Cracking Dash on 1997 Dodge Ram 1500
Record Breaker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 1
From: Miracle Valley, AZ
My plenum may yet go bad, but so far it's still holding on. If it blew the gasket tomorrow, I wouldn't get upset for one second. 172k miles and no major issues...and one dash crack. I'd say my Ram has outlived its engineered life. I have no complaints.
Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 556
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio,Texas
Wait, are you saying I could email Dodge and complain that I had to replace my transmission after only 200k miles? I thought that stuff was going to last until the body turned to dust around it.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 66
Likes: 11
From: GEORGIA
Is there any avenue available for financial assistance on this issue? I should say upfront I have been a Dodge man for all my 60+ yrs. I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 I bought new with 150k miles. The dash has multiple holes in it and its getting to the point I fear I will start getting damage to the electrical system. Due to Chrysler's failure to properly address this dash damage issue with a recall, I would be very reluctant to buy another or recommend a Dodge to a friend. If anyone know any recourse please sent me a email.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,467
Likes: 4,220
From: Clayton MI
Considering he hasn't been here for 11 years, I wouldn't hold out much hope of an answer. Not to mention that if Chrysler/Stellantis/whomever decided they were going to pay anyone for fixing the problem, we most certainly would have heard about it. It isn't a safety problem, as noted earlier, so, there will be no recall. Not to mention the NEWEST of these trucks is 22 years old. Nope. If you want it fixed, you get to pay for it. There is absolutely zero chance of the manufacturer covering any of the cost.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 66
Likes: 11
From: GEORGIA
".....There is absolutely zero chance of the manufacturer covering any of the cost."
Yeah we've all known that for more than the 11 yrs. of OP's apparent absence here.
I was curious, nothing else.
Satisfaction of one's curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life. -- Linus Pauling
Yeah we've all known that for more than the 11 yrs. of OP's apparent absence here.
I was curious, nothing else.
Satisfaction of one's curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life. -- Linus Pauling
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Southeast U.S
The plastic was just junk in the 90’s and early 2000 model trucks. I had a 2000 extended cab SLT lariat. A beautiful truck. At about 40,000 miles the dash just started cracking and eventually went from one side to the other. Then right above the instrument panel, a huge chunk fell out. I could see all the parts and wires in the dash. Yes I was pissed and bought a cheap cover that looked like crap. It was a damn good truck though. I sold it in 2009 and recently saw it at a gas station, and talked to the owner. He said it was the best truck he had ever owned and wouldn’t sell it for any amount of money. So I guess a cracked dash is no big deal if you get 200,000 trouble free miles.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,467
Likes: 4,220
From: Clayton MI
My 96, with 200K plus miles on it, the dash was still perfect. (grey interior) On my 98, with a tan interior, the dash is rather cracked and brittle, with a couple large chunks missing on the passenger side now.....Both trucks lived all their lives in southern michigan/northern Ohio...
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 192
From: United States
My 96, with 200K plus miles on it, the dash was still perfect. (grey interior) On my 98, with a tan interior, the dash is rather cracked and brittle, with a couple large chunks missing on the passenger side now.....Both trucks lived all their lives in southern michigan/northern Ohio...