2002 DODGE RAM 1500 Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel Problems

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while attempting to turn on the heat in the vehicle, the HVAC system failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was no recall for the failure. There was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was 50,000.

DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE STREET, HEARD LOUD POPPING NOISE. LATER REALIZED IT WAS THE DASH POPPING AND NOTICED MULTIPLE STRAIGHT CRACKS BEGINNING IN THE CORNERS OF DASH VENTS, GRADUALLY EXPANDING. CREATES MULTIPLE SMALL, SHARP SHARDS OF PLASTIC. POTENTIAL FOR NUMEROUS PROJECTILES OF PLASTIC IF EVER THE AIRBAGS WERE TO DEPLOY NOT TO MENTION NOW THAT THE ENTIRE DASH IS WEAKENED SMALL PARTS INTERMITTENTLY FALL INTO THE DASH AREA CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH ALL THE GAUGES, CAUSING WARNING LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE AND POTENTIAL FOR FIRE IS OBVIOUS CONSIDERING OTHER DODGE RECALLS FOR WIRING PROBLEMS IN THIS MODEL TRUCK. *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IN MAY 2010, THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AS OF AUGUST 2010, THE CRACK BECAME BIGGER FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO OVER THE GAUGES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO CRACK IN JANUARY OF 2008. BY JUNE OF 2008, THE PANEL HAD CRACKED INTO SMALL PIECES AND A PIECE FELL INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING MOTOR, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM USING THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE AND IS CHARGING $800. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH REFERENCE NUMBER 17583492 AND ADVISED HIM TO CHECK WITH THE DEALER. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS BEGINNING TO SHATTER IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES, LEADING TO THE AIR BAG. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL EVENTUALLY DEPLOY. THE DEALER ACCUSED HIM OF TIGHTENING THE SCREWS TOO TIGHTLY UNDERNEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS NEVER TOUCHED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN THAT REGARD. OTHER DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,199.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO CRACK ASW WELL AS THE DASHBOARD. THE CRACK GRADUALLY SPREAD FROM THE DRIVER SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR VENT DETACHED. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 10/18/07 *TR