Didn't want folks to think this was a "Dead" issue.

My truck is in the belly of the beast (Local Dodge Dealer) for a Tone Ring/crankshaft issue.
He's going to check for a TSB relating to THAT problem as he said the Tone Ring issue has come up before.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I just asked the Asst. Service Manager about a TSB or having Chrysler kick in for some of the cost of a dash replacement.

I'm printing this thread for ammo when he comes back with "What Cracking Dash Problem?

 

Dealer says

A: Yup, he's seen a few cracked dashes.

B: Yup, Chrysler is going into bankruptcy so with all available funds going to creditors & pay new vehicle warranty claims
........there's not likely to be any money for a 10 year old dash replacement.

C: Even if they weren't, NOBODY can put their hands on a new dash.

 

my 01 started cracking at 36.1k miles and dodge said too bad, after a local news reporter did a story mine was replaced w a 100 dollar copay then that was sent back to me

 

95 2wd/auto 142k miles,,when i bought my truck my dash was teribble, i had holes large enough to set footballs inside...Ill cut to the chase,,,i found an article in orlando centenniel referrring to large number of dodge dashes cracking, i called the consumer advocate number listed in article. The guy on the other end asked me to take my truck by my dealer to make sure it hadnt not been abused,,,bottom line I pd 250 for dash/bezel & installation...

 

I just noticed today that it started cracking. Bummer, it lasted almost until 240K...at least as far as I know.

 

I had my dash crack about a year ago, right in the center of the dash board. I think the mileage was around 110,00-115,000. Hopefully that will help the cause

 

Wow,
Now i feel lucky, my 1995 Just cracked this spring, Just popped one day, all the way across, front to back.

 

I had to replace my heater core this weekend. My dash was already cracked, pretty significantly. When I had to tip it forward to get at the heater core, it basically disintegrated. Here's the thing! I know my truck is getting "old", but the root of the problem is that Dodge put this absolute rubbish in our trucks for two generations of vehicles; and they don't consider it a problem. The arrogance of Dodge saying its not an issue is a complete crock. I should NEVER be able to crack a piece of plastic between my thumb and finger, I'm not talking about leverage on the piece, just pinching. I'm completely ashamed of dodge, they deserve all the crap they're getting with the bankruptcy business. I've got an ugly dash cover, OK, not too ugly, just not a nice factory look. And now all the places I had bookmarked with full replacement dashes, no longer have them. After dealing with that bs this weekend and the infusion of government money bs, I will never be buying a dodge again. It seems that the only real and true American car company is Ford. It makes me grind my teeth to think it, but their the ones I'll turn to in the future.

 

Darn it all.

1997 2500 187k
2 cracks so far. Nothing I can do, after reading through this thread it looks like. :/

 

2001 - 116K
Mine just cracked or at least I noticed it for the first time at 116K. I had to pull the dash to replace another defective Chrysler product - the a/c evaporator. When I reinstalled the dash it split in 5 places. I did not over tighten it or anything, just moving it caused it to brake.

Are the people that are getting new dashes (not aftermarket overlays) but actually new OEM dashes having good luck with them? I heard it was defective moldings at the Mexico plant and the chemists not getting the correct properties etc. I just wonder if they corrected the problem or if these new dashes were made years ago the same tiem OEM ones were?

I have always used a sunshade, have tinted windows and have garaged my truck for about 40% of the time I have owned it. Perhaps the tan color lasts longer since it doesn't get as hot?

 

98.5, 195,000 miles.

Spent the first many years of it's life with a merkin on the dash, and sun shade while parked. I took the carpet off the dash when I got the truck from dad and presto! instant crack at one of the defroster vents. I still keep the sun shade on it, and it spends a lot more time parked now than it did.

 

I called around last week, 6-25-09, several places (dealerships) had the dashes, some had on back order, one parts guy said that Dodge has a vendor now that makes the dashes for them, because their selling so many of them ,

The only thing that has changed since the last time I checked is, mine went from $197.00 to $408.00 in the time period of about a year and a half, one of those jobs I was gonna get around to it.

How's that for Customer Dis-service,,,,,

 

I didn't read all 11 pages but we should make a new thread... who's 2nd gen doesn't have a cracked dash. Mine made it to 2005/2006 without any cracks then they just camr from everywhere. All but one defroster vent had a crack between 2-6" and I had two nasty ones over the steering wheel. They rattled/vibrated going down the road. I put one of the dashtop's from geno's on about a month ago. Overall its a big improvement I give it a 8 out of 10. If I would have spent a little more time on the prep and trimming it would of been a 9 out of 10. You have to look pretty hard to tell its on there. I didn't want a rattleing cracked dash or the "grampa going fishing carpet cover look" nor did I want to go through the trouble and $$$ for a full replacement. I wish I knew how to get pics up.

 

Guess I'll be doing sooner rather than later now, had it all epoxied together and actually doing pretty good,,,,,,,, then the wife drove it for a few days while her Honda was down and out,,,,,,, course she forgot to put the windowshade in and we've been running 100 degrees plus now for a couple of weeks here in Houston.

Well the whole center collapsed right above the speedometer, big gapping hole now,,, man Dodge pizzes me off about their "air" about them,,,,plus doubling the price on the dashes now.

Maybe Obama will fix it for me???????

 

2000, 2500 Currently have 145,000 mi. I noticed a crack starting at about 117,000 mi. Not bad though, only can see it from the drivers seat and not from the passenger seat, which sucks! Wish they would recall them already!! Then we all would get new ones!