NHTSA Complaint #10239519 — 2001 DODGE RAM 1500

I, LIKE COUNTLESS OTHERS, OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM PICK UP IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD IS DISINTEGRATING. CHRYSLER/DODGE REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. FULL COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $1,000.00. I HAVE BEEN TOLD A VARIETY OF EXCUSES SUCH AS "PARKED IN THE SUN" OR HAVING USED INTERIOR SURFACE PROTECTORS. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH I'VE FOUND THAT THE MOST LIKELY NAMED CULPRIT IS THE USE OF NON-VIRGIN OR RECYCLED PLASTIC OR POLYMERS AS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF FORMING MATERIAL. MY DASH STARTED AS A SMALL CRACK BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND DEFROSTER VENT, AND HAS NOW BEGUN SPREADING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT, CURRENTLY 8 INCHES. THIS IS NOT JUST A COSMETIC ISSUE BUT ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. IMAGINE WHAT SHARDS OF PLASTIC CAN DO DURING A SMALL FENDER BENDER OR TO WIRING AND EQUIPMENT BEHIND THE DASH. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT OTHER'S EXPERIENCES I CAN SOON EXPECT THE ENTIRE DASH COVER TO CONTINUE CRACKING AND ULTIMATELY FALL APART. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT CHRYSLER/DODGE SIMPLY EXPECTS TO WAIT EVERYONE OUT AS THEY TRADE IN OR SELL THEIR TRUCKS, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY OF UNSTABLE FUEL PRICES. HOWEVER, MANY OF US RELY ON OUR TRUCKS FOR DAILY LIFE, BUY WITH THE INTENT OF KEEPING THEM FOR MANY YEARS IN GOOD RUNNING SHAPE AND APPEARANCE AND EXPECT THE MANUFACTURER TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE OWNERS OF THEIR VEHICLES. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER/DODGE IS JUST "DODGING" THE ISSUE. *TR