I bought my 2003 dodge ram 1500 new from the dealer..within the last year and half...several parts of the truck that are plastic molds have begun to break..the dash (both parts), lock switch bezels, hood scoop insert, and a few other pieces. It seems to me that the type of plastic or quality that dodge used in manufacturing these parts has LED to numerous accounts of parts breaking where in most cases the parts should hold up to the life the of vehicle. I feel like a re-call, especially on the dashboards of the ram trucks, should be issued so that dodge can correct a problem from a manufacturing defect. Thank you for you time and consideration into this matter.
2003 Dodge RAM 1500 body complaints
Page 5 of 9: complaints 101 to 130 of 237, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dashboard has multiple cracks and the A/C venthole covers have completely collapsed into the A/C unit.
Dashboard cracking and falls apart at the slightest touch. Cannot order replacement parts due to dodge closing. Chrysler advised it is not covered under warranty. Cheap dash.
Dash board cracked which has caused very sharp edges and exposes the airbag.
Very large and sharp jagged edges coming up from a very badly cracked dashboard. There needs to be a recall on 02-09 dodge ram trucks. Very dangerous to driver and passengers. Especially if that vehicle is involved in an accident.
Dash board/panel, crumbled and cracked. Literally disintegrated with vent guards falling into vents and then pieces blowing out when defroster comes on. Dealer said no warranties on dash,due it being cosmetic, offered to sell a dash cover for $200.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured and falling apart from the windshield to the front portion of the dashboard. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 111,000.
Dash started to crack slightly a couple years ago, within a few days it was all the way across the forward panel in the center. I have noticed recently that there are several other cracks that have developed in both the forward and rear portions of this dash. There are places that I can literally pull pieces out out the dash, all of the grids over the vents are so brittle that when I put my sun shield in the front window 3 of them busted out just by touching them with the shield. The condition of this dash is so bad that I fear if the passenger side airbag were to inflate it could possibly throw pieces of the dash plastic at the passenger and severely injure them. I have spoken with a parts manager at a dodge dealership and he said that there have been problems with the dash boards of models from 1999 through 2005, but he said dodge has made no effort to fix the problem.
Several months ago, I purchased a 2003 dodge ram 1500 from a local car salesman. The first few months were perfectly fine, however, that did not last for long. One day, I noticed a small crack above my steering wheel. I figured it was nothing and began cleaning the interior of my truck. However, when I started wiping down the dashboard, that crack spread at least five or six inches. By the end of the month, there were several cracks throughout my dashboard, some leaving pieces completely removable. Several the pieces have fell into my defrosting vents, leaving me to remove them. I quickly started looking online for replacement dashboards, and I noticed that several other people were having the same problems, some even becoming cut while trying to clean the interior. This poses a serious safety risk. If a person were to have a collision, that individual would most likely get cut by flying dash debris. It might even cost that individual his or her life. So I urge the federal safety agency to step in and fix this problem.
On 1/9/2012 as I was getting something out of the passenger side of the cab, I noticed a crack in the dashboard. This crack was not there the day before. It is approximately 6" long, just to the left of the glove box on the top of the dash.
Horrible cracks all over dashboard. Plastic is crumbling. Some parts are very sharp.
Dashboard cracked around speaker grill. Then another, now 5 cracks one by glove box that is sharp and has cut me twice. I understand that this is a continuing problem with dodge trucks from model years 1998-2006. Shameful!!!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle dashboard developed a fracture above the left side of the glove compartment that continued up to the windshield. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised the contact that the dashboard would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any immediate assistance and explained to the contact that once the repairs were performed, she could send the paper work in to determine eligible for reimbursement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
The grip handles and dashboard have degraded from heat and uv radiation and cracked into many sharp pieces. I cut my hand while wiping the inside of my windshield. I take blood thinners and this caused me to bleed for quite some time. I did not realize how razor sharp the edges of the broken pieces are. These would likely slice the air bag & driver/passengers faces & arms in a crash. The plastic selected by dodge is not suitable for the purpose intended and presents a hazard. An additional hazard is the exposure of wire harnesses exposed to the direct sunlight and extreme heat. Cracked insulation will lead to electrical fires & failed operator controls. The failure is most prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical climates. The plastic used by dodge needs to be reformulated, and sale of the faulty formulation halted immediately.
My 2003 dodge ram 1500's dashboard is completely shattered without and force to it. It started cracking back in 09 and is now becoming sharp edged pieces all over my car. In the case of an accident these sharp pieces could easily do some damage to a sensitive part, such as a persons eye. If this is to happen to me, or any of the other of 1000's of people with this issue, there will be lawsuits out the ass for lack of recall. There is something obviously wrong with the dashboard in these trucks, and they need to be fixed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the entire dashboard was separated from the vehicle causing the wires to shorten. As a result, the horn and exterior lighting failed intermittently. The air bag was also exposed. In addition, the vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The dealer had not been notified. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the electrical wires were compromised due to the electrical system malfunctioning since the fragments were tampering with the wires. The manufacturer was aware of the failure; however, did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 97,643 and the approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
2003 dodge ram 1500 dashboard cracked in less than 3 years of buying it new. According to dodge its cosmetic but this is clearly a safety hazard when I drive. The dash has so many cracks and sharp jagged edges than can severely hurt someone. Obviously dodge does not care about its customers once they have bought one of their vehicles. Its an obvious defect yet dodge somehow manages to get away with poor quality at the customers expense.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and causing the defroster to malfunction. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer advised that the entire dashboard needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and the manufacturer stated there was nothing they could do to assist. The contact stated that the lack of working defrosters could impair his vision and cause a crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Severe cracking of dashboard. Cracking is so bad that pieces are falling into/inside the dash. These exposed edges are extremely sharp, posing a severe laceration hazard.
The dash has a crack in it from the front to the back. The truck is like new. It only has 30,000 miles on now after eight years. Updated 10/20/11 *bf ....updated 10/26/11 *bf updated 11/08/11.
Dasboard cracking - vehicle is not even 10 yrs. Old yet. Handle inside that you would grab to help yourself in has cracked and is not safe to use. My wife almost fell out of the vehicle when this handle cracked and came loose from the inside of the truck. Dashboard cracks match exactly what I have viewed on-line while investigating other owners issues with this vehicle with same problem. Obviously a common problem with this make (dodge) of vehicle. Cannot find any info on any recall being issued. I am worried if an air bag deployed that the dash would become flying shrapnel.
If I were to be in an accident I am extremely concerned that the dash would fly apart with the air bag on impact seriously hurt someone, the dash is cracked badly and I have already seen chunks come out of my brothers dash this is an expensive repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram. The contact stated the dashboard cover broke into pieces. The manufacturer stated the dashboard failure was not a recall and denied assistance with the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the dashboard cover was made of defective material. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 58,000 and the current mileage was 120, 00.
Dashboard on my well cared for 03 ram 1500 has cracked and is spreading rapidly, and exposing sharp jagged edges above airbag which apparently is a well known problem on the dodge trucks. Certainly could be a safety issue if involved in a crash.
2003 dodge 1500 ram dashboard cracking across the front and sides.
Cracked dash board,not fixed said it wasn't under warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was splitting apart from the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.
The dashboard on my 2003 dodge ram 1500 has multiple cracks in it. The most concerning crack is located above the passenger airbag. Also the assist handle on the driver side has been replaced and has broken again. The part is expensive and I should not have to pay to replace this faulty piece again. Consequently, I have had to discontinue the use of the assist handle. I am only 5'2" and it is difficult for me to maneuver in and out of the vehicle safely without the grab handle. The cracks began in 2008 and have been multiplying since then. I will be driving down the street and hear a crack and there is another crack in the dash. The vent areas have all fallen through into the heating/cooling compartments causing rattling.
Cracks in the dash on my 2003 dodge ram. Afraid that the air bags wont deploy properly.
Cracked dashboard with several sharp edges that may become projectiles in a crash.
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