Cracked dashboard

[wannawodka2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wannawodka2]

Re: Cracked dashboard

I had to correct the tally by one due to a typo on my part.

Total = 35

2003 - 24
2004 - 9
2005 - 1
2006 - 1
TBC - 1 ...Paul16, can you confirm what year & type

1) Rumble11 - 04 GXL
2) Lukey2830 - 04 GXL
3) Fergs - 04 GXL
4) Plister - 04 GXL
5) Rosen - 03 GXL
6) Rossgo - 03 GXL
7) Kelor - 03 GXL
8 ) Kciv - 03 GXL
9) Indy - 03 GXL
10) Kevinbloomfield - 03 GXL
11) neuro - 03 GXL
12) Grinch - 03 GXL
13) Chippy - 03 GXL
14) Russ - 03 GXL
15) GKHarding - 03 GXL
16) Geoffo - 04 GXL
17) Silverbarra - 03 GXL
18) Lowndsey - 04 GXL
19) daznmeg - 03 GXL
20) Spag - 03 GXL
21) Galvo - 03 GXL
22) Paul16 - Model TBC
23) Pauly - 06 GXL
24) pearlie - 04 VX (replaced under extended warranty)
25) Fredster - 03 GXL (replaced by Toyota after contacting TMCA)
26) Palko - 05 VX (still under warranty)
27) Awesome - 04 GXL
28) vincentstokes - 03 GXL
29) WATTSY - 03 GXL
30) wannawodka - 03 Grande
31) Bevo74 - 04 Grande
32) cardinal28 - 03 GXL
33) kythan06 - 03 Grande
34) horsepeople - 03 Grande
35) bilo33prado's mate - 03 GXL

This list is getting long - I might only update the list every few additions so it doesn't take over the thread... my scroll wheel is wearing out :lol:

[kevinbloomfield Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kevinbloomfield]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Hi everyone, it's great that the list is getting longer and the more the merrier. To help us get more on board I'm typing up a small note that I'm going to give to any Prado owners I see when I'm out and about who have this problem (easy to spot the older Prado's mostly without roof rails). I came out of a coffee shop last week and there was a gold one just like mine, I had a look through the window and sure enough there were the cracks all over the dashboard!
If we can all do something like this letter it wouldn't be long before we had 500 or more unhappy Prado owners wanting some action. The letter is simply asking them to visit this forum (and this thread in particular) if they want something doing about their dashboards.
Yesterday I wrote letters to the VP, the person underneath the VP and the Customer Experience Team, this may be a waste of time but I'll keep sending them and all mail has been sent recorded so they cannot deny it's been received.
In the very unfortunate circumstance of a airbag either opening incorrectly or not opening at all in the event of an accident and someone is injured because of this Toyota will be liable for major damages. Surely someone at Toyota must realize this and do something before this problem ends up on TV or in court?

Wakey wakey Toyota, no good hiding away - we all know you read this forum

[wannawodka2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wannawodka2]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Kevin, can you email me a copy. I'm in dire need of some exercise and there are a few very large shopping centre car parks nearby!

[johnnie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close johnnie]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Hi guys

My name is Johnnie from Bangkok, Thailand. I am using 04 Prado TX 3.0D4D and same as you guys mine Prado's dashboard cracked as well. :x

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Saw Mr Toyoda, chairman of Toyota (Japan), the other day on the tele. He was commenting on all the recent recalls (mainly the US Prius & Camry throttle debacle).

He said he was deeply concerned about the problems that Toyota owners worldwide were facing with the apparent poor standard of parts.

Maybe there is a way to contact him and give him something else to think about?

[wannawodka2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wannawodka2]

Re: Cracked dashboard

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forum...1&#entry308871

Also problem worldwide it seems.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-f...dashboard.html

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=54056

[wannawodka2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wannawodka2]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Here is a copy of the Prepared testimony of Mr Shinichi Sasaki, Executive Vice president of TMC to the US Senate Committee last week:

http://www.toyota.co.jp/announcement/100302_3.pdf

Most noteably:

“...we are redoubling our commitment to always put our customers – and their safety – first.
...we need to ensure that we listen more closely to our customers’ voices, consider their concerns seriously and sincerely, and address them more quickly and aggressively.
... we need to do more to consider customer expectations and real world usage of our vehicles, even irregular use.
...the quality and safety of our vehicles are Toyota’s lifeline”

[DDGX03 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DDGX03]

Re: Cracked dashboard

You can count me as number 36, 03 GX with the crack near the airbag. Wasn't there one day then 20cm crack across the dash the next day?

[wannawodka2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wannawodka2]

Re: Cracked dashboard

I think it might be good for us to post pics of our dashboard cracks here as well (particullarly those around the airbag)?

[DDGX03 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DDGX03]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Although fairly dusty the crack can be seen starting at the center aircon vent to approx 1\3 the way along the glovebox.
Missus spotted it on the way to Busselton as she wrote wash me in the dust!! Be good to see if the cracks are all developing in the same area of others, would highlight a consistency though particular vehicle use will differ from one to the next.

Dom

[johnnie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close johnnie]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Yeh, this is the right time if any of us (or all of us) wanna make a complaint to Toyota.

[wannawodka2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wannawodka2]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Just reading though clublexus.com and our US equivalents (Lexus GX470) are experiencing the same issues... have seen many later than 2003/2004 too. As Prado owners, it seems this is what many of us can look forward to.






Here's one of a 2004 RX330, obviously not the same car as a GX470 but another sad Lexus cousin.

[wannawodka2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wannawodka2]

Re: Cracked dashboard

I see there are two main issues here:

1) Toyota have released a vehicle which, in part, was made from materials which are clearly and undeniably unsuitable for the purpose for which they are intended.
2) Real safety concerns exist where the cracking has progressed to vicinity of the passenger front airbag.

Regarding point one above - this is a matter the ACCC and the relevant state authority governing fair trading. Both can be approached by everyone affected by this is and is an imperative in my opinion. Media channels such as A Current Affair, Today Tonight and newspapers thrive on this kind of corporate irresponsibility and can be empowering for those affected. Toyota can ill afford to be embaressed by this - better to go on the front foot and be seen to value their customer base and stand by both their products and their advertising.

Point two above is somewhat more serious. Again, the ACCC are the ones to jump all over this however there is an army of very interested parties/support out there including the Australian Automobile Association, the Australian Bureau of Transport Safety, respective state motoring bodies such as RACQ, RACV, NRMA etc and each state's own Government Transport Authority. Contact them all – the numbers which we are seeing now will be noticed.

In recent conversations with various representatives from Qld Transport, RACQ and Toyota themselves (via a dealership service manager), all expressed concerns once cracking in the dash pad area near or across the passenger airbag was mentioned. There are others in this forum who have also had experiences regarding such safety concerns – I’ll let them reiterate or elaborate as they see fit.

In conversation I have had, it has been said that whilst the surface cracking on it’s own may not cause a direct impact on airbag deployment it is the fact that a protective surface has been compromised and is likely to lead to issues which quite possibly will affect the proper deployment of an airbag. This relates most commonly to the possibility of moisture or other matter having more ready access to the airbag and or airbag system components causing them to operate as otherwise intended or fail.

As a crude (but oh so common) example. Someone continues to clean their dashboard with warm mild soapy water (as Toyota recommends) or some other widely recognised detailing substance - any cracking in the outer dashboard material/skin may allow moisture, other chemicals or contaminants to enter the airbag area and, in time, affect the airbag or related components.

I am not an automotive engineer nor an airbag expert – as such I am not qualified to confirm this or rule it out (I want to very clear on this).

However, this has been said enough times to me now by those who have some industry experience for me to believe this has some possibility of being a far more serious issue than Toyota fitting major parts made from substandard material which then fail miserably and lose them millions in sales $. RACQ have indicated they are keen to inspect all Prados with signs of cracking near or across the passenger airbag area – they have asked me to encourage everyone (in Qld) to take their affected vehicles into the nearest inspection centre so it can be assessed. In doing this they can form a clear view on the issue, provide advice and most importantly help facilitate a more widespread review if they agree it is a concern. All motoring bodies cross-report and compare notes so these issues can be recognised nationally where necessary – I would strongly encourage everyone to visit their own state’s motoring body inspection centres as well.

Of course the media are keen to advocate in these safety related matters as well. Whist I fully support approaching the media I strongly recommend people ensure all of the authorities and governing bodies I have mentioned above are contacted from the outset. This forum is a fantastic opportunity to gather and share information, hopefully leading to a positive outcome for everyone. However, it important that this translates into all the appropriate communication, written complaints etc otherwise this may well develop into nothing more than a very long thread of extremely upset Toyota owners.

Naturally, the first point of communication has to be Toyota. Most of us feel this is a waste of time as they have clearly indicated they are taking a position of denial. That said, we are all obliged to jump through the hoops and register our complaints, both to the local dealer and to Toyota Head Office direct (via their ‘Customer Experience team’). Proper process leading into other courses of action such as the Office of Fair Trading/Consumer Affairs require this. I and many others have or are putting written complaints to the President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, Mr Max Yasuda as well as the President and Representative Director of Toyota Motor Corporation (global), Mr Akio Toyoda.

Keep copies of everything, take photos, if you do have your dashboard replaced (at you cost either in full or in part) keep the old dashboard and get everything in writing. Don’t be afraid to put Toyota on notice and let them know you are prepared to take it further (eg. everything above). I’ve little doubt this issue will take on a ‘legal flavour’ in the near future as well.

Well... that's my two bob's worth for the time being. I will await responses from the chiefs at Toyota and continue to amuse myself with complaints and written submissions to everyone who needs to know what is going on here. But first, a vodka and a little lie down. :wink:

[pearlie Member Find all posts View Profile Close pearlie]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Seems like I was in the right place at the right time in regards to getting mine fixed.

At no time did the Toyota representatives ever doubt or scrutinize my warranty claim. I just hope that when everyone gets theirs fixed by Toyota with more modern and appropriate compounds, that mine, being fixed with a part from the this era, doesn't come to grief again at a later date.
I am just stunned that everyone is having trouble with their dashboards!!

Come on Toyota, obviously this is a design and structural issue, worthy of recall and correction at Toyota's expense, regardless of warranty.
Even with mine fixed, I still support action to make Toyota more accountable for their products.
The Prado is a great drive. It would be a pity if people looked elsewhere for their future 4WD vehicles.

[pearlie Member Find all posts View Profile Close pearlie]

Re: Cracked dashboard

Just thinking out loud here..
It's interesting that PradoPoint advertises Nissan Navara on it's header for this topic... :shock: :shock: Mods, you might be giving us other ideas!!

Also wondering if the lack of action is a direct ploy to get people away from the 120 and looking to the 150 series.. just a thought... :idea: Perhaps our actions will help the future owners, cold comfort for us though. Is it that the dash will only last 5 - 7 years from new so that next the 06 models will crack, followed by the 07's the following year??? Also wondering if the 150 owners will be looking at this problem in the next 5 - 7 years.


Another thought is that they might not like to admit a fault that may indeed affect their new series also. Wonder how much they would be up for given a major recall and replacement as the answer. Everything comes down to the almighty dollar. I guess it is also working out the fine line between what is cosmetic damage or not, ie vicinity to airbags as opposed to instrument hood and dash panel only. We all know there shouldn't be any difference, but the customer has a different perspective to the salesman.

Have been reading through some of the Club Lexus posts and there is one very disgruntled owner who has protested with his feet and walked away from Toyota with others thinking along that line of action too. Interesting too that some of the other European models of cars also suffer cracked dashboards, not all Toyotas. Wonder if Toyota wash their hands of it knowing this and not taking the absolute blame for inferior products used in manufacture. I still believe they should still be accountable for their products, as should the other brands of cars mentioned. Wonder if they had any class action regarding their European cars??

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my Pearlie and look to driving it for the next 10 years at least. Just hope the product lives up to this expectation.
Cheers
Gayle