Cracked dashboard in '04 TL
01-14-2012, 08:08 PM
#801
Resident Dingo
I got my car back today w/ the new dash and it seems they have changed the curves of the dash between 05 and now around the center channel. The center channel pretty much stops in front of the speaker and is smaller than that of the original dash. Just thought that was interesting. Also curious if anyone else had noticed that.
01-15-2012, 08:01 PM
#803
Resident Dingo
Having the center channel speaker covered would bother me. I wish I could let stuff like that go, but I'm too particular with my cars.
*regarding that guy's post* Pretty sure no one should have sent their info to that guy. The post is gone anyhow.
*regarding that guy's post* Pretty sure no one should have sent their info to that guy. The post is gone anyhow.
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TheDingo (01-15-2012)
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whudini3000 (01-19-2012)
01-20-2012, 11:58 AM
#812
Former Whyner
Hey Guys. I am now apart of the Cracked Dash owners on my 05TL 
I really thought I wouldnt have this problem because from what I have heard and seen this is very common on the 04's.
Just noticed that 2 weeks ago that my dash is cracking from the driver tweeter coming in from 4'oclock (sitting in the passenger seat) and it has managed to creep 10 inches over my cluster cover thing. Also it's wrapped around in the grove and hit the center speaker (pics would help i know)
Anyways I went to the dealer on 1/17 and they took pics and said they would send it to Headquarters and they will hear back within 48 hours. Less than 24 hours later Headquarters had a response for me. They said that a new dash is 185x.xx before taxes and that I would have to pay 450.00 for the entire replacement; which from what the service manager said was the best he has seen come through and here is why:
Acura takes into account 5 major factors when considering this when your car is NOT in warranty:
1. Are you the original owner?
2. Was the car purchased at a Acura Dealership?
3. How loyal are you to Acura? i.e. have you purchased Acuras before.
4. How often was the car serviced at an Acura Dealership?
5. How many miles does the car have?
Pretty much I fit into all these varibles:
1. yes bought new in 6/05
2. yes Priority Acura
3. yes 99 Integra GSR purchased from Hall Acura 11/98
4. yes All service and recalls were done until warranty expired after 50k
5. Just over 87k
The quote FROM Acura is ONLY good for a monthly time period due to parts Increase/Decrease blah blah blah...So if you dont have the money 1 month but have it the next, then you just go back and the dealer will resubmit as a new case. ALSO if Acura gets hit with a Class Action Lawsuit on this....then all bets are off with anyone who HASN'T gotten a new dash. So my suggestion is if you fit the varibles and you get a good rate do it!
Im going to wait till Feb or March (after tax return time) to get this done. Im averaging the crack over my instrument cluster will increase an inch every 3-4 days, so I dont have much time before my dash looks like a desert.
I hope this helps anyone thinking about this and i apologize if all this was stated in a prior post, but I dont wanna read 20 pages right now. Good Luck everyone
I really thought I wouldnt have this problem because from what I have heard and seen this is very common on the 04's.Just noticed that 2 weeks ago that my dash is cracking from the driver tweeter coming in from 4'oclock (sitting in the passenger seat) and it has managed to creep 10 inches over my cluster cover thing. Also it's wrapped around in the grove and hit the center speaker (pics would help i know)
Anyways I went to the dealer on 1/17 and they took pics and said they would send it to Headquarters and they will hear back within 48 hours. Less than 24 hours later Headquarters had a response for me. They said that a new dash is 185x.xx before taxes and that I would have to pay 450.00 for the entire replacement; which from what the service manager said was the best he has seen come through and here is why:
Acura takes into account 5 major factors when considering this when your car is NOT in warranty:
1. Are you the original owner?
2. Was the car purchased at a Acura Dealership?
3. How loyal are you to Acura? i.e. have you purchased Acuras before.
4. How often was the car serviced at an Acura Dealership?
5. How many miles does the car have?
Pretty much I fit into all these varibles:
1. yes bought new in 6/05
2. yes Priority Acura
3. yes 99 Integra GSR purchased from Hall Acura 11/98
4. yes All service and recalls were done until warranty expired after 50k
5. Just over 87k
The quote FROM Acura is ONLY good for a monthly time period due to parts Increase/Decrease blah blah blah...So if you dont have the money 1 month but have it the next, then you just go back and the dealer will resubmit as a new case. ALSO if Acura gets hit with a Class Action Lawsuit on this....then all bets are off with anyone who HASN'T gotten a new dash. So my suggestion is if you fit the varibles and you get a good rate do it!
Im going to wait till Feb or March (after tax return time) to get this done. Im averaging the crack over my instrument cluster will increase an inch every 3-4 days, so I dont have much time before my dash looks like a desert.
I hope this helps anyone thinking about this and i apologize if all this was stated in a prior post, but I dont wanna read 20 pages right now. Good Luck everyone
01-20-2012, 01:42 PM
#813
Good information, thanks for sharing. I'm still not doing it...I'm not paying 500 bucks for a weakness in the product they sell that they can't explain. Yes you must use Aerospace 303...don't park in sun, no don't use anything...I've gotten every BS excuse from them. I bought a dash cover and called it a day.
IF/WHEN they have a class action or mass recall, I'll get it done for free. Simple as that.
IF/WHEN they have a class action or mass recall, I'll get it done for free. Simple as that.
01-20-2012, 03:39 PM
#814
Advanced
The chalky and sometimes cracking dash is a known problem in the 3G TL. I just sold my 2005 and it never had any problems. i believe this is because i treated it at least twice a year with Meguiar's protectant spray with UV protection. it has a satin sheen, not glossy like ArmorAll. There are probably a lot of great products, but i think its important to pick one and use it. I recommend this for all 3G owners. its never to late to start taking care of your car.
01-20-2012, 06:33 PM
#815
^^^no, not to burst your bubble, but it's probably because you're from Kansas and a milder climate. Trust me, there is no better (IMO and a few others) than Aerospace 303 for the dash and that didn't stop it, nor the sun shade, nor the parking in a garage at home.
IF you live in a harsh climate, it's only a matter of time. Not even Lebron James' nutsack juice applied biweekly will prevent this from happening.
This is just my experience.
J.
IF you live in a harsh climate, it's only a matter of time. Not even Lebron James' nutsack juice applied biweekly will prevent this from happening.
This is just my experience.
J.
01-20-2012, 06:39 PM
#816
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rockstar143 (01-21-2012)
01-20-2012, 11:13 PM
#817
Im with u guys^^^ I always baby my cars and even my 91 civic si didn't crack like this and it was 14 years old when i sold it! This is clearly a defect in material ... On a positive note the dealer told me today they will give me a new dash but I have to pay for install which is ok by me since I have friends that can do it or I might even take the project in myself...has anyone installed their own? And if so are there special tools needed or any major problems that they ran into?
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rockstar143 (01-21-2012)
01-21-2012, 12:48 PM
#818
There was one guy that did...
BUT, honestly...the price for a discounted one is pretty close to the 50 percent goodwill price they offer you, so basically, you end up doing the labor they were going to do for you for free.
J.
BUT, honestly...the price for a discounted one is pretty close to the 50 percent goodwill price they offer you, so basically, you end up doing the labor they were going to do for you for free.
J.
01-21-2012, 01:25 PM
#820
I agree...that's not how they word it...
BUT, if I'm not mistaken:
We're seeing $400 to $800 out of pocket for the dealer to fix, right?
Part is about $600-$700 depending on markup
So basically, by just buying the part and installing yourself, you are shafting yourself out of the dealer installing it for the same price that you're paying just for the part.
See what I mean?
If the dash would have been $150 for the part, then I'd agree, try and put it in yourself...but with the part almost equalling the cost of getting it done, I wouldn't bother.
BUT, if I'm not mistaken:
We're seeing $400 to $800 out of pocket for the dealer to fix, right?
Part is about $600-$700 depending on markup
So basically, by just buying the part and installing yourself, you are shafting yourself out of the dealer installing it for the same price that you're paying just for the part.
See what I mean?
If the dash would have been $150 for the part, then I'd agree, try and put it in yourself...but with the part almost equalling the cost of getting it done, I wouldn't bother.
01-21-2012, 03:12 PM
#821
Well, we are waiting for the dealer to get back with us on the goodwill quote. Service Tech lied his arse off saying " this is only a problem in 01-03 TL's and the car is safe." 
I'm going to lay low before I stick it to them, we've owned 4 acura's (between us) and never had a cracked dash issue. Depending on how this issue is resolved will determine if we buy another set of Acura vehicles.
Started with one crack, then spread to two:
Present Day:
I'm going to lay low before I stick it to them, we've owned 4 acura's (between us) and never had a cracked dash issue. Depending on how this issue is resolved will determine if we buy another set of Acura vehicles.Started with one crack, then spread to two:Present Day:
01-21-2012, 03:42 PM
#822
I agree...that's not how they word it...
BUT, if I'm not mistaken:
We're seeing $400 to $800 out of pocket for the dealer to fix, right?
Part is about $600-$700 depending on markup
So basically, by just buying the part and installing yourself, you are shafting yourself out of the dealer installing it for the same price that you're paying just for the part.
See what I mean?
If the dash would have been $150 for the part, then I'd agree, try and put it in yourself...but with the part almost equalling the cost of getting it done, I wouldn't bother.
BUT, if I'm not mistaken:
We're seeing $400 to $800 out of pocket for the dealer to fix, right?
Part is about $600-$700 depending on markup
So basically, by just buying the part and installing yourself, you are shafting yourself out of the dealer installing it for the same price that you're paying just for the part.
See what I mean?
If the dash would have been $150 for the part, then I'd agree, try and put it in yourself...but with the part almost equalling the cost of getting it done, I wouldn't bother.
01-21-2012, 09:26 PM
#823
^^ you never mentioned that, or I never understood that. If you're getting the part for free, then it's DEFINITELY worth it. Have NOT heard of this being an option for anyone else.
J.
Whudini...dude, I had the service dude tell me you should have NO products on it so I wiped it off, then a week later he gives me the same exact ROBOTIC explanation about what the "engineers back at the lab said" verbatim since he didn't remember he had already told me and then when I say I wiped it down with water and woolite to get everything off he says "oh no, you need to put aero ummm...aero something"...I SAID AEROSPACE 303, THE FKN SHIT I TOLD YOU IVE BEEN PUTTING ON IT. "uh, yeah, that stuff". I knew immediately he was reading a script and was full of shit.
J.
Whudini...dude, I had the service dude tell me you should have NO products on it so I wiped it off, then a week later he gives me the same exact ROBOTIC explanation about what the "engineers back at the lab said" verbatim since he didn't remember he had already told me and then when I say I wiped it down with water and woolite to get everything off he says "oh no, you need to put aero ummm...aero something"...I SAID AEROSPACE 303, THE FKN SHIT I TOLD YOU IVE BEEN PUTTING ON IT. "uh, yeah, that stuff". I knew immediately he was reading a script and was full of shit.
01-21-2012, 09:51 PM
#824
Resident Dingo
I don't understand why in the fuck the (majority) of people in the service department at dealerships treat us like we're retarded and worthless.
01-26-2012, 08:55 AM
#826
Former Whyner
Daym this crack moves fast! Im glad that it took a turn so its not in my view as im driving. I would like to see how far to the passenger side this goes before I do anything about it. Once it hits or starts on the passenger dash I will have no choice to bite the 450-500 bill to get that replaced.
Pics and YES I know many of you have worse cases, so I dont wanna hear that aint nothing. I just wanna show how fast this moves.
Pics and YES I know many of you have worse cases, so I dont wanna hear that aint nothing. I just wanna show how fast this moves.
02-03-2012, 11:09 PM
#830
Acura offered to goodwill the dash for $500 on the 05 TL@ 150k. The following day I stepped into my car and guess whaaaa? My ef'n dash has started to crack (04 TL @ 90k)! As much as it pains me to part with Acura, it appears its heading in that direction. Dash cover on both until their traded.
02-08-2012, 04:16 PM
#833
Racer
iTrader: (1)
Has anyone tried a simple fabric / plastic refinishing place like Fibrenew, or maybe Dent Wizard? I've heard they do great things fixing cracks/tears in leather, and I've seen Dent Wizards technicians make scratched up dashes look great. They use a liquid plastic, color match it on-site, and then create a grain pattern while it's drying. Just throwing out some ideas, instead of paying $500 or getting a dash cover:
http://www.fibrenew.com/markets-we-s...-fiber-repair/
http://www.fibrenew.com/markets-we-s...-fiber-repair/
02-08-2012, 05:04 PM
#834
Has anyone tried a simple fabric / plastic refinishing place like Fibrenew, or maybe Dent Wizard? I've heard they do great things fixing cracks/tears in leather, and I've seen Dent Wizards technicians make scratched up dashes look great. They use a liquid plastic, color match it on-site, and then create a grain pattern while it's drying. Just throwing out some ideas, instead of paying $500 or getting a dash cover:
http://www.fibrenew.com/markets-we-s...-fiber-repair/
http://www.fibrenew.com/markets-we-s...-fiber-repair/
02-08-2012, 10:42 PM
#835
HASTA LA VICTORIA'
Did you ever get in contact with them, I would give it a try just want to see how much they trying to charge i got my seats that need a little loving too...
Has anyone tried a simple fabric / plastic refinishing place like Fibrenew, or maybe Dent Wizard? I've heard they do great things fixing cracks/tears in leather, and I've seen Dent Wizards technicians make scratched up dashes look great. They use a liquid plastic, color match it on-site, and then create a grain pattern while it's drying. Just throwing out some ideas, instead of paying $500 or getting a dash cover:
http://www.fibrenew.com/markets-we-s...-fiber-repair/
http://www.fibrenew.com/markets-we-s...-fiber-repair/
02-08-2012, 10:47 PM
#836
HASTA LA VICTORIA'
Thats what i thought too, but then it happen not to long ago.. cracks behind the center speaker and steering wheel area... its inevitable 
02-09-2012, 03:29 PM
#838
My dash started cracking over at the driver's side and it's been like that for awhile. Hopefully it doesn't crack anywhere elses.
Does anyone know how much it's going to be charged by dealer with expired warranty to replace the whole dash?
Does anyone know how much it's going to be charged by dealer with expired warranty to replace the whole dash?
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whudini3000 (02-09-2012)
