I purchased a 2003 dodge ram/ 1500 pick up recently and the whole dash board was/is falling apart. When I went online, I discovered that this is an evident problem with dodge, there are hundreds of complaints on www.carcomplaints.com,dodgeproblems.com and an investigation regarding this problem was aired by local 6 news in 2007,(local6.com) the pieces of plastic that come off the dashboard are at most times large and very sharp. I definitely find this to be a hazard to my family. I addressed this with dodge, put in a claim and they asked that I get an estimate from my local dodge dealer to replace. The estimate was $1061.00 for parts, $800.00 for labor not including tax. Dodge offered for us to pay a co pay of $750.00 for this to be repaired by dodge. I declined their offer because this is a manufacture defective product that they are neglecting to take responsibility for with their consumers. This has been reported to the federal safety agency before, as claimed by many, and not been recalled yet. Why? How can these sharp objects falling off your dashboard be safe?
2003 Dodge RAM 1500 body complaints
Page 7 of 9: complaints 161 to 190 of 237, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2003 dodge ram 1500 dashboard cracked at 90,000 miles (noticed).
I have dodge ram 1500 03 truck and approx. In dec of 2008 I noticed a small crack in dash - thought it was my problem and due to living in south florida- the crack became 2 then 3 them more getting worse as time went on- I found that friends and other people where having similar problem. Ii then found out about the news story done by local south florida news stations which showed the problem being a defect and leading to accidents caused by lighting failures and electrical problems resulting from the cracks and broken dashboards. The problem now is out of control with big cracks and hole throughout the dash- this is not a cosmetic issue - the plastic pieces are sharp and can injure somebody and eventually can damage the electric that runs underneath the dash. I reported it to dodge who then gave a case number and took pictures and immediately offered to cover half the cost to replace- I do not find this sufficient - the fact that in other parts of the state dealers have replaced this problem free of charge and their admittance and response to cover half of the cost is proof enough that dodge is well aware of this problem. It is ludicrous to charge for repair for something that is potentially a lethal threat due to accident - when there is no permanent repair - there is no replacement part that has been shown to date that really fixes the problem- it is still a crapshoot whether it happens again after replacement since the dash is a defect to begin with.
2003 dodge 1500 pick-up, cracked dashboard.
2003 dodge ram 1500 dashboard cracked all over. Would definitely be a safety issue if in an accident. I have to wonder if an airbag would do any good if it hits the sharp pieces of the dash. Or worse if a person hit the sharp pieces. Dodge told me it was only a few trucks with this problem, but almost every truck made around 2003 has same problem to some extent.
2003 dodge ram 1500 dashboard cracked all over. Would definitely be a safety issue if in an accident. I have to wonder if an airbag would do any good if it hits the sharp pieces of the dash. Or worse if a person hit the sharp pieces. Dodge told me it was only a few trucks with this problem, but almost every truck made around 2003 has same problem to some extent.
My 2003 dodge, 1500, 4x4 truck has two cracks in the dash. It has cracked completely from the front windshield all the way to the glove box. It has cracked in two different places. The windshield has also cracked in close to the same place in two different places. It appears that the entire vehicle is coming apart or splitting down the center.
The side panels of the truck bed started to rust through with 2 inch holes. Then a couple of months later we noticed the truck was making a funny noise underneath. Climbed under to find out that the frame was all rusted and large holes throughout and it was only hanging on by a thin piece of rusted metal. A mechanic welded a small plate underneath towards the front of the frame to try and hold things together.
My 2003 dodge ram 1500 the dashboard is cracking and I'm concerned that the pieces will fall down and cut the wires in the dash or get into the airbag system causing blindness or harm when the airbags come out!! This is a defect on dodge's part and it needs to be a recall on this safety issue!! There are to many of these trucks on the road with this problem for it not to be a defect and a safety issue! You need to put a recall on them!!!!
The dash on my 2003 dodge ram 1500 is cracking. These are not cracks from the sun. Two cuts/cracks appeared suddenly and a third about a week later. They look like cuts that were made with a saw blade. Parts of the dash over the air bag are loose and flopping around. The edges are sharp and can lead to a person cutting them selves. I'm afraid that in an accident the air bag would not properly deploy. The dash is an intrical part of the cabin structure. This is not an isolated case as I've found hundreds on the internet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While entering the vehicle, the contact noticed four cracks along the hard cover of the dashboard. The dealer advised there was no recall for the failure and any repairs would be at the owner's expense. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 62,000.
I have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 4x4, that has a dash that has become cracked spontaneously, which is leading to exposure of electronic components, the air bags, the vehicles engine and has severely sharp edges. This vehicle has never been in an accident, has been cared for, and yet, just like what seems thousands of other instances with this model has become unsafe, yet chrysler, who accepted taxpayer funds through the bailout, refuses to do a thing about it. This defect can lead to fire, explosion, improper airbag deployment or lack of, sharp plastic cutting, exploding, etc among other hazards.
2003 dodge pick up trucks dash board crumbles. Pieces of the dash board have gone into the area where the airbag is to be deployed from. With the impact of the airbag it could cause death, blindness and/or other injuries. This is an issue dodge needs to correct.
Ii own a 2003 dodge ram 1500,and my complaint is my dashboard is starting to fall apart. My issue is that the parts that are breaking off may cause an electrical short,due to the plastic falling into my electrical compartment. I am also concern it may even spark an electrical fire while I'm driving. So if you would please take this problem into consideration and investigate,because I do think it is a dodge problem not wear and tear. Thank you very much for your time.
Dashboards collapsing, cracking 2003 dodge ram 1500.
Dashboard started cracking about two years ago and is getting worse. I am afraid pieces will start falling inside the dash and cause safety problems such damage to wiring causing a fire or damage to airbag system.
I have a 2003 1500 dodge ram the dash board started with a small crack and then within a few months it became a very large crack. Also the driver's side grip handle has completely pulled off.
2003 dodge ram 1500 dashboard has fallen into pieces. Dealer stated it was a common problem, but not a recall item. Cost for parts over $800.00 dollars. This does not include labor.
2003 dodge ram 1500 dash board is cracking around passenger air bag.
2003 dodge ram 1500 quad cab swb 4x2 4.7l v8. The dashboard is cracked and has caused the heater operation to be degraded. Major concern is what effect this may have on passenger air bag deployment.
I own a 2003 ram 1500 quad cab and the clear coat is deteriorating on every panel. I have got three estimates, all of which were 4 to 5 thousand dollars to repair. I see thousands of other dodge owners with this exact same issue. Please help!!
My dash cracked on my 2003 dodge ram pickup above the air bag on passenger side front . My truck is well kept and covered when setting in the direct sun. I belong to a dodge club and several members are getting this fixed as a factory defect. I was directed to the ntsb to file a complaint ... I have two other dodge vehicles that are older and they are not cracked at all... Many dashes I've seen are cracked in the exact same location as mine. Right above the air bag on passenger side. Most people that are experiencing this problem have had it start much sooner than mine which may be due to my truck being covered most of the time I would like to have this fixed before more cracks occur and someone gets cut on sharp plastic or even worse it may affect the air bag deployment. Most seem to start with this and continue cracking all across the dash.
Dashboard has cracked in two locations.
2003 dodge ram 1500 with 86,000 miles. Large crack in dashboard on passenger side.
I have a 2003 dodge ram 1500. Very well kept but the dashboard is completely cracked. I think is time that someone do something about it since I have been searching and everyone is having the same problem. Now my heater system is not working.
2003 dodge ram 1500. Dashboard cracked above the glove compartment. One day no crack - next morning, cracked from back to front. No reason - no warning. Why won't dodge replace these dashboards????
Cracked dashed in 2003 dodge ram pieces fell into heater and broke it now I have to pay to get it fixed which isn't cheap.
I own a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The dashboard started cracking about a year ago. Now, it has three cracks( wind shield to front of dash) . The truck has only 68,000 miles on it but it is out of warranty. I have read on a few message boards that this is a common problem on dodge trucks. Obviously, it is due to defective plastics parts. I am worried that more cracks will surely appear and become a severe safety issue if there is an accident.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the grab handle on the passenger side broke and hit the passenger in the face. The passenger sustained serious injuries to the face; however, the occupant was not transported to the hospital. The dealer confirmed that there were no recalls or warranty related to the grab handle. The contact refused to purchase the replacement grab handle due to the cost. The vehicle has not been repaired. The dodge manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The dash of my 2003 dodge 1500 truck developed a small crack. I thought this would not be a problem. After a few months the entire dash is cracking with pieces lodged in the air vents making the heater inoperable. I also worry that the air bags if needed to deploy may be affected by this defect. I consider this not a cosmetic defect but one that could cause grave bodily harm.
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