NHTSA Complaint #10279420 — 2001 DODGE RAM 1500

IN JUNE OF 2006 I NOTICED A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE DASH OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, WHICH ONLY HAD 36,000 ON IT AT THE TIME. I DID NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED THINKING THE DEALER WOULD JUST TELL ME IT WAS USUAL WEAR AND TEAR. SINCE THAT DAY THE DASH HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK AND I NOW HAVE A SECTION WHERE THE CRACKS HAVE CONNECTED. IT APPEARS THERE WILL SOON BE AN AREA OF THE DASH THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL OR LARGER WHERE THERE WILL BE A HOLE. THIS HOLE WILL BE DIRECTLY ABOVE THE INSTRUMENTATION. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF 1998-2002 DODGE TRUCKS. SOME OF WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THEIR HEADLIGHTS GOING OFF. THIS HAS LED ME TO VOICE A COMPLAINT WITH CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND THE NHTSA. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND/OR WORKMANSHIP AT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! HEADLIGHTS SHUTTING OFF AS YOU DRIVE DOWN A DARK ROAD IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! IT IS A SHAME, BUT IT APPEARS IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE EITHER DYING OR GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE TO FORCE CHRYSLER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR