Problems with 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 STRUCTURE

Dash started cracking around 65,000 miles and keeps cracking. the cracks have caused the dash to separate causing the defroster vents not to blow correctly across windshield ( will not defrost). dash is starting to drop down in different areas which may cause electrical failures or electrical fire. truck is in pristine condition ( other than dash) with only 80,000 miles. *tr

Cracked dash could be dangerous in accident fly debris or if air bag goes off this is potentially dangerous to me and my passengers

On or about 10/25/2008 we noticed a crack in the dashboard of our 2003 dodge ram pickup. the crack was approximately 8 inches long and was beginning to crack at different angles. on 10/28/2008 we contacted chrysler customer assistance and were assigned a reference number: 18023982. we were advised to take our problem to a local dealer. we visited scott gould, service manager at venice dodge in venice, florida. scott did not even look at our problem. he informed us that he knew where the dashes were cracking ,was aware of the problem but could do nothing without approval from chrysler. we called the customer assistance center 1-800-992-1997 and spoke to a suzy who refused to share her last name. suzy talked to scott and then called us back and informed us that we could have our dash replaced for 250$. i asked her why we had to pay to replace the defective part. she informed us that there was no recall on the defective dashes because it was not considered a safety defect. on 11/18/2008 we had the defective dash replaced at venice dodge. i have requested the old cracked dash but they have not yet honored that request. the dash material appears to be a hard plastic approximately 3/16 in thick. the visible cracks appeared jagged and sharp. sharp enough that upon impact they could puncture an air bag or an individual causing injury, serious harm and/or death. the problem with the dashes is not an isolated one. it is extremely widespread. let this not be the protective netting at the hockey arena. it's time for chrysler to own up and recall their defective part before something bad really happens if it hasn't already. *tr

The dashboard is cracking and caving in on itself as a result the lights go on and off while driving. several other electrical problems are hapening. *tr

On 9/20/2008 i noticed some small cracks in my dash. after about a week the dash had several cracks and the small ones were now large cracks going from the front of the dash all the way to the windshield. i feel this is a safety hazard as the dash gets worse pieces can fall in to the electronics in the dash and effect the operation of the vehicle. i have seen this same thing happen to the 2nd generation dodge rams from 94-02. dodge has accepted liability for those dashes cracking, well this is the very same plastic used in those trucks. i don't think dodge wants to have to replace all of these dashes for the reason of reputation and cost to the company. i don't think you can really put a price of safety. these car makers need to take responsibility for the vehicles they make, not just until the warranty runs out. that kind of thinking tells me that the car maker does no care about how long their vehicles last just that they can't wait for the warranty runs out so they can tell the customer....sorry, wish we could help. i am really disgusted in the fact that the us car makers have no pride in what they build. they wonder why the foreign cars and trucks basically sell themselves. i really hope we can resolve this issue. if chrysler does not step up to the plate and fix these problems i will never buy another chrysler product. *tr

I have a 2003 dodge ram 2500 with approx. 34,000 miles on it it is well kept over the past few weeks the dashboard has began to split in several places 1 resulted in me cutting my hand. *tr

Dash started cracking and has gotten worse over time and now the dash is breaking into sharp pieces and falling down behind dash which is rubbing against electrical wires behind dash console. *tr

Dash just cracked forward to aft in the center. one day it was not there and the next day there was a crack. *tr

Cracked dashboard on my 2003 dodge ram pick-up. began one year ago, 2008 and now have two cracks on top from windshield towards the middle of the vehicle and passenger side. per the complaint forums the cracks are from defective plastic material during the manufacturing process and will get worse to the point there will be jagged edges and a safety concern to passenger and driver. *tr

The front dash panel in my 03 dodge 2500 is cracked im worried about pieces flying off if im ever in a crash. i have a two year old to worry about and that should be the last thing i have to worry about. *tr

Cracked dash board in my 2003 dodge ram 2500, coming apart in pieces, can see through the dash dodge will not cover the defect and seems like a safety issue to me? thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Dashboard cracking. *tr

Overnight a crack appeared in my dashboard from the windshield all the way to the front of the dash right behind the steering wheel. the crack is on the driver side of the truck. i have been told that dodge is not responsible. my vehicle is a 2003 and has been garage kept. i have not yet completed paying for the vehicle. its a ram 2500 4x4 cummings diesel and my 4th and final ram truck. *tr

Dash is cracking. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500 quad. the contact stated that the dashboard was fractured and sharp edges were exposed. the dealer advised the contact to notify the manufacturer of the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not offer any assistance. no repairs were performed. the current mileage was 104,000 and the approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

The dash board on my 2003 dodge ram 2500 laramie cracked. *tr

2003 dodge ram 2500 cracked dash. *tr

I have an 03 dodge 2500 48000 miles . the main dashboard is cracked front to back over the passenger airbag, when the dashboard falls in im afraid its going set off the air bag. *ak

Dash has excessive cracks. could cause safety issue if the truck was ever wrecked. *tr

2003 dodge ram. the plastic mode door is broken and the vehicle will only blow out the vents. this is not a real big deal until its raining outside and you can't defrost the windows at hwy speeds. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and separating, creating sharp exposed edges. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. the failure mileage was 60,000.

The dashboard on my 2003 dodge ram2500 is cracked all over the place. i count 12 cracks in both upper dash boards. if i ever do have an accident any one in the vehicle could be injured badly just with flying dashboard. i called dodge and they are willing to replace it for $800 with the same evidently inferior plastic that is already proven to be defective. the truck has never been in an accident and nothing else has happened that should have caused any of these cracks. *tr

I'm a 3 time dodge owner currently have a 2003 ram 2500 slt hemi, 2004 ram 1500 short bed, 2005 durango hemi. each one has problems. what i don't understand is how the nhtsa and dodge don't see the safety danger involved. the 2003 has the most serious safety issues. a dash that is cracking so bad that pieces are now starting to fall out. if an accident were to occur this is a projectile hazard . i have taken pictures of the dash. i hope know one gets injured from projectile fragments of the dash. the more serious issue with the 2003 is the flapper door on the actuator motor that changes the air flow from vent to floor or defrost. dodge does not see this as a safety issue. i don't see the difference between the defrost to the windshield not working and a windshield wiper recall; they both affect your view. we don't drive the pickup if ice and snow are in the forecast. i could not believe all the complaints about this issue and nothing is being done. lets wait until one of these 2 issues injuries someone seriously or even sadder yet someone is killed!!!!! there is always a lawyer waiting. i would think any problem that affects your site or view for driving would be most dangerous. *tr

I own a 2003, dodge, ram, 2500, quad cab, with an extremely badly cracked dashboard. *ak

My truck has been babied it's entire life and has been garaged. i even tinted the windshield with the uv rated ting so it would help with the dash issues also. even with all this precaution, the dash has still cracked. i noticed the first hairline crack in summer 2006 and it's been a downhill spiral ever since. recently it started dropping parts in the vents i guess. then i would have particles flying in my eye when i turn the heater on. my kids also have things flying in their eyes. this is a danger ous situation and dodge needs to recall these dashes before someone gets really hurt or killed. *tr

2003 dodge ram dashboard cracking since the vehicle was 2 years old and dodge has continued to ignore the fact that they have an issue with the dashboards cracking. how many do we need to get this issue resolved. *tr

Dash began cracking after only a few years. now it is completely falling apart and i believe if the airbags went off in an accident it would sent pieces of the dash into the faces of the occupants. *tr

I have a 2003 dodge ram 2500 and i am concerned that after 3 years the plastic dash is cracking and getting worse. the replacement cost is way too much and probably won't last. i think this is a safety issue that should be addressed for the simple reason, if i was in an accident with a passenger and the person put there hands on the dash out of reaction it could possibly lead to some deep lacerations to the hands and forearms. from reading on the internet, dodge is well aware of the problem but will not address it. thank you for your consideration on a recall for this item. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. the contact noticed that the paint began to chip abnormally near the drip rail. he took the vehicle to the dealer and they repaired the vehicle under warranty. several years after the repair, the failure became progressively worse because the paint began chipping from various parts of the exterior of the vehicle. he took the vehicle back to the dealer, but they would not make any repairs because the vehicle exceeded its warranty. the manufacturer did not assist. the failure mileage was 22,000 and current mileage was 67,000.

Tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 05v462000 (power train) and 15v312000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. parts distribution disconnect. updated 08/17/16*lj the consumer stated the transmission failed at 2,500 miles. the ball joints and water pump failed and the windshield leaked. updated 10/26/16.*jb

2003 dodge ram 2500 cracked dash. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and objects were falling into the interior of the vehicle. additionally, the plastic on the dashboard was warped. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 32000.

On my dodge quad cab 2500 front dash, i noticed a small crack starting at near the speaker grill in 2006, and thought it was an isolated case. over the years since 2006, the front dash has completely failed due to numerous major cracks in all locations and going in various directions. the truck has always been garaged and pieces of the dash now have fallen down to inaccessible areas below the dash. it has been documented for various years that these dashes have been made from an inferior grade plastic prone to cracking and it is a major safety hazard. because it becomes so brittle and prone to cracking, that during an accident, the dash could shatter and injure the occupants. *tr

The dashboard on my 2003 dodge 2500 slt quad pick-up is completely cracked to small pieces that are shape and coming flying out every time the defroster is turned on. *tr

2003 dodge ram 2500hd - dash is cracking all over, could lead to future electrical problems if not fixed in time. *tr

Several cracks have spread across the dash. no reason for these to have happened and the last one seemed to have completely formed in a day or so. also have intermittent electrical problems, which from the many reports on the internet seem to be common. *tr

Dt: contact states when she went to get into the truc, she put her hand on the grab bar and the whole panel that held the grab bar came out in her hand. she fell flat on her back. thook the truck to the dealership, and they told her that all that was holding the grab bars on was plastic. *ak *nm

Cracked dash that may be safety issue during airbag deployment. *tr

My dash board is cracking and coming apart. it is the first truck that i have had this to happen to. i put a cover over it to help to protect it from further damage. is there a recall on this. *tr

While loading the vehicle, the tailgate support cables broke without warning. this caused the driver to sustain major injuries and was transported to the hospital. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the consumer that the tailgate support cable needed to be replaced. *jb the consumer contacted the manufacturer but they denied any responsibility. *nm

The dashboard in my 2003 dodge 2500ram hd is breaking up into pieces which are now coming off; wonder if the passenger side air bag in danger of engaging. *tr

Person getting into truck grabed handle above door frame handle broke off, resulting in person falling backward and hitting head on cement drive. *ak

I purchased a new 2003 dodge ram in early 2003. within a year, the dash top cracked and started to cave in. i found out from the dealership that the dash was made from an inferior plastic material and even if i allowed them to do a warranty replacement, the dash would likely crack again and that it would be better for me to wait until chrysler came out with a better oem dash replacement. i have done a lot of research since this time and have discovered that this is a very widespread problem that chrysler has refused to do anything about until recently. i see where some people (on the www) are now reporting that they are getting some offers from chrysler to replace their dashes with a newly improved dash at no cost to the customer. i have recently contacted my local dodge dealership (big o dodge of greenville , sc, 864 288 5000) as well as chrysler (800 992 1997) and was told that the only dash issue that chrysler would acknowledge was on the 98-02 model year trucks. after i made references to all of the internet research as well as to my initial discussion with the dealership regarding their recommendation for me to wait for a better dash to be manufactured (while the vehicle was still in the warranty period) i was placed on hold and the chrysler rep contacted the local dealership and arranged for me to have my dash replaced at a discount, but not at chrysler expense as it should be since this problem with the cracked dash stems from an acknowledged manufacturing flaw from day 1 as i reported to the dealer while the vehicle was still "new". my research has also led me to believe this is also a safety issue due to electrical component damage caused by the falling dash pieces cutting into electrical components causing people to loose their lighting at night, causing shorts and even smoke from melting wires which cause smoke to temporarily blind drivers as they try to pull over for safety. i want the dealership / chrysler to acknowledge this as a recall or tsb and agree. *tr

Hello, i own a 2003 ram and my dashboard is also falling apart. i saw pictures of other dodge trucks broken dashboards and my dashboard looks a lot worst than most of them. i called the dodge dealer where i bought my truck and they told me that the dashboard was not covered under warranty. if it only had 1 crack i would not be as upset but my dashboard has 8 cracks on it and its looking terrible. i believe i might start having problems with the electric under the dashboard if i don't get the problem fixed. i am starting to think about the overall quality of the truck. my sister, brother and i have all bought brand new trucks from the same dealer at sanford, florida. if the dealer does not help me replace the dashboard, i assure you they will loose our family business. thank you :( *tr