Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 07/20/2007 | 108000 | 1 | |
| I was cleaning front windshield. july 2007 was the first time i saw the dash panel crack ,how long it had been there i do not know. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2008 | |||
| I own a 1998 dodge ram 1500 truck that has a strange issue. for years i have suffered with a cracked dashboard that continues to deteriorate. there are many exposed elements that i feel would compromise my safety if i were involved in an accident in this vehicle. the sharp edges made by the cracks are also a hazard as well. just today, i have learned that countless dodge owners have this problem as well and the company has seemed to turn a deaf ear. i actually stumbled across the information about the large number of complaints as i was searching online to find a replacement for my vehicle dashboard. i have been using mats and towels or whatever i could conjour to cover up the problem for a year or so, but now the damage is way more than that type of bandaid can fix. for the most part, what i have learned is that to purchase a replacement of the same type of dash is a waste of money, because the quality of the material is still the same, and it will eventually fail as well. i certainly feel that dodge is responsible for replacement of the said part due to their negligence in ensuring the safety and stability of this component. it is by no means conincidental that all the people have the exact same complaint. i have owned many vehicles and never have i had such an experience! | |||
| 03/18/2009 | 198000 | ||
| Severely cracking dash, producing sharp edges and large shards potentially causing injury to driver and passengers | |||
| 01/01/2008 | |||
| I own a 1998 dodge ram 1500 truck that has a strange issue. for years i have suffered with a cracked dashboard that continues to deteriorate. there are many exposed elements that i feel would compromise my safety if i were involved in an accident in this vehicle. the sharp edges made by the cracks are also a hazard as well. just today, i have learned that countless dodge owners have this problem as well and the company has seemed to turn a deaf ear. i actually stumbled across the information about the large number of complaints as i was searching online to find a replacement for my vehicle dashboard. i have been using mats and towels or whatever i could conjour to cover up the problem for a year or so, but now the damage is way more than that type of bandaid can fix. for the most part, what i have learned is that to purchase a replacement of the same type of dash is a waste of money, because the quality of the material is still the same, and it will eventually fail as well. i certainly feel that dodge is responsible for replacement of the said part due to their negligence in ensuring the safety and stability of this component. it is by no means conincidental that all the people have the exact same complaint. i have owned many vehicles and never have i had such an experience! | |||
| 03/18/2009 | 198000 | ||
| Severely cracking dash, producing sharp edges and large shards potentially causing injury to driver and passengers | |||
| 02/18/2007 | |||
| Dashboard hole keeps getting larger 1998 dodge ram | |||
| 01/01/2008 | 89000 | 1 | |
| I have a 1998 dodge ram 1500 with a cracked dash and researched other years with the same problem . i have call dodge like a lot of others have with no results . my concern is with the windows down i have had a peace of the dash fly in to face while driving . and i think it is a safety issue. now i cant roll down the windows with out fear of been hit in the face again ...... *tr | |||
| 06/01/2009 | 130000 | 1 | |
| The dashboard is cracked and exposing the electrical system. there are also sharpe edges exposed causing a safety risk. *tr | |||
| 01/20/2010 | 155240 | 1 | |
| 1998 dodge ram 4x4 sle pick-up truck with cracked dash. sharp edges on dash has caused an injury to my hand whiling cleaning the window. damage was not caused by any person or persons in your around the vehicle. the cracked dash is a common problem in 2nd generate dodge picks (1994-2001). *tr | |||
| 03/13/2009 | 125000 | 1 | |
| 1998 dodge ram 1500, severely cracked dash. *tr | |||
| 10/01/2008 | 140000 | 1 | |
| Cracking dash on dodge ram something needs to be done since chrysler will not. cracks are causing sharp edges and electrical problems. *tr | |||
| 07/07/2009 | 1 | ||
| I have found that the dodge pu's all have defective and failing dashes. what will it take to get you to have this problem resolved. a child decapitated in a minor accident from a known defect in dodges dashes. a family burned alive while driving down the highway because the dash caves in and shorts out wiring. or perhaps an accident when the air bag deploys at 70 mph due to an electrical short. this is a serious issue and dodge/chrysler need to address it and fix it now. or perhaps we are too busy financing the continued defective manufacturing of death traps by dodge/chrysler with tax payers dollars to be concerned with lives of working class americans who supported the company by purchasing their junk vehicles. my dashboard is falling apart around me and this has been an issue for a long, long time. you have known of it, yet no recalls have been issued. chrysler and dodge have known of it, profits over life seems to be their only concern. do a search on the internet and you will literally find thousands of dodge ram pu owners with the same issues and complaints about this vehicle. and you will also find that chrysler and dodge fully intend to just ignore the problem. personally, i don't think my tax dollars should go to bail out a company that willingly manufactures and sells defective products to consumers and when brought to their attention, they will just brush it aside or blame the consumer. and i strongly feel that your agency needs to be a bit more forceful with chrysler and dodge to get these substandard items repaired and replaced at their expense before more taxpayers who bailed them out get injured or die from their known defects. *tr | |||
| 05/05/2008 | 1 | ||
| I have two 1998 dodge 1500 trucks both have the dash breaking apart. *tr | |||
| 02/07/2009 | 120795 | 1 | |
| Dash is cracking and falling apart due to defective material used for making the dash. this problem causes sharp protruding pieces. this could make it unsafe for the driver or passengers if an accident occurs. *tr | |||
| 10/23/2004 | 1 | ||
| Like many other american consumers owning dodge rams years ranging from 1994 -2006, the top cover of the dash has cracked and fell in. this has caused my air bag light to come on. whether it is still functional is unknown, but highly unlikely for the light to appear. even if it does work what would happen to my passengers, which could very well be my family, and i in the instance of a crash happening in the truck. it is very, very possible brittle, broke shards of plastic would end up in our face. with the accelerated rate that an airbag deploys, this could end tragically. please help the tens of thousands of us that share this faulty chyrsler product problem. with little research it is very easy to see just how wide spread this problem has become. it will also be clear as to how many people this problem could harm. we are now taking a stand, starting with this. please help us correct this issue before live are taken or ruined by faulty chyrsler products. *tr | |||
| 11/26/2008 | 1 | ||
| I purchased a used 1998 dodge ram 1500 4x4 quad cab and the dashboard is in pieces. obviously i knew it's condition when purchased but assumed a junk yard would be the answer. i'm now realizing this is a common problem with the ram and am hoping a recall will be made...until then it's a dash mat. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Cracked dash, 98 dodge ram 1500 pickup. *tr | |||
| 06/01/2006 | 85000 | 1 | |
| The dash in my 1998 ram 1500 is all cracked and falling apart. the vin has fallen off too (it was riveted to the dash). i think this could affect the effectiveness of the air bag. *tr | |||
| 06/08/2001 | 50000 | 1 | |
| 1998 dodge truck dash falling out on large pieces. one piece got behind brake pedal and nearly caused an accident. *tr | |||
| 06/20/2008 | 100000 | ||
| The dash on my 98 dodge ram 1500 truck has developed several cracks in various places. *tr | |||
| 06/04/2008 | 74000 | 1 | |
| Dashboard cracked and crumbled from one end to the other. *tr | |||
| 06/30/2007 | 90000 | 1 | |
| The dashboard in my 1998 dodge ram pickup is cracking and falling apart. i have not yet replaced the dash, but if it continues to crumble, i will have to due to safety. *tr | |||
| 01/21/2008 | 136000 | 1 | |
| Cracked , or should i say falling apart dash on truck. *tr | |||
| 06/01/2006 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Dashboard is cracked in several place on my 1998 dodge truck that i just paid off. this began 2 years ago as a result of the vehicle being in the sun. this has caused the dash to become loose and dangerous for the internal parts that the dash protects. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2008 | 1 | 01/01/2008 | |
| 1998 dodge 1500 pickup truck cracked dash falling apart. *tr | |||
| 02/21/2008 | 50000 | 1 | |
| My 1998 dodge ram 1500 pickup has a chronic case of cracked dash. this has been heavily noted from 1998 models through the 2004 models. this is extremely hazardous to passenger safety because if the passenger airbag should deploy the passenger of driver could be impaled by sharp shards of plastic from the fractured dash. these dashes need to be recalled due to this extreme safety hazard. *tr | |||
| 04/06/2007 | 100000 | 1 | 03/01/1998 |
| 19980 dodge ram 1500 dash cracking, and falling apart creating large sharp plastic pieces. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2007 | 2 | 02/01/2002 | |
| 1) nothing caused failure. no car accidents or crashes. just started showing up over time. 2) two separate cracks in dashboard. one on the passenger side by vent that leads all the way towards the glove box while the other crack is above my gauge console. 3) the only repair possible is a whole new dashboard which has not been done as of yet. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2001 | 35000 | 1 | 06/28/1998 |
| The front dash of my 1998 dodge ram 1500 quad cab began cracking in multiple places within three years of the purchase of the vehicle. the cracks have become so extensive that a large hole recently opened up in the top dash above the instrument cluster and steering column. internal components under the dash are now exposed to sunlight. the dash is essentially slowly disintegrating over time. *tr | |||
| 09/22/2007 | 234000 | 2 | 10/25/2002 |
| 1998 dodge ram 1500 2wd. i have one large crack in the center of the dash and another small one on the drivers side. if i get one the passenger side at the air bag well. *jb | |||
| 07/11/2007 | 1 | ||
| Small cracks in dash, which lead to large cracking. the dashboard has almost completely caved in the middle. the dashboard is no longer one piece. very disappointed, and it may eventually lead to safety related issues. *tr | |||
| 08/09/2007 | 1 | 09/01/1999 | |
| 1998 dodge pickup dash board cracking. *tr | |||
| 07/01/2005 | 70000 | 7 | |
| Severe failure of dashboard. noticed small cracks when purchased used in 2005. dashboard has since cracked extremely badly. have spoken with other dodge ram owners who, for the majority, have had the same problem. spoke with dealer. no coverage. $1000 plus to fix. found complaints, but no investigation. *ak | |||
| 12/20/2005 | 56000 | 1 | 12/10/2005 |
| In the 1998 dodge ram 1500 pickup, i have expericenced 3-4 large cracks in the dashboard, some running the whole length from the front edge to the windshield. *ak | |||
| 06/01/2007 | 1 | 06/01/2005 | |
| 1998 dodge ram 1500....dashboard is cracked and spreading across entire length. *tr | |||
| 05/25/2007 | 1 | 07/28/2002 | |
| Dashboard cracked on 98 dodge 1500 truck. maybe defective plastic that can't hold up like other dashboards i've had in other trucks. could lead to sun melting wires and short out headlights and taillights. this has already been proven by alot of others with same vehicle. i think there should be a recall on this defect. for safety reasons and also there name. *tr | |||
| 07/15/2002 | 50000 | 1 | 01/02/1999 |
| I own a 1998 & 2002 dodge truck. both vehicles have cracked dashboards. this could be a problem in the future should the dashboard collapse. this was a problem with many of these trucks and felt it should be corrected by the manufacturer. please advise. *ak | |||
| 05/08/2007 | 1 | 04/10/2001 | |
| 1998 dodge ram 1500 p/u dashboard cracking and possible it will collapse. *ak | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 81520 | 1 | 04/19/2002 |
| Dashboard cracking and breaking. the dashboard in the 1998 dodge 1500 cracked in many places. many of these vehiclesi were affected from the same problem. *ak | |||
| 05/15/2007 | 1 | 05/06/1998 | |
| The dashboard of our dodge ram 1500 is completely cracked in at least 3 places and is in danger of caving in.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2007 | 65500 | 1 | 10/09/2006 |
| Cracked dashboard. *aki | |||
| 04/15/2007 | 91000 | 1 | 06/15/2001 |
| 1998 dodge ram 1500 dash boardfalling apart. large holes showing wiring. *ak | |||
| 02/05/2007 | 97000 | 1 | 09/04/2002 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. the contact noticed a hairline crack on the vehicle's dashboard. the contact applied superglue to the dashboard, but the crack is spreading. the contact has pictures. the engine size is not available. the current mileage is 98,000 and failure mileage was 97,000. | |||
| 05/09/2007 | 65000 | 1 | 06/10/1998 |
| The 1988 dodge ram dashboard was cracking. already, had 2 cracks on dashboard. it has not broke apart yet , but it was just a matter of time. *ak | |||
| 06/10/2006 | 62000 | 1 | 02/01/2004 |
| Dashboard cracking into pieces.*ak | |||
| 05/08/2007 | 76000 | 1 | 05/01/2005 |
| The dashboard started with one crack and over the past few months has cracked into a large triangle shape with a few smaller cracks.*ak | |||
| 04/14/2006 | 105000 | 1 | |
| Dash board has numerous large cracks and pieces are loose on each end. there is also a large crack in the center from the windshield to the instrument panel. *tr | |||
| 12/17/2006 | 1 | 12/10/2003 | |
| The dashboard on my 1998 dodge ram has caved in. *tr | |||
| 02/27/2006 | 1 | 03/31/1998 | |
| The dash on the 94-01 dodge ram 1500 have a problem with cracking as mine did. not sure if this will cause a safety issue or cause the unsafe deployment of the air bags in case of an accident. *jb | |||
| 12/31/2005 | 1 | ||
| I have a 1998 dodge ram 1500. the dash cracked in several places a couple of years ago along with the bezel. also have a problem with horn, it is very hard to activate when pushed. these items are a concern being near or part of the air bag deployment if in a crash. i believe the dash and bezel are cheaply made and dodge needs to replace these at what ever cost to prevent possible injury if persons are in a crash while operating or riding in their vehicles. *nm | |||
| 10/01/2005 | 157500 | 1 | 07/30/2004 |
| Hit a curb going around a corner at about 15 mph with the rear tire of truck. this caused the dash to crack from windshield all the way to the airbag enclosure. i was told this could cause an airbag failure if the passenger airbag deployed. *nm | |||
| 05/15/2004 | 65000 | 1 | 04/10/1998 |
| I purchased my 1998 dodge ram 1500 in the spring of 1998 and have been th only owner. currently, the paint is coming off the metal on the hood and roof of the truck. the dodge rep in the area has indicated that dodge would pay 1/3 of the cost to fix the problem. i have done nothing to cause this problem and do not believe dodge is standing behind their product.*ak | |||
| 04/10/2000 | 38000 | 04/10/1998 | |
| I had my dodge ram 1500 4x4 for only 2 years before the paint started fading on the hood, top of cab & top of bed. now it is 2004 and the trucks looks terriable . embarrassing to drive. dealership said there is nothing they can do, no recalls on paint for 1998 truck and no warranty. after you pay all that money for a truck and expected the best quality due to the price. i have spoke with several dealerships and this seems to be a common problem. i cannot afford to have it painted, considering how much it costs to replace the emblems and purchase the paint. is there any thing that can be done about this? please help! *ak | |||
| 03/21/2003 | 17 | ||
| From the day i saw that 96 dodge truck rolling down the street i fell in love. i saved every way possible to purchase the big bad 1500 4x4 5.9(98)with every option avail. had everything and from week 1 had problems. front windshield cracked while driving due to frame stress it about 2 weeks into it. brake failure cause serious assault on guard rail, and dodge said i must have been driving to fast (@ 30 mph). they refused any warranty because nothing can touch the wheel and since the incident occurred after 93 days lemon laws did not apply so after (2) $900 brake jobs two weeks apart everything was fine. not to mention damage to body i paid for out of pocket. now i just go through an entire set of brakes every 6 months. but i stop until then.. i replaced the transmission at 38 k miles, note the warranty on that is 36 k miles. i have had steering linkage become so loose instantaneously (or 3 separate occasions) that it felt like i was running over my own axle, which is another $1000 each time. for the past three emissions inspections the on board computer fails so i have to take it to the dealer while they charge $200 to fix it, but will not give straight answer to what is problem. and to night as i type, i spread the grime of engine crud across my keyboard as i try to figure out why the fuel filter suddenly stopped. amazingly i have had this truck for 5 years because it has kept me too broke to buy something else. any legal suggestions on what can be done would be appreciated. i recognize i have spent more than $15,000 trying to keep this thing running right, and that is too much for a late model truck. i would love to blame a dealer but i have been to just about all of them around here and with the smiles on there faces i hear that will be another $950 sir.. good grief. *nlm | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||
| 10/01/2011 | 160000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard was fracturing into pieces. the contact also stated that both side view mirrors were fractured down the middle when turning on the defrost system. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 160,000. kmj | |||
| 10/01/2011 | 160000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracking into pieces. the contact also stated that both side view mirrors cracked down the middle upon turning on the defrost system. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 160,000. sm. | |||
| 02/01/2009 | 89000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that there was a fracture in the dashboard.the vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 108,450. kmj | |||
| 09/15/2010 | |||
| 1998 dodge ram 1500 & 1999 dodge ram 2500. cracking dashboard on 1998 and 1999 dashboard has completely fell out. . | |||
| 02/01/2009 | 89000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated there was a crack with the vehicle dashboard.the vehicle was not taken to the dealer, and the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 108,450. rds | |||
| 09/15/2010 | |||
| 1998 dodge ram 1500 & 1999 dodge ram 2500. cracking dashboard on 1998 and 1999 dashboard has completely fell out. . | |||
| 06/13/2010 | |||
| Dash on 1998 and 1999 dodge ram cracked. pcs could come loose and cause a wreck. also paint is defective paint. just like the problem ford had with there car and trucks. | |||
| 06/18/2008 | 82825 | 1 | |
| My 1998 dodge ram has a very large and fast growing crack on the dash, that just appeared one day. if it falls apart any more it can cause all types of electrical, steering problems and possibly could cause a vehicle fire. *tr | |||
| 07/17/2004 | 89000 | 1 | 02/14/2003 |
| The dash cracked from the center where it meets the wind screen all the way across the dash going out of sight where the dash rolls into the airbag compartment. a few weeks later the wind screen cracked from the same orgin when it got wet. *jb | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - BUMPERS | |||
| 01/06/2005 | 40000 | 1 | 04/15/1998 |
| Severe corrosion of painted front and rear bumpers compomises the structural integrity of the bumpers.*ak | |||
| 01/30/1998 | 50000 | 06/15/1999 | |
| The paint on the front dumper on the dodge ram sport truck is just flaking off. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | |||
| 10/01/2001 | |||
| Severe cracks underneath hatch attached to vehicle. cracks are approximately one inch apart on each side, and 90% of hatch is affected by these cracks. part is available for analysis. manufacturer notified,and unwilling to assist in this matter. feel free to provide any further information on this problem. *ak | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD | |||
| 02/26/1998 | 02/11/1998 | ||
| Engine compartment hood insulation pad was ignited directly above the power steering pump and smoldered uncontrollably until it was extinguished. | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||
| 08/22/2008 | 132000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 50 mph, the hood disengaged from the latch mechanism and crashed into the windshield. the hood and driver's side windshield were damaged. there were no prior warnings or injuries. the vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. the contact notified the insurance company of the damages and is waiting on the vehicle to be repaired. the failure and current mileages were 132,000. | |||