7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$530
Average Mileage:
97,000 miles
Total Complaints:
184 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace dashboard (88 reports)
  2. not sure (49 reports)
  3. replace dash (14 reports)
  4. complain, complain, complain at dealer (12 reports)
  5. cover with a dashboard cover (12 reports)
  6. get a dashboard from online for 260 + shipping then diy (5 reports)
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 5 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #104

Jun 152009

Ram 2500 HD 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I AM A RETIRED CHRYSLER EMP. (35 YEARS) RETIRED 07/90 DURING THOSE YEARS I WAS PROUD OWNER OF MANY CHRYSLER VEHICLES, CARS & TRUCKS

ONLY HAD ONE BIG PROBLEM THAT WAS ON 1984 TRUCK HAD LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM FORWARD TO REV. COMPLAINED TO DEALER, THEY CHECKED TRAIN. and DRIVE SHAFT THEY WERE ALL IN OK. STILL VERY LOUD WHEN SHIFTING DEALER CALL CORP. THEY SENT A MAN FROM CORP. TO CHECK, HE FOUND EVER THING OK .

STILL HAD NOISE. I FOUND THE PRO. TO COST RED. LEFT OUT CARD BROAD TUBE IN DRIVE SHAFT.

PRESENT PRB. CRACKED DASH I HAVE GONE TO 2 DEALERS THEY SAY CORP. WILL NOT FIX NOT SAFETY PRO. CALL CORP.

CALLED CORP. VERY RUDE EMPLOYEE SAID NEVER HEAD ANY THING ABOUT IT.

- jerryin, Franklin, IN, US

problem #103

May 302008

Ram 2500 SLT Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

My dash cracked in 5 places on or about 5/08 . I had a dash cover installed to hide problem. The pieces of air vent fell into the duct system keeping the doors from operate properly for air conditioner and heater. Took off dash cover, took out dash, took out doors and replaced them. Reinstalled dash, a new dash cover and more air conditioner grill parts fall into duct work blocking air/heater operation. This is a bunch of bull sh*t. The middle of summer and the dam thing won't work. A class action lawsuit should be levied against Dodge. This is a big issue. I looked into replacing the entire dash but was told the problem would occur in about 5 years and that's the reason I thought I was taking the better path by not replacing dash. I was told they were still made in Taiwan and there was no solution. Before I actually had the work done I looked for a recall possibility and there was none.

My truck was purchased new October 2002, has 135000 miles on it and is absolutely mint condition except for the problem Of the dashboard.

- hamblett, Whitehouse, TX, US

problem #102

Dec 052009

Ram 2500 SLT 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,029 miles

I got my 03 truck used in 09 with under 50,000 miles on it and the dash was cracked already at that time.

I bought a dash cover to hide the cracks and when I go to clean the dash i have to be very careful not to push to hard or it cracks more or breaks.

- rickynsissie, Sandy Valley, NV, US

problem #101

Mar 122009

Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 3.7L Lt Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I KNOW MANY DODGE OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM-----DODGE DEALER WANTED 1000$ TO FIX-----SEEMS EXPENSIVE FOR A PIECE OF PLASTIC----THE PLASTIC IS APPROX.5MM THICK IS REAL BRITTLE-CHUNKS THAT BREAK OFF ARE LIKE GLASS------E J

- ejacobs, Kerrville, TEX, US

problem #100

Jul 032009

Ram 2500 Heavy Duty

  • Manual transmission
  • 27,000 miles

TALK ABOUT SAFTEY, DASH FALLING APART PLASTIC BITS ALLOVER THE DAMN PLACE. FOAM FLYING IN MY EYES BREATHING THE STUFF IN, CAB IS FULL OF BITS OF FOAM DONT EVEN WANT TO TURN ON THE A/C BECAUSE ITS LITERALLY AN EYE SORE.

- Benedict L., HILO, HI, US

problem #99

Mar 182013

Ram 2500 SLT 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,950 miles

I took my Dodge Ram 2500 to the dealership for a coolant leak. After inspection, they told me the problem was my heater core is shot. They removed dash and replaced heater core. EVAC and recharge AC system, rechecked for leaks-OK verified operation-OK Road tested after all work was done-OK When removing the top dash cover it did crack due to being brittle. Service manager told me about it and said it would cost another $80 - $125 to fix and I told them they've had the car all weekend and couldn't afford to be without it because it is my only transportation to go to work.

Noticed this email from you and thought I would give it a try and see if I can get this taken care of without any charge to me. I don't like the fact that they weren't careful in removing the dashboard and I feel it should be their responsibility to stand behind their work.

- dodgeboy57, Clovis, CA, US

problem #98

Oct 012007

Ram 2500 Laramie Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is a known issue and a safety concern for me. Several of the cracks that have developed have become so severe that the individual pieces of dash are now flying around the truck during heavy braking. God forbid we should ever be in an accident. When we explored our options for getting a used replacement dash, we were told that none exist that aren't already severely cracked. Other than the cosmetic issues, I really love my 2003 RAM and would have bought another if the company would have made this right. Instead, I am now the proud owner of a Brand new 2013 F-350 Diesel to the tune of over 60K. I will never buy another Dodge because of their horrible attitude toward their faults.

- Tony O., Lemoore, CA, US

problem #97

Aug 012008

Ram 2500 SLT 5.9L Disel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

The truck is 9 years old and has had a cracking dashboard for over 4 years now. The problem is, while going down the highway at a high rate of speed, the grill over one of the defrosters blew apart and hit me on the check and jaw. A couple of more inches higher and it could have been more serious. Don't know if I should remove the other ones and let debris fall into the ducts or leave it.

- John R., San Angelo, TX, US

problem #96

Oct 232008

Ram 2500 Laramie 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY TRUCK UNTIL I STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR A DASH REPLACEMENT.

ONE LINK LED ME TO A YOUTUBE VIDEO OF A NEWSCAST IN FLORIDA DESCRIBING MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

IT SEEMS THAT IT'S A PROBLEM CHRYSLER HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS AND HAS NEVER OFFERED TO FIX. I'D LIKE CHRYSLER TO REPLACE MY DASH.

I JUST INVESTED $4000 AND REBUILT THE ENGINE AFTER 185,000 MILES AND EXPECT TO DRIVE IT FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS IF THE DASH DOESN'T COMPLETELY COLLAPSE.

- Hugh N., Willis, TX, US

problem #95

Aug 102010

Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,500 miles

I reported the problem to Dodge but they will not acknowledge there is a problem. Pieces fall onto the components under the dash & have caused problems with the vent system. To stop pieces flying into my face I have applied Duct Tape & purchased a cover from Auto Zone to hide the ugliness. Dodge wants me to bring the vehicle to an authorized Dodge dealer to have the dash replaced AT MY EXPENSE.!!! I suspect the OEM replacement dash will have the same problem of cracking.

I have never had a problem such as this in any of the many cars & trucks I have owned.

- dino84ac, Fort Davis, TX, US

problem #94

Sep 012010

Ram 2500 Heavy Duty V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I called the Dealer to tell them my 2003 Dodge ram 2500 dash had several cracks in it. He said he had never heard of any problems. I get it that the vehicle is now ten years old but Dodge also got over $40,000 for the darn thing. It should hold up better then that. I have taken great care of the vehicle. If it gets scraped or scratched in the parking lot I fix it. I don't want something that does not work nor do I want something that looks like crap. If the problem is as bad as it seems to be as indicated on the internet, I can't see why enough people can't put enough pressure on Dodge to make it right? Unless something changes, this will be my last Dodge.

- dorothydodge, Chestertown, MD, US

problem #93

May 192006

Ram 2500 HD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Every time I get in my truck I find a new crack what a joke.

- dissel, Cecilia, KY, US

problem #92

May 012010

Ram 2500 Lareame Decel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

For such a high quality $50,000.00 truck, the construction/materials used for the dashboard is most definately inferior to the competitors (i.e. Chevy, Ford, Toyota). The light weight plastic cracks and creates sharp edges that are a safety hazard. Talking to other Dodge Ram owners I found that this is a common/dangerous situation, yet there is no recall, why? I want to know what Dodge is going to start doing about this for those of us affected with earlier 2000 model trucks.

- Bret L., Santa Rosa, CA, US

problem #91

Sep 282012

Ram 2500 SLT Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,600 miles

Dodge made a cheap plastic for their dashes and now the problem shows up after warranty is gone. They need to remedy this since it is happening to lots of dodge trucks. NO truck has been babied more then mine and it has been washed and waxed and polished inside and out regularly. It still looks like new after 9 years, and now it will look like a junker inside because of the Dash.. I will not buy another Dodge if this is not corrected by the Factory who took my almost $50,000 dollars.

- stougard, Pleasant Hill, IA, US

problem #90

May 022012

Ram 2500 SLT V10

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

This is a pain in the rear they always blame the owners or the age of the truck. It's just plastic and most likely made in china.

- cleal6, League City, TX, US

problem #89

May 092010

Ram 2500 5.9L Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Same problem as many many other Dodge Ram owners, huge cracks in the dashboard. After reading about all the other complaints and lack of any help from the dealers I haven't even wasted my time complaining. I will probably just buy a dashboard cover and speak with my wallet by never buying a Dodge product again! They also hosed me with flawed fuel injectors and a flawed fuel lift pump on this same vehicle!

- wirly1, New Knoxville, OH, US

problem #88

May 012007

Ram 2500 Laramie 6 cyl. Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

I keep hoping that Dodge will address this issue with the cracks in the dash. This dash is absolutely terrible. It is embarrassing and a real danger. In a minor accident I could see this thing shattering into a lot of small sharp pieces of plastic.

- Roy K., Burbank, CA, US

problem #87

Aug 012012

Ram 2500 SLT 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

This is assinine. My truck was a "Special Order" which took 3 month's to arrive from the "Made In Mexico" build plant...I was "pissed" the first time I rolled under the truck to perform it's first oil change. These vehicle's come by boat and the salt water intrusion becomes quite evident when you look at the chassis component's.

The vehicle is garage kept, no hit's no ding's. Well, maintained. As of now it has 47K on the speedo.

While taking my lab to the vet. The entire plastic dash.."Blow's Apart". The plastic shard's on the passenger side cut my dog just above her left eye. Thank goodness it did not enter her eye and she was lucky as we were 2 miles from the vet's office!

Dodge knows this dash problem exists. It's been a problem on every Ram Tough truck since 1998. "3" stitches later, my riding buddy is fixed up .Now, I am really pissed as my lab who always begged to ride, now won't get near "Her Truck"...

Now, you have to figure.. What if your wife was sitting in the passenger seat? This is nonsense. You spend 30-40K on these vehicles and they "Jam It In Your Ass" with all these inferior plastic part's and then want to assume no liability..

This is total "Horse Hockey"

- beaumont jr., Callahan, FL, US

problem #86

Sep 092009

Ram 2500 SL 5.9L Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,349 miles

I had noticed a couple small cracks in the dashboard vent screens and speaker faces before I took my truck to the dealer, where I had purchased the truck new. (It was a demo with 4900 miles), with an AC problem. When I got the truck back, there were a few more larger cracks in my dashboard. Since then, it has continued to crack. There are now 3 cracks going from front to rear in both pieces of the dashboard. The dashboard is now in 6 pieces and is probably going to fly out of position at any time. I reported this to my dealer with the same results everyone else has gotten.

I have always been a Ford man, but let my son talk me into a Dodge Ram because of the Cummins engine and I have been very happy with the performance of the truck. I can't say I'm going to stick with the Dodge because I also like my truck to look good. I feel really bad when someone is in my truck and I have to tell them "Don't touch the dash, you may cut yourself." By the way, my son has had 3 Dodge trucks since telling me how good they were and he says he'll never buy another one.

- Charles W., Liberty Hill, TX, US

problem #85

Jul 042007

Ram 2500 Not A Trim Level 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

This is the 3rd Dodge truck I've had and all of them has had this problem.

When I noticed that other brand name trucks like Ford and Chevy didn't have this problem I started looking for different models but decided to keep my Dodge because now it is paid for. I will never buy another Dodge due to this problem and other mechanical issues.

- Glenn G., Harris, TX, US

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