This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving on the railroad track at 10 mph, the dashboard shattered. The air bags and the wires were not exposed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 208,437.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. After restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate as normal. The contact also indicated that the headlights would intermittently dim and the rear passenger side tail light failed causing the bulb to be replaced. In addition, the contact indicated that when applying the brakes, the vehicle would sometimes jerk forward and a section of the dashboard would detach and fall to the floor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 168,859.
The whole dashboard is practically gone due to the cracks and Dodge not willing to replace it with me paying for it. Said it's not a safety issue. Even though while driving it is falling apart and rolling around the truck, (dashboard, seats and floor) also being I can see all of the wires under neath and all of it's inners'. that could possible cause a fire. I currently have the VIN number taped to he windshield so it doesn't fall off as well.
The dash in this truck has broken to pieces. This is not an issue of sun exposure or climate--it is simply defective materials. Now when the truck is driven with the window(s) open sharp pieces of dash plastic fly up hitting the driver and passenger in the face. Additionally the electronics for the passenger air bag is now exposed to sun and possible moisture.
- Larkspur, CO, USA
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Dash is totally falling apart. I was concerned that passenger airbag would not work. I am having dash replaced now for about $1400 and I think this should be a recall as I have never seen any other car or truck do this. There is something defective about this plastic. This is not sun damage.
Dash board has cracked and falling apart. The other day I caught my hand on a piece that has curled up with a sharp corner while retrieving my sunglasses I took off to pump gas.
The dashboard has came all apart. From 1998 to 2004 this has been a night mare for owners. I will not buy another Dodge for safety reasons people could be struck while driving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The dashboard was cracking (like every other Dodge) and a piece had fallen down and some how grabbed two wires and caused them to touch. Lucky for me it smoked before it went up in flames. My girlfriend hurried up and ripped the wires apart. Please fix this Dodge! yes my truck is old but this is been a known problem since it was new.
My dash has a hole around foot long and more then 6inch wide do to the sun drying out its very then and cheap plastic the cup holders are broke to I have had older cars and truck were the dash cracks but I've never had one with a hole in it and my dash keeps cracking and falling a part im happy with my truck but fill Dodge needs fix these problems I plan to drive my truck for many more years to come and would like to see these problems solved and not at the owners expense.
Dash crumbling and falling apart, big chunks just break away when you hit a bump or just touch the dash exposing wires, air ducts and heater core, I've had pieces fly out of air ducts while ac is on, hitting me in the face, I would hate to imagine what would happen if I'm involved in a wreck and an air bag deploy with shards of sharp plastic flying at my face or body, it would be like knives flying at you and stabbing or cutting you severely. This prob started not long after purchasing the truck used, after about 70,000-75,000 miles this problem started, I believe Dodge should at least pay for a new dash made with better plastic, I've heard of and know other people with Dodge that have the same problem, I've been told but don't know how true it is but supposedly Dodge was using defective plastic in the dashes from I think 97 through 05.
Dash is cracked and it poses a threat of injury either in a minor accident. Due to its extent of damage it continues it could affect the proper deployment of the airbag. It could so cause the airbag to become a weapon. In some cases the plastic parts that fall loose from the dash as the dash continues to deteriorate end up in the vent systems and can blow out when the fan is turned on. I wish you would investigate as Dodge won't admit it is a defect. When they do install a replacement dash it is also defective and the cycle repeats. Dodge needs to help the thousands who are affected by this problem.
I noticed a slight line in the dash sometime in 2009, next to the windshield and about 5 or 6 inches from the passenger door. I thought that it was a surface scratch. Later on, it got longer and longer, becoming noticeable as a crack, until now it is all the way across the dash and to the glove compartment, coming at an angle towards the middle of the truck. About a year after I noticed that the crack had gotten longer, perhaps 1/2 way across the dashboard, I was hit in the back end by another vehicle. About 7 months after that, the crack elongated to it's full length across the dash from the windshield to the glove compartment. I am worried that the dash will fall in.
Dashboard falling apart. Looks like a jigsaw puzzle. Have done a search online to find out this is a problem that continues from year 1998 through 2010. Dodge refuses to acknowledge there is a problem. However, I feel the dash having jagged edges pointing at you would be a safety hazard.
The dashboard on my truck has broken into many pieces. These pieces have fallen into the passenger side airbag. If these pieces were to be expelled in the event of an airbag deployment, severe injury could result from flying shrapnel. This problem is very prevalent in Dodge Ram trucks. Something must be done. Owners should not be required to pay an average of $750 to repair an obvious defect in materials. I personally know 4 people in my town with the exact problem. There are hundreds of complaints that owners have posted online. This dangerous condition must be remediated.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Renick, MO, USA