2000 Dodge RAM 1500: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jan 1, 2015 · Body · 215,864 miles · FL · 2 injuries

Shortly after we purchased the vehicle back in 2000 the dashboard started to crack. Throughout the years the plastic dash has become more brittle and the broken pieces have the strength and texture of peanut brittle but are rather sharp. We would find pieces all over the cab of the truck and if you dropped something down in the dash and tried to retrieve it, you would often come in contact with the sharp edges of the plastic that was still attached to the rest of the dash assembly. Here recently the inner-frame that is also made of the same faulty plastic which holds the radio, temperature controls, headlight switch, airbag control switch, instrument panel, etc has also started to crack and the components are beginning to detach from the rest of the dash assembly. The main concern that we have recently noticed is how the passenger air-bag cover snaps onto the cracking dashboard plastic, if the air-bag were to deploy sharp plastic shards would be sent towards the passenger with the airbag. We have filed multiple complaints with our local dodge dealer and the dodge corporation directly and they simply tell us the vehicle is out of warranty and there is nothing they can do and offer for us to pay for the dashboard to be replaced. We should not have to pay for the mistake of the company due to them using defective plastic to mold the dashboard assembly.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Body, Electrical · 90,000 miles · GA

My dash is cracked and broken. This has caused issues with my wiring as my speakers have stopped working. I am worried that this may lead to safety issues with life safety systems including air bags, headlights, turn signals, etc.

Filed Aug 15, 2009 · Lights · AZ

Defective headlight lenses.

Filed Dec 9, 2008 · Body · 120,000 miles · OH

Dash is cracking on my 2000 dodge truck 1500 ,would like my dash replaced don't want a hole in my dash causing headlight to go out this could be a safety issue.

Filed Nov 23, 2008 · Body · IN

Dashboard cracking and falling in. In approximately late 2006, my dashboard developed minor cracks. Soon the cracks got larger until pieces started falling into the dash cavity. I went to my dodge dealer with the concern about a recall, but there were no recalls for this symptom. Dodge said it would pay 1/2 of the repair, a total of about $2,000 of which I would have to pay about $1,000. I could not afford this at the time. Since then, the dash has continued to crumble apart. Now, the air conditioner unit has a hole in the evaporator core. To repair this, the dash would have to be removed. You can imagine, the dash would be removed in pieces. I believe the crumbling dash has caused the hole in the evaporator core. Dodge should replace the dash and replace the evaporator core too. What's next? The heater core, electrical components, headlights on a dark back road somewhere? Dodge needs to take care of it's customers.

Filed May 21, 2008 · Engine, Lights · 400 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 dodge ram 1500. After putting 400 miles on the vehicle, it began overheating while driving uphill at an unknown speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the transmission cap. When the windows were rolled down, they would not go back up. In addition, the headlights would dim when the windows were rolled up and down. While driving between 5-10 MPH uphill, the exhaust system fell off the vehicle. The bolts were not properly tightened. The cd changer had to be replaced after failing twice. There was also a grinding noise in the transmission when the shifter was placed into gear, and there was a hesitation when placing the gear into reverse or drive. The transmission has been rebuilt, but the vehicle is still grinding and hesitating when placed into gear, drive, or reverse. On may 22, 2008, the vehicle will be taken to the dealer for the driveshaft to be replaced in hopes that the grinding will cease. The current mileage was 73,500 and failure mileage was 400.

Filed Jan 8, 2008 · Lights · 113,000 miles · FL

The headlights on my truck are completely 'blind'. The glass has become so unclear that during darkness not enough light is given up, driving in darkness has become unsafe. At this point I am supporting it by turning the fog lights on. I will be forced to replace the head lights to continue to be safe. This does not seem to be isolated to my truck as I am noticing similar discolorations of the head lights on other trucks of same dodge model and year.

Filed Oct 22, 2007 · Body, Lights · WI

The dashboard started cracking about 3 months ago and is in very poor condition right now. The headlights also will occasionally turn off when I turn the bright on and I have to flash the bright a couple of times to get them to turn on.

Filed May 3, 2007 · Electrical · FL

Dashboard is collapsing. Experiencing multiple electrical failures: the radio, high beam indicator,speakers and side mirrors are not working.

Filed May 3, 2007 · 103,000 miles · FL

I have a 2000 dodge ram 1500 pickup and it developed a long crack in the dash. According to a local news station in orlando (local6) this seems to be a common problem with these years, make and model. This is developing into a safety hazard as the pieces will get loose in case of an accident but also the dash holds the passenger airbag. Other people claim electrical failures also (dash lights, brake lights and head lights) in conjunction with a caving-in dash that make me scared driving this car.

Filed May 24, 2004 · Lights · 53,000 miles · NH

When the vehicle is in tilt position steering wheel is eye leveled and headlights shut off. The only position in which the headlights will work is when the steering wheel is all the way up.

Filed Sep 11, 2003 · Transmission · 114,292 miles · CT

Transmissionwould not work at one point heard a loud bang and transmission started working again about a month later transmission started to screech and lock up causing rear wheels to lock up. Headlight switch defective or a short in the wiring have to beat on dash for lights to come on. Also A/C fan clutch locked up. Built ram tough is a bunch of crap.