general problems of the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500

Passenger side airbag exploded while sitting in my yard.

I'm worried that the air bag on passenger side is defective as the strangest noise is coming from behind the dash like a rubber band is tightening and then clicking on and off. Doesn't happen all the time. I've also had my truck in for the steering before and it has never been right. Now the hood will not shut right. It's always been a lemon. I fight to keep it on the road. It doesn't even have 36,000 miles on it. I'm wondering what recalls I've missed so I'm checking. Thank you.

Dash components cracked under normal use creating a very dangerous, if not deadly, situation where in the event of air-bag deployment creating projectiles from such deployment that cause egregious bodily harm to the occupants. Dodge knowingly is allowing such conditions to exist.

I went out to my truck the other day and noticed that the dashboard was starting to crack above the airbag. I have owned this truck since new buying it from the dealer. This truck has never been in a wreck. Now that the dash is cracking right above the airbag I'm afraid to drive in anywhere let alone putting my family at risk.

Dash boards caving in possible causing air bags, lights and other electrical parts to fail.

1734 NW market street.

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.

2001 Dodge ram dashboard is an extreme safety hazard due to the cracking. I have owned this vehicle for 12 years and it's been garaged kept for 8 years. The dash started with a crack and then a hole was created when hitting a bump. Then I had a mechanic work on the heater, and the dash basically disintegrated when moving it. The holes on this dashboard are absurd. A review of safety information identified others who reported this problem to NHTSA and many more complaints on online message boards. This dashboard creates a safety issue for all personnel in the vehicle in case of an accident since projectiles (pieces of the dash that crumble) will fly. Also, there are other components under the dash that could create additional problems (ie-heater core spraying hot antifreeze after an accident). This is completely absurd. Keep in mind, my vehicle has less than 80k miles and the dash is getting worse.

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.

I could not get past the enter 'failed component' requirement so I had to chose air bags because it is the closest component related to the dash area I could find. I am one of the thousands of people who owns a Dodge truck with a severely cracking dash. I realize that this may not seem to be a 'safety' issue, but believe me, when you have a dash that is cracked into pieces with numerous sharp edges it should be. I would never let any child be in my truck unsupervised because this dash is so bad I truly believe an injury could result from contact with the sharp edges. I realize Dodge would be out an incredible amount of money to recall this problem, and I've also been told they are still selling the same bad plastic dashes as replacements, but something should be done. At least they could offer a new dash made from different material at a much more affordable cost. Please find a way to help those of us who are trying to cope with this problem. . . Thank you for your time.

Dash cracked above airbag which could cause sharp plastic to impale passenger if airbag deploys.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that he was involved in a crash while driving 35 mph and none of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and was awaiting examination. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileages were 105,000.

I have a 2001 Dodge 1500 pickup with a dashboard that is breaking apart and I'm concern with the sharp edges in the cab and how effective my airbag will be if deployed.

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and the dash has started cracking really bad. My only real problem with that, that if I happen to have an accident and the air bag is deplode is there a chance that it will either become airborn and fly with the air bag and become even more of a danger or if it will cut the airbag and make it non usable . I've talked with a few friends and all there dashes are the same way you would think that Dodge would have done something about this but I guess not. . Thanks.

Dash has completely fell apart.

I was involved in a crash on 8-26-05 / going west bound, and an east bound vehicle over corrected on a curve and hit my pick up at 30-35 mph in the front driver's side tire area, throwing us off the road and into a telephone pole - and neither of my airbags deployed. This caused injury to myself, and my daughter luckily just busted her lip on the dash.

Purchased vehicle 2003 with 32,000 miles. At 45,000 miles motor had to be rebuilt. New crankshaft, rod bearings, main bearings, oil pump. 2 days after picking up the truck after work was done, main seal went out and lost oil on highway on my way to work. Everything covered under warranty, but it's just the fact that the truck still has problems with such low mileage and year. Ongoing electrical problem. Fuse for climate control, air bags, abs brakes, power windows, mirror defrost and reverse lights keeps blowing. Has blown 5 times in the past 3 months. Dealer replaces the fuse, says there is nothing wrong with it.

My 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 has had the dashboard disinigrating 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 disinigrated 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 aquire the proper manufacturing temperatures which results in cracking, and the dash is inadequatly 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 excues 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!!!.

After about 11,000 miles the dash began to get cracks and fall apart. It gradually has gotten to the point that there are very large holes and pieces of the dash have gotten into the duct work of the vehicle. Also have been having electrical problems with fuses blowing. That is when I took the vehicle to vann Dodge in vineland NJ and reported the problem. They took photos and later called me and said the determined that the dash was failing because of exposure to sun!!! the vehicle is garaged or parked in the shade for most of its early life and cracks and chunks happened for no apparent reason, but this is probably their way out of fixing the problem. Now comes another problem or incident that happened to me because of this faulty plastic that was used to construct the dash. I was driving down the road and turned on my defroster and a piece of plastic blew out of the vent on the top of the dash or lack there of, and hit me in the face causing me to swerve and almost hit an oncoming car. I was lucky that the car avoided me or it could have been tragic. I went back to the dealership 2 months ago to have service on a different vehicle and questioned them on the status of any recall and they asked me for my VIN # of my Dodge ram pickup which I provided and they said there is no record of me taking the vehicle to them for a inspection, which is totally false!!! they conveniently lost my records on my pick up!!!!! something has got to be done to prevent someone from being killed due to this fault of Chrysler corp. I have put a replacement skin on the dash but there was not much left to adhere the skin to at a cost of nearly $300 but the pieces continually fall into the vents. Thank you.

Truck was traveling at approx 70 to 75 mph and slid causing lost controls. As truck hit head on into embankment and rolled at least once. Neither airbag deployed. This is a very sorrowful event for anyone and could cause problems for others in such situations. Please contact everyone and let them know of this type of incident.

Air bag didn't deploy, seatbelt didn't lock up. Ts.

While driving at 30/45 mph in a frontal collision , none of the airbags deployed upon impact. Vehicle was totaled. Please provide more details. Ts.

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.

This is the second clockspring that has failed in this truck. The first obi# is 742727.

My truck has an engine miss, that is confirmed by the manufactures own engineers who say there is no known solution. Dc refuses to honor their comittment and has failed in their so called attempts at repair. The clockspring has twice been replaced, first after it broke two days after the DC rep inspected my truck but refused to do anything with the concerns. Second time was the recall 982 which was performed on 7/9/01. The noise in the steering wheel has since returned and the steering at times gets tight while turning right. The first clockspring that broke was also after the vehicle steering wheel was turned to the right. The brakes will shudder when coming to a stop, and the dealer replaced the rear drums at one point but refused to procede further. On 5/13/01 coming to an intersection the trucks rear tires locked up and the truck entered the intersection approx. 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the truck, on 11/17/01while returning home I noticed a burnt odor at the rear of the truck, a further inspection showed smoke coming from the wheels, touching the rear wheel it was extremely hot to the touch. So hot in fact I pulled my hand away before I was burnt. Front tires still show extreme signs of wear , dealer has refused to do anything further. In fact dependable Dodge of vero beach on 5/14/01 told me DC ordered that no further work be done on my truck. They in fact stated they will breach their warranty.

There is vibration when hitting a bump at 60-65 mph. Dealer has replaced front tie rod. But, it has not remedied the problem. *akconsumer adds that this is not just vibrations but intense ascillations that alternate left to right. The bouncing makes the vehicle difficult to control and will not subside until broughtr to a complete stop. Upon checking several times, the tires were choppy and needed replacing, the track bar needed replacing, and a special part for the tie rod was ordered, also the left mirror was not heating, also the clock spring was replaced, also tires were showing wear. .

The clock spring needed to be replaced.