocala, FL, US
My dash started to crack several years ago and has steadily gotten much worse. I touched the dash the other day and a couple of pieces broke off and fell down in the hole. Fortunately, I was able to fish them back out. They are very hard, thin, brittle, and sharp pieces...almost like glass. I can see this as a real danger now. As you can tell from the low mileage, the truck hardly gets used and is kept clean. I was investigating how difficult it would be to fix it when I came across this site. The 2002 model already has over 350 complaints registered so I figured I better do my part and add my 2004 complaint to the list.
- daveok, Edmond, OK, US
I know so many people with 2002-2004 Dodge Ram trucks that the dash has cracked. Dodge needs to have a recall big time. This problem needs to be fixed by Dodge not the consumer. Man Up Dodge.
- Patty J., Canyon Lake, TX, US
I've already put a transmission in the truck which cost me over $3000 dollars and now the dash is fallen apart and I've noticed other Dodge owners with the same problem. For that reason I think the company should re-place the dash panels.
- Brian C., Pleasant Garden, NC, US
this dash started with crack,i put my finger on it a big chunk fell inside under dash. I contacted chrysler, after a period of time they called and told me to take to nearest dealer, did so, body shop manager, i think came out, to my info, just told me that i would be notified. about 3 weeks or so they called and told me that was out of warranty, but they would replace it for 300.00 dollars. i told that was a defect, and all the dodge trucks that i have purchased that i have never experience this kind of problem, by the way they told me the 300.00 was a service charge. i have had a dodge van and three dodge pickup.
- jackandrose21js, Holiday, FL, US
I had bought 2 of these trucks....lucky I sold the other one before the dash started to crumple apart.......it is so bad now there are holes where the air vents are...cracks are running up and down the dash......even the door locks plastic is completely cracking apart........it looks like I just came back from Mexico and was involved in a drug cartel shootout inside the truck....holes and cracks everywhere....this is a disgrace to a truck company...that advertises RAM tough.......I thought it was just my truck.......now on this site I find out everybody has this problem...........so where do we do to fix this problem without spending a fortune on new plastic inside the truck......I need to sell this piece of S.......I will never buy another RAM truck........note to Chrysler...my son just bought a Ford 150 truck because he saw my dashboard and told me he wants his first new truck to last a long time.....he's 21 and he will never buy a Dodge Truck..........do the right thing an issue a recall for the huge problem that you have on your hands..............
- Tim L., Rowlett, TX, US
I called Chrysler customer service and they refused to offer assistance.
- Doug B., Roxboro, NC, US