NHTSA Complaint #10286144 — 2001 DODGE RAM 1500

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE TAKEN EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF THIS TRUCK, THE DASH HAS CRACKED INTO A MILLION PIECES. IT IS ABOUT TO FALL IN. I DOUBT MY AIR BAGS WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY IN A CRASH, DUE TO THE DECREASED STRENGTH OF THE SURROUNDING AREAS, AND THE FACT THAT THE TOP OF THE DASH IS ABOUT TO FALL INTO THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ELECTRICAL WIRES CAN BE SEEN THROUGH THE CRACKS. EVERY TIME I TURN THE BLOWER ON NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, TINY PIECES OF DASH THAT HAVE BROKEN OFF BLOW UP AND AROUND THE TRUCK, OFTEN INTO MY EYES. THIS CERTAINLY ISN'T SAFE, SINCE I CAN'T SEE WITH PLASTIC IN MY EYES!!! THIS SEEMS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. IF YOU REVIEW THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AT WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, YOU WILL SEE JUST HOW MANY DODGE OWNERS ARE DEALING WITH THIS. THE PLASTIC USED TO MAKE THE DASH IS OBVIOUSLY SUBSTANDARD, AND ALL CRACKED DASHES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED AT DODGES EXPENSE. *TR