There is a long thread on the Dakota side about all the problems people are having with their dashboards. I asked a question there:

Has anyone replaced their dashboard yet, and if so, has that one started to crack also? Seems like if you order a new dash from Chrysler, the same thing would happen (unless they changed vendors since 01)

Two things are very obvious: First, Dodge had a vendor that made defective dashes in 2000/01. Second, Dodge won't do a dang thing about it.

And therefore my conclusion and that of several other people who have posted here: We'll never again buy a Dodge truck.

 

that pisses me off every time i get in my truck but i guess u learn to live with it cause im like u if u replace it with the same dash it is going to crack again just not very attractive think that the sun has anything to do with it?

 

there is no different sun hitting all other dashes. dodge should offer a dash that can stand up to the elements. now, i can't say that i wouldn't buy another dodge because of it. it's just annoying

 

here is a thred if you were looking for one about it tis a sticky one at the top of the threds page https://dodgeforum.com/m_351576/tm.htm i have 98 and had no probs maby if you find dash from an older ram ittl last better seams like the prob is in the 00+ 2nd gen rams mostley

 

Thanks ryans. You'll notice that I've got the latest post on that thread regarding nhtsa. I seriously doubt if the gov't will force Dodge's hand on this.

I do think that dashboards that crack so badly they fall in are more than just an annoyance. They become a safety issue. But again, I don't expect nhtsa to do anything.

 

I would buy another Dodge truck or any other vehicle from them any day of the week... I've posted pics of my dash on this site and so far I think I have the worse from what I've seen. If I solely wanted a vehicle for its dash then I wouldn't have bought a Jeep Liberty for a family car (they have a 4 inch dash). Due to some other financial constraints right now I haven't had the $$ to anty up for a dash. If its that bad to look at then how about a cloth dash liner?

 

yeah.. i know somebody out there makes dash covers. if the crack really bothers you look into getting one of those. you can get one that matches your truck color ;-). but also if you do buy a new dash, dont get one threw the dealership i'd find one someone else threw another brand. when i got some money saved up i wanted to replace my dash with a black one. mine now is charcoal color and i just wanted it to match the outside of my truck.

 

Crud... from my last post 50 minutes ago I left to go to the store to get some stuff, and just happened to look at my bezel and now thats cracked! Thats an easy cheap fix I guess, so I think I'll have to scrumage on ebay for a bezel now.

 

my dash has been fine ... but my bezel .... the trim that goes around all the crap on the face of the dash is like shattered in like 1000 peices... i just got done rebuilding it with hotglue and bondo... looks nice now...

is this the same your talkin about? or the actual dash...

 

I'm talking about the large flat piece that sits right under the windshield. That's what's coming apart on my truck. I haven't heard a lot of people talking about bezels cracking.