NHTSA Complaint #10514257 — 2003 DODGE RAM 2500

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 TRUCK IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND FRAGMENTED. I FIRST NOTICED A LONG (6"+) CRACK DOWN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD, FROM WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK) IN 2010. I HAVE USED A DASHBOARD MAT/COVER IN THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED IN 2002. THE CRACK WAS NOTICED WHEN REMOVING THE DASH MAT COVER TO CLEAN/WIPE DOWN THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR THE DURATION OF THE TIME THAT I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE (SINGLE OWNER). SINCE THE INITIAL CRACK IN 2010, THE CONDITION OF THE DASHBOARD HAS CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE. WITH NO INSTANCES OF DIRECT CONTACT OR ACCIDENT, THE SMALL SLITS FOR THE DASHBOARD AIR VENTS HAVE STARTED TO BREAK OFF ENTIRELY, AND FROM TIME TO TIME USE OF THE AIR VENT NEAR THE WINDSHIELD SHOOTS LITTLE BITS OF PLASTIC BACK INTO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DURING NORMAL OPERATION, AND A FURTHER HAZARD SHOULD THERE BE A HARD STOP, CRASH OR OTHER ABRUPT EVENT. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF THE DASH IS SUBJECT TO ANY SORT OF IMPACT FROM THE VEHICLE CABIN (PERSONS OR OBJECTS) IT MAY FURTHER SHATTER AND CREATE UNNECESSARY CUTTING OR IMPACT INJURIES TO PASSENGERS. *TR