8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,500
Average Mileage:
87,800 miles
Total Complaints:
17 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace dashboard (13 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
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problem #17

Jun 162003

Ram 2500 HD 5.9L Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles

At first one crack from defrost vent on driver side to front of dash. then another from defrost vent about half way across dash to glove compartment. From then until now several more cracks have shown up. Now there large parts just barley holding together. Not sure what will happen when they start breaking loose. This truck only has 58000 miles at this point and is in great shape otherwise.

- Howard M., Corvallis, US

problem #16

Feb 012010

Ram 2500 SLT Cummings Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Thought more of Dodge. Their dash is a piece of crap. They should have issued a recall years ago on their junk they call a dashboard. There are pieces of plastic falling out all the time and squeaks like crazy. I am fearful that if involved in a crash that the dashboard will shatter into a million pieces and injure myself or passengers. Dodge needs to be held responsible to replace the dashboard, no matter how old the vehicle is.

- Darrel K., Cottonwood, CA, US

problem #15

Sep 012002

Ram 2500 Lariat V10

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I feel that this is an ongoing problem. If they just replace it with the same dashboard, the same problem is going to occur. They need to come up with a solution on how to fix this dashboard the proper way, so people aren't spending time and money trying to fix it over and over again. I do not want to replace my dashboard with any of the Dodge dashboards until they fix the issue.

- Joseph M., Tucson, US

problem #14

Jul 012015

Ram 2500 SLT Laramie 5.9L Cummins Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 178,000 miles

When I purchased this truck, the dealership had placed a hard cover over the dash to cover up the large cracks and holes in it. It wasn't a huge deal to me at first, as I know replacement dash tops are readily available. What's really grinding my gears is the fact that the ENTIRE dash board is junk. My headlight switch fell out of the dash because the plastic that the screw inserts snap into has broken off. Those mounting points aren't part of the top dash, somehow I have to replace the entire assembly and as far as I can tell, nobody makes a reproduction part yet.

For now the dash bezel holds the switch in dash though I have to use 2 hands to turn on my fog lights or risk pulling the whole thing apart. The bezel, is also barely holding on, currently retained by one remaining factory clip, a piece of gorilla tape and a home made metal bracket. It's quite embarrassing to have guests in my truck as the outside looks practically new and then you climb inside and it's a piece of junk. I'm also concerned about what could happen in an accident with all those fun plastic shards flying around causing extra damage to me and my family.

I've had a lot of Fords from the 80's and 90's and never had this problem with the plastic in those trucks. Claiming this is sun damage is just a farce to get away with the fact that improper materials or processes were used in the manufacturing of these items.

- Danger S., Kuna, ID, US

problem #13

Jul 262017

Ram 2500 Laramie SLT 5.9L

  • Manual transmission
  • 98,556 miles

click to see larger images

cracked dashboard

The 2001 Dodge Ram has been garaged whenever not on the road, and always exceptionally well maintained / cleaned. Dash crack occurred overnight and for no reason. Replacement for a non-OEM dash is approximately $360. The dash cracking issue is a well known problem for the model, and as far as I know Dodge is NOT assisting in replacements.

- Gerald T., Ramona, US

problem #12

Aug 012015

Ram 2500 5.9L

  • Manual transmission
  • 104,000 miles

The dash cracked front to back just in front of driver. It is thick material so it must have been installed under lots of stress. My neighbor had same problem with her trucks dash.

- Woogy 1., Spanaway, WA, US

problem #11

Oct 102016

Ram 2500 LX 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

the worst dash ever. fell all to pieces ,even the radio fell out, pieces everywhere. never set in the sun, just the worst material dodge could put in a vehicle. someone please help get these fixed. dodge is the worst, all the ac controls hanging, nothing there to hold them in.

- Bobby H., Booneville, MS, US

problem #10

Jul 012016

Ram 2500 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

This truck has not been left out in the sun is always garaged. Cheaply made dash material that has no give in it.

- Todd L., Lebanon, OR, US

problem #9

Sep 252004

Ram 2500 EX 5.9L

  • Manual transmission
  • 34,000 miles

Every 2000 thru 2004 Dodge Ram dash is cracked and falling into pieces. Dodge should recall all the trucks and replace this cheep plastic. My dash was covered from the start and it did not help. I contacted Larry H Miller and they stated it was out of warranty and they were aware it was a problem. They were NOT helpful.

- Kent R., Herriman, UT, US

problem #8

Dec 172005

Ram 2500 Sport 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

When it happened I went to the dealer and they said that there was nothing they could do because I live in Nevada and it gets hot here.

- Philip M G., Henderson, NV, US

problem #7

Jul 012008

Ram 2500 SLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Fix the problem. I paid good money for my truck and thought I bought from a competent co., but they proved me wrong.

- dduda, Waterford, WI, US

problem #6

Sep 062002

Ram 2500 LSX V8 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

The problem is a defect in material and should be replaced by the dealer. The dashboard isn't just cracked - it's breaking into tiny pieces that fall into my vents every time I turn on the blower. I can't imagine how awful this is going to turn out if the airbag deploys and sends hundreds of tiny shards into my face or my childrens. Dodge needs to take responsiblity for this issue. In 1977 Dodge recalled over 250,000 Econoline vans for this very issue. Why have they not done it in this instance? The vans were recalled because of the "potential" of the dashboards cracking and shattering into shards during an accident. The dashboards in the Rams are already breaking apart and creating shards. We know what is going to happen! Shame on all involved for not addressing this issue by now. Does someone have to die or get seriously injured before this gets handled?

- Patrick R., San Diego, CA, US

problem #5

Sep 012010

Ram 2500 24V5.9L Cummins

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

After a few years of ownership, Dash literally started falling apart. The truck was mostly garaged and chemical cleaning products were never used. Just a poor part by dodge.

- Ben C., Salt Lake CIty, UT, US

problem #4

May 072010

Ram 2500 2500 5.9L Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Cracked dash and crack in the glove box. We decided to replace the glove box recently and that seems to have caused the entire dash to disintegrate. It is cracking everywhere.

- Patricia D., New Braunfels, TX, US

problem #3

Jul 012015

Ram 2500 SLT 5.9L Cummins

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

This is a hazard. In the course of a year it went from a small crack to a completely deteriorated dashboard where full razor sharp pieces dislodge and become lost inside the dash wreaking havoc on the internals or fly off at passengers. I can only imagine the hazard this would cause if in an accident and the airbags went off. I would be worried shrapnel would be everywhere. I am not sure there is a decent option to fix this as there are inferior replacement parts or factory parts that may or may not have these underlying issues resolved.

- Joe A., Friant, CA, US

problem #2

Jul 012008

Ram 2500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 207,642 miles

click to see larger images

cracked dashboard cracked dashboard

I think Dodge should replace every dash in every truck that has this issue. Some how I missed this so called recall for the dash replacement, I think I should still have the chance to get it replaced.

- jjtruckservice, Gallup, NM, US

problem #1

Aug 102008

Ram 2500 Laredo 5.9L Cummins Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

One crack appeared from windshield back toward passenger, then another over time and another even later.. Look horrible !

I've seen aftermarket replacements advertised with small plastic clips that go at screw points below windshield, clips are said to prevent cracking from screw points.........

Just cost allot of money and I'm pissed it's a Chrysler part material failure and they won't own up to it no matter how many vehicles it happens to.

This makes me feel like I should buy Chevy or GMC trucks next......

- Gregory W., Prospect, CT, US