Problems with 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 STRUCTURE

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dash board was disintegrating. pieces of the dashboard were penetrating through the heater vacuum system, which caused the heater not to work. the manufacturer was contacted. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 163,000.

The hood latch behind the grill broke or failed. my hood flew up as i was driving down the road and shattered my windshield. the hood and hinges are bent. it felt like i hit a brick wall. i could not see anything. i gradually got to the side of the road. i could not pull the hood down. a gentleman stopped to help me and we got the hood down but it would not close. the hood had to be secured with a bungee cord. my truck was towed and is currently in the shop. they will be replacing the hood, windshield and hood latch. this was a dangerous situation i was put in from a faulty hood latch.

Cspc: the dashboard on my 2001 dodge ram 1500 pick up truck has become extremely brittle. it cracks without warning and sends shards into the passenger compartment. *dt *js

I believe i purchased the vehicle into thousand two and in approximately 2006, they dashboard started severely cracking and falling apart in pieces. i purchased a dashboard cover to try to hold the dashboard in place and prevent chunks of the dashboard from flying loose and hitting either myself or a passenger in the vehicle. on december 23, 2017, i was driving and a chunk of the dashboard flew out of the air conditioner vent and hit me in the eye. luckily i was not hurt but i am very concerned this will not be the case next time. i don't have another vehicle to drive and i got an estimate for $1500 to replace it and i don't have the money to do this, neither should i have to replace it because i've done research and it was a major faulty defect on the manufactures part. please contact me asap to resolve this issue so that i'm not injured or a passenger riding with me is not injured. my number is [xxx] and my email address is [xxx] since i have to drive this vehicle because i don?t have another one and can't afford to replace the dashboard, if anyone is injured due to this problem, i will hold the manufacture responsible. i'm unable to take any pictures of the dashboard because if i remove the dashboard cover, chunks of the plastic sharp dashboard will fall into the inside of the panel and possibly damage the vehicle even more. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

I purchased this vehicle new in 2001. since then, the dashboard has been replaced 3 times. once by dodge and 2 times by me. this dashboard continues to crack and split. now the bezel has cracked into several pieces. now, within the last week, the glovebox, made of the same plastic material has split and broken at the hinges. i have noticed that this is a real problem that is all over nhtsa's complaint board under several locations such as body, structural, airbags. these dashboards have cracked so badly, no one knows which portion of the vehicle that is affected but could show up in several locations. although they have blamed this on uv degradation, i have other vehicles from 1986 and 87 that still have never had this problem. i also have a1999 dodge 1500 that the dash has also cracked and i have replaced as well. when will nhtsa finally issue a recall for free replacements. right now, mopar and aftermarket parts continue to sell the dashboard that has multiple defects. if the dash comes apart during a crash, shrapnel from the dash can be blown into a persons face or chest during an airbag deployment. it is all over the web about poor dashboards on this particular model. when is the recall? it is all over nhtsa's web site under various category's. when is the recall going to occur? a lot of dodge owners are tired of pulling money out there pockets to fix a reoccurring problem for a defect that dodge/chrysler is aware of? the vehicle's cracking and breaking of the dash, bezel and glovebox are made of the same material. the problem cracks when the vehicle is stationary, in motion, on streets or highways. can nhtsa help get a recall done on this continuing problem?

Every second generation dodge ram truck has this issue. the dashboard falls apart and shatters into sharp knife-like pieces of plastic that can and do blow into your eyes while driving or cut you while driving or stationary. i fear that if my airbag deployed the sharp pieces of plastic that would be sent flying could injure me or even be fatal. this is a very common problem that is very well documented. the fact that something this common and dangerous hasn't ended in the result of a recall or replacement is astonishing. i love my truck but i am so afraid to drive it. thank you for your time. *tr

Dash boards caving in possible causing air bags, lights and other electrical parts to fail.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. while driving 30 mph, the power steering failed. the vehicle had a past failure with the brakes, corrosion of the frame, a cracked dashboard, and warning indicators illuminating since 26,000 miles. the vehicle was repaired for these failures, but not for the steering failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failures. the failure mileage was approximately 41,000.....updated 01/04/2016 *bf

2001 dodge ram. consumer writes in regards to vehicle steering wheel vibration, brake line replacement and front frame problems. *smd updated 07/27/15.....updated 11/19/15 *bf updated 01/12/16*lj updated 11/08/2017*cn

Dash is falling apart and causing electrical problems. while driving

I purchased my 2001 dodge ram in 2006 with just a small crack or two in the dash. by 2008 the small cracks turned into large cracks and then the first part over the radio area as shown in picture fell in! at the time i had placed some items on the dash and had thought that caused it but when i started to clean it up more started to just break off so i didn't mess with it again! i contacted barrett dodge in athens ga a week later and spoke with the service deportment. they told me there was no recalls and truck was out of warranty so at that time there was nothing they would do other than charge me a crazy price to replace it for my and then if a recall ever did happen they said i would probably get back at least half of my repair cost! that still meant i would have paid hundreds for the repair so i didn't do it. the main reason im looking into this again now in 2015 is because yesterday my 8 year old son was playing in the truck while i was working on it and he went to get a toy off the dash and his arm went through the dash and cut him leaving about a 1 inch long cut in his arm! this is now why im now 7 years later surprised that with all the complaints that are on the internet about this issue that dodge has not stepped up nor have they been made to step up and help fix this issue! does somebody's child have to be seriously injured or god forbid die from a injury caused by the shape pieces of this dash before something is done about this! im now looking into getting this dash repaired mainly because of the safety for my family! i really have not been concerned about the cosmetic look that dodge has been hiding behind for their reason to not fix this issue! but i will be dammed if im going to let this poorly designed dodge dash hurt my family again! *tr

Dash board completely cracked in half leaving large jagged edges of sharp plastic and exposing wiring. an accident would severely cut passengers with flying pieces of plastic. *tr

The hood flew open. hood was not previously used, or opened, and was latched normally. however it just flew open, obstructing my view. luckily i was able to crawl over to the side of the road, and did not crash. this issue has been previously recalled by dodge in other year pick-ups, but does not look like they have ever properly corrected this safety issue. i called dodge today and asked them if they would repair my truck, but they said it did not have a recall issued, and so they would not fix it and it was up to me. *tr

Dash falling apart. *tr

The dashboard in my 2001 dodge ram 1500 is cracking and having large pieces fall under the dash itself. i am worried that this could cause injury to driver and/or passenger in the event of an accident or accidental airbag deployment. other issues could come from this problem due to all the wiring and other components that are under the dashboard. *tr

I was driving down the road when my hood came unlatched and folded up onto my windshield breaking the hood springs. *tr

Dash board has cracked from exposer to sunlight. in past year it has broken into very sharp pieces above passenger side air bag and directly in front of driver. one can cut himself and i have just trying to dust or clean inside of truck. i am very concerned about what these sharp pieces of the defective dashboard would do in an accident and if air bags would push these sharp pieces into faces of both driver and passengers in front seat of truck. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the trailer hitch fractured. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was contacted about the failure. the failure mileage was not available.

Dash panel has cracked badly to the point pieces have fallen out exposing wires, connectors, ducts and other under-dash components. i am concerned this may affect inflation of air bags and potential for pieces of cracked dash to cause severe injury in the event of air bag deployment. dash panel cracking on these models is well known to chrysler, and has drawn national media attention (eg new york times, 2013). chrysler has apparently refused to acknowledge its liability to repair this problem.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracking and deteriorating. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

I purchased the 2001 dodge ram new and it has been garage kept and has less than 70,000 miles. i was driving across a railroad crossing at the speed limit of 30 mph. this crossing is not rough. for lack of a better term the dash exploded. pieces of the dash hit me in the face and pieces were all over the front seat. the dash is essentially gone now exposing the airbag module, electronics and sharp metals that should be 'under the dash'. this is dangerous and someone is going to get hurt, either from the dash failure causing them to loose control when it fails, the pieces causing a fire or because the sharp areas are exposed that could cause additional injuries in a crash. *tr

The dashboard has been cracking for over 2 years. large pieces are breaking off and falling into the dash area where there are many electrical wires and vacuum hoses. the pieces that are breaking off are large and have sharp edges that may cut into the wires and hoses and may start fires or electrical failures/shorts. i researched and found out this is a common failure in this vehicle year due to manufacturing. sometimes as i'm driving, the broken pieces pop out towards passengers in the vehicle. i'm also concerned that a short may deploy the airbags. *tr

Removed my front dash mat to clean my truck and i found the dash is cracked in multiply spots. i have looked online and found that this is a constant problem with many other dodge owner. some even stated that the small pieces could break off and damage wiring on the inside of the dash and cause a fire. *ln *tr

Disintegration of dashboard plastics. this is a known problem for dodge trucks in this timeframe. if this vehicle were to be in an accident sufficient to deploy the airbags, sharp plastic shards would be propelled everywhere, including the face and eyes.

The dash panel directly under the windshield is completely disintegrated away within a month. a small crack developed, and within a month the dash panel was completely gone. now there is exposed components to the elements. *tr

i am an owner of a 2001 dodge 1500 truck that was in perfect condition up until 2 days ago, that was when my dashboard caved in. i took my truck to my mechanic for a summer tune-up. i live in arizona and when those triple digits start rolling in you want to be sure your ac is blowing cold and mine seem to be having some airflow problems. when my mechanic got through inspecting the truck he discovered that my dashboard was slowly "caving in" causing some electrical problems. he decided to take the dash off to get a better look and when he took the screws out the whole dashboard just broke into many pieces. i am very concerned because that dash has many electrical components behind it which could potentially cause some major problems. i am also in favor of a recall, because the dashboard inspector must of been on vacation in 2001 when they let this truck leave the factory with issues like that. recall that dash!!! *tr

We own this 2001 dodge ram 1500. the problem we are faced with is that the paint of the truck has been fading every day to the point that it has spots and instead of being a black truck is a spot truck. the rust on it is incredible, underneath, around the trim of the tire panels and the overall bottom of the truck. i know we are in new hampshire and the weather does not help, but a truck this expensive should not have to look the way it does. the dashboard inside the truck has cracked to the point that we have it all together with duct tape. my husband does not drive the truck far, because he is afraid it will be a safety issue. one time just going to the trash place, the breaks went on the truck and we had to have that truck fixed. it really bothers us that the truck should last longer and the condition this truck is in it says to us "how can a vehicle do this". we own two other cars, and they are in no way shape like this truck is. he takes care of the truck as much as he can, but is there any recalls or anyone else out there that has the same issues, with the paint, rust and the interior of the truck? the truck has been debilitating since it was purchased. we are not knowledgeable but we have taken the truck to the dealer and they fix what ever is wrong with it, but there is no mention of any recalls. my humble opinion this truck should be looked at by the dealer and fixed completely. we shouldn't have to be limited to travel in the truck because we are afraid it will fall apart due to all the rust etc underneath. any information that you can provide us will be of great help. i've attached pictures of the truck so you can see what it looks like. thank you for your attention. *tr

The dashboard is literally crumbling into sharp pointed shards and have been flying into myself and my passengers. the shards are very sharp and i'm afraid if a piece should flyinto my eye while driving it could cause an accident. *tr

Dash pad cracking real bad. i am the original owner of this truck with only 44,000 miles on it. *tr

Pulled out of parking lot hood flew open cracked windshield bent hinges and hood , barely got shut , afraid to open again , had it checked out by my mechanic and he said that these latches are recalled and fail all the time. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracked. the contact also stated that the heating coil was leaking without warning. the failure has occurred on several occasions. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the heater coil failed. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Dashboard has cracked in multiple places and has large holes as well. *tr

I bought my truck brand new in daytona beach, fl in 2001. about 2 years ago the dashboard started cracking and proceeded to get worse. when i was driving monday, 11/26/2012 part of the dash fell out and now there is a big hole in my dashboard! i have been looking for a replacement but found nothing i can afford. *tr

We purchased our new ram truck feb 23rd, 2001 & have kept it garaged when not in use, serviced as required by dodge, washed & waxed as needed & used the best vinyl protectant available on the interior to keep our truck looking new. suddenly a crack appeared on the passenger side of the dash that makes a very distracting rubbing crunching noise when the vehicle is in motion. we feel dodge is aware of using inferior materials in the dash of ours and others trucks & that a recall should be made to correct this defect. this is such an awful, ugly defect that it lessens the selling & trade in value of these vehicles & the owners should not have to take this hit due to the decision of dodge to use inferior materials in the manufature of these trucks. *tr

Hood become unlatched and flew up at ~ 50mph and hit top of truck. it completely bent backwards and after safely maneuvering off the road, 2 people had to stand on top of each truck side panel and pull repeatedly to bend back down and latch securely. metal is now bent and peeled back at the joint/hinge near windshield. *tr

My dodge ram1500 has a dashboard problem that seems to run in that year truck. the dashboard started cracking and has continued to do so. i think that there should be a recall to repair this problem before something drastic happens. the repair shop says there is no recall for that problem and the repair cost will be appprox. $1000.00. *tr

Dashboard has completely fragmented apart. it has been taped to prevent pieces of hard plastic from dropping into electrical components. should an accident occur, serious injury will result from dashboard breaking into many sharp shards. *tr

i own a 2001 dodge ram 1500. this vehicle however, has a defect, the dashboard cracks and is starting to basically disintegrate. i however, am not the only one with these issues. as you can see on the forums and websites below. http://www.dashcover.com/dodgeramdash.html http://forums.motortrend.com/70/6297146/pickups-suvs/is-your-2001-dodge-ram-dash-falling-apart/index.html http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/ram_1500/2001/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard.shtml http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/ram_1500/2001/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard-2.shtml http://www.automotiveforums.com/t429358-cracked_dash_in_2001_2500_truck.html the failure is so common there are youtube videos on how to fix it temporarily: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7wfcxsy8xi i have seen quotes to get this fixed anywhere from 800 to 1500 dollars. absolutely absurd. some people are reporting that their dashboard is cracking and pieces are falling behind the dash and creating rattling noises and some even as severe as taking out electrical equipment causing headlight failure, ac failure, etc. despite all of these issues dodge will not issue a recall. one of my biggest concerns is if i were to get into an accident the dashboard could shatter sending sharp edged pieces of plastic towards me under high impact, which could lead to severe injury and/or death. i am highly concerned with this issue and i hope that by you showing interest on mine and others behalf we can resolve this. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

I could not get past the enter 'failed component' requirement so i had to chose air bags because it is the closest component related to the dash area i could find. i am one of the thousands of people who owns a dodge truck with a severely cracking dash. i realize that this may not seem to be a 'safety' issue, but believe me, when you have a dash that is cracked into pieces with numerous sharp edges it should be. i would never let any child be in my truck unsupervised because this dash is so bad i truly believe an injury could result from contact with the sharp edges. i realize dodge would be out an incredible amount of money to recall this problem, and i've also been told they are still selling the same bad plastic dashes as replacements, but something should be done. at least they could offer a new dash made from different material at a much more affordable cost. please find a way to help those of us who are trying to cope with this problem...thank you for your time. *tr

Completely cracked dashboard, sharp edges, effecting electrical components, headlights. *tr

Dash cracked above airbag which could cause sharp plastic to impale passenger if airbag deploys. *tr

I own a 2001 dodge ram 1500 laramie slt, purchased used in 2004 from the original owner. the dashboard began to crack within the first year i owned the truck. i recently had to have the heater core replaced, which requires removing the dashboard. the dashboard is now full of holes and larger cracks. i believe it poses a danger to me and any passenger in the event of an accident, or the deployment of the passenger airbag would likely cause the dash to do harm to anyone hit by any piece of it. i am told that dodge is aware of the problem and will do nothing about correcting it. *tr

The dash is cracking and caving in. radio isn't working now due to cut or burnt wires. the passenger side airbag could deploy at any sec with all the cracks and pieces fallen. *tt

I have many cracks and pieces missing from my dash. *tr

My dashboard was cracked when i bought it, and this week an entire piece fell in and now slides around under the dash. i have read online from other people that this can cause electrical problems, including headlight failure. the plastic is also very sharp. a recall is necessary because this could be dangerous. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard developed cracks. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure was common, but the manufacturer was not providing assistance. the failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 97,000. updated 06/06/12 *bf additional concern are the deployment of airbags. updated 06/20/12*lj

Soon after purchase i noticed cracks appearing in the trucks upper dash, soon the cracks grew more numerous and they started to connect creating complete holes or missing chunks of dash plastic leaving knife like sharp pointed edges. this leaves anyone in the vehicle at risk of a laceration or worse if a collision were to occur and a chunk of plastic became airborne and in contact with vital areas of the body or the body were to impact the dash directly where the pointed edges are. also the missing pieces are dropping into the dash electronics and vents creating a possible mechanical problem. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard had developed cracks. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated there was no recall related to the failure and as a result the contact would have to pay for the repairs. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that it was a common issue with these types of vehicles. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 180,000.

Dash is cracked. *tr

Dash board cracking and falling apart. pieces dropping into dash components causing rattling. reflection in windshield causing visual problems while driving on sunny days. *tr