Problems with 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 STRUCTURE

Just what happened to the phase "ram tough" i've had my 2002 dodge ram 1500 since it was new; i had installed a carpeted dash cover a few months after i bought the truck so the dashboard would be protected from the sun. i even installed a retractable accordion style sunshade. in mid 2005, i was cleaning the interior and removed the cover only to find three cracks in my dashboard, since then i have noted more and more cracks with very sharp edges to the point that now i have holes with sharp edges and pieces of dashboard falling down inside the a/c ducts and into the wiring of the dash area, also i should mention that since these pieces have fallen into the ducts, my a/c unit is not working properly in that the internal doors to divert hot and cold air are being blocked by these broken pieces and no longer open or close. i feel that dodge needs to man up and put out a recall. look, i love my truck, it's my third one, and i've been a loyal customer for many many years. it's now time for dodge to show their loyalty to its customers!!! *tr

2002 dodge ram truck has several cracks in dashboard. this could be a safety concern from flying debris in case of an accident. this apparently is a major problem with dodge trucks as many people have described this problem on the internet, but dodge has not issued a recall. *tr

I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500 quad cab. the dashboard has cracked laterally towards the passenger compartment in several different places and could ultimately disintegrate upon a head on collision causing additional injury to the driver and passengers. the dash is literally in four distinct sectional cracks and could expose the heating/ac lines underneath or cause them to dislodge into the passenger compartment upon impact. the dealer claims that this problem is considered normal wear and not covered or a safety hazard. they do recognize that this is a problem as they have offered to sell me a replacement dash cover. *tr

While driving at interstate speed (70 mph), and switching lanes while on a bridge, the excessive bouncing and bad suspension of truck make me lose control of the truck. the truck pulled to the right and the rear end of the truck ended up spinning around, making a complete 180--- on a bridge!! i ended up slamming into the safety rail of the bridge. and the air bags didn't go off. luckily, i wasn't injured. at first i thought the accident was my fault, but after talking to a few owners of this model, i figured out that many of us have had the same problems with this truck. the question is, why is this problem not being fixed?? i have talked to the dealer, and they just keep referring me to dealers from other towns. *jb

I have a problem with the dashboard of a dodge ram 1500 2002. my dashboard is cracked up in 9 pieces. the replacement parts are about $800.00 and the defective plastic has not been fixed. so in less than a years i'm going to end up where i started or with the same problem again and again. this complaint is not about the money. it's about the fact that dodge is aware of this problem and they haven't fixed the replacement part which means that if i go there right now and buy this part i'm going to have the same problem in less than a year. *tr

Our company, american family insurance, has 2 claims on the same vehicle for 2 different people who got their foot caught in between the running board and the car. one person's ankle got broken in 3 different places, and the other person tore ligaments.*ak

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated the instrument panel cover failed and the panel broke into pieces, causing the electronic door locks to fail. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and advised that the heat was causing the instrument panel plastic covering to deteriorate. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 16,000 and the current mileage was 94,000. updated 8/29/11 *cn updated 09/21/11

2002 dodge ram quad cab dash is cracked and losing large pieces beyond repair and is affecting wiring, windows ,door locks and gauges. speedometer is off and caused us to get a ticket. *tr

The dash boards on the 2002 dodge ram 1500 is made from an inferior plastic that cracks,busts,and eventually just falls into a gaping hole. this results in electrical malfunctions. i did not realize what a wide spread problem this was until i did some research of my own. there are thousands of websites dedicated to this very problem and dodge is aware it exists but thusfar has not submitted a recall. i have been trying to replace my dash for this very reason but the cost is very high and i feel as a consumer it should not be my responsibility since the material was inferior to begin with. rightnow my dash is glued together and i am sure this isn't a long term fix but i have no other choice. the electrical problems i have read that others have had are numerous including but not limited to headlights going out while driving in dark conditions. i am afraid my dash too will collapse if not replaced. please consider the ramifications if this problem isn't taken care of. *tr

My dash has completely cracked and is in pieces,(sharp pieces), it could affect the wiring in my dash, if i did have an accident the air bags in the dash could throw those sharp pieces at me and my passengers. note: these crack were at no fault of mine or my passengers. the cracks started two years after i bought the truck brand new.

I have a 2002 dodge ram pickup the dashboard has been cracked for a while from the defect in the material. the other day a piece of the dashboard broke off. now there is a real sharp edge on the front of the dashboard and it will cut someone if they happen to put their hand on it just right. god forbid that some little child should bump their head on it. *tr

Dash cracking due to improper molding temperatures or molding additives. *tr

I have a 2002 dodge ram, i have had it since 2004 and ever since i've had it, the dash continues to crack. more and more. i spoke with dodge and the damage, for just the dash where the defroster is located, would be more than $500. that is ridiculous and any problem of this caliber that occurs this quick should be taken care of or at a reasonable price. *tr

I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500. the dash board is cracked in several places. i recently found out that this is happening to thousands of ram owners across the nation. i contacted my dealer about the issue. but there's no recall on it, so they wont fix it unless i pay $1000+! this is a major issue, and dodge needs to resolve it. *tr

Tailgate completely separates from truck while driving - dodge refuses responsibility. *jb

Tailgate was lowered while driving and both safety cables were attached. after encountering a dip in the road, the tailgate became instantly dislodged and very nearly injured two pedestrians. allen samuels dodge refused responsibility and refused to repair tailgate - the service manager was also failure at customer relations. i don't have the exact date of the incident so the listed date is only an estimation. i also notice that this is the second complaint listed for the exact same problem.

I have emailed dodge many years ago about the safety issue of my dash busting in several places when my truck was just one year old. the only response i received was an offer to buy a discounted dash. i feel this is a manufacturer defect and i realize my truck is now 12 years old but this happened in only 1 year. i have since read where i am no where near alone. dodge knows there is a problem and has done nothing to correct it. *tr

2002 dodge ram quad cab 2" by 4" hole collapse in dashboard for no reason ie collision. i also had a 1998 dodge ram which sustained a longer but narrower crack. *tr

My truck is 6 years old i bought in 2002 with 2 miles on it. it now has 100,000 miles on it and i was driving to work the other day and part of dash collapsed in above the driver side steering wheel. i almost wrecked when that happened. i checked online and noticed a lot of complaints about the dash cracking and dodge was not doing anything about it. *tr

Consumer states that when trying open the rear doors it will heavily vibrate and will make a loud popping noise. dealer notified ts

None

When vehicle is being driven on the freeway, the back of the vehicle bounces, very severely. dealership has been notified. ph *ts

Have had several problems with this vehicle. some haven't been reported to the dealer yet. the transmission problem has been happening since i've had the vehicle. it shifts hard at about 2200 rpm's or around 25-30mph. dealer can't duplicate. i've had other problems that were not listed including brakes and alternator. the drivers side door mirror has recently broken and now flops in the wind on the free way and is unusable. i filed a claim with my insurance company, then found that it was a huge problem with other owners of the same vehicle. the ventilation from the panel is aslo sent to the floor vents despite the dial being set to "panel" not "floor". the tailgate cables are mismatched. the dealer told me that it was normal. i won't place anything on the tailgate in fear that the cable might break. the exterior turn signals are not synched with the displayed trun signals. the simultaneous flash is not there. also, the alternator was found to be defective at around 600 miles. it was causing a high pitched squeaking sound similar to what a defective belt may sound like. it was replaced, but started doing it again at 6750 miles. the hood has slight dents in it like someone hit it with a ball pen hammer. apparently chrysler knows about this. i'll be taking it in the first chance i get to try to have it fixed. i've had this truck a 3 different dealers in hope that the next one would be more help than the previous. no such luck. i've had to take time off from work (about 6 days total; had to wait at dealership since it was an out of town purchase ) and rent cars 5 times while having it worked on at a local dealership in order to get to work. i've had nothing but bad luck with this vehicle. daimler-chrysler has dreadful quality control and i can't say much more for the dealers. i hope i can get the issues with this truck resolved someday. dt