I own a 04 TL and about 3 weeks ago the I noticed the portion of the dash on the driver side right above the instrument cluster cracking. Now it is that different material like the one with those " holes " all over it, similar to what the seats have with the perforation and not the dash portion like the whole passenger side has and most of the middle part.
The car has almost 80K on it and has been garage kept almost the whole life of the car. Has anyone had this issue? Acura dealer is telling me that it is all one piece as I thought maybe the full dash is actually 2 pieces put together? Cost was ridiculous as well to replace. For being a Acura, this is absolute crap in my opinion. Shoot, my 97 Saleen Mustang that has been out in the sun a lot has no fainting or a single crack or fatigue showing, lol. Any advise on this one please?

Thanks everyone

 

This is an unfortunate and somewhat common issue:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=dash+cracking

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=dash+cracking

 

 

Thank to you both for the help. Crazy how this seems to be a common issue amongst other TL cars in this year range 04-06. I will keep going at it with the dealer and see what they can do. Does anyone know if that Dupli-color product requires the dash to be removed and does it actually repair the existant cracks?

 

Do you live in a warm state? It seems to be more of an issue for people living in the south.

 

I think the duplicolor is just a paint, not a filler. You might want to see if you have an auto upholstery shop locally that can do a vinyl repair if Acura won't budge. Show them at Acura the threads as above though.

 

^ Forgot to mention filler.

Fill the cracks with a putty and see if you can use the vinyl paint to match the dash. Removing the dash would be a good idea, unless you want to just cover most of your interior to prevent overspray on surrounding areas with a tarp or whatnot, although it would be a large area to cover up.

 

I'm getting more and more worried. Mine looks like it's going to crack any day around the passenger airbag cutouts.

It looks as if the dash is being stretched. I'm worried enough that I'm probably going to look over the service manual for all attachement points and loosen the entire dash and retighten. I believe it's thermal related but also that something might have shifted over time and it stretching the dash. It has a section that's starting to dip down at the corner of the airbag cutout. The flaws I mention aren't that bad, no one else has ever noticed it but still I don't know how much longer it has. It would be very interesting if the dip went away after loosening and retightening. the dash.

 

What's the best product we can put on it? I just get a Microfiber cloth and wipe it down. Get some water on a towel and wipe it down and dry it off again than I apply a little of wax on top.

 

I used 303 Aerospace protectant on mine. Heard great things about it from some buddies of mine who have Z06 vettes and one has a ZR1.
www.303products.com

if you wanted to check them out.

 

3GStealth, yes I do live in Florida like you. The sun here kills cars indeed

 

My local dealer in Clearwater is Crown Acura. When I was reading reviews on this dealership on dealerrater someone mentioned that they agreed to replace his cracked dash on his 05 and covered 90% of the cost. Please let me know either way what dealerhip you take it to and the resolution. I have an 06 and my dash is starting to concern me as well. Also, join the facebook page with others who have experienced this problem. Good luck

 

I know using the right protectant is a good thing but I believe the issue as it was stated in the other thread to not be drying out. It's thermal stress. You can see mine how it's under tension right now and I'm waiting for it to finally give.

 

Welcome to my world, my dash is cracked as well, went to Acura, they took pictures and sent it to the District Manager. I will have to pay 30% of the total cost and they are paying 70%, it is a DEFECT therefor, it should be FREE! Mine cracked right over the airbag!!!

 

Crown Acura is where I went, I live in the area, they offered me that they would pay 70% and myself %30..I am paying around $450 out the door.

 

I agree they should pay for all of it but honestly, I would probably settle for $450. I go to pick up some parts at the dealer tomorrow, I may ask about this issue but I fully expect them to act like they know nothing.

 

They thought they would try and give me the run around because I am a female, boy were they wrong. He was finally honest with me and said that they had multiple 04-06 models with the same issue. I may get an attorney involved but then again, I will end up paying the attorney more than just paying the $450 out of pocket. My question that I need to ask them is if this mean replacing the 'entire' dash with a 'new' one. I don't want just the cracks fixed. For $450 it needs to be a new UPDATED dash made with different material so it doesn't happen again.

 

That's my big concern. I don't have as much of a problem paying $450 one time for a brand new improved dash but I'm not going to pay it every 3-5 years. Keep us updated if you find anything out.

I like going down there when I have a few hours to kill. They usually change their story once they realize you're not going away.

 

I agree, I don't feel like paying another $450 in 3-5 years.. should have been a RECALL!

 

I would try to get them to cover more than 70%. Tell them that other dealers in FL are paying 90%, which they are. Who did you speak with there? Also, ask them if it is a different material. Please let us know what you find. Good luck

 

Crown Acura replaced mine in my 2006, I paid 10% which was around $90.00 IIRC. I was a previous sales and service customer and had owned multiple Honda vehicles in the past though which apparently makes a difference for good will.

 

It's probably not going to be a recall because it's not really safety related?

If you don't get any satisfaction at the dealer call Acura, if you still don't get anywhere tell the Service Writer at the dealer that you want a meeting with their Acura factory representative.

 

When your dash was replaced in 2006 did you notice a difference in the material in your new dash? Has it held up well over the past few years?

 

I actually went to Crown Acura as well here in Clearwater FL and they got Acura to approve 80% of the cost. I have to pay around $400 out of pocket. Guy named Randy service director got everything squared away in about 2 days. Figure while they have the dash out and some of the center console I will have both bulbs replaced in the seat heater controls/switch's since the passenger one went out and the cost to replace that was just over 70 bucks. I tried to have them discount the 2 metal trim pieces that go on each side of the center console but no luck with that and each one goes for around 250 he said, lol.

Does anyone know what all they replace with the dash? I mean shoot for 2K u would think everything including the radio would be...J/K

 

$250? I ordered these brand new and I believe they were about $50 each.

 

New member here.

Just bought a TL last week, 05 with 28,000 miles and very clean. The only thing is that the dash is cracked over the speedometer and on the passenger side, badly. Dealer is paying the cost to get it replaced, as I told them they could keep it if they would not, they told me it was 1500 for the new dash. Anyhoo, they are picking up the cost and it is in the shop now getting it done with my new tints. I'll try to post pics when it is done and see if it looks like it is of the same material or not.

 

I hate cars member, I noticed that you said you paid around $50 each for those center Metal pieces that run alongside the center console. Just curious on if you got that from the dealer directly or some other site/company?

 

I'm guessing its common in the 2004 TL because it has happened to me. Currently my car is at the shop having the dash replaced under goodwill. They are paying 90% and I'm paying 10%. I've been dealing with the dash crap and complaining to corporate for about 2 years now and they are finally doing something because the first time i complained it had like 2 cracks and they didn't bother with any assistant. Now that it got worst, I took it to corporate again with threats and because I know someone who works at Acura they are finally replacing it. Just by reading how much everyone has paid for the new dash I'm very lucky and blessed because I'm only paying 150.00 =) Hope everything works out well for everyone.

 

Wow i am now very worried about my dash! It sounds like a big 04 TL issue, i have an 06 i am hoping they corrected the issue by then but i doubt it!
My girlfriend works for an acura dealer so ill get the dash at cost if it cracks and just put it in myself!

 

This is definitely a common issue on the 04 TL. I had this problem. In fact, I just yesterday, picked up my vehicle for the replacement of the dash. They goodwilled it for me. Here is my before picture.



and here is my after

 

^that is the day that i turn to the dark side, they should cough up every penny to repair the dash....wonder who's reliable if airbag doesn't deploy???

 

I do believe that they should help out since there are so many dash cracks. It's obvious that it's not just a couple TLs, it's a bunch of them. However, this won't effect the airbag deployment at all. The dash is made to bust right where the cracks are.

 

Thanks for sharing the pics. Does the new dash appear to be made out of a different material?

 

Update on my dash scenario. Got the car back Saturday, cost out of pocket for me was $331.00. The material looks to be the same but I don't know how it looked new since I got my car used. It does seem to have that " fainted " look to it but the dealer insisted that once I clean and condition it, then it will look nice. I believe they said it comes with a 12 month/ 12K mile warranty, whichever comes first.

 

Already made my decision. When/If my dash cracks I'm gonna get a black dash cover....I'm all set with replacing the dash..

 

That's kind of funny, offering a warranty with a mileage limit on a dashboard.

 

Guys, I have the Same problem , my car is originally from FL but now in NJ.. Will any Acura dealer replace this thing as a goodwill or offer some sort of discount ??

 

I was told that I guess they consider different things like....
1: Number of " Honda/Acura " cars bought before
2: Mileage ( At least the Service director told me this one )
3: Ability of buying another Honda/Acura vehicle in the future
4: Amount of complaints brought forth as well with the same issue for the year(s) and vehicle type of course

I would most definately bring it to your local Acura dealers attention. Good luck!

 

which dealership you went to?

 

I went to Crown Acura, which is down here in Clearwater Florida