BlueAquarian

I personally don't have a problem with my dashboard, but have read hundreds of complaints about it. I found an article on line with Atlanta news WSBTV.com about the complaints and think you guys should respond. These complaints will get the attention and hopefully have them replace it..



http://www.wsbtv.com/news/27832796/detail.html

nfnsquared

Nice find! I sent Jim Strickland an e-mail with a link to the two major dashboard threads in this forum...

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

So did I, but I overloaded him with 8 threads.

VQPower37

yea i think the more people u tell, the more willing the dealership/acura will be willing to help you out in order for u to stop telling people

on a side note ... what year is ur car?

Splke

iTrader: (1)

I just got off the phone with Genine of Honda Corp (800-382-2238) and was given a case worker by the name of Jun Hung. I spoke to Hung and explained the fact that this is a safety issue with the cracks being over the air bags and my wife wont put our kids in the car. It was easier than I thought and I was told by Genine that this is not the first time she heard about this problem. It looks like it will be better for your case if you are a regular customer for services at Honda or Acura. This may take a while to become a recall but in the mean while the most you may have to pay is the labor to install the new dash.

Bearcat94

This is potentially an important development in the "Cracked Dashboard" issue.

With that in mind, I have copied the posts here to the larger "Cracked Dashboard" thead.

Eventually we might merge this thread with the larger thread, but for now I'm suggesting that we leave this thread as a "stand alone".

Can someone post a cross-link to the Face Book group and, at Face Book, links back to the threads here?

Also, if you'd like to lodge a complaint with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) use this link: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Comptechtl2367

This is great to hear, mine has not cracked yet but i condition mine at least once a week to stop it from cracking! That and its parked in the garage if i am not driving it.

LoveMyTL-S

What are you conditioning your dash with?

Xpditor

I've had my 2004 TL since new and have always used Aerospace 303 to block the UV rays. The car is usually kept in the garage but not always. The Florida sun is relentless. I use the 303 about once a year. I use a wide foam paint brush (from the Dollar Store) to apply the 303 without getting it on the windshield. I use a piece of cardboard to mask the windshield while "painting" it on. Then, I immediately wipe off the excess with a microfibre towel until it is dry and even.

The car is now seven (7) years old and the dash still looks like new... as do the leather seats which I also condition regularly with Zaino Leather in a Bottle.

Bearcat94

FB group link: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622

Andy Tsang

This is very interesting, as some prevention may help. When I park my car outside, I always put a sunshade to prevent prolong exposure to the sun.

Xpditor

I should have mentioned that I also use a silver reflective sunshade 99% of the time the car is outside. As you can see from my signature, the rear and side windows have strong UV filtering tint but the windshield is stock.

Acutron

Damn Honda man. Despite all this they have done a considerable job avoiding bad PR on their junk, 01 - 04 AT's, cracking dash boards, and faulty transmissions.

Comptechtl2367

Maybe conditioning was a bit strong of a word, haha. I use Armor All most of the time, and then wipe off the estra, i hate when my dashboard shines, i like the matte stock look. I used the Acura Auto Armor stuff for a while too and I almost liked that better because it never was overly shiny.
Also i wipe the dash down with cleaner wipes first every time to get all the old stuff off. I have done with on all my cars sinse i was 16, every week to every other week.

VQPower37

^ from what i hear armor all is not good for the dash, it actually dries it out ... 303 is better to go with

Splke

iTrader: (1)

I gust got a call from Fountain Acura in Orlando saying they were notified by Acura corp regarding my dash issues and they are willing to help. I have to answer a few questions and then go from there. I will update later on any results. This may soon become a recall, like the g35's.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

link doesnt work for me

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

In the video, the picture from North Carolina is a picture of my dash when it was cracked to hell. I've been a member of that group on FB ever since it was created and I'm glad this is finally hitting the news. I SHOULD have contacted my local news station before getting my dash fixed, but it was too much of a headache already.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

Where'd you get the dash fixed? Dealer? What was the cost?

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Leith Acura in Cary, NC. Charged me $550. Here's what it looked like before:



Here's my thread I created about the issue: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/my-cracked-dashboard-ordeal-730775/

Mem04TL

I called that number yesterday and the lady that is helping me is going to contact the dealership here and talk to them about the problem. She did a follow up today and told me she is waiting to hear from the General Manager, and I will either hear from her or the dealer about the final decision. It will be great if i can get it free and before my trip

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Thankfully this is out now. I've spent over $100 in products in the past two years to maintain my dash. Optimum Protectant and 303 Aerospace along with a lot of Microfiber towers. Looks like new everyday though.

Sir Drake

The video did mention 04' and 05' but looks like some 06's are having issues according to CLtotheTL32...I have 07' hopefully I wont have any issues but I am covered bumper to bumper coverage for the next three years.

Surprisingly I've had good luck with Turtle Wax ICE Total Interior Care. It smells good, its not greasy nor shiny. You can use it on plastic, leather, vinyl, rubber, cloth etc. The ICE SERIES is Tutle Waxs best lineup. Also, the ICE series Car Wash is pretty good too. I found it to be better than the meguiars gold class wash. Just my two cents.

04TLVTEC

^^word.

I use the same stuff on my 04 and it works well. It has UV protectents in it, not sure of the exact ingredient though. Also use the ICE carwash, by far best shine you can get from a simple wash & dry. I don't have the cracked dashboard, but I am in NY so it really only gets a beating in the summer. I plan on using one of the silver reflectors this summer though.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

This is GREAT news!

My dash hasn't cracked yet (knock on wood).

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant =)

mmmq

I wipe down my dash a lot too but thieves who stole my car decided to use it as an ashtray.

Loh_ji

^talk about adding insult to injury... That sucks man sorry that happened to you, hopefully karma will come back and bite them in the ass

frugalguy

I hope karma will come back and bite Honda in the ass for ignoring the cracking dashboard problem for so long! If in the future someone gets killed because their airbag did not deploy correctly due to the cracking dashboard, Honda will have their own Sudden Acceleration problem on their hands! Then the show 20/20 maybe be interested in doing a segment on it.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

I guess that's reasonable, though it never should have happened to start with. This isn't the 1970's anymore. The days of cracking dashes is long gone (or so I thought). Has the new dash been fine?

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

If I'm not mistaken, the Turtle Ice Protectant will actually harm your dashboard. It does "protect" the interior, but ends up drying up the surface because of the chemicals. I remember seeing a thread somewhere about this.

Optimum & 303 are the best.

Best to check out the "Wash & Wax" Subforum of AZ. A lot of good information. Most products you buy in-store are trash especially brands like Turtle Wax and Armor All.

Bearcat94

If they issue a recall, you'll get your money back.

djflex167

i havent used anything on my dash and my cars sits outside in the sun all day here in NYC for years and no cracking at all not even a sign (knock on wood) it could be a matter of luck!!

CASHMAN1984

I actually got my dashboard installed by acura , i took it to the dealership ( i bought it at an auction 2004 tl) i told the service manager she looked at it (i had 3 rips that ran sideways from side to side) she told me that they would take car of it gave me a 2010tl told me we will call you when its ready. i guess you just have to go in strong , be clear about the issue never back down never agree with them be loud and mad !!!!!!!!!!!!

DimwitRj

iTrader: (2)

My dash is cracked on the pass. side airbag too about a year ago but before it got worse I put to 1/8" holes to relieve stress from the ends of the crack. So far the crack hasn't grown but it's still an eyesore and a concern. I wonder if Acura will hold this against me..

rainmn

Just as an FYI, this issue isn't unique to Acura.

I used to have a Lexus GX470 (just traded it in last week), and on the Club Lexus board, there were a bunch of people who had cracked dashes on their GX's.

Mine was the first year (2003), and I never had any cracks develop. From reading the posts on Club Lexus, it seemed like the majority of the people who had the problem were from hotter states - FL, TX, GA, etc.

Lexus hasn't done anything to address the problem either. Some people have gotten the labor for free, but the dash itself is still well over a grand. Others haven't even gotten an offer for the labor.

Splke

iTrader: (1)

I picked up my car yesterday from Fountain Acura in Orlando with a new dash installed for $322 (75% good will discount). There is a 1 year 12k mile warranty on the dash. It took less than 4 days to get it fixed after I called Acura corp and complained about the cracks over the air bag. This worked for me fellas, give it a try.

nfnsquared

ACURA specifically says not to use a silicone based solution and they specifically recommend 303, even over their own leather cleaner. That's a pretty strong product endorsement!

Read the September, 2009 Service News bulletin, last page.

CASHMAN1984

that is where i took my acura they did the work for free. you atleast got a deal

CASHMAN1984

Fountain acura of orlando, *****forgot to mention "my friend told me to go in there and tell them that a friend took his in with the same problem and they repaired it for free. I did say it and she asked for his name pulled up the report and did in fact see that he had gotten it fixed for free ...........send me a message if you need my name you can use it hopefully it helps someone.

LKLD

I just made a complaint here> https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ In the section for comments I put in this small comment:
"My dash is cracking at a accelerated rate. First at the passenger airbag, now over driver side. My concern is if the dash is dry enough to split along the airbag seams, then what would prevent shards of dash flying off if the airbag deploys? The should get some serious safety considerations."

I believe that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) needs to get involved with this as a safety issue. If it's dry enough to crack, then is it dry enough to break??