I approached Koons Toyota of Arlington, Virginia about the melting dashboard problem. Koons Toyota representatives said the only solution was replacement at an approximate cost of $1500. The Koons reps added that Toyota was way behind in obtaining dashboards and related parts and that it could take a minimum of 6 months just to get in line for a replacement.

I also approached Koons online following service of our 2017 Avalon and told Koons about the dashboard issue on our 2006 Solara SLE. Chelsea Johnson responded for Toyota. I pointed out that we have bought 4 Toyotas and 2 Lexus automobiles over the years and that replacing dashboards had never been a service item on any car we had ever owned. I also noted that this failure to replace a defective dashboard by Toyota was not conducive to our buying Toyotas again in the future.

Ms. Johnson said there was nothing they could do at Koons. She gave me a Toyota Care phone number and website.

I sent an e mail to Toyota and they responded two days later noting that I had a case number in their central file; they also suggested calling a phone number they provided. I called the number and they never answered - I gave up after an hour or so of holding.

Within months of purchasing a NEW Solara in 2005, the dashboard started melting, breaking away, glossing over. When the recall notice was sent out, we contacted Lakeside Toyota in Metairie, LA to order a replacement. We waited, and waited, and waited and waited . . . . Order was lost and reordered. . . . we waited some more. Years passed . . . Finally in 2014, we moved to Florida. When we called Bob Tyler Toyota in Pensacola to see if they could deal with Lakeside, they said they would have to reorder it. Wait time 12-18 months! WHAT A SCAM!! I don't believe Toyota EVER intends to replace a dash!!

I keep my car up really well. Washing and detailing the inside and still an issue. I bought a Toyota because of the high quality of their vehicles. I am extremely upset about my dashboard cracking and peeling. My car is kept in the garage and is maintain always. Now I have to get in a so caledl beautiful sports car on the outside but really a big huge dump inside! It is extremely horrible to have my dashboard cracked and sticky. I am a neat freak and this makes me want to explode every time I get in this car. It's to the point now I drive my husband's truck and let him take my vehicle. This has caused the value to deplete to an unexceptional amount. The dash looks so bad I am embarrassed to drive it . On the outside its beautiful until you open the door. I paid to much for this car for this to happen.So I started to search the web to get this fixed. Just seeing that other people are experiencing the exact same issue. Toyota has never contacted me about this and I should have been. I don't know if I will ever purchased another Toyota vehicle. This is devastating!!!!

I love this car and was told when I purchased this car that it was a recall and would be fixed, to date I have received one call to see how my experience was at Deerfield Beach Toyota in Deerfield Beach Florida, I told them I was not happy with the dash and they told me that it was a recall and would be fixed soon. Well here it is July 2015 and it is going to have it's 30,000 mile check up tomorrow and again I will ask about replacing the dash and will be told another story about how it's a recall and will be fixed soon. I was assured when I purchased the car I would get a new dash, however I did not request a date in writing so I am still waiting.

Update from Aug 24, 2015: I had the 30000 check up and this time "We have ordered the dash for you car, when you get the call please call us to set a date for repair" a note was added to the receipt "new dash ordered". So I suggest not buying any Solar with cracks in the dash until it is replaced. I got mine at Deefield Toyota, Deerfield Florida, just so you know

Update from Aug 24, 2015: I looked on your web page while updating my complaint and Toyota has issued a recall on the dash of the Solara 2004-2008, just waiting for the phone call soon I hope!

WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THIS IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE THREW A JAR OF HONEY ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. STICKY AND AWFUL. CLEANED UP AS BEST WE COULD, BUT VERY STICKY. THEN ON A HOT DAY THE STICKY GOO COMES BACK AND DASH IS CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE. VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AS THE REFLECTION IS TERRIBLE. AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

I DID NOT REPORT IT BECAUSE I COULD NOT IMAGINE IT WAS A RECALL PROBLEM. DON'T ASK ME WHY. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO BRING IT TO TOYOTA DEALER HERE WHEN I GOT THE FIRST LETTER. THE LETTER SAYS TO WAIT TILL I GET ANOTHER LETTER.

I AM ANGRY THIS DID NOT COME OUT SOONER AS I HAVE REALLY HAD A HARD TIME WITH THE REFLECTION....THIS CAR IS KEPT IN FLORIDA...AND GARAGED AND IT IS HOT AND HUMID.

I've spoken to toyota in 2011 they said it would cost me approx: 1,750.00 to repair... Crazy my car is in the garage I paid good money for this car... Then 2013-2014 they told me it would cost 900.00 something then 800.00 something I have estimates.... Seriously I take care of my car I purchased a toyota 2011 no problems with dash but, steerling wheel cover cracked.. I will not purchase another toyota is how I feel I had a Honda lex 2006 nothing like this ever accrued... I've been wanting my dash fixed for quite sometime the fist is ridiculous for the care and price I put into it.....

I thought that by buying a brand new Toyota was a good thing until I had to deal with the company. Of course my warranty had run out when my back window fell out, I had to have my roof replaced, and my dashboard went to hell, the glare that comes off of it makes it a danger to drive.

After dealing with Toyota I was told they would take care of the problem for a mere $6,000.00. I paid for a new roof (not through Toyota of course since they said it was not their problem and they were not responsible) although several people who have had this model convertible tops replaced have had the same issues. I just can't believe that a company that large would not accept the responsibility of dealing with these issues, since they are safety issues.

When the dashboard first cracked I believed it was the fault of my son using the car, but then more and more cracks started to appear. The material is so soft that if you brush it with your fingernail it separates. When I went to the dealer he advised me that it was probably the result of some cleaner being put on the dashboard when the car was detailed. The repair cost was estimated at $1,800.00 out the door. Since then I've discovered that this is a common problem in Toyota Solara dashboards.

I paid $32,000.00 for this car in May, 2005, so it is not a cheap model. The fact that Toyota will not stand behind its product annoys me to no end. I like to keep the car in its immaculate condition, redoing the leather and paint at a cost of $3,000.00, as a result of normal wear. However, the dashboard is a problem resulting from a defect in the materials used for the dashboard -- not my care. After 15 years of Toyota loyalty, I've replaced my Tacoma with a Hyundai. I expected to replace my Solara convertible with another Toyota product, but that does not appear likely after the refusal of the company to stand by its otherwise quality automobile.

Hi, like more and more Toyota owners my dash has started cracking. I stored the car in my garage during the summer as I live in Europe then, on returning I have just opened the door to be met with several cracks, otherwise my car looks like new. Its always garaged and I always cover the dash/window with reflecting material when I'm out, so I could not have done any more. The dash looks bad so much so I started to search the web for a fix.

Well, it looks like Toyota has put their head in the sand.

Can we all start the process of all working together regardless what model or year Toyota or Lexus, all I can see is a material defect that will eventually cause the dash to break away in the event of a impact or might cause the airbag to fail.

Tony T

The convertible in question is my wife's automobile. At present the car has approximately 10,200 miles....hardly used as she does not like to get it dirty. The vehicle stays under a car cover and parked in a garage. At just over one year of service I noticed a single crack on the dashboard-end on the passenger side that is concealed when the door is closed. I assumed the crack was from the installer over tightening a screw or clamp. A couple months later the trim above the glove box door developed a crack. Subsequently the dash-pad on top developed cracks in several places. The cracks are apparently on the outer surface of the materials and do not penetrate completely through the components.

This car is hand washed at least once a week year round. The longest the top has ever been down is 4-5 hours on a couple short road trips. The leather surfaces are cleaned/conditioned with Toyota products as is the vinyl trim. The car is unbelievably well cared for.

I guess I should have been more persistent with my local dealer with the first sign of cracking...he did not sell me the car and really does not care. The car has been flawless with the exception of this one problem. I do not want to waste my time trying to get Toyota to do something out of warranty, but I would like to hear of any other instances of similar problems. Thank You!

I have other Toyota products and Hondas which are much older without this problem

Update from Apr 26, 2016: its past a year since i reported the problem to Royal Palm Toyota . I call twice and they said there is a shortage of the part. I am being patient since its not a threat to life like the Airbag problems affecting many car makers . I also have a 19year old Tacoma and did not have a dash problem . I am loosing my faith in Toyota when its time for my next car. The cracks have gotten alot worse since I complained in 2012 before the recall.