NHTSA Complaint #10441967 — 2003 DODGE RAM 1500

THE GRIP HANDLES AND DASHBOARD HAVE DEGRADED FROM HEAT AND UV RADIATION AND CRACKED INTO MANY SHARP PIECES. I CUT MY HAND WHILE WIPING THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD. I TAKE BLOOD THINNERS AND THIS CAUSED ME TO BLEED FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I DID NOT REALIZE HOW RAZOR SHARP THE EDGES OF THE BROKEN PIECES ARE. THESE WOULD LIKELY SLICE THE AIR BAG & DRIVER/PASSENGERS FACES & ARMS IN A CRASH. THE PLASTIC SELECTED BY DODGE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THE PURPOSE INTENDED AND PRESENTS A HAZARD. AN ADDITIONAL HAZARD IS THE EXPOSURE OF WIRE HARNESSES EXPOSED TO THE DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND EXTREME HEAT. CRACKED INSULATION WILL LEAD TO ELECTRICAL FIRES & FAILED OPERATOR CONTROLS. THE FAILURE IS MOST PREVALENT IN TROPICAL AND SUB-TROPICAL CLIMATES. THE PLASTIC USED BY DODGE NEEDS TO BE REFORMULATED, AND SALE OF THE FAULTY FORMULATION HALTED IMMEDIATELY. *KB