Motoracer

I just noticed that there is a large difference in the gap where the interior door panels line up with the dashboard on my '04 TL. The gap is large enough on the driver's side for me to stick my finger into it. On the passenger side it averages about 50% narrower. I'm surprised that a difference like this could pass QC. The exterior body panels are much better matched, though noticably less so than my previous Lexus GS300.

I guess it's a case of caveat emptor - I should have commented on it when I accepted the car. I doubt it relates in any direct way to the various noises and squeeks that have troubled my car, but it does seem like a prime example of general lack of build and materials quality that plague this car.

Despite the aggrevations, I'm increasingly happy with the car's performance. The steering is OK, cornering is really good up to a certain high limit (far higher than the GS), and the motor and tranny are like buttah. All these postive aspects make the faults of the interior all the more aggrevating. Acura's willingness to market a near-luxury car with these problems makes me very wary of investing even more for an RL.

Ron A

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102232

It even came with a picture. Is this what you are describing?

Motoracer

Correct. It's the gap circled in red. I looked at another TL in the showroom the last time I had mine in for service, and in the new car the gaps where much more closely matched on the driver and passenger sides.

chas083

Every TL I've seen has this discrepancy. A design issue, not an assembly issue.

Lore

Even the 05 TL loaner I had a few weeks ago displayed this. I believe someone tried to get theirs fixed at a dealership and it turned out about the same. They had to take out the dash and reinstall it which is a large undertaking to say the least.

Bonedoc

I have to say, that although the gap seems a little large, mine are symmetrical. Also, I have noticed this gap in every TL I have entered.

New2004AcuraTLman

still unnacceptable in my book. Period

TL42

Good God guys and girls... take it easy....

If you didn't notice the GAP when you test drove it, it's a little too late now.

Besides... this begs the question... where are you focusing your eyes when driving.. On the Road.. or the gaps in your dash/door?

Lets hope it is the former. For everyones sake.

TL42

cvajs

yes, the car is not 100%. even the door panels themselves don't fit 100%. open door the front doors and look closely near the hinge side, note where the panel meets the door (up high).

some things are inevitable with a new model, panel alignment is one of them.

what year do you have? mine is 2004.

Lore

Yep, definitely noticed that. The top area of the door (where your elbow would rest if you had the window open) even comes off if you pull it towards you because it's not fastened - it's just kind hangs over the edge.

ravingstylez

hahahahhaha dont laugh i opened my car today becasue it was pooring iopend it fast and the god damn doors that close byt hemselves i caught my figner it hurt but not as much as it wuld if ti wasnt therelol

ONAGER

its truly threads like these that i hate......

because every time i read them, i go out to my car and notice mny if not all the exact same faults!!!!!

but then i start anthracite (her name of course) up, and it all melts away... the sound, the feel, the smell. but coming from a 2000 ford contour, then a 1995 f-350, crew cab, long bed, diesel, dually (big f_in truck). i guess little things like butt prints, small gaps in interior panels, and the curb rash on the rear passenger rim due to tires that i feel are to small are all little in the grand scheme of things.... issues that i can live with

dtpjigzer

Roleez

That's just the difference between Honda products with VINs starting with "1" vs. "J". I've owned/driven Hondas of both origins. The attention to detail and quality of assembly is exceptional in the "J" cars; these qualities are always lacking in every "1" car I've seen. Compare a TSX or RL to the TL and you'll see the differences. I watched a documentary a few years ago on PBS about the differences between the work ethic of auto plants in the USA vs. Japan. Maybe this might have something to do with it. Interesting stuff:

USA = work 5 days a week, 8 - 10 hr. shifts with 1 lunch break... the usual.
Japan = work 6 to 7 days/week with 12 - 18 hr. shifts with 1 lunch break, 1 meditation/philosophy break, and 1 exercise/workout break + shower.

chas083

The loaner TSX I had also had different dashboard gaps. So did my friends ES 330. So did another friends A4. So how does that work with your theory?

TBone2004

The loaner TSX I had had a rattle behind the dash that would drive me insane if it were my car. No way to fix without serious operation on the dash.

It is all luck of the draw my friends. Regardless of origin - all cars are assembled by humans. And humans make mistakes. Some places have better quality practicies and policies, but when it comes down to it - we are at the mercy of the men and women whose job it is to make sure a certain nut is tight, a panel 'clicks' into place etc. Like Forrest said - a new car is like a box of chocolates...

Roleez

I'm not saying that Japan is far superior over America. Only that their work ethic and philosophy is completely different than that of America and how that may have an impact in how cars are designed/built in Japan vs. those in America. I'm talking "overall quality" of "most" Japanese-built vehicles vs. the "overall quality" of "most" American-built cars. There is a difference. And true that, like TBone2004 states, regardless of origin, all cars are built by humans. No matter what, there will always be that margin of error whether small (Japan) or large (USA). I have an 03 CL-S and it's a "1" car (referring to first digit of VIN#). It has its shakes and rattles in addition to a few misaligned interior/exterior panels. Same goes for my sister's "1" car, a 92 Accord EX coupe. However, my 92 "J" Accord EX 4dr sedan, 1995 Odyssey EX, and 04 TSX were and still are flawless inside and outside. Makes you wonder. Just my