Dashboard Crack problems of the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 - part 2

2003 Dodge Ram 1500 dashboard cracked at 90,000 miles (noticed).

Dash cracking into pieces, read online that this is a huge problem for Dodge rams 1998-2006 but Dodge has done nothing about it.

I went to work one day in the company truck and when I got home I went to my Dodge and opened the door to find a 16 inch crack in the dashboard that was not there when I left that morning. I have recently heard that Dodge may have used defective plastic in the fabrication of their dashboards from 1998-2006. Since I'm not going to spend $800 on a new dash that is probably just going to do the same and Dodge is not paying for any replacements the only options at this point are 1) buy a dash cover or 2) do nothing.

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!!!!.

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.

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.

The dash in my 2003 Dodge is collapsing, I have had large pieces of plastic fall in my dash and wedge in my ac unit. The entire dash is cracked. I have went to the Dodge dealer where I was told I would have to pay o have it replaced, I was told that unfortunately that 9 out of 10 Dodge rams made between 1999 & 2006 are doing the same thing and that it is only in florida. I called Dodge and spoke with a very rude rep. Who first told me they would pay 25 to 40percent. I still have to pay right at $600. I was told they are still using the same dashes so it will probably start cracking at 3 years old like this one did. I don't have the money and I am having to borrow to have this fixed. I have had to spend over $400 to have other items fixed because of the dash. I don't know what else I can do. I don't think it is right to have to pay to fix a part that the dealer admits to being defective.

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 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.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and fractured, which created very sharp edges on the dashboard. The contact indicated that the cracks were located where the air bag was positioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who indicated that the damage was caused by excessive sun light. The vehicle was not repaired. Manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

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.

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????.

Dashboard cracked because of defective plastic near passenger air bag.

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.

Dashboard has cracked in two locations.

2003 Dodge 1500 pick-up, cracked dashboard.

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.

The dash started to crack on my 2003 Ram 1500 pickup, the cracks just get worse,and a pieace flew off while I was driving, and hit me in the eye, almost lost control of my truck, Dodge needs to recall and fix these dashboards before some one is hurt or killed, afraid to let any one ride in the front seat.

Cracked of dash pad on a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup.

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.

Cracked dashboard in my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking and breaking off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that he would have to cover the expenses to have the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.

2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with 86,000 miles. Large crack in dashboard on passenger side.

Cracked dashboard on a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500.

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 is cracking despite keeping truck in shade and using a sun shade.

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.

My 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 5. 7 hemi quad cab has a cracked upper and lower dash. It showed up shortly after I purchased the truck used in 2008. I did not think much of it because of being used. Now it is cracking all over the place and I am worried that it will become a safety issue if pieces hinder the air bag deployment or cause electrical malfunctions in my dash. Dodge has not been helpful other than to recommend very expensive replacement which may or may not crack again.

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 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.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and had large holes. The passenger side was so deteriorated that you could see the container for the air bags. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

Dash cracked/broken due to inferior/cheap/corner & cost cutting engineering & manufacturing practices.

2003 Dodge ram. The dash board is cracked in three places. I've talked with my dealer they say they split the cost with me, but it's not covered by Dodge at all. The dash board is cracked in three places. I've talked with my several people with this same problem and it looks like the 2001's have had the same problem. I think Dodge should be looking in to this.

I have no idea to what caused the failure, I have 2 Chrysler products and both have the same issues, nothing has been done yet I am trying out what do I need to do. The dashboard is cracking.