Carrier/rack problems of the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 - part 1

2003 Ram 1500: concerns about cracked dashboard becoming projectiles.

Takata recall. Like many other Dodge 1500 owners, my dash has cracked and I cannot get the recall fixed. Because it is cracked the dealer wont touch the air bags even though it states serious injury or death can occur if not taken care of.

Dashboard cracking and falling apart creating sharp hard plastic sections/pieces that can become injurious projectiles in an accident.

Dash board cracked in many pieces. Pieces are falling into a/c vents, when a/c is turned some pieces blow out.

The dash is severely cracked and disintegrating. Pieces of the dash have come off completely and they have very sharp edges. This is a massive safety issue, not a cosmetic one. The missing dash pieces has exposed under dash wiring and air bag modules.

Dash cracked and busted, pieces come off when hitting bumps or potholes in the road.

I own a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with some bad dashboard cracking. I just received a notice to replace my airbag. I am the original owner, cracking has occurred well over 10 years on my vehicle. If my airbag is replaced, my dashboard will be destroyed. What can I do? shouldn't Dodge be held accountable?.

Takata. The dash of my vehicle is cracked and missing in several places. The required repairs for the airbag inflator recall will cause further damage, if not full destruction of the dash. Also, as pieces continue to fall from the dash, it creates a hazard of exposed wiring, as well as the risk of airborne shrapnel in the event of an accident or even evasive or emergent braking. Dust and debris are visible in the vehicle when the defroster is active due to the damage to the dash, creating a visibility and health hazard.

I know Dodge considers there cracking dash boards cosmetic, but if my passenger side air bag deploys, it will send hundreds of plastic shards into the face of the passenger. Checking online, there are many who share this concern. Thanks.

Around 2014 the dash in my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 started cracking and falling apart. Parts are falling into the vent ducts, so when the air or the vents are turned on small pieces of plastic are blown out the vents thus creating a safety issues.

Takata inflators: we took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs but dealer said we would have to purchase a new dash for about $1,400 to replace the existing cracked dash before they could do the airbag recall work. We cannot afford to spend that much money on a new dashboard so recall work has not been done, therefore, the truck is not safe. We have been told that because of the vehicle's age, no safe replacement dashboards exist. What can we do?.

Dashboard cracked significantly, causing safety concerns in the event of a crash from flying debris after airbag deployment.

Unforced cracking and disintegration of plastic dash resulted in small plastic parts projecting from defroster vents presenting a hazard to driving visibility.

Dashboard is cracking. Sharp pieces coming off and could become a hazard to driver and passenger. This is a well known problem with Dodge/Chrysler.

The dash cover has cracked in half on passenger side, down the middle. It was not broken the previous day. I discovered it while cleaning the dash, it cut my hand on the sharp edges. The crack is in a very bad place, it is right in front of the passenger and has exposed sharp edges where a person can easily cut their hands.

The dashboard on this vehicle cracked after about 7 years. A month ago, as my son was driving, a large section of the dashboard popped out and flew off the dashboard onto the floor. There have been multiple complaints about this the dashboard material on this vehicle and when pieces start flying off while driving, I can't imagine how this is not a safety issue. I realize all older vehicles can have cracked dashboards, but when cracks lead to parts popping off, safety is an issue.

Takata recall- looks like Chrysler needs some more fire under them, hopefully airbags don't deploy anytime. Chrysler needs to also include a recall for defective "cracked dashboard" junk. If my truck was in an accident I would have sharp plastic and metal shrapnel all over myself and any other occupants.

The dashboard on the passenger side has a crack on the top, just to the left of the glove bos. It started out as only a small crack but is opening up. The entire area feels very soft when cleaning it, so I assume with most of the other comments, its only a matter of time until it completely falls apart. Also why has there been nothing done with the rear fenders on the Dodge Ram 1500 p. U. The fenders on just about every one I see are rusted out, was told they used a cheaper metal for those fenders. Glad they used junk, bit didn't charge you that way. You would think they would take pride in the vehicles. Both of these are safety issues as, parts break and fly during accidents.

While driving I had the dashboard crack in two spots. First crack is located in front of passenger seat above air bag, the second crack is located on the dash, in front of the drivers seat at around the 12:00 position of the wheel.

I was driving on a smooth highway when I heard a loud crack. The dashboard split down the highest tension point and ever since the dash has literally crumbled before my eyes. I've has dashboard crack before, but never disintegrate before my eyes. I've kept this truck in great shape and have had no other issues except normal maintenance. This is a tragedy and Dodge refuses todo anything about it. These are great trucks and this is the black eye for Dodge. Everybody, and I mean everybody that owns this yearts truck is having this problem and Dodge ignore it. My dash is now a gaping hole filled with plastic shards.

Dashboard crack in pieces. Bad quality. Started crack few years ago and continuous breaking. It causes personal injure if if flying off the dash board.

Dashboard completely cracked due to defective plastic materials.

Dash is cracking and falling apart.

While driving down state highway I lowered the front windows and a piece of the dashboard (that is cracked in several places) broke off, flew around in front of me, and then hit me in the left eye causing me to completely loose site of the road and the other vehicles around me all while doing 60 miles per hour on a 4 lane road.

Dashboard cracks - I am the 2nd owner of this 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. It has been a wonderful vehicle for me over the past 10 years with very minimal problems. In January 2014, I drove over a speed bump and while doing so, I heard a "pop" sound from the dash area. I didn't think anything of it at the time. The next day, I noticed a crack in the main dash area that extended from the front to the seam (3/4 back to the windshield). Over the past 2 years, as you see in the photos, the cracking has continued and become worse to the point large sections broke off and fallen down into the dash. One piece had jammed an a/c blending door actuator, which I was able to pry out and fix the door. My concern is, if I am unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision, where are those razor sharp shards of plastic going to hit when the passenger airbag deploys? I no longer allow my grandchild to ride in this vehicle due to the dash cracks. If an area of the dash is pressed on, a large section just breaks off as if the plastic is the consistency of a cracker. Dodge created this dash and has put my safety and the safety of all other owner at risk. This should be on a priority list for a recall. I've owned vehicles from other makers older than this one and have never had an issue with plastic dash boards cracking.

The dash board is cracking bad. I am scared to ride anyone in the passenger side because it cracking worst around the dash by the airbag. Dodge needs a recall on this matter. They used cheap parts in this truck dash board.

Dash board is severely damaged/cracked in at least 9 or 10 different areas running the length of the dash in some places. In other places the cracks run up and down. The dash is in danger of coming completely off.

I have owned my Dodge ram from the very begining and noticed early on that I had a crack in my dash board dealership stated they could do nothing form me. So I chalked it up to adds character to my truck. However, I turned the a/c on high and proceeded to get hit with a piece of plastic from my dash board. As of this writting I expect my whole dash to cave in. I have multiple cracks that run the entire length of the dashboard. 3 of the 4 vent holes have completly fallen apart. T.

Ok, so I recently buy this one owner Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. 2003, 90,000. In pristine condition. I mean primo. I get in the pickup, and am pulling out of my driveway and hear what was a loud craking sound, like breaking plastic. I didn't think much of it, thinking I ran over a can or something. Later in the day, I notice my dash board. Oh my god. It has this large crack in it. Right above the glove box from the glove box to the window. I then notice another crack right above the passanger door vent (dash) that is working it's way up toward the window. I do some more inspection and see yet another crack near the defrost vent and a small part of the vent missing. I figured that out today when I piece of plastic blew in my face and hit me in the eye when I turned the ac on. I thought, well, maybe I was duked. Maybe it was in an accident. I check it all out with carfax. Nothing. Clean title. Well maintained one owner. Wtf. I call my local dealer. 'well, we are aware of the issue, we have heard about these things happening, but your truck is out of warranty". What? this is not a warranty issue. It's a defect. After hours of research, I see this is a huge problem with these trucks. The dealer said it's about a $2800. 00 fix?? what?? so now I am stuck. I am going to persue this matter for as long as it takes. This is not "sun damage" I know what sun damage is. This is a defect. I have been driving cars/trucks for 30 years, never ever seen a dashboard do this. Ever. Please keep the complaints coming. Tomorrow I am doing battle with Dodge at 800-992-1997. I am one pissed customer. Who was a loyal Dodge fan. . . . Not any longer.

2 large cracks in dash, in front of steering wheel and passenger side, I have big concern that in an accident with airbag deployment dash disintegration will occur, resulting in injury to occupants. Various reports online where Dodge is not warranting dashboards and dealers are not doing airbag recall work because dashboards are falling apart during work.

The dash is just about ready to fall out, cracked in half,pass side defrost grid is gone,very poor material.

Dash cracked.

Dashboard cover is falling apart! multiple cracking issues with pieces falling into the vents!.

Dash board cracked all over even the louvers for defroster are gone now. I purchased this truck new in 2003 and only have 40,000 miles on it. It has never been in an accident. Has been cracking over past several years. So not sure what date to use.

Dashboard has developed cracks in multiple locations above the passenger airbag. Cracks continue to increase in size and severity. Electrical components of passenger air bag compartment are exposed to dust and dirt. I am also concerned about fragmentation of the brittle dashboard in the case of a crash and or airbag deployment.