Just to let every one know, my 01's dash began cracking not long ago and once it started it went like crazy! Read a few posts about people trying to get them fixed and also saw a link to a local area news report, where several 2001 ram owners got together and complained to Daimler Chrysler. Now i'm not saying this dash issue is limited to only the 01 model year, as it seems several other years are also involved. Anyway to get to the point I contacted Chrysler customer service and after only a few minutes of discussing the problem with a rep. I had an appointment with my local Dodge dealer to have the situation evaluated. I got an appointment the next day! After speaking with the service manager, who then called the Chrysler customer rep that I was dealing with, I am getting a new dash and bezel installed with only a $100 co pay. I am the second owner and of course no warranty, so this seems more than fair to me. The service manager stated to me that Chrysler is not doing a recall but evaluating each case on it's own merits. It would seem that the criteria for getting the OK for a new dash is that the truck be in decent overall shape otherwise with no real signs of abuse. This part is just my opinion but it would seem that the conference between the dealership and customer service is to evaluate whether the owner took fairly good care of their vehicle. Now maybe my situation was a fluke but it certainly is worth the try! I will paste the link to the news article and I would give DC a call!

http://www.local6.com/news/13227601/detail.html

 

I tried the same thing last summer and my dealer wanted to charge me $85 to evaluate it even tho I showed them the letter I got from Daimler Chrylser. I said no thanks and left.

 

I think the key here is to get the chrysler rep to do the calling for you. Also a year ago it may not have been such a hot issue.

 

Next thing on your to-do-immediately list is get a good dash-cover, like from jcwhitney.com - the plastic dash material is ABS, easy to reglue\patch, but really bad under UV\IR sunrays - the inexpensive carpet cover looks good, is easily removed for dusting, protects the ABS plastic, including fading, and provides further soundproofing - I also use the windshield sunscreen for fade-protection for that and the rest of the interior.

 

Funny thing though, I've had a lot of vehicles in my days and can't remember any of their dashes cracking like this. Some of my older trucks had padded dashes with a frame made of metal so if a crack occured it was just cosmetic. These things totally collapse and cave in! Well I hope enough people read this and DC steps up to the plate and does the right thing here. These vehicles are not cheap and replacing something like this is totally unnecessary. JMO!

 

thanks for posting this. my dash is perfect, but I know it won't be forever.

 

A lot of plastic dashes are some form of pvc vinyl which holds shape but is flexible - no glue or cement will stick, so you absolutely cannot patch or repair those, but they do last longer - your dash is ABS, which is similar to those plastic models boys used to build - if it cracks, styrene cement will patch it, or the ABS stuff down at yer local hardware emporium - to keep it from cracking, just lay something over it to protect it from direct sunrays.

 

My dash is toast. I absolutely refused to buy a cover or the Chrysler replacement so I opted for a $30 dashmat.

Thanks for the info. My truck is well taken care of so I'm gonna call Chrysler and see what they'll do.

 

I have a 97 a just replaced mine last week it took about 3 hours and the dash cost 135.00 from Dodge. It is a job but worth it.

 

Hate to sound like a broken record, but now would be a good time to get your dash cover mat, B4 the sun peeks out from behind the winter overcast - oops: Florida, huh - too late!

 

All done! Sure does look different without all the cracks. a lot quieter too, no squeaking and creaking. Well, It can be done. For those of you with cracks pick up the phone and try! It does work. For this round, I must give credit where it's due. DC was good to their word and made good for a defect that was their fault. Bravo!

 

Which dealer did you take your truck into, my 02 is cracked all over. I have the dash pad on now.................thanks Brad

 

I tried to contact dc and they flat out told me no way is there any help with these piece of crap dashes...It is "outside the warranty" I cry bull crap

I love my cummins I hate the truck its wrapped around since Dodge doesnt care about there customers and feels they have no responibility for an inferior product.....Hate to say it but this will be my last Dodge........

THANKS DIAMLER CHRYSLER!

 

Sonnys, did you call the 800 number for customer care? (800-992-1997) I really hate to hear that some guys are getting the shaft. It may be that I just got the right guy on the phone but it was one of the easiest arguments with a car dealer I can recall. Believe me when I tell you I wasn't going to do this either but when I saw the news article I figured I'd give it a shot. Fully expecting to be shot down I wasn't going to fight too hard, but I was lucky I guess. I say write to the news station and see what luck they are having, If enough people complain, you never know. I'm going to look and see if I can find the name and extension of the rep I dealt with. If I can I'll post it.

 

FYI, at least it's no longer Daimler Chrysler...