Cracked dashboard in '04 TL
08-17-2011, 01:42 PM
#722
Intermediate
Copy Cat and proud!
[QUOTE
haha i dont want to be the guinea pig either
[/QUOTE]
I saw the pics of the RL and that sedona suede black looks awesome. However I am really interested in checking out Dashtex - on one of the pics it makes it seem like there is no cover. I have the gray TL so I was going for the charcoal sedona suede - the lighter color would make it less work than cleaning the black.......but that RL pic made me go from guinea pig to copy cat. It just looks too nice to take a chance on another color/material. Gonna take two weeks to get here.....pics to follow!
haha i dont want to be the guinea pig either
[/QUOTE]I saw the pics of the RL and that sedona suede black looks awesome. However I am really interested in checking out Dashtex - on one of the pics it makes it seem like there is no cover. I have the gray TL so I was going for the charcoal sedona suede - the lighter color would make it less work than cleaning the black.......but that RL pic made me go from guinea pig to copy cat. It just looks too nice to take a chance on another color/material. Gonna take two weeks to get here.....pics to follow!
08-17-2011, 04:02 PM
#723
Yes sir...we shall both be posting up pics shortly! 
I was even thinking of going with brown and then maybe adding some umber looking stuff to door panels to blend it but eff it.
I swear, I'll convince myself that this thing is classy looking and functional and I'll forget there was a ever a crack under it to begin with.
Eff you acura trying to charge 800 out of pocket for a design flaw.
I was even thinking of going with brown and then maybe adding some umber looking stuff to door panels to blend it but eff it.
I swear, I'll convince myself that this thing is classy looking and functional and I'll forget there was a ever a crack under it to begin with.
Eff you acura trying to charge 800 out of pocket for a design flaw.
08-18-2011, 05:43 PM
#726
I think im in the running to having Americas worst Acura TL dashboard. Ive had the car since early 2004, and its been baking in South Florida's heat ever since. Its never been garaged besides a parking garage. click the thumbnails for a bigger picture. Click the bigger picture for a zoomed in version, where you can really see how terrible it is 
If you want to tear up a little, click and zoom on the 3rd picture. Its literally EVERYWHERE.
If you want to tear up a little, click and zoom on the 3rd picture. Its literally EVERYWHERE.
Last edited by Sutitan; 08-18-2011 at 05:47 PM.
08-18-2011, 07:19 PM
#728
Actually, Thats they offered me. Rick Case Acura in SFL to be a bit more exact. They said it would cost around 350-400 out of pocket (if I remember correctly). The offer was valid for a week, but I was on vacation when they contacted and left the voicemail. Im not sure where to go from here. 400 isn't terrible, but I still feel like its a bit unacceptable. Plus, who is to say that it wont end up cracking in another 7 years.
Suedes nice but not for me. Plus this vendetta stuff sounds serious
Suedes nice but not for me. Plus this vendetta stuff sounds serious
08-18-2011, 08:40 PM
#729
oh, it is. very very serious actually.
no cover is ideal, but at 750 quoted to repair not interested.
At 350 to 400 bucks I'd probably consider it if covering it is not an option. Call them back, I'm sure they'll honor it. I test drove my RSX at that dealership, they're alright, location sucks. Now that I think about it I bought a Jeep at Massey Yardley across the street. Dealership is gone now though...it's that empty parking lot.
I now go to Acura of Pembroke Pines... Across the street from my house.
no cover is ideal, but at 750 quoted to repair not interested.
At 350 to 400 bucks I'd probably consider it if covering it is not an option. Call them back, I'm sure they'll honor it. I test drove my RSX at that dealership, they're alright, location sucks. Now that I think about it I bought a Jeep at Massey Yardley across the street. Dealership is gone now though...it's that empty parking lot.
I now go to Acura of Pembroke Pines...
Across the street from my house.
08-19-2011, 09:25 AM
#730
I paid $300 out of pocket at Acura Dealer in Sanford, FL. After about a yr of calling the service director once a week for an answer. Keep bugging them!
Damn, your dash looks a lot worse than mine was. I have a local friend with an 05 and his is starting to crack as well. Acura needs to step up!!!
Damn, your dash looks a lot worse than mine was. I have a local friend with an 05 and his is starting to crack as well. Acura needs to step up!!!
08-23-2011, 01:08 PM
#732
Instructor
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Dealership Contribution to Cracked Dash
Hi,
I have been reading this thread for a while. I called the dealer a week ago and they quoted 2K for the dash. I called Acura and they told me to bring the car into the dealership to diagnose the problem. I took it in and they said they would contact their rep. They called me back and said the 2K job would cost me $700. I told them I appreciate the offer but I shouldn't have to pay $700 out of pocket because Acura chose to use cheap materials and design the dash poorly. I called Acura Relations and they got back to me yesterday and said I could pay $340 and Acura would pay the rest. They assured me they wouldn't be able to front 100% of the cost so I accepted the offer. Dropped off the car this morning and it's supposed to be ready by the end of the week. Factors that come into play here: Acura service records (I take everything to the dealership except tire work) and history of owning Honda/Acura vehicles. This is the first Honda/Acura vehicle I have owned. Hope this helps someone else. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
I have been reading this thread for a while. I called the dealer a week ago and they quoted 2K for the dash. I called Acura and they told me to bring the car into the dealership to diagnose the problem. I took it in and they said they would contact their rep. They called me back and said the 2K job would cost me $700. I told them I appreciate the offer but I shouldn't have to pay $700 out of pocket because Acura chose to use cheap materials and design the dash poorly. I called Acura Relations and they got back to me yesterday and said I could pay $340 and Acura would pay the rest. They assured me they wouldn't be able to front 100% of the cost so I accepted the offer. Dropped off the car this morning and it's supposed to be ready by the end of the week. Factors that come into play here: Acura service records (I take everything to the dealership except tire work) and history of owning Honda/Acura vehicles. This is the first Honda/Acura vehicle I have owned. Hope this helps someone else. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
08-27-2011, 08:21 AM
#734
As promised, got my dash-topper brand dash topper, did sedona suede in black. Initially, thought it felt flimsy right out of the box...but in hindsight this is probably so it doesn't look like you have a huge rug on your dash. After install I have to say that I'm absolutely super happy with it and the idea of dash replacement and cracks on dash is gone from my mind. I'm fine with this. Even my fiance says she thinks it looks great and she was against this.
Put it on my dash for a day without velcro just for fitment.
Tweaked a bit, rubbed down with ipa in areas where i was going to velcro. I used some industrial white home depot velcro. You only use the hook side of it...so makes it easy to make adjustments. Install took me an hour but was very easy. Also, I don't like advertisements on my dash so tag came off...it ripped the stitching, but I can fix that even though you don't see it.
Marked my tweets with china pencil and cut out an X, forced tweets in sideways and cut the x bigger and bigger till it sat flush.
AND here is the end result! SUPER HAPPY!
since I spent a good amount on my front stage speakers, even though the sound came through the cover, it did muffle the crispy highs a bit, plus, figured this would hold it in place a bit better and make it look more fitted.
Put it on my dash for a day without velcro just for fitment.
Tweaked a bit, rubbed down with ipa in areas where i was going to velcro. I used some industrial white home depot velcro. You only use the hook side of it...so makes it easy to make adjustments. Install took me an hour but was very easy. Also, I don't like advertisements on my dash so tag came off...it ripped the stitching, but I can fix that even though you don't see it.
Marked my tweets with china pencil and cut out an X, forced tweets in sideways and cut the x bigger and bigger till it sat flush.
AND here is the end result! SUPER HAPPY!
since I spent a good amount on my front stage speakers, even though the sound came through the cover, it did muffle the crispy highs a bit, plus, figured this would hold it in place a bit better and make it look more fitted.
08-27-2011, 06:31 PM
#735
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Looks great RS! 
now what about the airbag?
now what about the airbag?
08-27-2011, 07:14 PM
#736
^^LOL
Believe it or not, reason I went with this one is they have an "institch" that you can't really see. If you flip it over there's a stitch that will give out if airbag deploys. I paid double what they are going for on autoanything because of the video they show on www.dash-topper.com . It convinced me that I wanted to go with the more expensive one.
Believe it or not, reason I went with this one is they have an "institch" that you can't really see. If you flip it over there's a stitch that will give out if airbag deploys. I paid double what they are going for on autoanything because of the video they show on www.dash-topper.com . It convinced me that I wanted to go with the more expensive one.
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08-31-2011, 09:56 AM
#737
Instructor
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For those of you that got the dash replaced, are the speakers flush with the dash? Mine is not and I am being today the speakers warp to the dash. I find this a little odd to believe. I will post pics shortly, once I figure out how to do it!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by zalik22; 08-31-2011 at 10:01 AM.
09-01-2011, 10:57 AM
#738
Wow...in addition to the possibility for creaks etc...the "good enough" dealership approach also scared me. Not to knock you for getting it replaced...I'm sure overall it looks great but everything should line up. The tweeters have on part that must sit in this channel...pull it up and make sure it's lined up. Might have been laziness on their part.
The center cluster gap...pull up the clock display thing (pops right out) and unplug and look up in there...maybe a bolt you could loosen and retighten to fix that. The ac vent...you can't really see that.
Good luck!
The center cluster gap...pull up the clock display thing (pops right out) and unplug and look up in there...maybe a bolt you could loosen and retighten to fix that. The ac vent...you can't really see that.
Good luck!
09-02-2011, 12:34 PM
#739
Zalik22, looked at your pics. Mine's an '04, and it came from the factory that way. I just put it down to the natural variability of an assembly of several dozen mostly plastic parts and learned to live with it. I think Rockstar is probably right. If you have the time and the energy you can probably realign everything properly.
10-12-2011, 11:23 AM
#740
Racer
iTrader: (1)
I'm starting to see some Acura's getting parted out in junkyards, etc. Has anyone tried to pull a dash from a junkyard, and install it? I'm guessing it would take several(+) hours, but just thought I would throw it out there.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/2645355756.html - a part out in San Jose, CA.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/2645355756.html - a part out in San Jose, CA.
10-21-2011, 04:54 AM
#741
1st Gear
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I bought an 04 TL in 2006 certified pre-owned with 18k miles. Dash cracked all over right when ext warranty of 100k passed (sold by dealer). Dealer in PR is unwilling to cover the costs. As I am DIY cheapo, need help finding instructions om how to replace dash. Any links or videos available out there? Please help
10-21-2011, 10:11 AM
#742
It's a big job...
too big to risk on a junkyard dash IMO. if I went on the mission, i'd want to know it's good for another 8 years.
About instruction, there's a forum member that did it himself in 5 hours. See if you can find him and pm him for some direction. My guess is once you start pulling off glove box, all under and side panels and center console, it'll be obvious what needs to get unclipped etc.
too big to risk on a junkyard dash IMO. if I went on the mission, i'd want to know it's good for another 8 years.
About instruction, there's a forum member that did it himself in 5 hours. See if you can find him and pm him for some direction. My guess is once you start pulling off glove box, all under and side panels and center console, it'll be obvious what needs to get unclipped etc.
10-26-2011, 11:35 AM
#745
So I'm officially a victim of acuras cracked dash. I took the car out of the garage today to head to class and noticed an inch crack above the speedometer area. I couldn't believe my eyes since the car is just about always garaged or if it's out I have a sunshade.
I'll upload a picture later tonight when I get home. I have an appoitnemt Monday at the local dealer here in Orlando for other things but would like to get this resolved as soon as possible. I would appreciate any feed back that could help me out.
I'll upload a picture later tonight when I get home. I have an appoitnemt Monday at the local dealer here in Orlando for other things but would like to get this resolved as soon as possible. I would appreciate any feed back that could help me out.
10-26-2011, 01:58 PM
#746
Well...
if you complaint, they will offer you 1/2 price.
$700 out of pocket
if you REALLY complain, they will offer you 1/4 price
$350 out of pocket
if you can't handle paying either of those for something that shouldn't break and will probably end up cracking again.
$40 for dash cover and call it a day.
I was in the same boat...aerospace 303 protectant religiously...always sunshaded or garaged...bam...still cracked.
Kinda like being faithful and babying your wife then you come home and find in bed with your best friend...I felt betrayed and wanted to trade it in right away. Now, I have the dash cover and I'm totally satisfied with that.
if you complaint, they will offer you 1/2 price.
$700 out of pocket
if you REALLY complain, they will offer you 1/4 price
$350 out of pocket
if you can't handle paying either of those for something that shouldn't break and will probably end up cracking again.
$40 for dash cover and call it a day.
I was in the same boat...aerospace 303 protectant religiously...always sunshaded or garaged...bam...still cracked.
Kinda like being faithful and babying your wife then you come home and find in bed with your best friend...I felt betrayed and wanted to trade it in right away. Now, I have the dash cover and I'm totally satisfied with that.
10-26-2011, 10:27 PM
#747
Yes I have a 2004 TL and it was fine until 6 months ago. I have 3 large cracks on mine. even though I had warrenty the dealer said is was cosmetic. they finally offered to pay 50% of the total cost which i would still have to pay about $800. I didn't fix mine. I'm hoping to find a crashed TL so I can get the dashboard. I am also going to contact American Acura about it.
10-26-2011, 10:32 PM
#748
wow that is a good deal. I take my Acura to Sanford FL. I have gotten a lot of work done there. they told me about $700-$800 to replace my dash. and I bugged them a lot. maby I will try again.
10-27-2011, 07:09 AM
#750
Honestly Fellas, buying a USED one made of the same product that has been sitting in the sun at a junkyard and is the same age ain't a good idea in my opinion.
Now, if you REALLY complain and contact Acura of America etc...they will PROBABLY end up offering to give it to you at $350. BUT, I've read stories of the dash making noises and creaking and let's face it, if it has a weakness for cracking...you may be the same boat 6 years from now.
HERE is a link for reviews of the dash covers and where to buy them. There's even a coupon code in this thread that will get it for you for about $40 shipped. Can't beat it and now that I've had mine for a few months. I'm so happy I'll never go back.
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/dashboard-covers-material-suites-our-cars-best-827508/
Now, if you REALLY complain and contact Acura of America etc...they will PROBABLY end up offering to give it to you at $350. BUT, I've read stories of the dash making noises and creaking and let's face it, if it has a weakness for cracking...you may be the same boat 6 years from now.
HERE is a link for reviews of the dash covers and where to buy them. There's even a coupon code in this thread that will get it for you for about $40 shipped. Can't beat it and now that I've had mine for a few months. I'm so happy I'll never go back.
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/dashboard-covers-material-suites-our-cars-best-827508/
10-28-2011, 07:42 PM
#751
Wow. After reading this thread, I am feeling little lucky since Acura Esserman cover my craked dashboard for free when I had still under warranty. The Irony, I never bought any car from Esserman Acura but they still covered me, did excellent installing and I didn't pay a penny.
I hope you all get replaced for free because this is bullshit.
I hope you all get replaced for free because this is bullshit.
11-01-2011, 05:56 AM
#752
Intermediate
Went to my Acura dealer (Acura Pembroke Pines) my service writer looked at it and said Acura is on a one to one basis and they would cover 50% so that is $900.00. I will be ordering the part $618.00 and performing the fix myself. *&^% them. I do most of my repairs anyway like the NAV system, coffee cup holder, etc. I just did my rear brakes. I have them do just oil changes when they are on special. I never liked the new Acura TL anyhow or any of the products they have anyway so no sweat
.
.
11-01-2011, 06:46 AM
#753
Who was your advisor? Jordan? If so, you can tell HIM what you're willing to pay for it. They will have Acura cover the rest if you tell them you're willing to pay $600. Let them do the labor.
And trust me, I'm an avid avid DIY'er. If it was $200 for the part...I'd have tried to do it myself. Since the cost of the part is as much as they will charge you out of pocket for repair, doesn't make sense.
Off the bat they offered it to me for $750 out of pocket and he told me that they'd consider doing more.
About Esserman doing it for free...that is great to know. Maybe a better dealership to deal with. Actually, now that I think of it, I bought my RSX-S there.
And trust me, I'm an avid avid DIY'er. If it was $200 for the part...I'd have tried to do it myself. Since the cost of the part is as much as they will charge you out of pocket for repair, doesn't make sense.
Off the bat they offered it to me for $750 out of pocket and he told me that they'd consider doing more.
About Esserman doing it for free...that is great to know. Maybe a better dealership to deal with. Actually, now that I think of it, I bought my RSX-S there.
11-04-2011, 10:33 PM
#756
2004 SSM TL
So I wonder if getting these dashcovers are great to prevent cracks since it seems like these cracks are pretty indiscriminate. They appear to show up whether or not your ride is garage kept or whether or not cleaning products are used. I've read this entire thread from page one to now and it appears to me that the constant change from heat to cold is the main culprit. Others have mentioned it and I agree. Cold actually weakens stuff and then when the heat rises...snap...it cracks with enough times of going back and forth.
Not sure we've gotten anywhere about whether cleaning agents are preventive or destructive and I'm not sure what to do with that. I mean I just can't see myself applying anything in good conscience anymore...or not applying anything for that matter.
I'll tell you what though... I'm gonna start rolling my windows down and using the AC a whole lot less going forward and if I have to use it cause maybe I have passengers than it's staying as far away from max as can be tolerated!
Not sure we've gotten anywhere about whether cleaning agents are preventive or destructive and I'm not sure what to do with that. I mean I just can't see myself applying anything in good conscience anymore...or not applying anything for that matter.
I'll tell you what though... I'm gonna start rolling my windows down and using the AC a whole lot less going forward and if I have to use it cause maybe I have passengers than it's staying as far away from max as can be tolerated!
11-05-2011, 08:23 AM
#757
Banned
So I wonder if getting these dashcovers are great to prevent cracks since it seems like these cracks are pretty indiscriminate. They appear to show up whether or not your ride is garage kept or whether or not cleaning products are used. I've read this entire thread from page one to now and it appears to me that the constant change from heat to cold is the main culprit. Others have mentioned it and I agree. Cold actually weakens stuff and then when the heat rises...snap...it cracks with enough times of going back and forth.
Not sure we've gotten anywhere about whether cleaning agents are preventive or destructive and I'm not sure what to do with that. I mean I just can't see myself applying anything in good conscience anymore...or not applying anything for that matter.
I'll tell you what though... I'm gonna start rolling my windows down and using the AC a whole lot less going forward and if I have to use it cause maybe I have passengers than it's staying as far away from max as can be tolerated!
Not sure we've gotten anywhere about whether cleaning agents are preventive or destructive and I'm not sure what to do with that. I mean I just can't see myself applying anything in good conscience anymore...or not applying anything for that matter.
I'll tell you what though... I'm gonna start rolling my windows down and using the AC a whole lot less going forward and if I have to use it cause maybe I have passengers than it's staying as far away from max as can be tolerated!
11-05-2011, 08:47 AM
#758
In my humble opinion...get a dash cover and use your ac at will. I ride with my windows down (highway to and from work) all the time and this still happened to me. 
I used aerospace 303, which the dealer ended up telling me is what his "engineers" that had studied the damaged ones had mentioned needed to be used...I parked in a garage at home and put up my insulated visor at work. It's a design flaw and nothing we rub on it or habits we try and form will avoid this happening eventually (at least to the 04-06's).
Again, my humble opinion. Get a cover you like, install it nicely and let the cracks come as they may.
I used aerospace 303, which the dealer ended up telling me is what his "engineers" that had studied the damaged ones had mentioned needed to be used...I parked in a garage at home and put up my insulated visor at work. It's a design flaw and nothing we rub on it or habits we try and form will avoid this happening eventually (at least to the 04-06's).
Again, my humble opinion. Get a cover you like, install it nicely and let the cracks come as they may.
11-12-2011, 10:35 AM
#759
I will apologize now for the long post...
I have an 05 TL and my dash began cracking about a year ago. Of course the two main cracks are in the exact same spot as everyone else on here. I knew it would be a huge battle to get anything done based on everyone else's experience, so I have put off dealing with this until I had enough time to dedicate. I guess you could say I was gearing up for "war" with Acura.
My first step was to bring it to the dealer and try the honey approach. I figure I can always do the vinegar approach later. The dealer said he contacted Acura and they offered to pay for 0% of the $1,800. He said that Acura stated they stopped offering to cover anything three years ago after they released a bulletin on how to properly care for the dash. Ha!! Then try explaining all the people on here who have had Acura cover 25 - 75% of the cost. I didn't really argue with him since I knew that would be a waste of time and energy. Instead, my next step is to contact Acura directly.
Some background info: I joined the Facebook group for the cracked Acura TL dash a few months ago. I also registered a complaint with the NHTSA a few months ago since it is a safety issue.
I saw that one local news agency did a story on this which makes me think other news agencies may want to cover it. I believe that Acura won't step up and do anything unless it is covered in the national media. They have had plenty of time by now to do something and made it clear they won't unless they are forced to. So, we really need to joint together and get this thing to go viral.
My little old mother happens to be a media genius with over 10,000 twitter followers. She gave me some good advice. The news media can't keep up with facebook groups very well. So instead, they follow Twitter which is more like a ticker tape. When a post is made it shows up and then quickly disappears. It's a constant stream of stories and posts going by. The media likes this format and it's the best way to get the word spread and going viral. She offered to tweet about this a few times each day. With her 10,000 followers that's a great start. She said that if everyone on here and the FB group were to sign up on twitter and post something about this a few times a day it would go viral guaranteed and we could finally get action!
I have an 05 TL and my dash began cracking about a year ago. Of course the two main cracks are in the exact same spot as everyone else on here. I knew it would be a huge battle to get anything done based on everyone else's experience, so I have put off dealing with this until I had enough time to dedicate. I guess you could say I was gearing up for "war" with Acura.
My first step was to bring it to the dealer and try the honey approach. I figure I can always do the vinegar approach later. The dealer said he contacted Acura and they offered to pay for 0% of the $1,800. He said that Acura stated they stopped offering to cover anything three years ago after they released a bulletin on how to properly care for the dash. Ha!! Then try explaining all the people on here who have had Acura cover 25 - 75% of the cost. I didn't really argue with him since I knew that would be a waste of time and energy. Instead, my next step is to contact Acura directly.
Some background info: I joined the Facebook group for the cracked Acura TL dash a few months ago. I also registered a complaint with the NHTSA a few months ago since it is a safety issue.
I saw that one local news agency did a story on this which makes me think other news agencies may want to cover it. I believe that Acura won't step up and do anything unless it is covered in the national media. They have had plenty of time by now to do something and made it clear they won't unless they are forced to. So, we really need to joint together and get this thing to go viral.
My little old mother happens to be a media genius with over 10,000 twitter followers. She gave me some good advice. The news media can't keep up with facebook groups very well. So instead, they follow Twitter which is more like a ticker tape. When a post is made it shows up and then quickly disappears. It's a constant stream of stories and posts going by. The media likes this format and it's the best way to get the word spread and going viral. She offered to tweet about this a few times each day. With her 10,000 followers that's a great start. She said that if everyone on here and the FB group were to sign up on twitter and post something about this a few times a day it would go viral guaranteed and we could finally get action!
11-14-2011, 08:42 AM
#760
Quick update --
I went to pick the car up and found that now the SRS warning light was still on! This was actually different than my previous issue. Before it came on after driving a few miles. Now it was on from the get go. So there must be ANOTHER problem with the system. Possibly related to the cracked dash?? At any rate, I didn't take my car home. I will be calling Acura here soon.
I went to pick the car up and found that now the SRS warning light was still on! This was actually different than my previous issue. Before it came on after driving a few miles. Now it was on from the get go. So there must be ANOTHER problem with the system. Possibly related to the cracked dash?? At any rate, I didn't take my car home. I will be calling Acura here soon.