SwaxStar33

about two weeks ago I noticed about a foot long crack in my dash that extended from the passenger side airbag to the windshield. I'm a teacher, and by chance one of my students is the son of the GM of the local Acura dealership. I called him and they agreed to cover %75 of the cost, so I took him up on the offer. I just got it back and want to know if there are products to avoid using on my new dash to help avoid another crack. Thanks for any input!

UA6

I was told that armor-all type products clog the pores in the dash and to only use a damp rag to wipe the dash clean. Never had any issues with the dash cracking. Plus my TL was garage kept, and always used a sun shade if it was parked outside somewhere. The car was a 2006 and I owned it from 2007-2012.

nut854

Sorry to hear about the crack. Hopefully they replaced yours with a relatively newer dash or custom aftermarket part instead of pulling it from a dead '04 or '05 TL.

I've used "303 Aerospace Protectant" a couple times a year since I bought the car and my dash still looks brand new. Use it right before summer hits and it should last for awhile. It's pretty easy to order off amazon. I also use it on the (vinyl?) trim below each window. Wipe a little bit on, rub, then wipe off excess with a clean cloth as needed.

While it should keep your dash looking new and better protected from the the elements, it's not guarenteed to prevent another crack, but I would really expect that it helps.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Some people don't use any products on their dash and it still cracks.

What you need to do is use a windshield cover so heat doesn't beat down on it.

I use 303 but I'm always garage parked and if I'm out, I use the windshield cover.

Adobeman

This is what I do. Even in the winter I'll use a windshield cover. But in the winter I just let it lay flat on the dashboard rather than bother to get it up against the windshield.

303 is nice stuff. Doesn't gloss up everything with greasy crap.

nfnsquared

Who told you that?

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

what did they charge at Acura?

GKinColo08TL

Aerospace 303, best vinyl or plastic protectant I've ever used. Also use it on a hot tub cover, the cover is 5 years old, in the sun, and looks brand new.

thoiboi

I believe "clogging pores" is not exactly accurate. It's more that the chemicals in Armor All actually dries out the vinyl/plastic. I remember reading an article but can't find it now.

There have also been numerous reports of people that have babied their dashes with 303, etc. and still have them crack. I'd still do it though to be preventative.

NBP04TL4ME

+1 For the Aerospace 303. It's great stuff.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Just want to reiterate, if you think 303 will save your dash, you're wrong.
If you think using no products will save your dash, you're wrong.

Use a windshield cover to prevent that heat.
You want to know why I havnt heard of a cracked dash up here in Canada?

NBP04TL4ME

Because is the Great White North it doesn't get hot enough to dry out and crack the dash............????

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Ontario gets humid

NBP04TL4ME

Which means what? Are you saying humidity contributes to dash cracking?? Having a hard time seeing moisture in the air doing that. Arid dry air yes.

ddaviglus

Sadly certain TL models have a defective dash. From what I've read and experienced myself, the glue around the airbag area when exposed to extreme heat degrades and causes the plastic to slightly warp. This effect is enough to slightly crack the dash. Then once the structural rigidity is compromised the crack continues to grow when exposed to more heat. Cost me $300 to fix Acura covered the rest.

Use a WINDSHIELD COVER. ArmorAll is OK too just like waxing a car you dont do it in direct sunlight.

Majofo

It has nothing to do with what you use to clean your dash. It's the thermal expansion caused by the ambient cabin temp and the hvac plumbing that runs under it. Hot ass day.. dash is hot, full blast AC, the polyu connected to the plastic cover tightens up while the top part starts peeling apart. Same can happen on a cold ass day. Turn the heat up.. expands on the bottom, ripping from inside out. The main weak points are around the pass airbag and then the lining of the plastic and metal frame that the polyu is attached to.. best way to keep your dash from cracking is keeping the cabin somewhat climate controlled. I believe newer dash covers are a little better than the early ones, but I haven't confirmed.

nfnsquared

In theory that makes sense and may certainly be a contributing factor, but I've lived in Louisiana in 100F temps and North Dakota in -20F temps. In both places, I routinely blast/ed hot/cold air and have had zero issues with dash cracking (over 11 years now, original owner). So I'm not totally convinced that is the sole reason for dash cracking.

I have always used a windshield sunscreen in hot climates and while I've used 303 on the dash, I've not been very consistent in doing so.

Jackass

To add to this, mine has not cracked around the airbag....yet. My first crack was at the center speaker, and the 2nd one over the gauge cluster.

TWiSDiT

iTrader: (4)

i think no matter how much we try to save it itll happen one day.. i am the original owner since 2004. I use sun shade and condition the dash.. 2 months ago i got a 4in crack middle of the dash.. oh wells..

Majofo

Do you park it outside a lot NFN? The TL dash isn't as bad as an old dodge truck or 240, but I think you're on borrowed time.

nfnsquared

Baked in the Louisiana sun M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for 5 years followed by 6 years of 8 a.m - 5 p.m chilling in North Dakota winters.

SwaxStar33

Unfortunately when I picked my car up it was severely out of alignment, but that was an easy fix. The second problem was a few days later when driving at night, I noticed half of my steering wheel lights and a the driver side temp. lights not working Taking it back in today so they can fix the issue.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Avoid Armour-All.

nfnsquared

Got it What about Armor All? Should we avoid it as well?

Majofo

DuoDSG

I noticed a crack on my dash just yesterday when I was on a four-hour drive back home from my weekend trip. I've been lucky- I haven't used anything but a damp towel on my car, and I've never been able to keep my car in a garage.

I consider myself lucky since it's past the "scoop" of the instrument cluster and only runs a few inches. Considering that it gets to almost 100 F in the summer and -30 in the winter, I really have lucked out with my TL.

Bennybknuckles

I am an owner of a 3G TL (2005 AT w/Navi) and also a service technician at an Acura Dealership here in San Diego,CA. Regardless of what you use to prevent the dash crack, I am sorry to say, it is inevitable. There is a known problem with the dashboards on 04-06 3G TLs only. They have fixed the issue with the 07-08 models, but will not replace or recall the 04-06. You might get lucky and recieve a "goodwill" discount but the average price to have it replaced is around $1800. The last time I checked, there is a pending class action lawsuit against Acura for this matter but I have not reseached it recently. My suggestion to you fellow 3G owners with cracks is to simply purchase a coverley to hide the imperfections. I am currently waiting for my tax return to purchase one for myself. http://coverlaymfg.com/i-13155009-coverlay-30-408ll-dbl-dash-cover.html?setcookie=true

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Which means it gets hot, and you said it doesn't. No need to make assumptions that the statement meant anything more than what you stated.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Doubt if they changed the dash construction on the '07-'08 as the same part number is used for '04-'08.
UV light is the culprit as it dries out the plasticizers and consequentially the dash cracks. Keep the sunshade up and use a dash application to help maintain the dash integrity.
Like nfn, our '04 is like new, but it's only driven @ 3k miles p/year and mostly at night, but if out in the daylight a shade is always used.

Majofo

It always starts out small..

314_04TL

What would you say the chances are if I went to the Acura Dealership that had done all the repairs and service work for the last 7 years prior to me buying it. Agreeing to pay at least a partial amount on replacing the dash? Did not mean to thread jack. Just very curious

ducati748R

They should cover at least part of the cost without issue. They may make you work for it a bit but it shouldn't be a hassle. If they refuse, simply call Acura corporate and begin the process..

Thanks to this forum mine was repalced last year without issue and the dealer covered 80% off the cost. I purchased the car new from the same dealer and it's mint. Never completed any service work with them outside of recalls. Some members have gotten it free others have paid more than half.

Good luck!

314_04TL

Thank you I figured it was worth a shot at least. I was gonna just buy a coverlay for $200 might still do that even if I get the dash replaced to be on the safe side

UA6

Service manager at Acura of Las Vegas. Probably just his own personal opinion but out there in the heat having a garage and windshield cover was a must for me.

yoitskenn

these cracks can get very serious. i seen some nasty ones when i was looking for my TL

Timthetoolman

Has anyone tried putting a small hole at the end of the crack. It might at least slow down that particular crack getting longer. Of course the larger the hole diameter the less likely the crack will continue.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Yes, it has been done before on here.

GreenSpades

My last car had a crack. I think it was from the PO tho. My GFs current car the dash looks like it exploded lol. Multiple cracks the length of the entire dash. She has a cavalier though and its basically made entirely of hard plastic.

paulfagan

ACURA Blues
Could it be that Honda
Installed a faulty part
For I believe our dashboards
Were defective from the start

I bought a pre-owned Acura
TL - Two Thousand Four
Well maintained and blemish free
Couldn’t ask for more

But then the dashboard fractured
Right where the airbag sits
And soon the dash was covered
With ugly splits and slits

And as these cracks were spreading
There came another blight
I’d start the car and then I’d get
The airbag warning light

At first no claim to Acura
My car was hardly new
But then I learned of many folks
That this had happened to


So I called and wrote to Honda
And sent them photographs
But all I got was the runaround
And corporate belly laughs

One-by-one they told me
That cracks are normal wear
As for the airbags underneath
They simply just don’t care

I know it can be argued
As Honda Reps have stated
That dashboard cracks and airbag threats
Could never be related

I suggest they prove it
With data gained from tests
Otherwise to drive our cars
We might need armored vests

So if your dashboard’s broken
Or airbags give you fright
Please join me now to protest
It’s long past time we fight

Honda/Acura has succeeded in denying our claims and ignoring our safety because we have voiced our complaints individually.But if we join together and speak with a single public voice, I believe we can force them to address our safety concerns and offer fair compensation.At the very least, we can expose their dishonorable behavior.To get this started, please contact me directly at horse@cox.net.

DuoDSG

So true...I've read enough of the horror stories here on AZ that I know that it's only a matter of time before this little crack turns into the grand canyon. I'm definitely not looking forward to this summer for what it's going to do the dash...