Call Chrysler's customer assistance and see if they will help with some part of the cost. If you haven't had it diagnosed at a dealer yet, they will tell you to go get that done and call back if they are considering assistance. Chances are good you will get some kind of assistance unless you have some insane mileage.

 

Question - why would high milage be an issue? Seems to me that the milage shouldn't even come in to play - unless you have modified your vehicle for serious off-road use. Perhaps you can PM Parts/Service - I've seen him on here and he is a Manager of the Service Department of a Dodge Dealership - and see what he has to say. Again, I don't see how milage plays a part....as this is obviously turning into a structural/single product issue (meaning the dash is the issue, not the miliage or aftermarket dash cleaner/protectant. If it is anything to ya, when I purchased my truck used, I used a sun shade any time I was not in the vehicle, along with keeping my windows rolled down just enough to let the AZ heat escape. Can I prove this? Sure, as my family and friends. Would it stand up in court, I don't know.....good luck!

 

For those that have been turned down.... I'd try again. What verbage was used? PM me if you have specific questions.

And, just to clairify, in my folder that I gave to the Dodge service guy - it wasn't a list of complaints. It was the NTSB complaint ( to the office of defects investigation) that I filed about a possible defective product (I wanted Dodge to see that I was serious and that I wasn't just trying to get something for nothing) and the other sheet in the folder I gave my service rep. was a vehicle info sheet - date of complaint, time, make/model/year/color/purchase date/milage at purchase/VIN/Style/Engine/current milage....My complaint, the Chrysler AG phone#, my ref. # given to me when I called CAG, My name and info, the Dealership where I purchased it (used), the Dealership I was taking the Dodge to, the Service manager's name. And my requested restitution: I want Dodge to replace my dashboard at no cost to me. Then I explained why.
" This is neither an isolated event nor a unique problem. 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."

 

Evidently Dodge has a problem continuing on into 2003. My garage kept, no armor all used 2003 1500 Quad Cab has just developed 2 cracks in the dash. One just above the left hand side of the passenger side airbag and one on the center at the windshield. I went to the local Dodge dealer and was told that there were 187 replacement dash pads backordered and that's just in the Atlanta region. I looked at coverlay but the colors don't match close enough to suit me. I did find a replacement but the $800. cost (Parts and labor) to replace seems inflated. The Flat Rate manual lists 8 hours labor for the replacement. It will probably take me twice as long but to save $500. in labor costs I'm inclined to give it a try. My only concern is Will the replacement OEM part crack in 4 years or has the manufacturing defect been corrected? It will be an expensive lesson if it has not been corrected.

 

Mileage means nothing in this situation. For any declined out of warranty assistance, Chrysler uses the blanket statement "no assistance can be provided since the warranty has expired" (whether it be by time, mileage, or both), as that is all that is required. They don't go into detail with customers on why anything gets declined. What they mainly look at is whether the vehicle is new or used, how many owners its had, and how many new vehicles you own.
If anyone has already been declined by calling Chrysler, it is pointless to try again.
Have you got your dash yet? If it's still backordered, call your dealer and make sure its on special handling. I'd also call Chrysler to see if they can expedite the dash.

 

So how long did it take to get anything back from NHTSA? It has been about a month since I filled out form.

 

got a 99 1500 sport. i have a hole in the dash the size of a football, another one the size of a baseball, and pretty soon im goina lose a 1 foot section over my instrument panel. my question is will this cause an damage to my instrument panel,or what im worried about the airbag.

 

I went to the local Dodge dealer after talking to Chrysler Customer Assistance. I gave the Complaint # to the Service Manager, he looked at my dash, made a phone call and said they would replace my out-of-warranty at a cost to me of $200. That includes parts and labor. Since it was going to cost me more than this to get a Coverlay(and it did not match my interior) and I was going to have to install it, I jumped on the offer. The replacements are on backorder with no anticipated shipping date. I was however able to locate one at a dealer about 100 miles away and my dealer called and secured it for me. I have an appointment next week to get my dash replaced.

 

5GK45VK9AB is the upper panel. Its usually all you ned to replace. Retail is $425.00. Average weekly demand is 20. That means Chrysler sells about 20 a week to its 5300 dealers. [/align]

 

Well, it's finally happened to me. My otherwise immaculate '01 Off Road has 2 large cracks in the dash. Just found them today. I've read the entire thread and it sounds like once the cracks start they progress rapidly until the dash is pretty much gone. If I install a Coverlay, can I assume that the adhesive used to hold it in place will also tend to hold the original dash together under the cover?

Does anyone have a pic of the Coverlay installed?