2005 4runner has developed a crack in the dash??

[Threxx~]

Just about a week ago I saw what I assumed was a thick dog hair or something on my wife's dash... went to wipe it off and it didn't move. Looked closer and it's a crack!!

Is this anything you guys have heard of happening on these cars? I searched the forum and couldn't find anything about it. I know back when I used to be on the Lexus forums for my GS400, the SC300/400s had a common issue with cracks developing on the doors. Also I remembering seeing on 2004-2005 Acura TLs would sometimes develop dash cracks or indentations from the air bags under the dash putting pressure from underneath. Any idea what could have caused this?

I haven't been religious about UV protectant on the dash but at least once every 7-8 months I've put 303 protectant on all of the plastics.

Any recommendations on how to fill it in with something that would keep it from spreading any further and look decent?

Just about a week ago I saw what I assumed was a thick dog hair or something on my wife's dash... went to wipe it off and it didn't move. Looked closer and it's a crack!!

Is this anything you guys have heard of happening on these cars? I searched the forum and couldn't find anything about it. I know back when I used to be on the Lexus forums for my GS400, the SC300/400s had a common issue with cracks developing on the doors. Also I remembering seeing on 2004-2005 Acura TLs would sometimes develop dash cracks or indentations from the air bags under the dash putting pressure from underneath. Any idea what could have caused this?

I haven't been religious about UV protectant on the dash but at least once every 7-8 months I've put 303 protectant on all of the plastics.

Any recommendations on how to fill it in with something that would keep it from spreading any further and look decent?

And chance I could get this fixed under warranty even though we're outside of the bumper to bumper and in the 7 yr 100k mile Toyota platinum warranty we bought?

Thanks for any help guys.

 

[pipspeak]

That doesn't look like a spontaneous crack to me... looks like something put pressure on the dash and caused it to split (I always yell at my gf when she sticks her feet on the dash). It sucks that it's in such an obvious place, however.

Your local stealership might know of a detailing place that could fix it. Alternatively, someone here might have a suggestion for some type of glue that you could use to at least bind the two halves together to stop it getting worse. The best fixit solution probably involves some sort of adhesive patch applied under the surface.

I highly doubt a warranty will cover it -- this is classic "wear and tear".

 

[Threxx~]

After doing some more searching around (it appears the search engine on this forum doesn't work too well since google found this result for me) it appears this is not an uncommon issue.

It's happening on the top of the passenger side dash to quite a few people. It also appears that our crack is in earlier stages than some other people's cars.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=40356&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/2008/6/dash-crack.htm

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/4Runner/2003/accessories-interior/crack_in_dashboard.shtml

 

[4runr30]

That doesn't look like a spontaneous crack to me... looks like something put pressure on the dash and caused it to split (I always yell at my gf when she sticks her feet on the dash). It sucks that it's in such an obvious place, however.

Your local stealership might know of a detailing place that could fix it. Alternatively, someone here might have a suggestion for some type of glue that you could use to at least bind the two halves together to stop it getting worse. The best fixit solution probably involves some sort of adhesive patch applied under the surface.

Im glad to hear my girlfriend isnt the only one who puts her feet on the passenger side dash. It pisses me off to no end! A stealership or detail shop should indeed be able to refer you to a service that can repair the dash.

 

[drmorbius]

After doing some more searching around (it appears the search engine on this forum doesn't work too well since google found this result for me) it appears this is not an uncommon issue.

It's happening on the top of the passenger side dash to quite a few people. It also appears that our crack is in earlier stages than some other people's cars.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=40356&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/2008/6/dash-crack.htm

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/4Runner/2003/accessories-interior/crack_in_dashboard.shtml

That spot is right where the passenger airbag is located so there is no pad under the covering, just the air bag.

 

[Threxx~]

Sure seems to me like a reputable dealer/manufacturer would admit that this is obviously a design defect and go ahead and fix the cars. Nobody has been putting their feet on the dash. Maybe it's the pressure from the airbag.

Oh well... if a repair place can get this to where it's not noticeable and won't crack anymore for not too much $$ then life will go on.

 

[Threxx~]

Update:
I called Toyota, they said extended warranty will not cover it since it's considered cosmetic/trim.

I think that's BS since it's obviously a fairly common issue... an obvious design defect.

Anyhow they recommended a local trim shop that could repair the dash. I just took it there today at lunch for the quick 60 dollar 45 minute touchup.

4-5 hours later I'm back. The dash looks like hell. They said they'd never seen anything like the 4runner dash... got melted/sloppy under heat exposure required to cure the dash. Now the whole area looks like hell.... melted, glossy, and you can still see the indentation of the crack even though it's filled in.

They called their insurance company and filed a claim... it's $910 for the dash after a $150 discount off list, and then 10 hours of labor!

Anyhow... so now I gotta get the whole dash replaced.:bash:

On the bright side I guess at least the repair will be free to me aside from my time and driving around, and a brand new dash will surely look better than a filled in cracked dash.

I do wonder if there's anything they can do while they're in there working to reduce the pressure that the passenger airbag is putting on the dash that's probably causing the crack in the first place?

Or maybe the new dash part will be more reinforced in that area to avoid cracking?

 

[alaskaman]

Your experiences with that vehicle are the most unique here. amazing crap going on with that car. that "recommended" shop sounds like they have a relative at the dealer......... good luck with all this.

 

[Threxx~]

Your experiences with that vehicle are the most unique here. amazing crap going on with that car. that "recommended" shop sounds like they have a relative at the dealer......... good luck with all this.

It seems like the dash crack isn't that uncommon, though I guess the horrible story that followed with the 'repair' is unique in a bad way.

The startup issue yeah... seems like nobody else has that. Did you see the video I posted in that thread? It's going to the dealer tomorrow and I told them they've got several days to diagnose the issue since my wife's out of town.

Hey... at least I keep my threads updated!

 

[alaskaman]

to be candid, it is not clear what you want the video to show. from where I sit I hear a little bit of a tough start and then the 4Runner starts. there are some noises at the end of the video which I don't recognize. I think you may want to redo the video and add your verbal comments........to direct the viewer to your specific complaints, and yes I was referring to the bodyshop.........dweebs.

 

[Threxx~]

to be candid, it is not clear what you want the video to show. from where I sit I hear a little bit of a tough start and then the 4Runner starts. there are some noises at the end of the video which I don't recognize. I think you may want to redo the video and add your verbal comments........to direct the viewer to your specific complaints, and yes I was referring to the bodyshop.........dweebs.

The strange noises at the end are the radar detector.

What I'm showing in the video is that it takes 3-5 seconds from start to finish for the engine to fully 'catch' and stutters a lot (shakes) in between.

The difference between that and a normal start is pretty pronounced. More like 1 second or less, no drama.

 

[alaskaman]

.......ok. so if I understand you correctly your 4Runner has delayed start with a troubling vibration. My questions (which they may ask or have asked already)

does it ever not start?

are there any odors during this process?

how bad is the vibration? is it severe or mild?

Does the dealer agree with you, that it takes a longer time to start and the vibration on starting is atypical?

 

[Threxx~]

.......ok. so if I understand you correctly your 4Runner has delayed start with a troubling vibration. My questions (which they may ask or have asked already)

does it ever not start?

Not yet, but there have been some real close ones where I thought it was going to die out before it caught and I feel sorry for the poor starter and whatever other mechanical components are working so far outside of factory spec.

It has also gotten a bit worse over the last couple years so I'm not wanting to to come to a head at some point and leave my wife stranded out of town.

are there any odors during this process?

None

how bad is the vibration? is it severe or mild?

It's not bad... it's really just about what you'd expect from an engine that's struggling to start and spinning at only 200-300 rpm in the process before it catches and revs up.

Does the dealer agree with you, that it takes a longer time to start and the vibration on starting is atypical?

You know how dealers are... looking for any reason to say "that's normal" or "could not duplicate". Well, Toyota and Chevy dealers are like that.. not the premium brands in my experience but that's another topic.

The point is that taking 3-5 seconds for the engine to catch almost every time the car has been sitting for a few hours in cold weather is not normal. I could go to any other 4runner on their lot, crank it, and it'd start up in under a second flat. Seriously... time yours next time you start it... from the time you turn the key to the time to roars to life.


I'm thinking we should have moved this discussion over to that other thread though.

 

[alaskaman]

in your 4Runner do you turn the key and let go or do you hold the key in the far right position when starting?

 

[Threxx~]

in your 4Runner do you turn the key and let go or do you hold the key in the far right position when starting?

Generally just let it auto-start but it seems to start up weak regardless though I will admit I haven't tried too much with holding the ignition. Are you thinking that the auto-start feature is 'letting go' of the starter too early and causing the engine to have to work to catch?

 

[alaskaman]

just trying to get a picture. as you are leaving soon perhaps make a video with your hand turning key....letting go.....and let the sound explain. I would hold a stop watch big enough to see from start to finish in the video view...........do it about 5 times and ask the dealer to compare your video with a couple of their 4runnners. in that way you can demonstrate a timed comparison to a vehicle in good working order vs what your vehicle is doing differently.

 

[Threxx~]

Update:
The interior trim shop whom my Toyota dealer referred me to ended up not having adequate coverage for poor workmanship so they had to pay for the dash replacement entirely out of pocket.

Unfortunately for me this meant the guy wanted to go find the absolute cheapest bargain he could find to get the dash replaced. I was really worried about the quality of the install since some stranger I've never met doing work on the side was going to be taking apart my dash and it's apparently a ridiculously complex job that would take a dealer technician one full day to complete.

I talked to the dealer about it and asked if they could help me out here and give me/him the party and work at cost since it was a problem that would have been covered under the bumper to bumper warranty that only expired 5k miles and 12 months ago, and also since the guy they referred me to is the one that screwed it up so bad. They said they couldn't help me.

So basically I had a choice of letting the guy get the dash done the way he wanted to do it and hope it came out right, or calling my insurance and basically causing them to fix it at the dealer and then sue him for the amount it cost to fix it.

Since the trim shop guy was manning up for his mistake and was trying to do the right thing and understandably just wanted to get the job done for $1100 instead of $1900, I figured I'd let him take a shot and if I wasn't happy with the work, resort to insurance (though man would that be quite a story to tell them leading up to that point!)

I got the 4runner back Friday and so far can find no reason to be unhappy with the work. I pushed and prodded around on the dash... it does move ever so slightly on the driver's side when pushed and pulled front to back but I think maybe 1 in 100 people would ever notice that and it's so minor I really don't care.

Now the only question remaining is will it crack again in another few years?

I asked the guy installing the dash to see if he could see where there was pressure being created from under the dash and if so maybe adjust whatever that was if it looked safe to do. I asked later and he said there was nothing he could see putting pressure on the dash, but then again the way he said it made me think he forgot to check and was just saying that.

I'll tell you one thing though... if it does crack again, I'm leaving it alone!!!

 

[alaskaman]

80/20 rule applies. if it aint important shelve it. we ALL learn this. =)....now onto the start issue.

 

[slyfox75]

Crack above gage cluster

Haven't seen it posted anywhere else but I have a crack as well. But mine is very long and runs the entire length along the edge of the gage cluster "visor". The crack is very thin and has not propogated since I first noticed it about a month ago. It faces the driver(not up) and runs directly along where the dash wraps around from the gages to the top of the dash surface(if that makes sense). I could see where this could be a high stress area for the material due to the tight bend. Still unacceptable.

I'm not going to do anything about it yet. I try to ignore it

FYI, 2005, black dash, exposed to southern TX and LA heat.

 

[Kelly Mcbride]

2005 4-runner with dashboard cracking

I thought i was the only one until I started researching and found that many toyota dash boards were cracking. My 4-runner is a 2005 (140,000) and has 3 cracks about 2 inches long on the dash. I bought a toyota for its quality and am very dissappointed. I called the Toyota 800 number and filed a complaint. They said it was out of warranty after 3 years and to take it to a dealer for a "professional" opinion. Sadly, for Toyota, my husband has a 1998 Olds Bravada and his dash board still looks great! Go Oldsmobile! This is clearly a bad dashboard material that toyota has used. I hope they recognize and own this problem and issue a recall.