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Sticky, shiny, oily dashboard

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by GKinslow, Apr 9, 2024.

  1. GKinslow

    GKinslow Junior Member

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    The dashboard on our 2007 base model Prius has become defective on the large passenger-side dash panel, whenever exposed to sunlight and more so in warm weather. We've tried all manner of dash cleaners to no avail. It's as if the dash is disintegrating. Short of replacing the entire panel, the easiest "fix" is to buy a fabric dash cover and be done with it. I learned that apparently, this is a known problem in a number of Toyota vehicles from this era, and the company initiated a free replacement dashboard program, but AFAIK, the Prius was never included in the program and it's long defunct now anyway.

    I researched PriusChat and found no mention of this issue, but I'm certain ours isn't the only Gen2 Prius exhibiting this problem. We bought this car for our daughter, whom we lost five years ago, and since her death it's become my wife's daily driver because she believes our daughter's spirit still resides in the car, and who am I to argue, even though she has a perfectly fine Mercedes E350 in the garage. She's obsessing over this and wants to replace the entire dashboard, since it's exhibiting some small cracks as well as melting, and it may come to that, but in the meantime I'm curious about how others may have addressed this issue. Recommendations, please.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I've had 9? Gen 2s. None have ever experienced what you describe. Are you sure you don't have a heater core leak that's getting antifreeze vapor on the dash?

    Anyway, these dashboards are a dime a dozen at salvage yards and can be replaced in less than an hour. If you're not a DIY guy, there's probably a hybrid shop in your area that would be familiar with it.

    If you get a dash from a salvage yard, cars with the JBL stereo system have a speaker in the dash mounted above the center display. Non-JBL cars do not have this speaker.

    Hmmm, after re-reading the post, are you talking about the upper glove box door?
     
  3. GKinslow

    GKinslow Junior Member

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    Yes! And to a lesser degree, the corresponding panel behind ther steering wheel. These pics don't have the oily appereance and stickiness because I just cleaned them - again - this morning.
     
    #3 GKinslow, Apr 9, 2024
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2024
  4. GKinslow

    GKinslow Junior Member

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    YES! And to a lesser degree, the corresponding cracked panel behind the steering wheel. They don't have the oily, sticky appearance in these pics because I had just cleaned them - again - earlier today. IMG_8211.jpeg IMG_8214.jpeg
     
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yeah those are the '06 up panels I like the painted panels better I put those in some of my '07s and '08s and that burgundy color looks like aluminum paint or something. But I see a lot of these cracks around the power button and on the other side lower glove box door in general in the southeast because of the heat and I imagine where you are in Texas this must be really bad I generally don't park my cars in the sun just to avoid stuff like this I mean I seek out the shade when I go to the store there's still some left and some parts in North Carolina shade that is. But you can get all of those panels from junkyard cars but I guess in your area some of them may look like this if they sit outside in the sun.
     
  6. GKinslow

    GKinslow Junior Member

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    My wife religiously uses the sun shades when not driving, but it's apparently insufficient. This car can't maintain an as-new appearance forever, especially in Texas hell. I don't know where you're seeing a burgundy color. The car is the ubiquitous sea-green of its day with a beige interior with grey trim. I told my wife the best solution is a dash cover but she doesn't want to hear it. I may ask around, it's not difficult to replace them, just finding the replacement parts in acceptable condition is the issue, and apparently there's nothing else I can do to halt the continuing degradation. Reminds me of all three of our Audis and my BMW Roadster. The plastic trim is crap in the summer and it flakes off, becomes brittle and finally falls apart. No such trouble with the Mercedes.
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I don't know here in North Carolina which gets quite hot and dry the good portion of the summer hours have done amazingly well on the dash pads the tops even the upper and lower glove box and usually the panel that has the start button We generally try to park in the shade when we go out and when the car is on property it's predominantly in the shade would it lot in that. So other than some fading on the outside being it's out in the UV and ozone constantly reasonably acceptable but the insides even the leather perforated seats have held up amazingly well I've seen other units similar to mine and they're almost trashed and I'm buying our cars from towing lots and stuff like that.
     
  8. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    Toyota & Lexus Melting Sticky Dashboard Lawsuit
    Toyota and Lexus Melting Dashboard Lawsuit Filed, Again | CarComplaints.com

    Neither mention the Prius though. I wonder if these surfaces on the OP's car were ever treated with something like Armor All and that is migrating out of the treated plastic in the heat.

    Come to think of it, when we bought our 2017 used from a Toyota dealer they had treated the dash and some other interior plastic parts in some wayto make them slightly shiny and oily. If I had to guess, it was some type of silicone oil. Whatever it was it eventually evaporated (probably to concentrate in our livers...) over the next year, and now the dash and other parts have the usual sort of not oily plastic surface.
     
  9. GKinslow

    GKinslow Junior Member

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  10. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    If it has been sitting a long time shake it vigorously then open it and make sure it hasn't precipitated inside. It might be necessary to poke around in it with a stick if it isn't clear.

    Why? I had a bottle of PlastX in the garage which almost completely separated into solvent and insoluble gunk. It felt normal (but pretty empty) when it was shaken, and the stuff which came out was still the right color, but it was almost all solvent, and it ate the clear coat on the headlight to which it was applied.