There really isn't any need to rant and rave over this situation. I contacted Chrysler/Dodge direct and they advised me that if and when I have the dash replaced by an authorized dealership, they would reimburse me a percentage of the cost. They didn't offer any idea how much that would be.

Here is the real important issue: My dash, and the hundreds other dashes like it, represent a real safety issue in the fact that if there is ever a front end impact sufficient enough to deploy the air bags, they will EXPLODE and fill the cab of the truck with flying shrapnel causing untold injuries or worse. THIS DASH SITUATION NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND CORRECTED.

The way to get this investigated starts with the Federal Government and the AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE. 1-800-424-9393.

I called them and filed my complaint about my dashboard. While I was on the phone I asked if they could tell me how many other complaints there were like mine. They did and to my shock and awe there was only ONE!!!!!!!!!!, ONE!!!!!!!!! out of the thousands that appear on this web site.

Fellow compaintants.....call the above number, make your complaint OFFICIAL. When they get enough they will start an investigation. If they find enough cause they will order the company to investigate and this will eventually lead to Chrysler/Dodge doing something about these dashboards.

FEDERAL AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE....1-800-424-9393

Update from Jan 22, 2012: When it got that bad (early 2011) I checked on a new dash through my service mechanic. The cost, installed, was almost $800.00. This was an OEM dash.

So, I checked on after-market dashes and all I can find are caps and covers/pads. Salvage yards don't have any because the dashes they get are also cracked.

Now, I suppose the dash could be tolerated except for one "small" detail!!!!!!!!!

I need to have my A/C worked on and the repairs require the dash to be removed. Well, that ain't gonna happen 'cause if the dash comes out, it don't go back except with duct tape. The problem with the A/C is the diverter system is broken and less than 25% of the cold air gets to the passenger vents. What's wrong with that you ask ??????

Well, I'll tell you. My wife uses a $1.00 battery operated fan with little rubber blades(2) to keep cool when we go out. Any idea what summers are like in Florida?????

I understand law firms visit this site and read the complaints. Well, Morgan and Morgan, "FOR THE PEOPLE" , here's something to sink your teeth in.

I bought my Dodge brand new and I thought that this was the one. I went out the other day to get in my truck and noticed several cracks in my dashboard. They were small and I thought it must come from the age of the truck. When I went out to my truck today, I had noticed a hole in the dash the size of a softball and I was not very happy when I seen this. I will get a hold of the dealership where I purchased it and find out what can be done about this. After reading the complaints about this I think that Chrysler knew of this problem and they should fix it free of charge to the loyal customers that have stuck by them time after time.

Update from May 18, 2011: Just got off the phone with a gentleman from Dodge, and he told me that this was the first that anyone has complained about this issue. I told him to go online and see how many people like us that are really having this problem. I was told that "if" there ever was a recall, Chrysler would issue a refund for anyone who paid to have there dashboard replaced. I told him that I thought that this should not be our problem to pay for this and that it is a severe safety issue that should be looked at carefully.

The dash in my Dodge is a real POS. At first I just thought it was because of high temps being in a black truck and all. The crack started out very small and put a cover on it thinking that would salvage the problem, but the crack only kept getting bigger and bigger. Putting the cover on also made thing worse since it hid the dash and allowed new cracks to form out of sight. Now there are numerous cracks and one huge hole on the dash.

When I contacted Dodge they told me that I could buy a new dash for $800 plus labor to install it. To me it was not worth the money. The fragments from the dash are a real hazard and it is also causing problems with the defrosting system, not to mention the rattles and creaks it makes from the pieces rubbing together. I am not even sure that the airbag would deploy the dash is so badly damaged now.

my husband contacted dodge customer assistance and explained that our dash had cracked, then slowly spread and now has huge holes where large pieces of the dash have fallen out. they said that they had no complaints of this problem anywhere. so, we started a case# on this. i don't know how many have been started but here is ours. you can call dodge customer assistance at 1-800-423-6343 or 1-866-726-4636 and reference case #19862047 and make your complaint as well. maybe if enough of us call, they will indeed start a recall. it's going to cost around $800.00 to have the dash replaced. a dash cap or cover is not going to help this one.

This is another complaint of what should be a class action lawsuit against Chrysler. My 2000 Dodge 2500 dashboard has shattered and completely fallen in. The pieces range in size from softball to slivers. I have covered the gaping hole with a rubber floormat. The lack of a dashboard has exposed wiring to the elements, negated the airflow to the defroster and dash vents, and created a shrapnel hazard in the event of a crash or air bag deployment. There is not enough structure left for installation of a glue over dash cap and will require the ENTIRE dash to be replaced; which requires removal of the windsheld to access bolt heads.

THIS FAULT IS A SAFEY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATLY WITH A FULL RECALL FOR ALL MODELS AND YEARS, IRRESPECTIVE OF MILEAGE, AS MILEAGE DOES NOT AFFECT THE DASHBOARD. My dash cracked and disintegrated over the course of 2 months from one or two multi-inch cracks to complete shatter and failure. I have discovered literally thousands of similar complaints through internet research. I would gladly discuss initiating or participating in a class-action suit to get this issue resolved. I am told by the dealers that they WILL NOT repair the dash other than at my expense ($700+ dollars.)

The dash has been cracked since we bought the truck but has just continued to get worse. It is not due to sun!!! The dash is a piece of S%*#! We have just lived with it but now we have to replace the heater core and will have to get a new dash 'cause there will be no saving this one. It will cost close to $500 to purchase replacement dash! The heater core is around $50...haven't attempted to change heater core yet. The dash in out 1994 Dodge Ram 1500 is also cracked (we're the original owners of that one)