Simonne

I was detailing my car about a month ago and found a crack right down the middle of my dash on top of the instrument cluster...yes, that lovely plastic textured piece. I was so ticked. I called the dealership, as my extended warranty considers that 'trim' and wouldn't cover it, and they offered me a 50% goodwill from corporate which would be a $750 whole dash replacement cost out of my pocket. I had 60 days to respond. That's a pretty nice chunk of money for something that shouldn't have happened, and all along I was thinking it had to be temperature related, and although I use the visor on my windshield anytime it's parked, the first owners in Boca Raton, may not have...but there's no damage from fade, so hard to say. In my research, I called several trim shops and found that there was no option other than replacing the whole dash, however, it was a stress crack. The dash is just fit too tight in there and voila, what's it going to do? Crack in the weakest spot. Sure I could've dealt with it, but why such an eye sore on my beautiful car.

I took this info and called the dealer back, just so set on the fact that I was starting to regret my purchase, as I've never experienced this with any vehicle I've owned before, and nonetheless, never expected it to happen on my 5 year old TL. After a little effort into my complaint, he placed another call to Acura corporate and they came back with a 75% goodwill replacement, I was ecstatic. So yesterday I got my new dash, with just under $300 out of my pocket and a new 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the part alone, and now I can start from scratch on its care so that the finish stays as glossy as I can keep it.

If this happens to you, just keep pushing, it is a ridiculous $1600 repair that just shouldn't even be a possibility.

Simonne

t0talacuratl

iTrader: (3)

I got this a few weeks ago. My son was the one who pointed it out on the top of the passenger side. But I have over 91k on my car. So I know I won't be covered.

Majofo

Acura doesn't cover dashes whether or not your in the warranty period. They consider it trim. Many members including myself have this problem. The best way to keep you dash from cracking is to use a decent dash protectant.

tinad2004

how do the cracks occur? due to the sun or wat?

Majofo

bingo.. UV rays.. acura has some good dash protectant, 303 seems to be good as well. Research the different types of protectants and avoid some of the oil based protectant's that do more to shine then protect. I would also get a UV Visor / Shade to cover the windshield to protect the dash on sunny days.

t0talacuratl

iTrader: (3)

I'm just worried that my air bag with deploy due to location of the crack over the passenger side dash. Am I in danger of that?

Majofo

not at all.. the airbags are controlled by sensors (typically accelerometers) which are triggered by high forces attributed to collisions. The dash cracks are cosmetic.. IOW an effin eye sore.

t0talacuratl

iTrader: (3)

Thanks....that good to know! About the airbags that is....the crack is an eye sore.

timmahh

And this is why I refused a reserved parking spot on the top of my parking garage.. 98% of the time my car is parked somewhere its completely covered or it's dark and the sun isn't a problem

:nocracksplzomg:

Majofo

We should merge these threads.. if you haven't checked out this thread.. you should take a look at the recent pics.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10857159#post10857159

shftl

+1

warren4066

where can i get some protectant products for my dash?

Simonne

I picked up the Aerospace 303 at the local Ace Hardware. Just be sure to wash it first with a very, very mild detergent 1:10 ratio and hot water. I assumed it's UV ray related to my dash as well, so when the trim shops all told me it was a stress crack, I was amazed, cuz when the dash gets hot, the crack totally disappeared...but then again that's plastic for ya. Since I have a brand new dash, I am babying the heck out of it...303 to start with and the sun visor 24/7 (with the exception of driving, of course ).

LoveMyTL-S

303 is great! SPF rating of 40. You can't beat that for protection. Plus it's not glossy where it blinds you from reflection. It's a little pricey, but worth it. I get mine at West Marine. You can also get a free sample here:

http://www.303products.com/

This stuff is great for all the plastic and rubber on your car. One warning. Don't get this on the instrument cluster lens, Navi or radio lens. It may damage them. Clean area (dash) first with clean water and cloth to get dirt and dust off. Spray the 303 on your cloth first, not directly on the dash. This will give you better control on applying the 303. An awesome product that I've used on my 04 TSX and now my 08 TL-S.