UDel

I have seen a couple threads on CL with owners complaining of dashboards melting in hotter climates, I did not pay too much attention to it but now it is getting some national attention. Seems to happen on certain models particularly the 2nd Gen IS but also a few others including other makers. I have seen evidence of melting/material breakdown on 2 cars recently and it may warrant a investigation/recall. With the volume of issues this does not look to just be limited to using harmful on your dash but could be a material/durability issue. It is now getting a little more coverage from complains from owners of Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda vehicles. A dash replacement is a very expensive repair which can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/money/c...suing-a-recall

http://www.wptv.com/money/consumer/d...mazda-vehicles

"Almost like a glue substance," Judie Brancato said to describe her melted dashboard.

Brancato's melting dashboard is driving her crazy so she was happy to see our investigation.

"I honestly thought I was the only one. I've never seen it with anyone else," explained Brancato.

Drivers like Brancato and Mike Rios are sharing their story on Facebook .

"The more voices we hear the more the manufacturer is going to pay attention to us and replace the product," explained Rios.

Rios says he has two melting Toyota vehicles.

One has gouge marks near the steering wheel from his daughter's fingers as they rub against the soft rubber on the dashboard. Toward the windshield, the padding is exposed.

We asked Rios why he thinks the manufacturer should pay for a replacement dashboard when the vehicle is out of warranty.

"If I buy a product, I expect it to be in quality condition until the time I sell my vehicle," explained Rios.

Manufacturers looking into problem
The majority of complaints to the Consumer Watchdog are from drivers of Nissan, Toyota, Lexus, and Mazda vehicles.

The manufacturers say they are looking into isolated incidents involving melting dashboards. Drivers want more.

Mazda sent us a statement that read, "We are aware of a few instances of the dashboard changing texture in severely hot weather states and we are looking into it.”

In a statement Nissan said, "We have become aware of a few isolated consumer complaints about the dashboard appearance in their vehicle. Our Consumer Affairs group is working with the two customers you identified to resolve their concerns.”

Toyota and Lexus have not responded to requests for comment.

Drivers are fighting for change
"There needs to be a recall," explained Rios.

Drivers are taking matters into their hands buying dash mat covers. They cost about $40 to 100 dollars and add an extra layer of protection.

"I understand why people are buying them for safety issue, but I don't think I should have to. I think the company should stand behind its product," explained Brancato.

Lexus offered to pay half of Brancato's repair costs. She doesn't feel she should have to pay anything.

"I think $900 is unreasonable when it's a defect from the manufacturer," explained Brancato.

I'm listening and ready to hold the manufacturers accountable. Continue sharing your stories on Facebook .

You also need to voice your concerns with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . That is the starting point for defect investigations and recalls.

mmarshall

Just because a dash is plastic doesn't mean that it will necessarily melt in a desert climate. You'll notice, for example, that Subaru isn't high on the list. That's because, when Subaru, between 2008 and 2010, converted to dashes that were either largely or all-plastic, they used a thick, durable plastic...it wasn't flimsy, El-Cheapo stuff. Granted, it didn't feel very pleasant when you touched it (I didn't care for it myself), but the plastic was good-quality stuff that held up even in heat. Of course, some customers and reviewers still didn't like it, and, since then, Subaru is starting to go back now to more padded-surfaces inside.

spwolf

yeah, thats not going to happen - dashboard changing color has nothing to do with safety, so no recall... it is as if seat cover wears too quickly, they will repair it only under warranty.

I live in very hot climate, never had it happen although most people do use sun protectors to prevent sun hitting the dash, as the car is the too hot to drive in for quite a while... Without sun protector, it would take 10+ minutes for car to get to low enough temp to sit and drive in.

chikoo

how much is this attributed to use of off the shelf dashboard vinyl leather cleaners??

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Mike Rios believe an indefinite unlimited time and mileage and unconditional warranty is reasonable, that's awesome

I8ABMR

My friend said his switches for AC melted in the AZ sun in his Porsche Cayman. I have lived here for a long time and have never had an issue, but I also have a tint and use the solar shield at ALL times. I do not crack my windows when I park and I never park under cover. Its in the direct sun all day. No issues.

UDel

What I have seen and what others are reporting is not just "dashboard fading color" which is a fairly common thing to happen in older cars but the actual plastic or dash/door material melting as if exposed to high heat, one of the dashes I saw had smooth shiny sticky runs/change in texture and the car was not that old.

Here are some examples from here and other sites

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ting-dash.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/aut...-recovery.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...ting-dash.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...dashboard.html

http://cars.forumsee.com/a/m/s/p12-1...fades-off.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/10...rida-heat.html
http://www.camryforums.com/forum/gen...da-heat-39361/


http://www.wptv.com/money/consumer/t...ay-for-repairs

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Didn't some of the first generation IS300 have this problem? I remember reading something about it when I was looking to buy one. It wouldn't have bothered me too much though since I always use a windshield shade cover thingy.

spwolf

yes, but thats wear and tear if out of warranty... and in some of these threads, owners thought it might be some product applied by previous owner thats gone bad.

Recalls are for safety items only. Warranty is for everything else.

UDel

You are right about "recall", I should have wrote Warranty.

UDel

Yes, I saw where the original IS300 had dash melting issues, I just did not put up any links from that model.

pman6

dashboard dressing is such a waste of money.

LexFather

Wait a minute in the Honda paint thread, you defend the paint even as they have recalls. Now you start a thread beating up other brands for a dash problem? We can go find threads on issues for every brand.

It's funny how when Toyota has an issue, it gets some level ten coverage from people lol. Tough being #1.

mmarshall

Toyota does sometimes get targeted unfairly, but that is partly because of its size. Same with GM. The media likes to pile on the two giants.

chikoo

Then sell fast

But look at the responses that the automakers have provided. I love Mazda, and their response to this problem is the reason why I loved driving a Mazda when I had two for over 10 years. They are quick, and take ownership to resolve issues.