7.7
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $530
- Average Mileage:
- 97,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 184 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace dashboard (88 reports)
- not sure (49 reports)
- replace dash (14 reports)
- complain, complain, complain at dealer (12 reports)
- cover with a dashboard cover (12 reports)
- get a dashboard from online for 260 + shipping then diy (5 reports)
« Read the previous 20 complaints
How do i fix this problem? Where can I get a new/used replacement dash, and I don't want one of those old lady carpet dash overlays... HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- grinch, Edmonton, KY, US
I am steaming mad about the dash situation. I keep my truck very clean and under cover most of the time. When I say most of the time, I mean that the only time my truck sits out in the sun is when I'm driving it. I noticed one day after cleaning the truck inside and out that there were some small cracks in the dash. Well after a short time they turned in to huge cracks that can be seen in the photos. I take great pride in owning my Dodge, well I did, and I get it very clean and maintained. After the dash went nuts cracking on me I called the dealer and they told me to call Dodge customer service, which I did. I talked to someone there and they told me to go to the dealer, have them look at the damage, and then to call Dodge back with my reference number. Well I got a call from Dodge and they told me that they were willing to pay 70% of the repair costs. I told the Dodge rep that if they were willing to pay 70% that they knew there was a problem and they needed to pay all of it. This is the very same crappy plastic they used in the late 2nd Gen trucks and it cracks just like those did that they are replacing at no cost to the owner of the vehicle. The rep told me that's all Dodge was willing to pay. I asked to speak to a supervisor and he replied "that won't do any good because I am the highest level person you will be able to speak to". I thought that was kinda crappy. I am censoring what I really said. I thought to myself, Dodge and the other car makers wonder why we all go buy foreign cars now. That is one of the worst customer service attitudes I have seen in a long time. If Dodge does not repair these dashes I WILL NEVER, NEVER, EVER buy another Chrysler product. I will ride a bus before I buy a Chrysler product. Ok I have ranted enough. I think you guys can sense my frustration. I hope we all can ban together and get Dodge to replace what they know is a defective and unsafe part that is in another one of their products.
- Mayo S., Clearwater, FL, US
When this happened I was totally blown off my dealership. I was told that it was from neglect. At that time the truck was being shown at car shows a minimum of once a month. I had just taken a best of show not 2 weeks prior to the first crack. I tried several more times over the next 2 years making complaints to both Dodge and my dealership, being told the entire time that it was not their fault and they were not going to do anything about it. I finally gave up until I read about the news reports that were done in Orlando in 2007. So again last year I called Dodge again hoping that they would fix the issue. I was wrong. They stopped returning my calls and emails. Then they told me that because my vehicle was over 80,000 miles there was nothing they were gonna do about it. I recently moved to TN and decided to talk to the local dealership to see if maybe JUST maybe I could get this fixed once and for all. They had me call Chrysler and they set me up to go to the dealership for an evaluation. The dealership came up with a cost of about $2,200 to fix the dash and they want me to pay half of it. I/we shouldn't have to pay anything to fix an issue with something that was defective from the start. However I have agreed to pay $500.00 and they refuse.
Update from Jun 11, 2015: I did not realize when I posted this the first time that I put 38,000 miles. It should have read 36,000 miles. It actually had 36,02x. When I went to the dealership the first time. That dealership went out of business and Chrysler has no records of any of my visits to the dealership.
- Chris W., Goodlettsville, TN, US
I JUST WANT IT FIXED. I know things happen but when tons of folks have an issue Chrysler should stand behind their product. They give this dashboard business to the lowest bidder an we suffer. If they can not make this right they will lose my wife and I as future customers.
- jcarollo, Fenton, MO, US
I love my Dodge Ram and plan on it being my last vehicle ever! However, that is if it doesn't fall apart!! Like others, my dashboard crack from windshield to radio. This is embarrassing, annoying and irritating. Like others, I was told "oh they just do that" by my dealership. Dodge big office said take it to another dealership. As extensive as the problem seems to be, I don't think its our (the owner's) problem. Does anyone know where the "complaint" status stands? Is there a chance that the company will do a recall on the defective plastic dash? How do we make this happen?
- Karen B., Cleburne, TX, US
bought the truck because of the Cummins engine; the truck has been great drive train wise, (i am getting 23-25 miles/gallon!); BUT since the second year of ownership, the dashboard has been cracking into pieces which are now starting to break off. a dashboard with a single crack are kind of the norm here in Texas, but i have have never seen a dashboard literally break up into pieces; I even keep the vehicle in a garage and have never used Armoral on it. whats to say the airbag will be exposed?
- Thomas P., Ft. Worth, TX, US
We find that this is a real problem, because it's unsightly and a resale problem.
Didn't know that this was a problem until I started looking for a replacement and found AutoBeef. Because of an electrical problem in late 2004 the dashboard had to be removed to replace the complete wiring harness.
- Kenneth A., Ft. Pierce, FL, US
As many other SUCKERS like myself have found out dodge made the dashboard with inferior products the dash on my truck has crumbled bo bits and needs to be replaced. upon contacting dodge they said its not our problem you need to fix it, I contacted dodge to find out that the dash would cost several hundred dollars and was told off the record it would be a waste of my time and money due to the fact Dodge never corrected the problem the pads are produced with the same CRAP plastic. Maybe we should all join together as dodge owners and put a class action lawsuit on them
- fdnut, West Sayville, NY, US
The jerks at my local Dodge dealership said that with proper maintenance, I could get
300 to 400 thousand miles out of this truck easily. Just after the truck goes out of warranty, my dashboard starts cracking (to date there are 5 cracks that run from the windshield towards the front seats. I asked if this was an isolated incident, the service manager said it was the first one he'd ever seen crack. I asked him to follow me to another truck similar to mine in the service line. It had worse cracks than mine and had an entire section ( approximately 1 sq. ft.) that fell though. I told him now you have seen
2 in 5 minutes.
I asked him what good is an engine and transmission lasting 400,000 miles if the rest of the truck is going to fall apart? After allegedly making a call to the factory, he said that I could put up $100.00 and the factory would foot the bill for the rest, at that time about $1,100.00. It's 2 years later and I still don't have a dashboard.
I sent a letter to the Corporate Headquarters, venting my frustration. I actually got a reply. They said to work it out with my dealer and they were sorry for the dissatisfaction I was experiencing.
I'm not ready to buy another truck, but we did buy my wife a new Buick Lucerne since and my next truck WILL NOT be a Dodge.
- Walton B., Houma, LA, US
My dashboard cracked within the year of purchase now the air conditioner vents are cracking with minimum use. Now I have at least 7 or more severe cracks. When asked if Dodge will replace under a recall they stated there is no recall. For the money I paid for this truck (which I purchased new) seems as if the problem could be corrected initially with the first complaint. Very unsatisfied with their service.
- Dar W., Atlanta, GA, US
Dashboard has 6 different cracks. that run the width of the dash. Obviously a plastics supplier did not use the correct plastic or UV additive.
Great truck otherwise
- Robert S., Nocona, TX, US
My problem is that I have owned two Dodge trucks, a 1996 and 2003. The 1996 model did not have this problem of cracked dash boards. The 2003 (with 69,000 miles) model has three cracks that are very annoying just to have. I have always taken very good of my vehicles to have this problem. I would like to know if Dodge or someone else have a recall on an item like this
- robertol, Seguin, TX, US
This is unbelievable,a grand to fix a damn piece of plastic. The worst part is the new one will more than likely crack too. Thought I was getting a decent truck, I guess I thought wrong. Last Chrysler product I'll ever buy!! I should have learned my lesson with 1989 Jeep I bought with the crap paint job. These idiots in the big three wonder why they are going under and everyone is buying a Toyota. Keep selling crap guys and don't back your products and you will go under. The gas prices did not do you in your poor excuse for a product did. . Overpriced and worthless after it's paid for, what a deal. Buddy of mine has a 2002 ram same problem same location. What happens to the passenger air bag when it deploys with this cracked dash. Sounds like a lawsuit to me. To err is human, to really screw things up become an american auto manufacturer.
- Patrick H., Hudgins, VA, US
Like everyone else, the dash is cracked, and over time it continues to get worse. Planned on keeping my truck another 3-5 years. I hate to think about what it's going to look like then.
- ehuff, League City, TX, US
Walked out to my car this evening after leaving it for about 1 hour in 89 degree weather with overcast only to find a large crack from front to back in the middle of the dash.
Update from Oct 1, 2013: Since then, I now have 120,000 miles and hardly any dashboard left. Pieces have fell down into the wiring and cut wires. I get intermittent bells and warnings. No idea on how to fix any of it.
- ginorp, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, US
Well folks here is another one. Cracked Dash before 100,000 miles.
I really don't know what to say. My baby has 115,000 on her now and with cracked dash, she looks like crap. I have never used Armor-all or any other aftermarket stuff on the dash. Yet, at 90,000 miles I noticed a small cracked around the center defroster vent. Here we are at 115,000 miles and there are 5 cracks in the front dash, and one HUGE one in the center above the radio. I am not pointing fingers, but DAMN. If you guys screwed up, just say so and make things right with your loyal customers.
- Jason G., Miles, TX, US
Dodge going to fix older dashes that are cracking but they are not going to fix a newer 2002 up. Out of warranty. An 99 and older is out of warranty.
- Peter M., Warner Robins, GA, US
I noticed this was such a big issue with Dodge (cracked dash) while I was researching removing the dash to fix a recirculating door issue with my HVAC system. It won't divert the air to the defrost and/or floor. I was also researching recharging my AC since the passenger vents are producing 15 to 25 degree less than the drivers. Anyway, my truck's dash lasted until 110K miles before cracking, but based on all the complaints I've read I will call Dodge and complain (its my 3rd Dodge in 10 years). They should recall these cheap dash boards. Mine's a 2003 2500 Cummins.
- ddahljr, Round Rock, TX, US
When one of the lights underneath my display went out, (it was the oil pressure gauge) I sent it in to the local dodge dealership to have replaced along with the other things that went out under warranty, driver side lumbar going out front bench loosening, rear seatbelt would not close properly.
Anyway, so I sent the truck in without a problem. When I got the thing back though there were 2 cracks in the dashboard, running directly under the rear view mirrior, and then another to the right where the glove box is. When I went back to the dealership to tell them they were going to fix this, the service rep had the audacity to tell me that "in order to access the display lights, we do not need to remove ANY part of the dashboard." I told him to get his manager, the manager said the same thing, when I replied back "so why did I send this in without a problem, if there was a crack in the dash I would have wanted you guys to fix it correct? Since now it is cracked and previously it wasn't your dealership should be backing up their work and replacing this." I was shortly asked to leave thereafter. I told the Manager to F off, and went online ordered a NON DODGE brand dash, this one is thicker than the other, and I did the work myself.
For those of you who don't know, filters from dodge are roughly 2~4x the price of one you can pick up from Walmart.
I will not be getting another dodge EVER.
- antwan718, Davie, FL, US
common problem with third gen. dodge trucks. not just an eye sore it could become projectiles in a crash.
- Brian R., Washington, MO, US