Toyota issues a recall, but what about Dodge?
Posted on | February 5, 2010 | No Comments
In light of the Toyota gas pedal recall, I am encouraged that Toyota at least stands behind their vehicles. Can’t say the same for Dodge. Countless Dodge Ram owners, myself included, have been dealing with cracked dashboards that are defective. When I say “cracked” I mean severely cracking all over the dash to the point of collapse. There are reports of dashes completely caving in and causing other problems with wiring beneath the dash. This is not an issue of wear-and-tear of high mileage vehicles or sun damage. In fact, my truck has a little more than 45,000 miles on it. The dash began cracking at about 30,000 miles. Dodge trucks are popular in Kentucky and I’m sure there are hundreds- if not thousands- of other Dodge owners facing the same predicament.
Dodge dealerships reportedly offer a typical response that they’ve never seen the problem or that it’s a very limited problem. But, ask a used-car salesman or someone working at a salvage yard and it’s a good bet they know how pervasive this problem is. In fact, when I stopped in a local auto salvage yard and asked if I could look at dashboards, his reply was, “Is if for a Dodge truck? Don’t have any… can’t keep them.” Surprising, particularly considering I was driving my Chevy that day, not the Dodge.
A couple of years ago, as a result of a television report from Florida, Dodge stated they were addressing the problem. Apparently, they haven’t. As a result, truck owners either live with a defective and potentially hazardous product or pay ~$800-1,200 to fix the problem by installing the same dash that has already cracked.
This is a safety concern. Would you feel safe driving a truck with sharp shards of plastic waiting to dislodge? Or would you prefer the dash caving in on your airbag and electrical systems? Ask me if I would buy another Dodge Ram.
Want to really see how much of a problem this is? Mine is not an isolated incident.
Read more about it at:
CBS affiliate WKMG in Orlando ran a story that can be seen at: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/13227601/detail.html
A follow-up story is at http://www.clickorlando.com/news/13254698/detail.html
Although Toyota is facing some serious scrutiny right now, and rightly so, I expect they will rebound nicely. The fact is: (unless there is a lot more to this story) Toyota makes a fine product and they are willing to stand behind their products. Dodge could take a lesson here and learn how a respectable company fixes what’s defective. If you ask me, Dodge is not all they’re cracked up to be … well, except their dashboards.
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