8.2
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $390
- Average Mileage:
- 100,150 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 56 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (23 reports)
- have to buy whole new front dash (11 reports)
- replace dashboard (10 reports)
- new dashboard (5 reports)
- buy a dash cap (cover) (4 reports)
- contacted dodge customer assistance (2 reports)
Come on... whose dashboard cracks? I thought I was the only one until the body shop told me that this was a COMMON problem with Dodge Rams. I bought the car believing it was sturdy... only to have the dash start cracking and falling apart each year since 2006. Why is Dodge not helping? If all of us are experiencing the same failure, they manufactured a faulty part and should help everyone who needs to replace their dashboard!
- klett, Aptos Hills, US
For a good looking truck like mine it is bad to look at the dash when everything else looks so good.
- summerlindot1655rs, Lenoir, US
the dash's really suck. My son has a 2003 and its broke up too
- Vern B., Greenview, CA, US
My lower dash around my instrument cluster, AC/Heater controls, and my radio is falling apart. My trim bezel is barely staying in place due to the area where the clips go in are now gone due to the dash falling apart. My AC/Heater controls are currently held in place with zip ties and my radio is secured with 2 remaining factory screws to cracked plastic housing. I have already replaced the dash cover years ago due to it falling apart and have a dash mat over it to protect it from the sun. I have searched the internet and junk yard trying to find a decent replacement lower dash but none are available or any better than what I currently have. I feel this is a safety concern in the event of a collision due to the sharp edges of dash material and debris that could become projectiles. Every week when I vacuum out my truck, I find dash pieces on the floor from what has fallen off. I would hate to see how the dash would be after airbag deployment... I feel Chrysler should step up and admit to taking the cheap road with these dashes and fix the problem. Toyota has been an excellent role model with their fans by replacing rusted frames on their pickups over the years, and people continue to buy them everyday.. I love my truck and the motor in it, but don't know if I can continue to safely haul my family and my camper around in something that continually falls apart each day on its own...
- Bradley R., Hedgesville, WA, US
I actually ordered this truck from the factory. I know everything about it and everything that has happened to it and all repairs that have been done to it since day 1 (December 31st 1999). I installed the Dashmat about a week after I got the truck just so that I wouldnt have to worry about an issue like this. Now obviously I was wrong in assuming that if I protected it from the sun with a dashmat that it would last me till the day I retired the truck or I retired myself.
I would like to get the dash replaced but do not have the funds to buy a new one and then have it installed. Don't wish to have someone install it for me just cover the cost of the materials and I am happy. Don't think it is too much to ask for Dodge to replace these as for they were obviously manufactured with way less than superior products. Main concern is flying parts in a major crash where air bags may deploy. Safety is of the utmost concern in my opinion and I feel our auto manufactures should feel the same way.
- tlarios, Smartsville, CA, US
The dashboard on my truck as been cracking over the years spreading across the whole thing.
Yesterday it just disintegrated to the point pieces are falling out.
- Daniel S., North Falmouth, MA, US
Plastic dashboard has multiple fractures and cracks through no fault of mine. Started happening before the pickup was 10 years old, and continues to get worse and worse. Dealers response is, it's cosmetic. Many of the edges are very sharp and could lead to serious injury if the vehicle was involved in an accident and one of the occupants was thrown into, or contacted the dash with any part of their body. This is ridiculous that the dashboard is falling apart on this pickup all by itself. I suspect at some point I won't be able to drive the vehicle anymore because all the gauges will be laying on the floor.
- sscottss, Raleigh, NC, US
This problem has plagued Dodge Ram truck owners for several decades and Dodge has not fixed the problem that they are fully aware of. This problem can and is a safety problem and the sharp brittle dash could be worse than the windshield breaking in an accident. As other truck manufacturers have addressed similar problems with recalls why hasn't Dodge stepped up to the plate. I would never buy another Dodge truck as long as I live.
- Bruce S., Sequim, WA, US Minor Outlying Islands
Dodge should do a recall on this. Every Ram I've seen from 1996 to 2003 has a bad dash.
- Eugene H., Sabina, OH, US
The front dash board crumbled behind the front panel according to my mechanic while put on a facing dash cover to patch a crack in the instrument panel.. The dash that is protected with cover is grossly cracked. I also drive 52 year old VW bug that has started to have some plastic failure around the steering wheel, but not a single crack in the dash after 52 years in the California sun. The dodge on the other hand failed after just 9 years, and failed catastrophically. The cracking most likely happened sooner as I had a dash cover on it and didn't think to check until the cover need to be secured with velcro again.
- Cindy O., Redwood Valley, CA, US
This really scares me if I have a wreck,is it going to fly apart and really hurt us or KILL US,.Dodge you should be ashamed of yourself.If we get hurt worst b/c of that DASH you can bet their sweet ass I or my family will sue Dodge for everything I can get...
All Dodge owners Please let them know so we can get them help us get our trucks fixed.
- Robbin H., Chesnee, SC, US
Dash started cracking several years ago. Have been waiting for recalls. nothing. now the dash pieces can be lifted out of the dash. Fricking crazy.
- farmergregman, Buchanan, MI, US
its was so bad things kept falling into the huge cracks which turned into holes the front panel kept falling off had to put screws to hold it in place so finally had to purchase the whole thing
- Tina M., Center, CO, US
Dodge should have to replace these dashes and foot the bill. The government should step in and make this happen. they want to control everything else we do. Paid hard earned money for this truck and dodge could care less about any problems we may have.
- Forrest K., Wytheville, VA, US
I love my truck, but the dash is junk. Cheap plastic and I can't believe that Dodge won't replace it under warranty. This is Dangerous, If I have a wreck and the air bags deploy, sharp plastic shards are going to fly not to mention the pieces that have fallen into my vents and come flying out when I turn my A/C on.
- Frank M., Orange, VA, US
I started my truck on a cold day, turned the defrost to hot/high so it would warm the cab. After running about 5 minutes, I heard this loud POP. I looked around for the source of the noise and discovered my dashboard had cracked in about 4 places! Huge cracks - running from the windshield forward, and in several directions. I wonder how stable my windshield is now?! This should NEVER have happened. The weather wasn't even that cold - only about 30 degrees. This is completely unacceptable and may be a real safety issue.
- Shelly R., Grandview, WA, US
i think the cracked dashboard is bull,i don't think,i know this is an issue dodge has to fix, i think there are plenty of people that have the same problem and issue that i have.if my airbags deploy,will there be flying pieces of plastic dash?the 09 and 10 1500 dodge Ram and Dakota have had a recall on the dash and axle,that's crazy that they still haven't fix that problem,c'mon dodge,put a little more time in your design instead of hurrying to get the next year model out in the market before its even that year
- Jason M., Millersville, PA, US
I bought this truck used, I didn't know the dashboard was cracked because the (Dodge) dealer had hidden it with a carpet type cover. I realized it when I took it in for Air conditioning work (another rip off) and was told the dash was broken and did I want to spend $1000 to have it replaced. Since that time the dash disintegrated into eggshell like pieces. It is so bad I ordered a cover to put on and was told after I purchased it that there isn't enough dashboard left to glue to. It seems illogical to buy another dashboard from Chrysler when the same thing will happen again according to reports. I am at a loss as to what to do....
- flagtrax, Flagstaff, AZ, US
My 2000 Ram 2500 dash started cracking in 2006. There is a small chunk that has fallen in, since. I probably should have bought the Ford instead.
Other problems:
Transmission speed sensor ($20), Pinion seal and pinion yolk ($125), Brake rotors and pads ($126); do not use the toughest pads because they will tear up the rotors.
Thermostat ($30), Fuel,water separator valve ($17), Serpentine belt and idler pulley ($54), Check Eng Light cleared by cleaning TPS plug in contacts with spray cleaner.
- ram2500man, Porterville, CA, US
click to see larger images
Dash start to crack, and shattered as I was driving on the road. Very cheep material, and/or faulty design, and/or faulty manufacture's molding process. Of course, Dodge/Chrysler joyfully wash their hands off this matter and claiming that "your car is out of warranty". Other car manufactures take responsibility for their cheep materials that they use for their cars, or often cut corners for bigger profits, but Dodge/Chrysler is hiding behind their shyster lawyers.
- Henry N., Salem, US