Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE - BODY - HOOD - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | ||||||
| PE08047 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 07/25/2008 | 12/17/2008 | 2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCH | ||
| The agency opened this investigation based on 30 complaints alleging that the hoods on model year (my) 2000 and 2001 dodge ram pickup trucks flew up and blocked the driver's vision.these vehicles have a primary hood latch and a secondary (backup) hood latch.the secondary latch is designed to secure the hood if the primary hood latch is not properly closed or otherwise malfunctions.in these complaints, the secondary hood latch malfunctioned, apparently due to corrosion, and did not latch.dodge conducted recall 01v-040 in 1999 to address similar problems on model year 1994-1997 dodge ram pickup trucks.the information chrysler provided in response to odi's information request letter indicated that the my 2000 and 2001 vehicles were equipped with secondary hood latches with stainless steel return springs, as opposed to the earlier recalled trucks that had zinc coated carbon steel return springs.the recalled components were susceptible to corrosion-induced failure due to the type of material used, whereas the corrosion failures in the newer models appear to be due to lubrication loss over time (regular application of grease is advised per instructions in the owners' manual). odi's review of chrysler's warranty, complaint, and injury data for the 2000 and 2001 vehicles indicates that the rates for subject vehicles are low and are declining.a potential defect trend has not been identified.this investigation is closed. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 11/01/2004 | 10000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge ram 2500. the contact stated that the entire dashboard was fractured and some pieces had detached. the failure began in 2004 and worsened over time. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was file. the manufacturer advised that they would contact him at a later date for possible assistance. the failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 67,313. | |||
| 07/17/2011 | 65000 | ||
| I own a 2000 dodge ram 2500 sport. the dash is cracked and falling apart. the plastic is sharp and sometimes the small pieces fly out and strike people. it's also distracting because it looks horrible. | |||
| 06/15/2007 | 56000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge ram 2500. the contact stated that that the dashboard was severely cracked. and causing the dashboard to fall apart to where sharp edges of the dashboard were exposed. the failure had been on going for four years. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure. he was advised by the dealer that the dashboard would need replacing. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was unavailable. the approximate failure mileage was 56,000 and the current mileage was 96,000. | |||
| 06/15/2007 | 56000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 dodge ram 2500. while the vehicle was parked he noticed that the dashboard was cracked. he stated the cracks were so bad that the dashboard was falling apart and had very sharp edges because of the failure. the failure had been on going for four years. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure. he was advised by the dealer that the dashboard needs replacing. the vehicle had not been repaired because of the cost. the vin was unavailable. the approximate failure mileage was 56,000 and the current mileage was 96,000. vwb | |||
| 10/28/2009 | 53000 | ||
| My 2000 dodge 2500 dashboard has shattered and completely fallen in. the pieces range in size from softball to slivers. i have covered the gaping hole with carpet. the lack of a dashboard has exposed wiring to the elements, the airflow to the defroster and dash vents is disrupted, and created a shrapnel hazard. there is not enough structure left for installation of a glue over dash cap and will require the entire dash to be replaced; there is a problem with the dashboards dodge should be taking responsibility for this | |||
| 12/01/2010 | |||
| I have a 2000 dodge ram 2500 with approx. 58k miles. the dash board developed a couple cracks a few years into ownership. at this point the dash is literally falling to pieces. large holes have developed exposing wires and very sharp edges. pieces will simple break off without ever touching the dash. i am unable to drive the vehicle because i feel it is unsafe to have all the exposed wiring. i would replace the dash however i am told it will do it again as chrysler has not corrected the manufacturing process of the dash or that the new dash i would get would be old stock of the same material. | |||
| 11/20/2010 | 103500 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2000 dodge ram 2500 quad. the contact stated that the dash board in his vehicle is broken, exposing the air bag and wiring. the dealer was contacted who offered no assistance. the manufacture was notified who informed the contact to file a complaint with nhtsa. the vehicle was not repaired. the current mileage was approximately 103,800. the failure mileage was approximately 103,500. bw | |||
| 10/01/2008 | 180000 | ||
| My complaint is on a 2000 dodge 2500 for a cracked and disintegrated dashboard. the dashboard has collapsed; exposing wiring to the elements, diffusing and eliminating the defrost and dash vents, and creating shrapnel hazards to occupants in the event of a crash or air bag deployment. the failure of the dashboard progressed from two several inch cracks to complete failure in the course of 2 months. | |||
| 06/16/2009 | 175000 | 1 | |
| Dash has cracked and piece fallen out. since the dash holds the passenger airbag a cracked dash could cause the airbag to not function properly in an accident. the cracked dash is a big problem in the dodge pickups from 1998. the dealers won't do anything about it since there has not been a safety recall issued. *tr | |||
| 06/10/2006 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Dashboard on my 2000 dodge ram 2500 is cracked an pieces are falling out leaving a big hole in the dashboard. *tr | |||
| 11/10/2008 | 80340 | 1 | |
| Dashboard cracked and now has fallen apart. now there is a 6x6 hole in the middle of my dashboard. *tr | |||
| 12/01/2008 | 46000 | 1 | |
| 2000 dodge ram 2500 dashboard cracked and collapsed...causing electrical problems and potential safety issues. *tr | |||
| 11/10/2008 | 106000 | 1 | |
| I have major dashboard cracking on 2000 dodge ram truck. vehicle has not been involved in an accident, it appears that the material used in the dashboard is defective. it is my opinion that if i was in a serious accident, large shards of the dashboard could come loose and cause a serious injury. *tr | |||
| 04/27/2005 | 1 | ||
| Dash cracking and starting to collapsed. *tr | |||
| 06/06/2003 | 1 | ||
| 2000 dodge ram 3/4 ton-----the dashboard is cracking and all to pieces. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 70000 | 1 | |
| Dashboard has literally fallen apart. started with a small crack, now has a huge whole in it from collapsing in on itself. *tr | |||
| 08/15/2004 | 85000 | 1 | |
| Dash is falling apart under carpet dash cover. *tr | |||
| 06/15/2006 | 135000 | 1 | |
| Cracked and collapsed dashboard. i believe the passenger airbag is in jeopardy of a false trigger and/or deployment, potentially causing bodily harm or injury. or worse, it may not deploy at all should an accident occur. absolute no support from the manufacturer. *tr | |||
| 04/22/2008 | 1 | 09/17/2007 | |
| The dashboard of my 2000 dodge ram pickup truck has caved in. it was hidden by a fuzzy dashboard cover when we purchased the truck last year as used and only discovered the problem when we removed the cover. it turns out it is a known problem with chrysler, but they will not repair it. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 120000 | 1 | |
| The dash is badly cracked, from the heating duct in several directions including over the speedometer and toward the passenger side. a piece has fallen in. it appears more will, too. i understand from others with this problem the whole dash will eventually fall in and that dodge takes no responsibility for what appears to be a very common manufacturing defect in this make of truck. the cracking is not crazed as would be expected from uv damage. this is an ongoing problem that has slowly worsened over the course of several years. *tr | |||
| 11/25/2003 | 55000 | 10 | 11/01/2003 |
| My 2000 dodge ram dash started to crack in 2003 and now has cracked so bad that chunks are popping off of it driving down the road. *tr | |||
| 10/18/2007 | 140035 | 2 | 10/09/2005 |
| Cracked dash in a 2000 dodge ram 2500. in reference to the news story done by wkmg orlando. *tr | |||
| 11/06/2007 | 80000 | 1 | |
| Dash is cracked and has fallen in some areas. sharp pieces have broken off and are loose. *tr | |||
| 08/23/2007 | 28000 | 1 | |
| I am the owner of a 2000 model dodge ram 2500. the truck is an extra vehicle that is seldom used with only 43,000 miles and is very well taken care of. two years ago the dash began cracking just in front of the driver. i was concerned, but thought it was just sun damage to my specific vehicle. within only months the problem had grown and there were many other cracks from end to end on the dash. a local body shop looked at the problem and gave me an estimate of nearly $1000 to replace the dash. still assuming this was an isolated problem with only my vehicle, i decided to purchase a dash cover to hide the unsightly cracks and possibly protect it from further damage in lieu of the expensive dash replacement. the dash cover did hide the cracks, but did nothing slow down the continual cracking. after speaking to others with similar problems and reading numerous accounts on the internet, i am now concerned about safety issues related to electrical system problems, air bag deployment as well as flying projectiles in the event of a crash. i filed a complaint with daimler-chrysler, which stated knowledge of the problem only to be told the vehicle is out of warranty and the district manager had declined any assistance to remedy the problem. thanks for any help to rectify this issue. *jb | |||
| 04/06/2006 | 100000 | 1 | 10/24/2004 |
| I own a 2000 dodge ram 2500 pick up truck with diesel, about a year ago my dash started to deteriorate falling off in chunks. i can see where this could be a safety issue. it could fall down in the way of the peddles or cause damage if in an accident by flying all over the place. *tr | |||
| 12/18/2003 | 86000 | 5 | 11/14/2003 |
| After the purchase of a 2000 dodge ram 4x4 in 2003 i noticed cracks in the dash. within two weeks the cracks quickly spread and evolved into huge holes until there was very little of the dash left. after the dash fell apart the lights periodically began to fail, the cruise control quit working then began working with a mind of its own,,, speeding up and slowing down and total shut off. heater quit working immediately,,, dodge refused to do any repairs what so ever, stating it was not under warranty nor was it a recall item, therefore they have no responsibility in the matter. i know of at least 6 friends that owe the same vehicle and have the same problem and were told the same by dodge. i never intend on purchasing another dodge product again. please help ........... *tr | |||
| 47000 | |||
| The conversion vans front high rise started separating from the body of the vehicle. the consumer is concerned that it may come completely off at anytime while driving. the cause of the separation was undetermined. please provide more details. *nlm | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||
| 08/01/2011 | |||
| The dashboard is cracked and broken in several places. | |||
| 01/01/2000 | 85000 | ||
| First of all, does anyone at the nhtsa even read these complaints? much less, do they even act on these complaints? and what does it take for them to act? i too have a 2000 dodge ram 2500 truck thas has a dashboard that's been falling apart for the last five years. i have a football size hole in mine. it too, is so brittle i dare not touch it. i have read dozens of complaints on this problem from multiple sources, yet nothing is being done by the nhtsa to force dodge/chrsyler to correct it. why is that? do they need to wait until a serious injury or death occurs before acting.......or do you need to have multiple serious injuries or deaths? | |||
| 01/01/2011 | 142000 | ||
| I have a 2000 dodge ram 2500 with the dashboard cracking and large sections falling out. this could create flying shards of sharp plastic should i be in an accident | |||
| 08/10/2010 | 120000 | ||
| Dash top cracked and broke into dozens of pieces falling into dash. the dash top is no longer useable and must be replaced at a cost of over a $1000. the loose parts could cause wireing to be damaged and other parts not to function, defrost vents are not being held in place. the new factory part will be no better after the sun and heat get to it! dodge need to be responsible an replace the part with a better part! | |||
| STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS | |||
| 08/10/2006 | 75000 | 1 | 06/01/2002 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while inspecting the undercarriage, he noticed the cross member was cracked. the vehicle was inspected by the dealership, but no diagnosis was given. updated 9/15/2006 - the frame cross member that supported the transmission cracked. the underside of the cab was broken and bent at numerous points. the dealer was not interested in repairing the vehicle because it was out of warranty. *nm | |||