Dreaded Dash Crack
#1
SwaxStar33
Thread Starter
Dreaded Dash Crack
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!
#2
Safety Car
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.
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SwaxStar33 (03-05-2015)
#3
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.
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.
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NBP04TL4ME (03-05-2015),
SwaxStar33 (03-05-2015)
#4
Race Director
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.
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.
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rockyfeller (03-16-2015)
#5
The DVD-A Script Guy
303 is nice stuff. Doesn't gloss up everything with greasy crap.
#6
Race Director
Trending Topics
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NBP04TL4ME (03-05-2015)
#9
Senior Moderator
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.
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.
#10
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
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+1 For the Aerospace 303. It's great stuff.
#11
Race Director
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?
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?
#12
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Because is the Great White North it doesn't get hot enough to dry out and crack the dash............????
#14
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
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#15
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.
Use a WINDSHIELD COVER. ArmorAll is OK too just like waxing a car you dont do it in direct sunlight.
#16
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
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.
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ggesq (03-06-2015)
#17
Race Director
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.
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.
#18
Drifting
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.
#20
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
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.
#21
Race Director
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.
#22
SwaxStar33
Thread Starter
update
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.
#23
Chapter Leader
(Northeast Florida)
(Northeast Florida)
iTrader: (1)
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!
#24
Race Director
#25
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#26
Make it so
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.
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.
#27
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
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Bob05tl (05-11-2015)
#28
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.
#29
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (1)
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.
#30
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
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.
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.
It always starts out small..
#31
Racer
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
#32
Instructor
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
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!
#33
Racer
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!
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!
#34
Safety Car
#36
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.
#37
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
#38
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.
#39
Cracked Dash
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.
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.
#40
Make it so
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...