Dreaded Dash Crack
#41
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
When it gets hot, they'll close up.. soon as you hit the AC.. grand canyon.
#42
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. Coverlay Mfg| Dash Cover Coverlay 30-408LL-DBL
Do you have proof that this issue has been fixed in the 07-08 models? The reason I ask is that I am looking to buy an 08.
#43
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
Research is key,
It's been discussed to death.
The dashboard wasn't updated in material for 07-08. Same applies for the type-s. It also uses the same dashboard. It's a defect from factory. 90% of the time the cracks appear in the same 2 locations and spread. It can happen anywhere on the dashboard. Over time the material can no longer expand and contract. Over time, it will form a crack at a weak spot. Doesn't matter where you live as all 3rd gen TL's dashboards can fail. You can help the dashboard from cracking, but ultimately it's up to time to tell. The heat was believed to be the 1st issue, but as time went on a lot more dashboards cracked in the Winter (As did mine). This also adds to the fact that the dashboard is put through a tremendous amount of stress from hot to cold, cold to hot. It can no longer meet these demands and it fails. Lastly, a crack dashboard will not cause an airbag light to go on and will not cause the passenger side airbag to properly deploy.
Some reading material:
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...ssions-914893/
https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...ordeal-730775/
https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...d-05-a-835408/
https://www.facebook.com/AcuraTLDefectiveDash
Acura Refuses to Acknowledge Possible Airbag Problem - CNN iReport
2004 Acura TL - Dashboard cracks, Review 363363 | Complaints Board
2004 Acura TL
It's been discussed to death.
The dashboard wasn't updated in material for 07-08. Same applies for the type-s. It also uses the same dashboard. It's a defect from factory. 90% of the time the cracks appear in the same 2 locations and spread. It can happen anywhere on the dashboard. Over time the material can no longer expand and contract. Over time, it will form a crack at a weak spot. Doesn't matter where you live as all 3rd gen TL's dashboards can fail. You can help the dashboard from cracking, but ultimately it's up to time to tell. The heat was believed to be the 1st issue, but as time went on a lot more dashboards cracked in the Winter (As did mine). This also adds to the fact that the dashboard is put through a tremendous amount of stress from hot to cold, cold to hot. It can no longer meet these demands and it fails. Lastly, a crack dashboard will not cause an airbag light to go on and will not cause the passenger side airbag to properly deploy.
Some reading material:
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...ssions-914893/
https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...ordeal-730775/
https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...d-05-a-835408/
https://www.facebook.com/AcuraTLDefectiveDash
Acura Refuses to Acknowledge Possible Airbag Problem - CNN iReport
2004 Acura TL - Dashboard cracks, Review 363363 | Complaints Board
2004 Acura TL
The following users liked this post:
TacoBello (05-11-2015)
#44
I saw this on ebay and for those who love teh carbon fiber look, this might be a solution.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/60-x-60-CARBON-FIBER-3D-Twill-Weave-Vinyl-Film-Sheet-Wrap-Air-Free-acura60/151594651514?_trksid=p2059210.c100148.m2813&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140127102845%26meid%3D7cdb434777964c509e496fd6520cba20%26pid%3D100148%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D121349887868
http://www.ebay.com/itm/60-x-60-CARBON-FIBER-3D-Twill-Weave-Vinyl-Film-Sheet-Wrap-Air-Free-acura60/151594651514?_trksid=p2059210.c100148.m2813&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140127102845%26meid%3D7cdb434777964c509e496fd6520cba20%26pid%3D100148%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D121349887868
#45
Race Director
^^^^ what about passenger air bag deployment????
#48
Registered Bunny
I saw this on ebay and for those who love teh carbon fiber look, this might be a solution.
60" x 60" Carbon Fiber 3D Twill Weave Vinyl Film Sheet Wrap Air Free ACURA60 | eBay
60" x 60" Carbon Fiber 3D Twill Weave Vinyl Film Sheet Wrap Air Free ACURA60 | eBay
#49
Team Owner
#51
Make it so
Now that I've seen the whole "put a hole at the end of the crack" method, I may do that to prevent the growth of the crack.
It helps that it's in a hard-to-see place (on the intersection of the instrument cluster scoop with the rest of the dash), so the holes won't really be visible anyway.
I just honestly don't want to spend a fortune on replacing my dash. No way is some cosmetic defect from the factory going to prevent me from driving my TL until its engine dies or it's in an accident...
It helps that it's in a hard-to-see place (on the intersection of the instrument cluster scoop with the rest of the dash), so the holes won't really be visible anyway.
I just honestly don't want to spend a fortune on replacing my dash. No way is some cosmetic defect from the factory going to prevent me from driving my TL until its engine dies or it's in an accident...
#52
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. Coverlay Mfg| Dash Cover Coverlay 30-408LL-DBL
Two questions...
1. Can you post a picture of your installed coverlay?
2. How does the coverlay affect the air bag deployment. I definately do not want to block the airbag for a cosmetic fix!!!!
#53
Registered but harmless
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 59
Posts: 14,857
Received 1,148 Likes
on
775 Posts
There is a cut-out for the passenger airbag.
#54
Advanced
I recently purchased this ABS plastic. I clamps on there, but for extra hold I also have it held down with automotive grade 3M tape. I am a person that loves to roll with their windows down and it was super embarassing to see my dash. Texas heat beat it up bad too.
It does have the passenger side airbag window as well so it can deploy properly. (I didn't tape that down)
Coverlay® 30-408LL-BLK - Black Dashboard Cover
It does have the passenger side airbag window as well so it can deploy properly. (I didn't tape that down)
Coverlay® 30-408LL-BLK - Black Dashboard Cover
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rp_guy
Member Cars for Sale
9
07-16-2017 07:33 AM
DerrickW
3G TL Performance Parts & Modifications
9
11-15-2015 05:52 PM