NHTSA Complaint #10761756 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

LAST SPRING, APRIL 2015, I NOTICED THAT MY DEFROSTER WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE A.C. VENTS, BUT NOT THE TOP DASHBOARD VENTS. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE: 1. HOW WIDESPREAD THE PROBLEM WAS (VERY COMMON IN OLDER VEHICLES; I BOUGHT MY TRUCK NEW IN 2004 FROM A DEALER THAT IS NOW OUT OF BUSINESS) 2. WHAT THE REACTION FROM DODGE WAS ( $1.500.00 TO REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THEY MUST DO AN AIRBAG RECALL REPAIR IN THE SAME AREA) 3. HOW EXPENSIVE IT WOULD BE TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL REPAIR JOB DONE ( EST. $1,200.00 - $1,500.00) 4. HOW EXPENSIVE/DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR MYSELF (UNIFORMLY INEXPENSIVE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE IN METAL FOR AROUND $50.00, NOT THE CHEAP DODGE PLASTIC) ( DO - IT - YOURSELF INSTRUCTIONS ARE COMPLEX, COUNTER-INTUITIVE, TIME CONSUMING...8 HOURS OR MORE, AND REQUIRE SPECIAL TOOLS AS WELL AS PHYSICAL DEXTERITY) I AM STUCK HAVING TO FIND $1,500.00 FOR A REPAIR, OR DRIVE IN THE FOG THIS WINTER WITH NO DEFROST. ALL BECAUSE OF A $1.500.00 REPAIR BILL FOR A $50.00 PART.