URGENT: warped dash problem on '04 ('05?)

galaxee · Mar 31, 2006

glad to see this is being taken care of, priusinterested.

i asked DH about that upper glovebox spring thing and he said he's seen one in the past, and they run 10-60 through the service dept daily. he doesn't remember what the circumstances were.

he doesn't recall any changes between the 05 and 04, at least that he's seen.

HTMLSpinnr · Jun 25, 2006

I think I was one of the first to complain of warpage back in the summer of '05 on my 2004 (post here #9763 - pics included). Unfortunately I caught mine just after surpassing 36k miles (I'm at almost 61k now), and didn't have the time to see if the dealer would be able to "wiggle" the mileage.

Only last month, however, did I notice the broken tabs on my upper glove-box lid. I attempted (in vain) to repair it with hot-glue, but the first hot day afterward took care of that. Thinking back though, the upper glove box hasn't worked right for quite some time - before I really took notice of the warped dash.

For quick reference, here's the same warp pic as of last year (cleaner dash):

[attachmentid=3926]

And here's what I have today (pardon the AZ dust):

[attachmentid=3924]

The hot AZ sun just isn't helping. I did speculate in my original post that the dealer who did my SSC 40D may have contributed to the issue, however it looks more like the glove box springs are really at fault.

It's gotten to the point where the deformation at the right side near the spring is permenant even when the spring was fixed. I've taken the dash apart to realign on the right side while fixing the glovebox lid. While there was some wiggle room w/ a couple of the bolts for alignment, I wasn't able to get too far. It definately looks "raised" in the area of the broken spring though.

However, now the warpage has spread on mine to the defroster vent ducting at the drivers (left) side. When peering in through the windshield, I've noticed that the ducting is misaligned with the dash holes by 1/4-1/2".

Picture (b&w due to low light noise - forgive the garage reflection):

[attachmentid=3925]

Does anyone have a part cost for a replacement glove compartment lid, and do you think Toyota would possibly go half on it given the numerous other complaints? I'm probably SOL on the dash, and wouldn't even want to speculate on the replacement cost for something that's more likely cosmetic than anything else.

TheForce · Jun 25, 2006

I thought this place would have the part and part number http://www.toyotapartscheap.com/ but after looking all I could find was the lower glove door.

galaxee · Jun 25, 2006

hi rick:

call up the toyota customer experience number and see what they can do for you. you could make a half-and-half deal or something. you never know.

good luck

ghostofjk · Jun 25, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(htmlspinnr @ Jun 25 2006, 09:39 AM) [snapback]276518[/snapback]</div>

The hot AZ sun just isn't helping.

It's gotten to the point where the deformation at the right side near the spring is permenant even when the spring was fixed. I've taken the dash apart to realign on the right side while fixing the glovebox lid. While there was some wiggle room w/ a couple of the bolts for alignment, I wasn't able to get too far. It definately looks "raised" in the area of the broken spring though.
[/b]
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I would think that if your dash took hot sun while warped for any length of time, it might be permanent, with the spring fixed. Mine is still raised a tiny bit.

Someone posted a dealer price for the whole upper glove box on another thread pertaining to the same problem. Seems it was $325 (!), though I could be remembering wrong. If so, that would prompt me to scour salvage yards, as that's a part likely to stay intact under most circumstances.

200Volts · Jun 25, 2006

Yes, just like theforce said

richard schumacher · Jun 26, 2006

I gather that youse guys' cars are out of warranty because they're past 36,000 miles? Bummer, man.

Do you use a Sunshade? It ought to help keep things from getting worse.

HTMLSpinnr · Jun 26, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jun 26 2006, 06:38 AM) [snapback]276779[/snapback]</div>

I gather that youse guys' cars are out of warranty because they're past 36,000 miles?
[/b]
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I didn't buy the extended warranty, and I'm at 61,000 miles now. The problem started occuring about a year ago at around 36,000 miles - I just didn't get the time/opportunity to bring it in before the mileage increased further. I drive 75 miles a day, and by the time I had a chance, I was well into 37k miles.

artie · Jul 1, 2006

i tried to get my dealership, san diego, to fix the upper box (same general problem) as noted above, they refused. and i have the extended warranty. doesn't cover "interior trim".
hmmm, not too good.
what to do what to do???

ghostofjk · Jul 2, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(artie @ Jul 1 2006, 08:24 PM) [snapback]279915[/snapback]</div>

i tried to get my dealership, san diego, to fix the upper box (same general problem) as noted above, they refused. and i have the extended warranty. doesn't cover "interior trim".
hmmm, not too good.
what to do what to do???
[/b]
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For now, I've removed the right-hand spring, so it can't exert any more pressure. The box door still works, just doesn't self-raise.

I keep procrastinating on writing, ahem, an intelligent-sounding letter to TFS, firmly making the case that the glove box is NOT "trim", that it is in fact a mechanical component whose fairly sophisticated moving parts are well-removed from the dash, not subject to being touched or mildly "abused" in any way, somewhat similar to a hood hinge.

I'll accompany the letter with a printout of all the posts I've seen where others have had the same problem.

Since I never use the damn thing (box), I just keep putting it off...

tumbleweed · Jul 2, 2006

I have an 05 and I don't know if I have the problem or not. I can push down about a 1/4 inch with my finger right where the SRS Airbag sign is, when I remove my finger it springs back up again. I can see a bit of a gap but it really doesn't show unless you look for it. If I hadn't seen this topic I wouldn't have noticed it. On the drivers side in the same place it will only move down about half that far when I push on it. I haven't heard any rattles, the glove box still works fine, and the dash has never been taken apart by anyone.

Is this like when you read about some horrible disease and imagine you have all the symptoms or do I really need to take it apart and find out if it's broken? I bought my car last September and I live in a part of Oregon where summer temperatures are often over 100.

If you guys think I need to take it apart I'll trust your judgement. Or is there likely to be anything I can do when I do get it apart? The car only has 18K on it but I don't want the dealer to work on it unless I can't do the job.

ghostofjk · Jul 2, 2006

If your glove box door slowly self-raises as it's supposed to, you don't have the problem.

Whether you can push the dash down 1/4" at that location isn't as important as whether the dash LOOKS slightly raised at that point.

The glove box is easy to remove if you're in doubt. You WILL want it replaced under warranty if you have the problem.

tumbleweed · Jul 2, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ghostofjk @ Jul 2 2006, 04:21 PM) [snapback]280263[/snapback]</div>

If your glove box door slowly self-raises as it's supposed to, you don't have the problem.

Whether you can push the dash down 1/4" at that location isn't as important as whether the dash LOOKS slightly raised at that point.

The glove box is easy to remove if you're in doubt. You WILL want it replaced under warranty if you have the problem.
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OK thanks, I'll take a good look tomorrow.

Moby Whaley · Jul 23, 2006

I have the exact same problem. My Glove Compartment will not open properly anymore. And . . . I went in for the recall on the steering column and now there is a click when in the gear shift when i shift from Park to Drive or Reverse. Any movement of the shift knob causes a click.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ghostofjk @ Mar 24 2006, 09:02 PM) [snapback]229816[/snapback]</div>

This is a follow-up to the "Watch out for warping dash" thread posted by priusinterested. I've spoken with him (I have the problem, too) and want to post a thread with a more urgent-sounding topic name to get input from anyone who knows they've had the problem, and possibly even some who have it in its early stages but don't know it.

Although I have a digital camera, I haven't learned how to post pics to PC. Priusinterested will early next week when he gets his car back from the dealer.

(If someone wants to PM me with simple instructions on how to post a pic, I'll try.)

Important: this problem so far has become apparent only in a few '04s. It may or may not also occur in '05s, or even '06s. That's one reason for this thread.

Problem: the lower edge of the black plastic dash, just above the upper glove box, warps upward. Eventually the raised part interferes with opening the upper glove box lid.

When the problem becomes visually detectable, you notice a slightly irregular gap between the bottom edge of the dash and the top of the glove box. The highest-raised portion of the warpage on mine is directly below where Toyota has stamped "SRS airbag" into the plastic. Also, when you run a finger along the edge of the dash, from left to right starting at the base of the MFD, you can feel the plastic rise as it approaches the glove box.

The passenger airbag is anchored just under the dash at this point. Therefore, if there is a wire to the airbag (anyone know?) that carries low but continuous voltage, the warping could be caused by that.

If not, it's probably sun-caused. But why at this exact spot on at least two cars? Possibly because the plastic is thinner at this location than in the rest of the dash. I remember reading a couple of posts here recently about the plastic being so thin here that they could almost "see through" it under certain conditions.

It's also possible that somehow clips that anchor the dash down at this location have slipped---but I doubt it. It could also be that somewhat experimental bio-plastic material that Toyota has said it's using (I think) could be prone to warpage---but it would still need a "trigger".

Priusinterested and I both live in N CA, where our cars get sun heat probably above average (higher where I live, closer to Sacramento). A third car we know of
that's had the problem is in AZ.

So far a dealer has refused to fix priusinterested's (estimated to cost $850) under extended warranty, and he's contacting Toyota early next week. I have an appt. for mine Tues. morning.

What's most bothersome to me about it is that it's likely a slow-developing problem, exposing owners to an expensive repair after their basic warranty has expired. Both of our cars are about 2-1/2 years old; both have over 36K mi.
That's why it's important to collect data to present to Toyota, if necessary.

So the problem may develop more quickly, if not exclusively, in hotter climates. We don't know yet. We also don't know if somehow Toyota caught and corrected it before they made the '05. If not, it may simply be too soon for it to have appeared on '05s.

Please look at your '04-'05 and post if you see the problem (whether or not your glove-box lid binds).
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I have the exact problem as stated in this thread. All I know is I have had my Prius in for every recall I've received notices on. this summer my dash warpped. My glove compartment won't open correctly (it has to be lifted to get inside.) I have 63,000 miles on my Prius. Purchased in Oct. '03 with a 10 yr / 10,000 mile warranty from Toyota. Are there known solutions? Is there saftey hazards?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 24 2006, 09:40 PM) [snapback]229838[/snapback]</div>

oh oh oh oh oh

wait

did you both have the fuel filler pipe TSB done???

they have to pull that whole thing out to change the combination meter out. the upper dash comes out and sits on a workbench while they fix that.

BETCHA THAT'S THE PROBLEM... it wasn't reinstalled correctly.
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Moby Whaley · Jul 23, 2006

thanks Puiusinterested! good to know there is some responsibility being owned up to by Toyota. Have there been any more developments to this situation that I need to know before I go to the Toyota Dealer. For instance, do they have a "name" for this circumstance that a Toyota Repairman or Service person would recognize if I mention this "name" problem.

I went in for a steering column recall also and now my gear shift clicks. It didn't before the recall. Is there something going on with this? might as well handle all at the same time.

Thanks again to PriusChat and the members.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusinterested @ Mar 31 2006, 05:59 PM) [snapback]233188[/snapback]</div>

My dash situation is taking a turn. I forwarded a detailed email which outlined the various problems my car experienced; as well as the link to the various pics showing obvious problems with the workmanship to both my dealer and to Toyota.

Resolution: Dealer now agrees they are at fault for bad reassembly of dash following TSB as well as poor resolution of problem in timely fashion. I am taking car back again next week. They will make list of parts to replace and order, then I will return the following week to have replacement of both the dash and the upperglovebox to correct issues. No charge.

Moral to story. When you know you are in the right. Be persistant. Be vocal.

Ghostofjk: I would send a similar letter to both the dealer and copy Toyota CS as well. Once Toyota saw the issue the action quickly followed. My dealer still has not agreed a product defect has occurred. They still feel service degligence is to blame from the service tech not correctly reinstalling the parts originally.

I will again write an update once the work has been completed to confirm that it can be done should anyone else experience the same sort of failure.

My thanks to those who had helped: Ghostofjk and Galaxee have been very helpful in me id'ing the issue and convincing the dealer and factory to assist.
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Moby Whaley · Jul 23, 2006

Tumble weed, did you get your warp resolved? I have the same problem. also, I went in for the steering column recall and now my steering whell seems to be 5 degrees off and my gear shifter makes a click when I change gears.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Jul 2 2006, 03:06 PM) [snapback]280235[/snapback]</div>

I have an 05 and I don't know if I have the problem or not. I can push down about a 1/4 inch with my finger right where the SRS Airbag sign is, when I remove my finger it springs back up again. I can see a bit of a gap but it really doesn't show unless you look for it. If I hadn't seen this topic I wouldn't have noticed it. On the drivers side in the same place it will only move down about half that far when I push on it. I haven't heard any rattles, the glove box still works fine, and the dash has never been taken apart by anyone.

Is this like when you read about some horrible disease and imagine you have all the symptoms or do I really need to take it apart and find out if it's broken? I bought my car last September and I live in a part of Oregon where summer temperatures are often over 100.

If you guys think I need to take it apart I'll trust your judgement. Or is there likely to be anything I can do when I do get it apart? The car only has 18K on it but I don't want the dealer to work on it unless I can't do the job.
[/b]
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talonts · Jul 24, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ghostofjk @ Mar 24 2006, 10:02 PM) [snapback]229816[/snapback]</div>

This is a follow-up to the "Watch out for warping dash" thread posted by priusinterested. I've spoken with him (I have the problem, too) and want to post a thread with a more urgent-sounding topic name to get input from anyone who knows they've had the problem, and possibly even some who have it in its early stages but don't know it.
...
Problem: the lower edge of the black plastic dash, just above the upper glove box, warps upward. Eventually the raised part interferes with opening the upper glove box lid.
...
Please look at your '04-'05 and post if you see the problem (whether or not your glove-box lid binds). [/b]
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough, my wife just showed me her dash on the 04. After my driving it for 2 years, the dash had not warped, but within the last month, with the car 2.5 years old and with 40someK on it, the passenger dash has warped, and you have to press on the warped spot in order to open the upper compartment.

I'm headed out right now to remove the upper door to check it out...

...aaaaand BINGO! Both spring ends have broken out of their retainers.

Pics posted:
Overall back of the upper glovebox, springs circled
2nd overall pic
closeup of passenger side (outer) spring and damage
different angle of outer spring and damage
closeup of driver's side (inner) spring and damage, broken plastic still there
different angle of inner spring and damage

From the other thread, where I posted the info:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon @ Mar 24 2006, 11:09 PM) [snapback]229857[/snapback]</div>

what's it 3/10 to swap out the mfd and the glove box is pn# 55589-47020 cost $27.64 [/b]
Click to expand...

I couldn't find that part # online or in any of the microfiche I have.

What I did find was the following for the upper glovebox (and only in 06 fiches, not 04):
Dk Red - 55511-47020-D0
Dk Brn - 55511-47020-E0
Blk (06) - 55511-47060-C0
55511-47020 shows at about $78 discounted at Conicelli online.

If Toyota thinks they're going to get away with not covering this, they had better think again. Pissing me off = one very bad idea ;-) But I'll think the best while I get it to the dealer...while preparing to contact Toyota CS to get it resolved.

In the meantime, I am leaving the glovebox out, hoping that the warped dash will level out, since the problem surfaced in the last week or so. But if it doesn't, well, Toyota had better be prepared to cover the cost of a new dash top, because there is no way, no how that I am paying for it. This is an obvious defect to me.

Update: I just pulled the glovebox from my 06, and unfortunately it doesn't look like the spring retainers were changed much, so it's quite possible this will also happen on the 06. The outer one wasn't changed at all, the inner one seems to have added some reinforcements. Unfortunately, it's the outer one that causes the worse dash warping.

Outer end, no changes
Inner end, reinforcements may help
Overall differences

The airbag harness no longer attaches to the back of the glovebox, it is attached to the metal tubing behind it in the dash.

rwalt · Jul 28, 2006

I live a hundred miles or so north of Sac, and have a 2004- I just checked, and my dash is warping in the exact spot you say- Right near the air bag lettering. It seems like it is a fairly recent thing. I will have my dealer look at it when I get my steering column done.

artie · Jul 28, 2006

my dash has also warped at the same spot, above the upper g-box, early '04. :angry:

luiset83 · Aug 3, 2006

I just noticed that this 'warping' happened as well, most likely after the steering recall... I don't recall if it was an issue before that. I'm going to the dealer today to have them check the innacurate fuel gauge issue, so I'll mention this as well... along with the excellent pictures/printout from the forum :-D

Hopefully the next time I'll go, I'll leave them the car for the day and they can replace my multidisplay (on order as of last week), do the fuel gauge fix and fix the dash all at the same time.

I have an early '04, myself.

UPDATE:

Multidisplay not in yet... grr. ETA on Monday though... *crosses fingers*

The dealer refused to do the innacurate fuel gauge replacement 'cause supposedly it took 11.9 gallons dry... oh well... They ordered a replacement glove box 55511 (dark grey trim)... thing is they also claim it is 'trim' and not covered by the extended warranty... cause otherwise it's gonna be $145.97!

UPDATE 2:

I argued my point to the Toyota Customer Experience Center just now, considering that I don't think it occured until after the steering recall or after the multidisplay check (the latter i'm not sure if the dash required removing) but I'm almost positive I noticed it after the steering recall... so I'm thinking that it was the dealer's fault when they put the dash back together.

URGENT: warped dash problem on '04 ('05?)

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URGENT: warped dash problem on '04 ('05?)

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