general problems of the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab. The contact stated that the dashboard began to exhibit signs of cracking and progressively became worse. The dealer advised the contact to purchase a new dashboard. The manufacturer advised there was not a recall on the vehicle and would not provide any further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 96,000.

Problem 1) the engine has a exhaust manifold leak. This is due to Dodge using inadequate bolts on the head and the bolts broke. The removal of the exhaust manifold requires the bolts to be drilled and tapped out. Dodge should have corrected this problem but would not. Problem 2) the vehicle leaks profusely in the cab. Ever since I bought this vehicle the cab has leaked. It leaks under the rear seat and it leaks from the front visor as well. I have tried to seal with rtv since Dodge could never fix the problem. It still leaks. Problem 3) the passenger front window works intermittently at best. Problem 4) the rear doors will not release the child lock function. I have tried numerous times but apparently the switch in the door does not work.

I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. My truck is taken care of very well. I believe it was in June 2008 when I first started to notice small cracks in the center of my dash. At that time I was the parts manager for a general motors dealership that also owned a Dodge dealership next door. I spoke to the service manager and was told it was a common problem and Dodge would replace the dash for a $100. 00 deductible. I left that job and never had the dash replaced. I later went to a Dodge dealer near my home and was told to contact Chrysler customer assistance. Chrysler told me they would only pay 50% of the repairs. I did not agree to the offer. It would cost me $700 to $800 out of my pocket. I put a carpeted mat over the top of the dash to cover up the holes. There are actually holes and big pieces of plastic upper dash falling into the dash. In October 2013 I went back to my local Dodge dealer to tell them if they paid for the parts I would do the labor myself. They have changed their offer and only want to pay 50% of parts now. My part would be $495. 00. I tried a different dealer only to be told that Chrysler would not give any help. They told me that it was due to the texas heat. That is not true because it is happening all over the united states. There needs to be a safety recall opened because this is a safety issue. If these vehicles are in a accident to where the passenger side airbag is deployed it is going to fill the passenger compartment with flying pieces of plastic that may impale its passengers. Maybe Chrysler is waiting on a few accidents to where the passengers have plastic sticking out of their bodies. Maybe a couple of lawsuits will get them off their rears. I spent over thirty years in general motors and Dodge dealership service departments. I do have some knowledge of these things.

Dash panel busted/cracked above passenger airbag.

: the contact stated while getting into the vehicle, the handle used for balancing or securing oneself when exiting or entering the vehicle on the left side detached. The contact fell back slightly, suffering slight back injuries. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the problem.

The weather stripping in the door has been replaced 3 times and needs to be replaced again because they are pinching. The dealership indicated that this could cause leaks, which can result in an electrical failure. The manufacturer was aware of this problem and have re-designed the weather stripping in the newer model year trucks which is made out of a different material but fails even quicker than the original one.

The consumer noticed a distinct vibration on the truck that gets worse when traveling highway speeds. The dealer/regional service expert attempted to fix the vehicle on numerous occasions and was unsuccessful. The dealer had two other vehicles with the same problem. Dodge 2500 2004.