general problems of the 2001 Dodge Ram 2500

My 2001 Dodge ram instrument panel has cracked in three pieces causing the defroster & vents to stop working recently due to the moisture/uv issue. I'm aware of this problem because I participated in the investigation as manager of validation and testing for the manufacturer, textron automotive. How can I get a replacement to correct this safety issue. . . ?.

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. In 2003, I noticed parts of the dash, starting to break apart. In 2004, I had a major head on collision, and the airbag, did not deploy. The damage was extensive, with bent frame. The damage was $17,000 in 2004. I was told by the Chrysler dealership, that did the repairs, that they could not check the condition of the airbag wiring, because the dashboard was broken. I wonder how many others out there, that have the same issue, with the dashboard, and don't have a working airbag. The other issue I have, is the seatbelt tensioner, has caused the seatbelt, to get chewed up. The belt, is now, no more than an inch wide.

Hood latch hood came off while driving.

I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 and the truck’s dashboard is disintegrating. Pieces have fallen into my heating system, and I believe that is what’s causing my vacuum issue! it is winter time right now, and I was stranded in 10° weather for hours. I could not stay warm by running the trucks because of these pieces getting into the heating system. My girlfriend put her hand on the dash and it broke and she was cut. I would hate to think if that was one of my small grand children, climbing in and the dash breaking away and them getting injured! I own two other Dodge trucks and the dashboards are just as brittle! the dashboards could be manufactured better. I’ve never had dashboards crumble away like these have! people are getting hurt. Dodge is supposed to be a quality american vehicle! and yet they don’t seem to care that people are getting injured, heating systems aren’t working from pieces getting into the system. I have to drive with the heater fan on high, trying to stay warm during the winter months, and little pieces of plastic have come out of the vents. What if one of those pieces got into my eyes, and cause me to wreck, possibly injuring myself, or injuring others. Some may think this is just a cosmetic issue, but it is not! these dashboards need to be a better quality! sure, dashboards may crack when they’re older! but they shouldn’t crumble that way and sharp brittle pieces, causing injuries! causing mechanical problems! it’s not right! I tried to upload a picture, but after five attempts of it, not uploading, I gave up.

The whole dash has fallen in and parts going everywhere,kid got cut,parts falling out bottom,awful,.

My dash bouard on my 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 has complitly broke causing the plastic to enter in to the dash causing my lights to flicker both thee inner and outer dash has failed. Parts have also flew at me in the face area.

The spare tire below the pickup bed broke loose from it's cable and fell out on to the highway. This also happened with my 1998 Dodge dakota.

The dashboard has broken into several pieces which may create a hazard in an accident. It is still staying together but I'm concerned over time that it will not.

Dash breaking.

Sharp plastic pieces are breaking off from the dashboard and trim around instument panel that could cause injury, especially during any type of a collision.

I was headed home going down a city street headed to the highway, when I herd a loud noise and felt a jolt from my 14' tandem axle enclosed trailer. I looked back and noticed that the trailer was riding lower than normal. I pulled into a gas station and when I got out to look I noticed that the trailer ball was about 2" off the ground. I looked under my truck and noticed that the receiver hitch had broken. Only 2 of the 6 bolts were holding it up, and the middle bolt on the left side hade completely broke. I removed the ball and put it on the bumper to tow the trailer home. I took the truck to the dealer the next Monday because I was told that they had a recall on the hitches. The dealer told me that the hitch was out of warranty, and that my model truck didn't have any recalls. They gave me the phone number to the factory for complaints. I had to purchase another hitch from another dealer. When I got home to put it on, I noticed that the new hitch had 8 bolts instead of 6. Someone must have known that the old hitches were defective. I called the factory the next day and they told me the same thing that the dealer had. I asked for the number to the factory area rep. And was told that the dealer would have to contact them. . I called the dealer back, and talked to the service manager. He said that he had already called for the rep. And left a message for him to call. No response. I told the service manager that they needed to have a recall on this hitch, because if I would have made it to the highway,at 65 mph, the hitch could have broken all the way, and with the safty chains attached to the hitch, the trailer would have been on its own and could have killed people. I still have had no call backs. I have pictures of the old hitch on my truck before I removed it.

Consumer was disconnecting trailor from the hitch, and noticed that hole on one side was worn out, causing the pin to mushroom out. Weight of trailor could break the pin, losing all connections to hitch.