8.4
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $470
- Average Mileage:
- 102,050 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 131 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace dashboard (53 reports)
- recall on dash would help (32 reports)
- not sure (31 reports)
- file class action to mandate dodge to replace safety hazard (7 reports)
- replace dash with quality material (4 reports)
- install pre formed plastic dash (3 reports)
This has been an ongoing problem. I've replaced it once already at my cost and again its cracking into pieces. My truck today has 228,000 km and is in very good condition for its year. I only drive it in the summer months putting less than 5000 km a year. It sits in my shop most of the time. I do believe this could easily be a safety issue while pieces are moving around while driving. This is a defect in their product and should be a recall.
- Patrick L., Waubaushene, ON, Canada
In the section of multipal choice of problems where it says cracked dash is an under statement indeed! The dash in my truck has crumbled so much that one can work on things beneath the dash from above the dash. I can't even touch the thing for fear that more of it might break off and as one guy said in his complaint, if the air bag goes off, what parts of the dash are going to pierce the passengers of said vehicle? Anyone that says they're thinking about buying a Dodge, I show them my Dodge and their mouth drops open and they start rethinking their probable purchase; THE PRODUCT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- James M., Vineland, US
Dodge dashes are the absolute worst on the market. Will not buy another RAM truck ever. Way too expensive to drive around for years looking like the Clampett family.
- Norma A., Trinity, US
Chrysler/Dodge needs to pay the fixes. There manufacturier fault. FIX It
- dsherry138sw, Dandridge, US
I THOUGHT MINE WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT I GUESS NOT.
- Dustin B., Milton, US
Dash started falling apart. I tried to glue it together but with time it gets worse. I see that it can be replaced. I DID buy a cover for it but it still cracks and drops plastic pieces.
- Ronald H., Abilene, US
I cannot believe that Daimler-Chrysler will not make a recall on all the cracking of the dashboards on their vehicles and trucks! It seems to me that the government would make them stand behind their products as they have done on the airbags! You can be rest assured that I will not be purchasing any thing from them again!
- richard g, Wheeler, US
I bought my Dodge Ram 2500 in 2002 it was new/used from the dealer with less than 1000 miles on it. After a few years under normal conditions I noticed cracking on the upper part of the dashboard. So, I purchased a sun visor to protect the dash from the sunlight through the windshield. I also purchased a dashboard cover. These items did not solve the problem. Over time the dashboard cracking continued to get worse until now it's practically just falling apart. I got online and it is going to cost approximately $400 - $450 just for the replacement parts and I'm afraid to get estimates for the labor to fix this issue. From what I understand this is a common problem for this year, make and model of this vehicle and I feel Dodge / Chrysler should take some responsibility and make good on these defective parts.
- Robert S., Galt, CA, US
i REALLY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IT IS A SAD PIECE OF MATERIAL FOR A DASH
- George E., Hockley, TX, US
The crack in the dash came first, then a few more, then more until the dash is falling apart into sharp pieces. This should be recalled. I was going to trade for another Ram but will have to reconsider. This truck stays in a garage all winter and summer, sunlight and heat are not factors in this case, it is poor manufacturing.
- Doug S., Port Dover, Canada
I have been told by my dealer and other Dodge dealers that my truck is out of warranty and there is nothing that can be done since my dash (it cracked in 2006 and has gotten MUCH worse). I have several friends with similar year Rams and their dashes have cracked as well. Obviously, there is a quality issue with the dashes in these things and it would seem that Dodge might care that as we drive their high dollar product around during its long life, that having the majority of these trucks with dashes that look like they have been hammered to pieces could cause pause to potential new buyers. Mine is a diesel and Dodge should remember that these vehicles will be on the road for well over 500,000 miles and that is a LOT of negative advertisement.
Dodge should step up, do the right thing and replace the dashes in these things that cost as much as a house in parts of the US.
- ejg, Welling, OK, US
This product is made very cheap. It is cracked in many pieces . If this vehicle had been setting out in the sunlight a lot I could understand the dash cracking like this. But this truck has been parked in my garage 75 percent of the time since I purchased it in 2001.
- Kenneth F., Hamlet, NC, US
The dash in our 2002 Dodge Ram just fell apart. It just crumbled. The Dodge Com.says it not a hazard and won't do a recall. You tell me that if those airbag blowout that all that broke pieces is not gonna hit you in the face or blind you! Why is it only the light grey dash and not the dark gray? They know they messed up and changed plastic. Thank you!
- Gary H., Pickens, SC, US
Its a sad day when a problem this wide spread goes on with such a cold response...
- John W., Murfreesboro, TN, US
No need to go off, It's simple I will never again purchase any dodge product. I believe in loyalty when buying or owning anything. I work hard for my money and expect these people to respect that fact. When I purchased this truck I was deciding between the Dodge and the Chevy, guess I made the wrong decision. Please forward this on to Chrysler group. I'm sure they don't care.
- mallorygranitz, Greensboro, GA, US
First, I love my Dodge Cummins 2500, 4X4. I HATE my cracked dash.
I have two Dodge trucks in my immediate family. I have the Ram 2500, and my son has the 2003 Ram 1500. One of my best friends also owns a Dodge Ram. All three truck dashes are cracked! My son's keeps his truck immaculate, and is far worse than mine. When his started to crack, I knew Dodge had a problem. Now, Dodge's reputation is on the line. If they own up to the problem, I would buy another Dodge product. If they don't, then the company does not respect how their product shows, our loyalty, and the safety of our families.
"Word of mouth" can sell Dodges, or that same word of mouth can crush a company. Add the internet communication to this process, and Dodge can loose multi-millions in sales. You make the call!
- lazair64ca, Mission Viejo, CA, US
click to see larger images
I have never seen plastic that is so fragile. I can't hardly touch the dash without another piece breaking off. Extremely poor quality. Not sure why Dodge thinks this is do to age. I have friends with Chevrolets, Fords, and Toyotas. These trucks have lived in much harsher environments and they have no problems with their dashes. Don't think I will be buying another Dodge.
- Mike F., McKinney, TX, US
This is a really bad problem. The dash has multiple cracks in it. I've taped it up to give stability and covered with a mat, but one day I feel like it's going to totally disintegrate and I'd hate to think what would happen in a crash. There are sharp plastic edges. Really would like a good solution to this problem that is not likely to recur. RECALL?? Surely the MFG could get the supplier to pony up some replacement parts with better quality plastic.
- Eileen P., Lexington, KY, US
Over the last few years the dashboard on my Dodge truck as cracked and fallen into the dash. this has exposed wiring and is allowing dirt and dust to enter into the dash. The plastic is breaking into large chunks with fairly straight edges. I want a recall to get this fixed at Chrysler's expense rather than mine. I fear that my airbag may not function when I need it.
- pleeb78wa, Galvin, WA, US
Dash top on my truck started by a death crack across the middle, then as time went by, it became super brittle and it now looks like someone smashed a bunch of plates and left them on my dashboard. Then the plastic surrounds my clocks and dials started cracking and breaking, followed by the plastic on the glove box, so now my glove box hangs down horizontally. The problem is clearly a cheap plastic that becomes brittle after exposure to the sun.
I took my vehicle years ago to the Glendale CA Dodge service center and I showed them a massive print out list of everyone complaining about the same thing. They offered me a new dash but wanted almost two thousand dollars for the install...
I objected to the robbery attempt and said, well, just give me the part you say is free and I will install; of course they refused to give me the free part as it was only free if I pay their exorbitant rate to install.
They were really charging fully for the install and part so nothing was really free.
- linkspider, Los Angeles, US