2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2nd Gen Dash cracks

[ironbutt]

Hey Gang : Has any one been folowing the TV stories about 2nd gen Dodge dashboards cracking? If you Google

( WKMG Local 6 ) and look for the story.

It started April 30 with a story about 3 Dodge owners , whos dash boards had either cracked or collapsed in due to the stress of sunlight. On May 1st the follow up story said the station got hundreds of calls reporting the same. On May 2nd they reported thousands of replies to the story with similar complains. Last night, May 3rd they reported that Diamler Chrysler is looking into a possible recall. Toe link on that story gives the # to call to lodge a complaint about the dash cracks.

 

[LOtero]

NICE! thats good to know! mine looks like godzilla stepped on it!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I installed a DashMat on mine as soon as I bought it - now I'm afraid to lift it up and see what's underneath! :-laf :-laf

 

[Nate]

http://www.local6.com/video/13230026/index.html

 

[Tractorat]

Yuk !!!

It sounds from the story that it only involves 2001 trucks. But, although mine is a 2002, and doesnt have the problem YET, I did get it in Sept of 2001. I wonder if anyone on this site with an 02 has the cracking.

 

[TDickerson]

This is definetly not unique to the 2001 model year. I've been a member of the cracked dash club for a few years now with a couple of plastic chuncks missing and more cracks than you could amagine. It costs about $800. 00 to have it replaced. At least that was a couple of years ago. My 97 is still doing good and I hope that Dodge would at least pay half of the costs.

 

[WestTN]

i have been curious about this for quite a while. I have posted to threads about this several times inquiring about the color of the dash. I have only received one reply and that one was charcoal. It appears these three were all charcoal, or perhaps one was light grey.



So, now, if your dash is cracked, what color is it? Mine is a 2001, tan dash and no cracks.

 

[CAW440]

I've had a dash mat on mine for a few years and its totaled under it, I'm suprised the mat is not falling into the dash. I also use a sun shield, so all of those ideas about direct sunlight I guess don't apply to my 2001.

 

[TDickerson]

Mine is charcoal. I've got it covered now for about 2 years so I don't have to look at it. On a long trip my wife has a habit of putting her feet on the front dash and I have to say please don't Everytime I hear another pop I know one of the cracks is getting bigger or a new one is forming. Nice touch for Dodge. #@$%!

 

[SRehberg]

What years does it seem to involve?

 

[GAmes]

Mine has one crack. The color is dark brown.

 

[TDickerson]

What years does it seem to involve?



From what I have heard in the past few years to present, it pretty much seems to cover most years in the 2nd Generation. These aren't just cracks from the sun or a lack of using some kind of vinyl protector. These are bad plastic manufacturing processes. Probably made in China like everything else.

 

[rolltideram]

My 01 dash is gray with cracks everywhere. I was waiting for it to cave in before I tried to replace it. Is there hope Dodge will come through? JC

 

[Grizzly]

Will putting a good dash mat on your truck from the get go prevent it from cracking?

 

[FLynes]

Although I'm sure that sunlight plays a small role in dash failure, I am convinced that it's the heat that kills our dashes. My 97 was cracking, and I had a dashmat and the sunshade installed.



I read somewhere that the dash plastic releases fumes from the inside heat, which causes haze on the windshield. The heat might cause the plastic to expand, causing the dash to become weaker... ... just a theory I'm floating, with no scientific basis whatsoever, but it sounds good to me.

 

[Jeff Knight]

My truck is an 02 with the mist gray interior. My dash is also cracked. Jeff

 

[Grizzly]

Although I'm sure that sunlight plays a small role in dash failure, I am convinced that it's the heat that kills our dashes. My 97 was cracking, and I had a dashmat and the sunshade installed.



I read somewhere that the dash plastic releases fumes from the inside heat, which causes haze on the windshield. The heat might cause the plastic to expand, causing the dash to become weaker... ... just a theory I'm floating, with no scientific basis whatsoever, but it sounds good to me.

I believe what you are saying is true, I have also been told that if there is dust on your dash and you get a build up of heat, which magnifies through the windshield, the plastic on the dash expanse allowing the dust to settle into the pores and over time you get a heavy build up of dust and the plastic looses it's tensile strength and cracks. The moral is, keep your dash dusted.

 

[Jeff Knight]

Here's a picture of my dash.

 

[tgordon]

WOW am I ever lucky! I have nothing like Jeffs , yet. I rarly dust mine as I am not diligent about that sort of stuff and after 8 yrs only have a little crack by one of the bolt in front going straight up from the bolt to the edge of the plastic. I belive mine is charcoal and I do not know it the previous owner ever removed that dash or not and could have made the crack. But hey if DC will replace I will gladly accept.

 

[Jer75]

my 95 needs to be replaced also does anyone knows were to find them or is it a dealer item only?