I think you got a lemon. Mine has been, by far, the best car I've owned and it runs like a watch. The only issue was wear on the center console pleather.

That being said, I've seen so many Ford problems across multiple vehicles that they're on my sh(t lists permanently, so, I think I know how you feel.

My only good comparable to the RL was a S80 T6. Ugh. Horrid problems there, too, but that was after Ford made resistance to change futile for Volvo.

 

Oops. I didn't read the whole thread to learn that OP has a glove box problem so I'm OT. Sorry gang. Can't delete posts here, yet (I know you're trying to thwart spammers but that requirement for 5 posts and 15 days is limiting)

 

I have the same blistering and softness on my 2005RL glove box. I live in Hawaii and, during the day, cabin heat will soften the glove box surface like it was a Tootsie Roll candy.

Reading that others are having the same problem, I am convinced it is a manufacturer's defect from one of Honda/Acura's parts sources.

Has anyone heard of or been successful in getting Acura to replace these defective parts?

 

2007 Acura RL, BUBBLES ON GLOVE BOX, CENTER ARM REST FLATTEN OUT AND BUBBLES UP ON TOP SIDE BUBBLING AND RIPPING APART, DRIVERS SIDE ARM REST BUBBLING. THIS MUST BE A DEFECT. WHERE CAN YOU GET PARTS TO REPLACE THEM?

 

the best way to go is to re-wrap the arm rest with real leather and better padding underneath. trust me it makes a world of a difference in looks and feel. It is also more cost effective than replacing it with the same factory pleather from the dealer. If you cannot find a local upholster, you can check ebay. I found a seller on ebay for the rel leather and they also replace the leather if you send it to them. all in all with shipping, I believe it was only $85 that was a year ago and it still looks and feel fantabulous. (been waiting to use that word since it became an official webster word) lol

 

Whats up guys. I have the same issue with my glovebox, I live in Miami and the heat has destroyed the material. I havent been able to find a replacement for less than $400. I dont want to deal with the dealer since i can install it myself. Any recomendations? Ive looked everywhere and cant find it cheap. I have the taupe gray interior on an 05 2G.

 

Finally, my 2008 Legend has same shit too.
It looks like a leprosy faced old man.

Has anyone tried steam?

 

same problem! bought 08 used and bubbles on the upper glove box cover. dealership said it was heat damage...

 

I recommend try using a iron first. I just did it on my glove box arm rest an it worked great. Set you iron to medium and cover it with a kitchen towel and iron the arm rest until the bubble is gone. Just make sure you take your time not to burn the leather. Also when done put in freeze for a few minutes. This will make the adhesive set.

 

Here is my situation.

http://imgur.com/CKxj4VE

 

You can still try to iron it. Just use the tip of the iron and place a cloth over the spot

 

I just purchased my 08 RL yesterday and it has this. The dealer told me retail is $545 for the glovebox (because you can't swap out just the door) and that they could give me 25% off. I told them I'd walk away and they decided to swap it for free to get the deal done. Said they will call in a couple days to schedule the appointment.

Here's what mine looks like

 

wow... no good.

 

No kidding. At least it will be good as new sometime next week

 

Same issue with my 2005 RL, glove box coating is blistered, looks terrible...curious if there is a fix? Seems hard to even find a new glove box to replace it? Any feedback appreciated

Adrian

 

Same problem on my 2008 RL, the coating on the glove box is literally melting off. An upholsterer told me they saw this periodically and it was a defect in the plastic coating. They couldn't do anything, said I should get a new glove box.

 

They can do something, it's just a matter of what. They probably can't repkicate the factory finish. However, they could replicate the factory perforated leather to match the door. Not sure how it would look, but I bet for $500, they could make it look as good as or better than stock.

 

have the same problem with my 05 RL, live in Southern California, probably from the heat. I'm concerned if I spend the money to replace it with new glove box that it will do the same thing. Has to be a manufacture defect since there seems to be more then a few of us.

 

I have bubbles in my glove box leather (09 Acura RL). A new replacement would run me $450 so I don't want to go with that option. I can't find a used online and a junk yard around me most likely will not have my car. Are there any other models that use the same glove box? or any other suggestions?

 

It seems like all RLs (KB1 & KB2) are prone to this problem. Yes it's probably heat related and could be a defect overall, but there's many of us out there (including myself) that doesn't have this problem. Do you guys put any chemicals on the glovebox(armorall, 303, etc)? I wonder if this is part of the reason. Maybe the coating and chemicals don't mix?

Mine is in great shape and I never put any kind of chemicals on it. I live in the west coast where summer temps are 100 degrees+

 

In addition to Tito's questions, do each of you use sun-screens Apr-Oct?

 

Are there any other models that are compatible with a 2009 Acura RL glovebox?

 

I don't believe so. Molded interior pieces are usually unique to their model. A 2005-2008 RL might fit, but I would give up on other models. Look for one in a junk yard or re-wrap yours.

 

I have a 2008 RL and also have a glove box door blistering problem, which began to appear after about 5 years of ownership. A similar problem with my center counsel door was replaced (under warrantee) after about 1 year. I do not believe it is a heat problem, as my car is always garaged.
Any help for self repair would be appreciated.

 

Hey guys, I have a 2009 RL (black on black) with the exact same problem.

 

Mine just started bubbling last week. We had a short heat wave last week here in NH and I left the passenger side window open several inches one day. I have a feeling that direct sunlight may have had something to do with it. It's not awful, but I hope it doesn't get worse.

I was thinking about heating it up and using a credit card or something similar to try to smooth it out. Anyone try this?

 

^I would expect that to take it right off.

 

Ya, that's my concern. Just gonna leave it. The interior of this car was immaculate until this

 

The padded glovebox cover on my wife's 2007 RL is turning to melted vinyl. The cover has been adversely affected by the Florida sun I guess. The first issue appeared a couple of months ago and is slowly getting worse. A fingernail will leave a permanent mark. Any ideas what is going on. None of the other surfaces seem to be affected. The entire surface of the glovebox cover is affected(including behind the latch). We r the original owners. Thanks. Gregg

 

sun shade may have helped, do you use one? If not might suggest investing in it. Covercraft makes some good aftermarket custom cut ones. Check amazon.com

 

Gregg, I moved your thread here to both help you find an answer to your questions and keep things consolidated. Like I've said in this thread, I think the only option is to remove the vinyl and recover the glovebox.

 

where in florida are you? I know an excellent upholstery guy in the West Palm Beach area that replace them. Your choice of real leather or vinyl.

 

Another data point:
In my search for a 2G RL, I've seen 5 examples, *all of which* (including the one I'm purchasing) have bubbles on the glovebox to some degree.
-All were ebony leather
-two were 3 were 05's, one was an 06 and one is an 07
-The worst was the 06
-Three have all been "local" (Midwest) cars, one from Florida and the other was unknown (no Carfax, super shady). But with the way auctions work, they could have come from anywhere I suppose.

I have to believe that this defect rate is incredibly high, or I have incredibly bad luck.

 

Sun shades will only buy you time. Im in Fla and use one religiously and its starting to go now (06).

 

I own a 2008 Legend and I think mine is the worst one...

 

https://youtu.be/04T_wovu8N0

 

My 05 has this same issue and its so bad I covered the door in some not-even-close leather for a road trip jus so we wouldn't have to look at it. Mine looks like a zombie started biting the door, or like a big fat wedding cake that got old and the surface just started to melt down. I could not get the bottom 2 screws out (from back of door) so I just wrapped it into the groove made by loosening up the rest of the screws and tucking the leather into the crack. The fit was decent, but finally the color got to me. Mine is taupe/gray. So I took apart the entire glove box to see if i could get to those bottom screws, and with some work, some patience and a couple adult beverages i was able to get the door off the assembly and removed it so all I have is the sticky, melted door. Took this up to the upholstery guy who did an amazing job on my arm rests for +/-$90 here in Maitland FL and he said...wait for it..."I'm not interested in wrapping the door". With my jaw dropped I returned home and found a couple on eBay/c-list but noting that I'm ready to buy. I also stopped at a big fabric store here in the metro Orlando area and almost found a suitable match, but alas, my dashboard is apart and Im posting here. Once its apart it will be easy to wrap the door and reattach it even though the clearance is tight. My issue is matching the color of the door. Good news is I can take the door with me into the shop and will keep looking. I kind of wish my interior was black.

 

mine is just the right hand corner of the glovebox, I may try to iron it out ans see if that works.

 

i had the same issue- it was sticky and bubbled all to hell. Had to replace it and now i use one of the UV coating protectants to hopefully prevent it- also have tint with UV film. The glove cost me way too much but it was worth it to see it new- also the lock changed out pretty easily!

 

Hi guys, i'm from Europe, and I own a 2008 Legend with the same problem, bubbles on the glove box cover. As you may know in Europe prices are double than US, so this piece costs over 1000$ here . I'm interested if ironing the cover does solve this problem, or other option like injecting glue. Thank you.