1969 Dodge C Body Body & structure Problems

I had brought my 2003 Stratus and 2007 Caliber in to the dealership for their 3000 mile oil change and check-up. When the Stratus was done, I switched it out with the Caliber. The receptionist came into the waiting room to inform me that my vehicle was dangerous to drive. The engine cradle had rotted out. The manager had asked her to tell me: "If you hit a big bump, your engine could fall out." She showed me a picture of the area in question. I asked what I was supposed to be looking for and was shown where the cradle was supposed to be. A post-it note was on the picture saying that the manager "will do some pricing". The invoice states: "We question the structural integrity of it being able to hold up much longer." When I did not hear anything for a few weeks, I called in and was told that it had not been done but the manager would get right on it. I had asked the manager how this could have been missed during all the years I had been bringing it in for any kind of maintenance and was told: "It probably looks worse that what it should because I poked it with a screwdriver a few times to see how bad it was." Invoice total: $1884.20. I have since spoken with a general manager for Magna Corporation who produced the cradle for the Caliber. They were aware of the design flaw of the cradle that did not allow for drainage of water/road chemicals from the cradle. A lawsuit was filed by Magna against Dodge which Magna won. The particulars of the lawsuit were not made known to me other than Magna charges $42 for the cradle, but I was billed $859. I have found numerous customer complaints online over the corrosion of the cradle in other Dodge model years as well. The 2007 Caliber seems to have more overall customer complaints that all othe model years combined.

NHTSA ID

11459461

Incident

Nov 22, 2021

THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD BY DANGEROUS SHARP PIECES. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ONE OF THESE PIECES COULD INFLICT POTENTIALLY SEVERE INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10397157

Incident

Apr 9, 2011

SHIFTER MADE OF PLASTIC AND BREAKS HAVE HAD 3 SHIFTERS PUT IN WIFE'S 2007 CHARGER I WON'T BE PURCHASING ANY OTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10345759

Incident

Nov 10, 2007

Mileage

4,500 mi

INCIDENT WE TOOK OUR 2008 DODGE CARAVAN IT IN A MONTH AGO ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE WERE HAVING WAS THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR WASN'T CLOSING PROPERLY SO WE HAD THEM ADJUST IT. WE TOOK IT IN A MONTH LATER TO FIX OTHER PROBLEMS AND THE DOOR THEY ADJUSTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST FELL OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I AM AGAIN WITHOUT AN AUTOMOBILE. THE VAN DOOR WORKS IN TWO WAYS. ONE, YOU CAN PUSH A BUTTON AND CLOSE THE DOOR, OR TWO, YOU CAN CLICK THE INSIDE HANDLE AND SLIDE THE DOOR OVER UNTIL THE MOTOR GRABS IT AND CLOSES IT. THE WAY THE DOOR IS MOUNTED IN THE REAR TRACK IS VERY INADEQUATE. THERE ARE TWO SMALL HORIZONTAL LOAD RUNNERS AND ONE VERTICAL LOAD RUNNER. THE TRACK IS MADE FROM STEEL BUT WHEN ADJUSTED IMPROPERLY CAN BE STRETCHED OUT OF SHAPE. WHEN THE FRONT DOOR LOCK IS ENGAGED AND THE REAR LOCK IS ENGAGED THE REAR TRACK CAN GET PULL OUT OF SHAPE AND THE WHEELS ON THE SLIDE CAN FALL OUT. I AM AN ENGINEER WHO WORKS CONSTANTLY WITH THE EQUIPMENT THAT BUILDS THESE VEHICLES IN THE AUTO PLANTS. I DESIGN MACHINES THAT COULD CYCLE A MILLION TIMES. THIS IS AN INADEQUATE DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10343684

Incident

Jul 16, 2010

Mileage

41,000 mi

DODGE RAM 2500 PICK UP TRUCK: DASHBOARD HAS BEEN SLOWLY DISINTEGRATING TO THE POINT WHERE CERTAINLY ELEMENTS ARE HOLDING ONLY BY ONE SCREW ' AIR-CONDITION VENTS ARE FALLING OUT. TOP OF DASHBOARD IS 50% GONE, BROKEN IN TO SMALL PIECES AND EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRES TO THE HARSH SUNLIGHT. SOME CONTROLS SUCH AS DRIVER SEAT ELECTRICAL WINDOW IS NO LONGER OPENING, RPM METER IS ONLY WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE UNDERSIDE, EXPOSING ALL WIRES AND CONTROLS IS MISSING COVER (DISINTEGRATED). DODGE IS NO LONGER SELLING THE DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT ' WOULD BE WILLING TO PURCHASE AT ALMOST ANY PRICE. THE RIST CARKS SHOWEDUP ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO - SO FAR THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT, BUT I AM AFRAID,ONE DAY THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WILL FALL DOWN, WHILE DRIVING - WHICH WILL BE VERY SERIOUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10299079

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

Mileage

50,000 mi

DASH IN MY 2000 DODGE 2500 IS CRACKING AND FALLING IN WHICH COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL ISSUES BECAUSE OF EXPOSURE TO THE SUN. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING ON LINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE HUGH PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I BELIEVE DODGE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUTTING SUCH A POOR QUALITY PRODUCT ON THE ROAD, THE WAY THE DASH IS CAVING IN COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY IN A ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10278097

Incident

Jul 11, 2008

UPPER DASH PANEL CRACKING INTO 15 TO 20 PIECES AND THE PIECES ARE FALLING INTO INSIDE OF THE DASH. I'VE USED A DASH COVER THAT FITS IN THE WIDOW SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10268889

Incident

Oct 5, 1999

Mileage

58,000 mi

I HAVE A 97 DODGE RAM THAT STARTED CRACKING AROUND 2004 AND HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE. AS A RESULT I HAVE A TERRIBLE LOOKING INTERIOR AND I BELIEVE MY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE A TESTAMENT OF THE DASHBOARDS EXPOSING MY ELECTRICAL WIRING TO THE SUN. THE ONLY WAY TO HALFWAY FIX IT I'VE FOUND IS TO MOUNT FORMICA SQUARES(NOT CHEAP MIND YOU) OVER THE WHOLES WITH MOUNTING SQUARES, THOUGH IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. MY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: POWER DOOR LOCKS THAT ONLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND POWER WINDOWS THAT ONLY WORK HALF THE TIME AND A CUPHOLDER THAT HAS FALLEN OUT ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND CAUSED ME TO RIG BACK INTO PLACE. OF COURSE BESIDES INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING A LOUSY DASH THAT STICKS OUT LIKE A SORE ON A USUALLY SOUND TRUCK, I AM AFRAID OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS IT CAN BRING I.E.: WORSE ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHEN IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO OR NOT DEPLOYING WHEN THERE IS NEED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10267173

Incident

Jan 22, 2004

Mileage

40,000 mi

DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND CONTINUES CRACKING - LARGE CHUNKS ARE FALLING IN BELOW THE DASH WHERE MOST CRUCIAL WIRING IS LOCATED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10233286

Incident

Jun 1, 2001

Mileage

30,000 mi

IM WAS LOOKING AT THE CRASH RATINGS BECAUSE I JUST PURCHASE A 2008 AVENGER, IF THE DOORS CAN OPEN WITH SIDE IMPACT, CAN YOU RECALL THE CARS TO FIX THIS ISSUE, BEFORE SOME ONE LOSES A LIFE OR WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10232576

Incident

Jun 25, 2008

DASH BOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE 1500 CRACKED REPLACED WITH NEW DASH BOARD AND RECRACKED WITHIN A MONTH IN A DIFFERENT AREA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10231248

Incident

Nov 14, 2007

I PURCHASED A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500 NEW IN 2000. AT 50,000 MILES THE DASH BEGAN TO CRACK AT 2 YRS OLD. ALTHOUGH I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 75K MILES, I WAS INFORMED BY A DEALER THAT TRIM AND UPHOLSTERY WAS NOT COVERED. NOW THE DASH HAS COMPLETELY FAILED, A HUGE HOLE HAS EMERGED, IT RATTLES THIS HAS CAUSED THE DEFROST VENT NOT WORK PROPERLY AND POSSIBLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY BE COMPROMISED DUE TO THE DASH BECOMING UNSECURE BECAUSE THE PLASTIC HAS BROKEN FROM AROUND THE SCREWS. I RECENTLY WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO GET A QUOTE OF OVER $1000 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT CHRYSLER HAS BEEN FIXING THESE TRUCKS IF THE ORIGINAL OWNER STILL OWNS IT REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY EXPIRATION. BECAUSE OF THE PRODUCT FAILURE. SO I THEN CALL THE 800 NUMBER GIVEN ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT IS BASICALLY TOO LATE NOW BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS 8 YRS OLD. THIS WAS HARD TO SWALLOW BECAUSE I TRIED TO REPAIR IT UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN ONLY 2 YRS OLD. I AM VERY, VERY DIS-SATISFIED WITH THE PRODUCT AND SERVICE OF CHRYSLER CORP. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND I LOOK AT EVERY TRUCK THE SAME BODY STYLE AS MINE, AND THEY ALL HAVE CRACKED DASHES. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND SEVERAL WEBSITES OF DODGE OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH WARRANTY AND SERVICE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD AT LEAST OFFER A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR OR LOWER THE COST OF THE PARTS TO REPAIR SO THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10222037

Incident

Apr 8, 2002

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD ON OUR 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP CRACKED ONLY AFTER A YEAR. WE TOOK IT SO THE DEALERSHIP IN MCALESTER, OK (RIVERSIDE DODGE) AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THERE IS AN 8 INCH HOLE IN THE DASHBOARD AND NUMEROUS CRACKS OVER THE ENTIRE SURFACE AND EVEN ON THE INSIDE TRIM WORK. SINCE FIRST REPORTING THIS, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES EXACTLY LIKE OURS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE FEEL THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AND TAKE CARE OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, ETC THAT WORRIES US TOO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10216226

Incident

May 11, 2002

UNBELIEVABLE PROBLEM TO HAVE ON A TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN SO PAMPERED. RARELY DRIVEN ON LESS THAN PAVED ROADS, MAINTAINED RELIGIOUSLY, IMMACULATE INTERIOR. IMAGINE MY SHOCK TO DISCOVER SEVERAL HUGE CRACKS IN THE DASH! ONE STARTS AT THE TOP TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND RUNS ALL THE WAY TO THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE OTHER INTERSECTS ACROSS. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR CONSIDERATION, BUT AFTER READING THESE POSTS I'M NOT HOLDING OUT MUCH HOPE FOR A REASONABLE RESOLUTION. WHAT A GINORMOUS PIECE OF CRAP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10212948

Incident

Dec 26, 2007

DASH BOARD CRACKING, DASH LIGHT AND HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, REPLACE WINDSHIELD TWICE. UNKNOWN WHY THE WINDSHIELD CRACK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10189623

Incident

Mar 10, 2007

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE DASH BOARD ON MY TURCK WAS IN GREAT SHAPE WHEN I PURCHASED THE TRUCK. NOW WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS THE DASH BOARD HAS BEGAN TO DEVELOP LARGE CRACKS IN IT, AROUND THE RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG. THE PROBLEM HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVLY WORSE UNTIL TODAY, WHILE SHUTTING MY HOOD, A VERY LARGE CHUNK AND SEVERAL SMALLER CHUNKS FELL INTO THE FIREWALL AREA WITH A COUPLE SMALLER PIECES FALLING DOWN ONTOP OF THE AIRBAG. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT DUE TO A FEAR THAT IF I WAS TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, WHERE AN AIRBAG WOULD SAVE THE FRONT PASSENGERS LIFE, THAT 1.) THE AIRBAG WILL FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY DUE TO CHAFFING AND CUTS INTO THE AIRBAG FROM DASH PIECES FALLING AND 2.) LARGE PIECES OF PLASTIC DASH WILL BECOME SHRAPNAL FLYING AROUND THE CAR OF THE TRUCK RESULTING IN FURTHER AVOIDABLE INJURIES. I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THIS DASH OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. PAYING FOR A PROBLEM THAT COUNTLESS FELLOW DODGE OWNERS ARE HAVING. LOOK AROUND ON ANY DODGE RAM FORUM AND DO A SEARCH ON DASH AND YOU WILL PULL UP THOUSANDS ON TOP OF THOUSANDS OF POSTS ABOUT THE 2ND GEN DODGE RAM PICK-UPS (94-01) HAVEING THE SAME DASH BOARD PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10170861

Incident

Oct 15, 2006

Mileage

14,000 mi

I AM LOOKING FOR ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO SPEAK TO MY ATTORNEY ABOUT PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING WITH THEIR 04 DAKOTA'S. I HAVE HAD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, WHIRLING NOISE AT IDLING GETS LOUDER WHEN BLINKER ON, WINDOWS MAKE CLUNKING NOISE WHILE ROLLING UP OR DOWN, SEVER E SHAKING WHILE BRAKING ( WARPED ROTORS), TRANSMISSION LEAKING, AND THE LIST GOES ON. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF LEMON LAW AND IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO BE ABLE TO FIND AN ATTORNEY. THIS ONE IS EXCELLENT.*JB

NHTSA ID

10144718

Incident

Dec 24, 2004

I OWN A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L AND LESS THAN 55,000 MILES, THE TENSIONER PULLEY WENT OUT OF ALIGNMENT, THE BOLT HOLDING THE TENSIONER IN PLACE WAS SHEARED IN HALF, THE BELT FELL OFF, AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY. THANK GOD THIS HAPPEN IN THE SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT AND NOT ON FREEWAY, THE VAN BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL! HAVE THE VAN TOWED TO C&M AUTO SERVICE, HAVE THE SERPENTINE BELT, THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED AND RE-ALIGN THE TENSIONER. THE BELT/PULLEY DESIGN ON THIS VAN IS FLAWED AND A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! IN BRAZIL, CHRYSLER DID A RECALL BACK IN 2000 - DUE TO SEVERAL ISSUES RELATED TO BELT/PULLEY SYSTEM ON THE CARAVAN AND GRAND CARAVAN MODELS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10100917

Incident

Nov 23, 2004

Mileage

54,223 mi

WE HAVE A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH DUAL SLIDING DOORS AND POWER LEFTISTS. THE POWER SLIDING DOOR WAS STARTING TO CLOSE AND IT HIT MY WIFE'S HAND AND DID NOT STOP. IT CUT 3 FINGERS ON HER HAND. AS IT WAS HITTING HER HAND SHE PUT PRESSURE ON THE DOOR AND IT WENT BACK. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DODGE AND THEIR ACCIDENT DEPARTMENT SAID SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT US TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AGES 2 YEARS TO 4 YEARS AND IF THE DOOR HIT THEM IT WOULD CRUSH THEM POSSIBLY TO DEATH. *LA

NHTSA ID

10045108

Incident

Oct 16, 2003

Mileage

37,435 mi

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AT 48,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER, GLENN E. THOMAS DODGE IN SIGNAL HILL. THEREAFTER, EVERY 15,000 TO 25,000 MILES OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, PROBABLY 5 TIMES NOW; THE COMPUTER FOR THE TRANS HAS FAILED TWICE, THE MOTOR COMPUTER FAILED 2 TIMES, THE POWER WINDOWS BROKE OFF THEIR TRACKS, THE SLIDING DOOR JAMMED SHUT AND WOULDN'T ALIGN. NOW THE PAINT JOB ON MY WHITE 1990 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (WITH WOOD TRIM) IS PEELING OFF, MOSTLY ON THE ROOF (WHERE IT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE, DOWN TO THE PRIMER, RUSTING THROUGH TO THE ROOF METAL) AND ON THE HOOD AND FRONT QUARTER PANELS. THE PAINT WAS NOT PROPERLY APPLIED TO THE PRIMER UNDERCOAT OR THE PRIMER WAS NOT PROPERLY APPLIED SO AS TO ADHERE TO THE TOP COLOR COAT. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER CARAVAN'S OF THE SAME MODEL WITH THEIR PAINT COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY PEELED OFF AS I HAVE DRIVEN AROUND. IT IS A VERY OBVIOUS DEFECT OF THE PAINT--THERE ARE NO OTHER VEHICLES OUT THERE WITH THIS KIND OF PAINT FLAKING AND PEELING PROBLEM TO THIS EXTENT. THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE WOOD TRIM IS ALL FLAKING AND PEELING OFF AS WELL. IT MAKES THE CAR LOOK "SHAGGY!" WHAT A MESS. THIS CAR REALLY NEEDS A PAINT JOB TO BE PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE PAID OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR TRANSMISSIONS TO BE REPLACED. I AM ON A THREE-YEAR WARRANTY WITH DODGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ON MY THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE UNDER THAT WARRANTY! THE OVERDRIVE UNIT IS FULLY DEFECTIVE AND THE COMPANY WILL NOT UNDERTAKE TO FIX IT. THE CAR WILL FAIL AND THE TRANS WILL JUST SPIN WITHOUT ENGAGING ANY FORWARD GEAR OR IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD OR OVERDRIVE. THE SPEED SENSOR UNIT IS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND FREQUENTLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHAT A MESS OF A TRANSMISSION! I HAVE IT REGULARLY SERVICED AND I DON'T DRIVE IT HARD OR ABUSE THE TRANS. HELP.

NHTSA ID

10005828

Incident

Jan 1, 2000

Mileage

140,000 mi