***Cracked Dashboard Action Request***

[T4RUser]

Toyota definitely knows of this issue. In fact the cracking dash issue also occurs on the Lexus GX 470. Seems the 2003-2004 years are more common but it could be a matter of time before it affects the later years.

Here's a thread at ClubLexus that documents this exact issue:

cracked dashboard? - Club Lexus Forums

At $1000+ to replace, I wish Toyota would step up and do the right thing here and take care of these customers. As mentioned earlier, this could be a safety issue if the airbags deploy. So keep making some noise to Toyota until they do you right.

 

[momo.75]

Thanks for posting that link here. I registered over there and posted a link back to this one. Having more people working together will make more noise. Just remember to call and post on the Toyota USA Facebook page. If you guys come across any more threads of other models with the same issue, please post a link here. Thanks guys

 

[bigzeto]

2004 Sport
118k Miles
Numerous cracks, mostly on passenger side.

Case number is 1210222667

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

2003 SR5 #570

Cracked over gauges, bottom of pass. dash, and slightly over the headunit. The plastic is also cracked on the silver trim on the center stack.

I don't know why you guys are so worried, put some good UV protectant on it or a dash mat and call it a day. These trucks are climbing in age, weather or not its in a garage or not its the heat that does it and the UV rays from the sun. Toyota is a great company, but why would they replace every dash in ever 4th Gen? Like come on, lets be real. They won't, and neither would Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, GM, Etc.

 

[momo.75]

2003 SR5 #570

Cracked over gauges, bottom of pass. dash, and slightly over the headunit. The plastic is also cracked on the silver trim on the center stack.

I don't know why you guys are so worried, put some good UV protectant on it or a dash mat and call it a day. These trucks are climbing in age, weather or not its in a garage or not its the heat that does it and the UV rays from the sun. Toyota is a great company, but why would they replace every dash in ever 4th Gen? Like come on, lets be real. They won't, and neither would Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, GM, Etc.

You are right, we should just sit on our hands and do nothing. Then when it comes to resale we should just bend over and gladly take it up the tailpipe. I paid a lot of money for my truck and I take great care of it.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

You are right, we should just sit on our hands and do nothing. Then when it comes to resale we should just bend over and gladly take it up the tailpipe. I paid a lot of money for my truck and I take great care of it.

Well I'm never selling mine so I don't have that problem. But I mean they are old and I don't care what company it is, they are not going to pay around $1,000 for dashes that are so old. Plus all of the 4 Gens that were produced? Toyota would go bankrupt, then maybe we'll have the resale value.......

 

[momo.75]

ok, then just move on. This thread isn't for you.....:hatsoff:

 

[e10pvmt]

Well it isnt every 4th gen...seems like its just 03 and 04 years....2nd Dodge did have a massive recall campaign for Ram dashes splitting...so yes a manufacturer can replace a plethora of dashes...3rd the manufacturer would obviously not be paying $1k per dash (maybe with labor included)...but if its a defect in craftsmanship (which we believe it to be since its only predominantly in 03-04) then it should be the manufacturers responsibility to make good on there product.

On another note i was able to snatch me up a 2005 dashboard for cheap!!!!!!! Now it does have very tiny hairline cracks in the corners that may be covered by trim but i think i am gonna superglue them. Does anyone have any recommendations on a protectant to use. Ive heard of a meguirs product and a 303 product

 

[eli_lilly]

Does anyone have any recommendations on a protectant to use. Ive heard of a meguirs product and a 303 product

Someone on this thread said 303 didn't work for them. That's what I usually use so I just switched to the Meguiars Ultimate Protectant.

-E

 

[e10pvmt]

i saw that but the 303 comes highly recommended....it wont stop cracks that are there though...i think i am gonna superglue the hairline cracks...gonna test fixing them on my old dash with Duplicolor flat black vinyl paint and see how it goes

 

[100bajan]

New to Me

Hey gang, just picked up an 03 4Runner Sports Edition yesterday, but sadly didn't find this site until tonight. I saw the dash when I looked at the car, but I also thought it was a seam until I found this thread. I went ahead and commented on their FB page, and I also sent an email through Toyota USA, my reference number is # 121030-000241. I really love this truck and I hope something can be done. On a side note, are the dashes from the later years where the material is different a direct swap with the 03 models? Thanks and I hope to learn a lot on this site:hello:

 

[dirtymuddog]

dash on crack

Same as above post. Just bought 2003 and great truck as are all yotas. Only issue was cracked dash which I'm sure helped us in negotiating the price. Will 05 and up dashes fit they look bout the same.

 

[100bajan]

I received this from the Toyota FB page today:

Toyota USA @Russell Simmons: Hi Russell, we apologize if you are having a concern with your dashboard. If you have not done so, we recommend speaking to the Customer Relations Manager at the dealership to have it diagnosed or you can give Toyota Headquarters a call at 800-331-4331 (M-F 5AM - 6PM PST, 7-4 SAT) and we can document the concern. There are no recalls or service bulletin's at this time. ^AV

11/02/12
Got this email today:


Recently you contacted Toyota. Below is a summary of your contact message and our response.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.


Subject
Cracked Dash

Discussion Thread
Response Via Email (Rob Browning) 11/02/2012 11:00 AM
Dear Mr. Simmons;

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We are sorry to hear of your concerns with the dash of your 4Runner, and apologize this aspect of the vehicle did not meet your expectations. We do not show a Special Service Campaign or recall for the condition you described, and thus do not have specific insight to provide. If you feel you have a failed or broken component, we recommend contacting the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealership.

We have documented your comments at our National Headquarters, where they remain available for review from the appropriate departments. It is through feedback such as yours we are able to monitor and improve upon the quality of our product.

If we may be of further assistance, please contact us via email or by calling 800-331-4331. We are available from 5 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, and from 7 AM to 4 PM Saturday.

We have documented your comments at our National Headquarters under file #1211021118.

Robert Browning
Toyota Customer Experience
Customer By Web Form (Russell Simmons) 10/30/2012 05:25 PM
Is Toyota doing to be doing anything with the much documented issue regarding the cracking of the dash on the 03+ 4Runner models?

 

[utmba95]

I already swapped out my dash due to the cracks. I use my truck for business and am supposed to have a relatively new vehicle, and though my 2003 looks perfectly new, the cracked dash surely gave away its age (plus some). Replacing the dash was not a lot of fun, but so far no rattles or other problems.

 

[100bajan]

I already swapped out my dash due to the cracks. I use my truck for business and am supposed to have a relatively new vehicle, and though my 2003 looks perfectly new, the cracked dash surely gave away its age (plus some). Replacing the dash was not a lot of fun, but so far no rattles or other problems.

Did you get a replacement from the dealership? How much did you pay for it?

 

[WOLVERINE]

2004 Sport V8 4X4

Same here - saw it when doing the test drive but had already negotiated the price - Rich this wasn't a deal breaker for me as I don't mind dash mats.

I will talk to my service manager 1st, before going through Toyota Customer Care - if all else fails - I'll post on FB sometime too.

 

[e10pvmt]

well since i got the other dash i have been messing with my old one. Trying all kinds of fillers and repair methods and nothing has worked. FOund a guy on youtube that got some vinyl from the fabric store and redid his entire BMW dash...soooooo i went and spent 2 hours stripping all the rubber/vinyl off the dash down to the foam....wow it took forever but i got some automotive grade vinyl from the fabric store for $25 and some contact cement from home depot...gonna see if i cant recover this dash and make it presentable...i will post a thread if it works!!

 

[Jman77]

Any luck with Customer Relations?

Hey Momo,

I think it's a great idea to team up.
Is there any kind of success as of yet?

I will also be calling Toyota during the day tomorrow to file a case.
I'm also going to send them a list of all the cases filed on this thread so far as proof to them that this is a common problem.

I can imagine how many people just accept this without letting Toyota know about it.

Lets get aggressive guys.
I think we can all get replacement dashes with focused energy.
This is an obvious defect.

If we act as 1 in large numbers, we can get something done for sure.
We need some organization here. Right now we are scattered without any leadership.

So...Unless the author of this thread wants to, I am taking over as Commander of this mission. We gotta do it military stye with structure, and discipline.
Everyone who has filed a case and actively following this thread please send me a private message so I can get an idea of how strong the coalition is.
If we act as a single unit, we can make waves. The key is to have a strong coalition that acts as one.

I know this is only a $1000 here.
But ok, we spend $1000 and get the dash.
Won't it crack again being that it is faulty?

If we do it right, we should get something done with minimal time spent.

For those who would prefer bending over, please do so privately and let us do what we do.


Thanks, Jman
:sniper:
:50cal:

 

[momo.75]

I haven't heard a thing, as far as any type of resolution. I was to the point where i was going to go back to my local dealership and crawl the owner's back side. This is complete BS.

I did find a thread on the clublexus.com site. I posted over there by have yet to hear anything from their members. Obviously it was a common problem with the same year model Lexus SUV's.

cracked dashboard? - Page 14 - Club Lexus Forums

 

[e10pvmt]

So just got done fixing my dash. Got the flat black vynil with the texture pretty damn close at Jo Ann fabrics and picked up contact cement from Home Depot. Material was $25 and glue was $11 and i had the paint brushes lyin around. Used a little heat, some patience, and some luck and i think it came out fantastic. It is by no means perfect but i dont think you would ever know.....on to the pics

before

i was able to peel off the existing vinyl with ease with the exception of the corners around the bezels, gauges and a\c vent. The toughest spots were around the defrost vent

and the final product

from here i am going to let it cure for the next 3 days inside. Unfortunately wont be putting it back in the truck fro quite a while since it is being torn down. My buddy has used the same method and had very good success....i may try and give it some sun time to see what it does...but from here on out its getting 303 protectant