My father bought this truck new in 2001, and I bought it from him in 2008. About 20000 miles on the unit when I bought it. In 2008, the dash started cracking and became very brittle, pieces began to break out and has continued to crack and break. It is now 2014, about 32000 miles on this unit, and I am going to have to replace the dashboard with an aftermarket product. Based on the number of complaints from other owners, I would believe that the materials used in the original dash were below acceptable quality. No front end zerk fittings for steering components- cheap design and construction. I had to have new front end assemblies with zerk fittings, at a cost of about $1400.00. (because chrysler/dodge went cheap in construction.) my last dodge vehicle, I think I can do better.
2001 Dodge RAM 1500 body complaints
Page 3 of 19: complaints 41 to 70 of 548, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving down the road when my hood came unlatched and folded up onto my windshield breaking the hood springs.
I purchased the 2001 dodge ram new and it has been garage kept and has less than 70,000 miles. I was driving across a railroad crossing at the speed limit of 30 MPH. This crossing is not rough. For lack of a better term the dash exploded. Pieces of the dash hit me in the face and pieces were all over the front seat. The dash is essentially gone now exposing the airbag module, electronics and sharp metals that should be 'under the dash'. This is dangerous and someone is going to get hurt, either from the dash failure causing them to loose control when it fails, the pieces causing a fire or because the sharp areas are exposed that could cause additional injuries in a crash.
Dash cracked above airbag which could cause sharp plastic to impale passenger if airbag deploys.
Since dec of 2004 I have had my transmission replaced 3 times on this vehicle, the last time I was on a highway when it "blew" and was told by several ppl that I was very "lucky" it didn't catch fire, l know of many others who have owned these trucks and have had similar transmission problems!! I also have had my spare tire cable break while the truck was on a roadway, and my spare tire when rolling down the road behind me, by the grace of god...no cars were coming, in addition, I have a severely cracked dash, I am having to have the heater core replaced...smoke coming out of the vents...when the core is replaced, the dash will have to be replaced also, due to the condition of the dash!! Dodge needs to do something about these vehicles!
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the trailer hitch fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
I had a cover on my dashboard and took it off to clean under it a few years ago. I noticed cracks all over the top of the dash. After a year or so I looked under the cover again & noticed there were big open spots where the dash actually was falling apart. I pulled pieces out that were large in size & now have holes in the dash exposing wiring and duct work and there are cracks that are now extending to the face of the dash. I had a chip on my window & had it replaced. When the window tech came to replace the window I told him about it so he didn't lean on it & get hurt. He said this was a common problem with this year dodge trucks. I found this website & was reviewing all the complaints & can't believe there isn't a recall for this issue with all these complaints.
Tl -the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard fractured and the heating wiring system was replaced due to the dashboards fractured pieces penetration. The manufacturer advised the contact to keep the air bag in the off position. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 102,000 and the current mileage was 107,000. Rk
Vehicle's dash board is cracking, presumably due to sunlight and possibly lack of uv inhibitors in the plastic. There are several cracks and open holes above the instrument cluster. This causes a hazard because various wiring and electronic components, including airbag systems, are located under the dash panel. Sunlight could cause harm to the wiring and inadvertent spills by occupants could compromise the various systems contained in the dashboard.
Removed my front dash mat to clean my truck and I found the dash is cracked in multiply spots. I have looked online and found that this is a constant problem with many other dodge owner. Some even stated that the small pieces could break off and damage wiring on the inside of the dash and cause a fire. *ln
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated the dashboard was cracked and detaching from the vehicle. The vehicle had not been taken to an dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The VIN was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The dashboard has been cracking for over 2 years. Large pieces are breaking off and falling into the dash area where there are many electrical wires and vacuum hoses. The pieces that are breaking off are large and have sharp edges that may cut into the wires and hoses and may start fires or electrical failures/shorts. I researched and found out this is a common failure in this vehicle year due to manufacturing. Sometimes as I'm driving, the broken pieces pop out towards passengers in the vehicle. I'm also concerned that a short may deploy the airbags.
The dashboard on my truck started with massive cracking and has now fully collapsed. Online research shows that many have experienced the same problem with the same make and year of the vehicle. I've called dodge and they claim that since there is no official recall, and the truck is no longer under warranty, there is nothing they can do. I do not believe that an entire collapse of the dashboard is normal and is a manufacturer's defect. This, of course, can then exposes the instruments and wires underneath to the extreme heat which has additional safety concerns.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the dash board was detaching from the vehicle in large pieces. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Dashboard has cracked and broken off in sections.
The dash panel directly under the windshield is completely disintegrated away within a month. A small crack developed, and within a month the dash panel was completely gone. Now there is exposed components to the elements.
The dash on my 2001 dodge 1500, began to crack a few years ago for no apparent reason. Now, there are several long cracks and large sections of the dash are rattling. I am having intermittent electrical problems with the instrument panel. Frequently, none of the dash displays work, including speedometer, odometer and the fuel gauge. This is a very dangerous problem. I am very concerned that part of the dash is going to fall in or fall off while I am driving or an electrical problem will occur while driving. On-line searches have revealed that many people have already reported this problem and the safety concerns that they have.
Cracks appeared in the dashboard for no obvious reason. Within a matter of months large chunks began falling out of the dash. The bezel also cracked. Lack of dash exposes some electrical components underneath. Whether this has caused damage to these components including the airbag is unknown at this time.
I am an owner of a 2001 dodge 1500 truck that was in perfect condition up until 2 days ago, that was when my dashboard caved in. I took my truck to my mechanic for a summer tune-up. I live in arizona and when those triple digits start rolling in you want to be sure your AC is blowing cold and mine seem to be having some airflow problems. When my mechanic got through inspecting the truck he discovered that my dashboard was slowly "caving in" causing some electrical problems. He decided to take the dash off to get a better look and when he took the screws out the whole dashboard just broke into many pieces. I am very concerned because that dash has many electrical components behind it which could potentially cause some major problems. I am also in favor of a recall, because the dashboard inspector must of been on vacation in 2001 when they let this truck leave the factory with issues like that. Recall that dash!!!
Both parts of my dash boards are cracked, after all this time I now have no dash at all and now im having electrical issues. Dodge wont help, I know of 2 people whom got their dash replaced for $100 and when I go they tell me first $1500 then $600 im the original owner . Please help. Dodge wont! Also my son cut his wrist on the jagged piece on what's left of a hollow dash im willing to pay the $100 deductible but after all this time I feel dodge should step up to the plate and replace for free. Thank you
Dash had began to crack and cracks have progressed to point of they reach the trim bezel. Initially dealer said to just wait they felt dodge would recall because it was very common problem. They didn't advise to replace because it would just happen with new one as well. But nothing was ever done and after contacting dodge customer assistance I was told because of age of truck and mileage now (60,000) nothing could be done. My concerns are if involved in an accident the dash could just crumble and send sharp pieces flying throughout interior. As well as interior of dash being exposed and causing operational issues while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the entire dashboard exhibited several cracks. The driver's side of the dashboard had partially caved in and separated from the mounting. The contact had not been involved in a crash .the manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
The dash is falling apart it is hard to get the warm air onto the windshield to defog or melt snow and see clear.
I have a 2001 dodge ram purchased used in 2006. It had 1 or 2 small cracks in the dash at the time of purchase. I wasn't too concerned about them, but then within a year or 2 the cracks multiplied. I then began to have issues with large pieces of the dash completely breaking and falling out. I now have multiple giant holes in the dash. I didn't realize this was an actual issue with other dodge rams until I searched out to replace it. I have discovered that 1000's of people are having the same issue, far from being labeled "isolated". This issue should have been handled via a recall years ago.
Pulled out of parking lot hood flew open cracked windshield bent hinges and hood , barely got shut , afraid to open again , had it checked out by my mechanic and he said that these latches are recalled and fail all the time.
My 2001 dodge ram 1500 has had the dashboard disintegrating since 30,000 miles as I was informed by the previous owner. It only had cracks but since I have owned it the dash has literally disintegrated with sharp objects flying about the cab when windows are down. My research suggest that chrysler used inferior products as a cost reduction, did not acquire the proper manufacturing temperatures which results in cracking, and the dash is inadequately mounted causing flexing. This is a very dangerous situation.........and not a cosmetic issue as dodge has hidden behind!! When the dash breaks, sharp objects are in flight throughout the cab. When it breaks near the air bags, I believe they will deploy themselves and that alone is a serious event while driving in traffic! Dodge has a history all the way back to my first purchase of a brand new 1973 dodge ram, ignoring warranty and making excuses of why things aren't their fault! It's high time this company assumes it's responsibility especially after tax payers bailed them out!!!! I have fought many battles with this company concerning warranty issues as well where a brand new 1976 dodge ram I purchased spun the races in the rears as a result of defective manufacturing!!! The time for making excuses is old, it's time for action and assuming responsibility for an inferior product!!!
I want to complain about the dash cracking and falling completely apart. I have sharp pieces sticking out everywhere and if I hit something and the air bags came out they would pop. You can see in my engine. I'm also scared if some pieces fell into my engine it could tear up something. Mostly worried about mine and my passengers safety. Why was this not on a recall list? I have read that it is a defect for this year dodge.
We purchased our new ram truck feb 23rd, 2001 & have kept it garaged when not in use, serviced as required by dodge, washed & waxed as needed & used the best vinyl protectant available on the interior to keep our truck looking new. Suddenly a crack appeared on the passenger side of the dash that makes a very distracting rubbing crunching noise when the vehicle is in motion. We feel dodge is aware of using inferior materials in the dash of ours and others trucks & that a recall should be made to correct this defect. This is such an awful, ugly defect that it lessens the selling & trade in value of these vehicles & the owners should not have to take this hit due to the decision of dodge to use inferior materials in the manufature of these trucks.
Dashboard has cracked in multiple places and has large holes as well.
I bought my truck brand new in daytona beach, fl in 2001. About 2 years ago the dashboard started cracking and proceeded to get worse. When I was driving monday, 11/26/2012 part of the dash fell out and now there is a big hole in my dashboard! I have been looking for a replacement but found nothing I can afford.
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