Problems with 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 STRUCTURE

Dashboard has broken apart and completely caved in leaving exposed wiring and turned broken pieces into projectiles if the air bag was to deploy. this should be a safety related defect due to the fact that it poses a risk to motor vehicle safety and exists in a group of vehicles of the same design and manufacture. because it is a critical vehicle component that has broken, fallen apart, and separated from the vehicle, it could cause injury to persons inside of the vehicle.i am not the only person with this problem and if you do a little research online (www.carcomplaints.com)you will see how widespread the problem actually is. dodge should be ashamed of themselves for not already recalling all trucks with this problem at no charge to their loyal customers. *tr

I bought this 1999 dodge ram in 2002 with about 40,000 miles on it. i now have 79,000. shortly after purchase, the dash cracked. after about 10 cracks across the top of the dash in every horizontal direction. i went to the "5 star" local dodge dealer and showed them the problem. they said that they had never heard of the problem and estimated $1500 to repair. until now, i thought that i was the only one with the problem and assumed that this certainly wasn't a widespread problem that may be in line for a class action lawsuit. i ordered a custom fit mat to put over the cracks. the cracks have continued and are now going vertical on the instrument panel bezel. there are probable 15 cracks in all. in addition, the glove compartment plastic door frame hinge pin (part of the dash) broke off on the lower left side. i epoxied in a piece of wood dowel rod to make the glove box door work. seems like the dash falling apart would set off the air bag or short the wiring to cause unsafe operational problem such as a fire. if the air bag deploys with a fragmented dash, will the sharp fragments become missiles that could injure or kill the driver or passenger? this appears to be a really unsafe condition. there are hundreds of complaints about this on the internet. can you help put the pressure on dodge for a recall to replace our dashes? *tr

Defect in 1999 dodge ram 1500 pickup dashboard dashboard has cracks and is crumbling apart...!!!! i used armor all to protect dashboard but it keeps falling apart and is risk for injury/death if air bag is deployed..i have read other complaints online cause of dodge skimping on materials..i want dodge to replace this at no cost to me.. *tr

1999 dodge ram 1500 busted dash. my concern is the air bag deployment. the dash is so busted up that i'm worry what will happen if i'm ever in an accident. if the air bags come out will all the sharp pieces of the dash fly out and hit me. those pieces are really sharp and i fell like they could do just as much damage to someone as being in a wreck. the busted dash is such a safety hazard. the wiring is also exposed and that along creates a safety hazard. i have two children, i would hate for one of them to get hurt just because dodge will not do a recall. i'm not sure of their reason for not doing it, but in this economy, they are loosing business fast due to their lack of responsibility. *tr

I have a 1999 dodge ram with 88,000 miles on it. the truck is always kept in the garage and in perfect condition except the '!@#$% dash board. on aug 11 2009 i was driving down the block and a pc of the dash cracked of hitting me in the eye!!!!!!!! i lost control for a second and ended up on the parkway grass! thank god no one was playing in there yard cause for a moment i was unable to see! i didn't know i needed to wear safety glasses while driving a chrysler made product!! i took the truck to the dealer i bought it from and he said"ill give you a good deal on a new one! why do i want another pc of '!@#$% from them? start standing behind your product and maybe i would buy another ! i cant let anyone else drive this and im afraid to as well, fearing what other part of the dash is going to fly off next! there are cracks all over it from the windshield to the gauges from side window to side window! this must be replaced!!! *tr

The dash in this vehicle is cracking and falling apart apparently from exposure to sunlight. this could result in serious injury from exposure to sharp objects located under the dash and could cause plastic shards to be embedded in ones face and eyes should the airbags deploy in an accident. i have been told that a replacement from dodge will do the same thing and will cost me about $1200 to replace. i have also found out that almost all 1999 dodge ram's have this same problem as do other year ram's. *tr

My 1999 dodge ram truck dash assembly is falling apart. the upper pad started by cracking and finally falling into the main dash area about 70% of the dash pad is broken off. now the main dash assembly is cracking and unable to hold the accessories attached to it on its own. i am asking dodge to replace the dash assembly at their cost with no luck. *tr

Dashboard hazard the part began failing while i was having some interior work done on my vehicle. it started with a small crack and now it's turned into 2 gaping holes. the dashboard on the 1999 dodge ram is a potential hazard. they are very brittle and subject to constant ongoing cracking. if ever there is a case of frontend collision or airbag deployment the driver and passengers could be blasted with numerous pieces of sharp hard plastic. *tr

1999 dodge ram 1500 44, the dash has completely crack and broken out. i hit a bump in the road and a piece the size of a plate falls into the lower part of the dash. my dash completely has collapsed, i have never heard of this before on any vehicle. then i read the blobs and saw thousands of people having the same problem. why is this happening to are trucks, and everyone is having the same problem, at what point do we say manufacturer defect. how many people have to say the same thing before some one does something, they are not even offering a reasonable repair. $1000 to replace the dash is a joke, a plastic cover, are you kidding! dodge does not even make this dash any more so it is supply and demand! something has to be done. *tr

I noticed a slight line in the dash sometime in 2009, next to the windshield and about 5 or 6 inches from the passenger door. i thought that it was a surface scratch. later on, it got longer and longer, becoming noticeable as a crack, until now it is all the way across the dash and to the glove compartment, coming at an angle towards the middle of the truck. about a year after i noticed that the crack had gotten longer, perhaps 1/2 way across the dashboard, i was hit in the back end by another vehicle. about 7 months after that, the crack elongated to it's full length across the dash from the windshield to the glove compartment. i am worried that the dash will fall in. *tr

Dashboard is badly cracked. *tr

Dashboard cracked in 2 different areas. one crack is inline with the steering wheel. the other is inline with the passenger air bag. both run from the windshield back towards the seat. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 1500. while the contact was examining his vehicle he noticed that the entire dashboard began to wear and crack. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the entire dashboard needed to be replaced. the contact noticed prior that there were small cracks forming on the dashboard. the current and failure mileages were 152000.

Dash is cracking and collapsing inside of vehicle. small electrical fire that i caught early enough for either the dash cutting wires, or from them baking in the sun. *tr

Cracked dashboard in dodge truck. *tr

Among the thousands of dodge owners, my dash has imploded. it started in jan. while using the defrosters. cracks just appeared from the defrosters out the entire dash. i have been trying to find a replacement without luck. now the heater core and condenser were replaced and there isn't enough of the dash left to put a cover over. my wife read the complaints about the dashes and airbag failures, and refuses to ride in the truck with me for fear of the airbag and/or projectiles coming from the dash. *tr

Over the past year my dashboard has slowly self destruct. it started with a single crack, then another and another and another, to the point where it has literally collapsed. my a/c vents are effected as well as my radio is now starting to act up. i am in fear that with the intense arizona sun, my wiring may start to short out and cause a fire. i understand that this is a widespread problem. can dodge be held accountable? i'm worried. *tr

My dash has a hole around foot long and more then 6inch wide do to the sun drying out its very then and cheap plastic the cup holders are broke to i have had older cars and truck were the dash cracks but i've never had one with a hole in it and my dash keeps cracking and falling a part im happy with my truck but fill dodge needs fix these problems i plan to drive my truck for many more years to come and would like to see these problems solved and not at the owners expense. *tr

My dash board is cracking day after day and it keeps getting worse. it started above the air bag section and i'm worried after some time if this may have some safety issue problems. the quality of the dash board is cheaply made. *tr

The dash board on my dodge ram truck is cracking and falling to pieces. the pieces falling into the dash can cut or expose electrical wires and in a crash the extra broken dash pieces can add to the problem of flying debris that can cut passengers. *tr

Cracking and broken dash. the dash around the air vents and pillars are broken away in large chunks with cracks extending from around 3" around the perimeter of the dash. dash is loose as a result of the cracking and broken pieces that have fallen out. this is a "common problem" to dodge rams. dodge should take responsibility and replace the dashboards with decent ones instead of expecting customers to pay $800 for the same inferior and faulty part. these dashboards should be replaced due to an obvious manufacturing flaw/problem. *tr

Dashboard falling apart. looks like a jigsaw puzzle. have done a search online to find out this is a problem that continues from year 1998 through 2010. dodge refuses to acknowledge there is a problem. however, i feel the dash having jagged edges pointing at you would be a safety hazard. *tr

Dash cracking and breaking up. caving in, big hole in dash. unsafe now. happened over summers, made too thin. one crack when i bought it. all broke up now. '04-'08. *tr

Cracked dashes may lead to ripped airbags on deployment(safety issue). *tr

The upper dash panel/pad in the 1999 series of dodge ram pickup's has been experiencing cracks in it. these cracks start and then do not stop. on my particular truck i am missing a huge chunk of the dash due to this problem. i have searched and searched the internet for a replacement part, but to my surprise there are none at a decent replacement rate. the body man i spoke to at a local dealership says that all the dodge dash pads are like this, and i have found him to be correct. i have read countless numbers of incidents of similar proportions in forums all over the internet about this same problem. i would really like to see makers of dodge issue a recall on this item and replace it at no cost to owners like me experiencing this problem with a product that will not crack like this one has. it is dangerous to people not only by the sharp corners of broken pieces of dashboard, but for some it has shorted out wires that have melted from exposure to the sun and caused severe risk to their safety. please, please, please do something about this. i myself have cut my arm open on a piece of broken dash when one out of no where just decides to break off. *tr

1999 dodge ram 1500 pickup truck. dashboard cracked extensively. needs investigation. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 55 mph the hood suddenly opened and shattered the windshield. the vehicle was inspected by an auto glass technician who replaced the windshield. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

I currently own a 1999 dodge ram 1500 pickup and mechanically it has been a pretty good car. however, about a year ago, my dash started cracking and has since developed multiple cracks that run from the front of the dash to the windshield!! i've witnessed many other dodge pick-up trucks with the same issue and some have big chunks of plastic that have broken out of the dash. i'm concerned that wiring will be exposed, the plastic as it breaks off in chunks will fall down into the dash and cause problems! i really believe that dodge had a problem with the plastic used in the dashes of their pickup trucks during this time period. they should pay to have these dashes replaced!! thanks! *tr

The dashboard on my 1999 dodge ram truck is cracked, broken, and coming apart. parts of the dash are falling into the vents and other electrical devices. *tr

I own a 1999 dodge ram 1500. this past summer the dash board just started cracking and the dash board pieces are falling out constantly. i now have only a partial dashboard left with holes in it big enough to put your hands through. even while i am driving, smaller pieces will pop off the dash and shoot at me. i am reading complaints all over the internet regarding the exact same thing, o i know it's not a problem unique to me. *tr

1999 dodge ram dash cracking which could lead to failure of electrical safety functions such as air bags, headlights and windshield wipers. dodge and dodge dealerships are aware of this problem due to the tremendous number of complaints. reports of large chunks falling into electrical wiring. *tr

1999 dodge truck 1500 dashboard cracking driving along and a piece of the dashboard flew off the dashboard and hit me right between the eyes is the government waiting till someone gets killed or maimed before they make chrysler do something about this problem now now now and now read the internet. *tr

Dash cracked ,getting worse,pointy pieces of hard plastic that could be dangerous in an accident,and also exposing wiring and air bag to sun damage. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 1500. while driving 55 mph, the hood popped open and shattered the windshield. the entire fender and grill were bent. the vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or mechanic. the failure mileage was 183,000.

I own a 1999 dodge ram 1500 and the dash is cracking all to pieces. i just heard a story about how when this happens the sharp pieces can cut my wiring beneath the dash. *tr

We own a 1999 dodge ram sport and the dashboard is literally crumbling away. it is severely cracked all over. i am concerned that if we are in a wreck that the pieces will fly off the dash and harm the passengers and that the airbags won't deploy properly. i am also concerned that pieces will fall down into the dash and cause further problems. i haven't done anything to correct the problem yet because i don't have the money. *tr

Dashboard craked and basically disintergrated! *tr

Own a dodge ram 1500 (1999). dash began cracking about a year ago, now it has huge holes where the dash has literally broken off in chunks! i'm concerned that the dash could become a hazard if there were a crash (would it become shrapnel?), will this problem affect the airbags? *tr

The dashboard started cracking. that is a seperate failure. the next failure is when going over any bumps in the road, the dashboard lights, rpms, guages, bells cuts off and if you happen to turn the vehicle off, it will not restart. it is not corrected and after contacting chrystler, they opted to do nothing towards the repair. *tr

My 1999 doge ram 1500 dash cracked and then exploded into pieces while driving i now have arge holes in the dash with the wiring exsposed. *tr

Dashboard on truck has completely fallen through. *kb

Dash falling apart! my previous vehicle was a 1995 ram and i had the same issue. obviously this is a consistent problem for dodge. having had the problem before, i purchased a dash mat from the dealer when i bought the truck but, the dash fell apart anyway. *tr

Dashboard cracked in half in two places,and cracking more and more each day,one of the big cracks is in front of the air bag. found many complaints on the web about these dodge dashboards falling apart,this could be a real safety problem i hope something is done about, i know dodge ain't doing nothing about! *tr

1999 dodge ram 1500 dashboard falling apart. when i turned the defroster on something flew out and hit me in the face. later i found a small piece of the dash in my lap. this could have hit me in the eye. dash is falling completely apart. *tr

The vehicle's upper dash has developed six major and separate cracks which poses a possible hazard. it is an apparent defect most likely within the process of molding the dash. in the molding process, if the molten plastic is not the proper temperature, or formulated properly, then the dash will develop "stress cracks", which are straight lines, not webbing. additionally, these cracks are neither caused by sun or protectorant nor heavy use or environment. main concern: further cracking can and will lead to the dashboard failing and falling into the wiring, possibly causing a short or fire. electrical failure could cause a fatality due to the deploying of the air bags in a manner not related to an automobile accident via a short (two wires touching), or the failure of the headlamps during darkness, or the failure of the windshield wipers at speed during heavy rain. i have contacted the manufacturer to see if they will address this inherent flaw in the product. *tr

I have a 1999 dodge ram 1500 with 64,000 miles. just recently i have noticed that the dash developed a crack that grew in length on the drivers side. now there is a nother crack on the passenger side of the truck. the crack on the drivers side goes from the windshield all the way to the top of the dash. the other one isn't that big but it is starting to get bigger. *tr

I bought my 99 dodge ram new in tucson, az. within a couple of months i bought a carpet dash cover to protect the dash from the sun. have not looked under cover till truck experienced heater core problems. took truck in to get part fixed and was informed my entire dash was cracked. i never used protective chemicals like armoral or removed the dash cover, so sunlight/chemicals should not have caused this problem. as with other people with this "dodge dash crack" problem i have lost my right front speaker and other electronic equipment appears to be having issues. nothing specific yet except for the speaker. have appointment for truck, but don't expect much as my truck is sitting at 64,000+ miles and it is a few years past warranty. am concerned that the dash could be causing electrical problems which could lead to fire or air-bag deployment. *tr

The dash on my 1999 dodge ram 1500 quad cab is cracking all over. it is beginning to fall apart. this is my only vehicle (one that i baby) and i am its only owner. i am concerned about the safety on not only myself, but also my passengers. if we were to be in a wreck, i am not sure that the sharp plastic wouldn't break off and hurt us. *tr

Dash board is cracking all over. it just started a few months ago and is getting worst. my truck is in show condition and this really bites. i think dodge should fix this problem with a recall. i don't think my airbag will work because the housing it seats into is cracked too. *tr

Dash covering airbag's deteriorating, seatbelt doesn't rewind, seat back doesn't latch into a secure position. i wonder if the dash will explode on impact and will the shards of plastic cause further injury. during a sudden braking event will the seat back throw everybody in the vehicle into the dash if the seatbelts fail? no injuries yet. can't afford all the repairs. *tr