Carrier/rack problems of the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 - part 1

Cspc: the dashboard on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pick up truck has become extremely brittle. It cracks without warning and sends shards into the passenger compartment.

I purchased this vehicle new in 2001. Since then, the dashboard has been replaced 3 times. Once by Dodge and 2 times by me. This dashboard continues to crack and split. Now the bezel has cracked into several pieces. Now, within the last week, the glovebox, made of the same plastic material has split and broken at the hinges. I have noticed that this is a real problem that is all over NHTSA's complaint board under several locations such as body, structural, airbags. These dashboards have cracked so badly, no one knows which portion of the vehicle that is affected but could show up in several locations. Although they have blamed this on uv degradation, I have other vehicles from 1986 and 87 that still have never had this problem. I also have a1999 Dodge 1500 that the dash has also cracked and I have replaced as well. When will NHTSA finally issue a recall for free replacements. Right now, mopar and aftermarket parts continue to sell the dashboard that has multiple defects. If the dash comes apart during a crash, shrapnel from the dash can be blown into a persons face or chest during an airbag deployment. It is all over the web about poor dashboards on this particular model. When is the recall? it is all over NHTSA's web site under various category's. When is the recall going to occur? a lot of Dodge owners are tired of pulling money out there pockets to fix a reoccurring problem for a defect that Dodge/Chrysler is aware of? the vehicle's cracking and breaking of the dash, bezel and glovebox are made of the same material. The problem cracks when the vehicle is stationary, in motion, on streets or highways. Can NHTSA help get a recall done on this continuing problem?.

While driving a huge cracking noise created a very large hole in the front dash just under the windshield. Pieces of this flew out into the cab creating a driving hazard. Pieces continue to break off as I now have a huge hole that I have no one has any idea how to repair. The dash material must be defective as I have never had any other cars/trucks with this problem.

Dashboard on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 is cracking on like an egg. It is cracking on top and the front where the stereo is located. I have only had the ram for about a year. I would like to know if there is a recall on this and where can I take it to get the issue resolved.

I bought this truck new. I have maintained it regularly. About 2 years ago I noticed a large crack in the dash. Since that time the cracks have expanded until pieces are falling out of the dash. This is a safety issue! I have even a minor accident the sharp pieces of this broken dash could injure me or my passenger. I looked into having the dash replaced and was given a price of more than $2000. This is too much for me to be expected to pay to repair a defect that is totally Dodge's fault. There should be a recall on this.

I have a Dodge Ram 1500 truck. My entire dash is coming apart. A piece flew off and hit me in the face while driving I slammed on the brakes and my wife hit the windshield cracking it. My lights on my ceiling went out don't work.

Dash is cracking and falling apart for no reason. Getting worse as time goes on.

I purchased my 2001 Dodge ram in 2006 with just a small crack or two in the dash. By 2008 the small cracks turned into large cracks and then the first part over the radio area as shown in picture fell in! at the time I had placed some items on the dash and had thought that caused it but when I started to clean it up more started to just break off so I didn't mess with it again! I contacted barrett Dodge in athens GA a week later and spoke with the service deportment. They told me there was no recalls and truck was out of warranty so at that time there was nothing they would do other than charge me a crazy price to replace it for my and then if a recall ever did happen they said I would probably get back at least half of my repair cost! that still meant I would have paid hundreds for the repair so I didn't do it. The main reason im looking into this again now in 2015 is because yesterday my 8 year old son was playing in the truck while I was working on it and he went to get a toy off the dash and his arm went through the dash and cut him leaving about a 1 inch long cut in his arm! this is now why im now 7 years later surprised that with all the complaints that are on the internet about this issue that Dodge has not stepped up nor have they been made to step up and help fix this issue! does somebody's child have to be seriously injured or god forbid die from a injury caused by the shape pieces of this dash before something is done about this! im now looking into getting this dash repaired mainly because of the safety for my family! I really have not been concerned about the cosmetic look that Dodge has been hiding behind for their reason to not fix this issue! but I will be dammed if im going to let this poorly designed Dodge dash hurt my family again!.

Dash board completely cracked in half leaving large jagged edges of sharp plastic and exposing wiring. An accident would severely cut passengers with flying pieces of plastic.

The dashboard in my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 is cracking and having large pieces fall under the dash itself. I am worried that this could cause injury to driver and/or passenger in the event of an accident or accidental airbag deployment. Other issues could come from this problem due to all the wiring and other components that are under the dashboard.

Dash board has cracked from exposer to sunlight. In past year it has broken into very sharp pieces above passenger side air bag and directly in front of driver. One can cut himself and I have just trying to dust or clean inside of truck. I am very concerned about what these sharp pieces of the defective dashboard would do in an accident and if air bags would push these sharp pieces into faces of both driver and passengers in front seat of truck.

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.

We own this 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The problem we are faced with is that the paint of the truck has been fading every day to the point that it has spots and instead of being a black truck is a spot truck. The rust on it is incredible, underneath, around the trim of the tire panels and the overall bottom of the truck. I know we are in new hampshire and the weather does not help, but a truck this expensive should not have to look the way it does. The dashboard inside the truck has cracked to the point that we have it all together with duct tape. My husband does not drive the truck far, because he is afraid it will be a safety issue. One time just going to the trash place, the breaks went on the truck and we had to have that truck fixed. It really bothers us that the truck should last longer and the condition this truck is in it says to us "how can a vehicle do this". We own two other cars, and they are in no way shape like this truck is. He takes care of the truck as much as he can, but is there any recalls or anyone else out there that has the same issues, with the paint, rust and the interior of the truck? the truck has been debilitating since it was purchased. We are not knowledgeable but we have taken the truck to the dealer and they fix what ever is wrong with it, but there is no mention of any recalls. My humble opinion this truck should be looked at by the dealer and fixed completely. We shouldn't have to be limited to travel in the truck because we are afraid it will fall apart due to all the rust etc underneath. Any information that you can provide us will be of great help. I've attached pictures of the truck so you can see what it looks like. Thank you for your attention.

The dashboard on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 is cracked and broken. I understand this is a common problem in these trucks and aftermarket replacement covers are available. The broken dash can be a hazard if the airbag is deployed in the event of a crash and causes additional problems with heating the vehicle/defrosting windows since the vents no longer function properly. The hole also allows moisture in humid environments to readily gain access to electronic components under the dash. It would be helpful if Dodge would acknowledge this problem and offer assistance to correct the issue. My vehicle still has low mileage even though it is an older model. The problem started as cracks and has gotten progressively worse with time.

Cracked dashboard.

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

Dashboard cracked, continues to crack and break regardless of any preventative measures taken. There are countless similar complains about this issue by other people. This is a safety issue. If the airbags were to deploy there would surely be dashboard shrapnel.

The whole top of dash has cracked out just crumbled piece of plastic fly when the windows are down without repair there is a great loss of value to this truck it is unacceptable for 24,000 and now probably a 2000 loss as the value is severly diminished.

Severely cracked and broken dash board. Small pieces fly out when fan is on.

The dash has developed several large/long cracks which are growing and the clear coat is peeling on the hood, cab top, front fenders. I had my local dealer check w/Chrysler and the claim was denied. I have been a Chrysler owner since the 1960's and have never had this type of problem. I doubt I will ever purchase another Chrysler product since the quality has deteriorated and the manufacture will not correct the problems. This truck was purchased new in 2000 and I still have. My last new purchase in 2010 was a Ford automobile which has so far be excellent.

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.

My dash started cracking before I bought it back in 3/2009 but now the cracks are "holes". The dash is literally caving in. What is left is sharp edged pieces that can easily cut you. Also, the wide open craters are allowing the hot texas sun to bake the wiring and has to be a contributing factor to the random intermittent electrical issues that seem to be cropping up periodically.

My 2001 Dodge ran has a broken and cracked dash board parts of the dash will fly off and hit things,people ect and I think it will hurt the people I love like my grandkids,wife ect. I think it should be recalled because someone (driver) might get hit in the face and lose control of the vehicle and someone gets hurt or even killed from this cracked dashboard that is not the owners fault. Thank you and please can you recall this dashboard?.

Dashboard is cracking.

Dashboard became cracked and broken, with broken parts falling into wiring and controls below.

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 crysler/Dodge went cheap in construction. ) my last Dodge vehicle, I think I can do better.

When putting a bottle of soda on top of the dashboard it completely cracked and the bottle fell through into the void under the dash. The issue has progressively gotten worse over the years to the point where I do not even have a dashboard anymore. When I brought it to the dealer a few years ago they were not surprised, they were even complacent, saying yeah we've seen this some are just as bad as yours.

Cracked dash board poor front head lights front disk brakes only last 20,000.

In June of 2006 I noticed a hairline crack in the dash of my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, which only had 36,000 on it at the time. I did not have it repaired thinking the dealer would just tell me it was usual wear and tear. Since that day the dash has continued to crack and I now have a section where the cracks have connected. It appears there will soon be an area of the dash the size of a softball or larger where there will be a hole. This hole will be directly above the instrumentation. I have recently learned there are hundreds of similar complaints from owners of 1998-2002 Dodge trucks. Some of which have experienced electrical problems, such as their headlights going off. This has led me to voice a complaint with carcomplaints. Com and the NHTSA. This is obviously a defect in material and/or workmanship at the Chrysler corporation and they should be held accountable and replace these defective parts. This is a safety issue!! headlights shutting off as you drive down a dark road is a safety issue!! it is a shame, but it appears it will take someone either dying or getting seriously injured before anything is done to force Chrysler to correct this problem.

Dash cracks began to appear in 2006 and dash is appearing to become more fradgile.

In 2006, we observed a line crack in the dash. Took the truck to a Dodge dealership and was told it will cost over $1000 to replace dash. Too expensive, bought a dash cover to cover it up. More cracks developed over the years, and the dash is now broken. The deterioration from dash began to weaken the instrument panel. Cracks developed in the instrument panel, and now the panel is broken as well. We've never had a vehicle with dash and panel break apart like this Dodge ram.

My dash on my 2001 1500 is cracked and has been cracked for many years . It so bad that I have a huge hole in my dash. I read that NHTSA says to expect a recall soon. July 2016 my truck goes in for a heater core replacement. So that dash must come off. Sure would be nice id Dodge would give me a replacement dash now. Cuz I could get it put on for no extra expense. Saving them 100's of dollars. Can anyone tell me when to expect this recall to be put into motion?.

A seriously cracked and dangerous dash board. 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. Have to run with the air bag off in fear of the air bag going off and sending shrapnel through my children.

I parked my pickup after work one evening went out the next morning and the dash was cracked. It is a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 this was in 2004 the next morning I went out for work and the dash was cracked and has since completely caved in. Some electrical components have stopped working. Now I know this is a wide spread complaint but so far is not considered a safety risk. Well why do we have to wait until some one is injured before it is considered a safety risk. Is the wiring going to short out and catch me on fire or is my lights going to be the next thing to go out is the air bag going to deploy properly should I have a wreck, or will it just deploy while I am driving down the road for no reason. I have done nothing to correct the problem because I can not afford to. Defective plastic was used in the dashes for several years and Dodge refuses to correct the problem. Maybe instead of waiting until something bad happens you should check on this problem now and maybe save someone from injury or save someone's life maybe mine.

Cracks and holes in the dashboard on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, serious safety issue not being addressed by Dodge, shame on them.