2008 Toyota Camry Solara

The dashboard hasbeen cracking for some time. I have use leather oils & other products to reduce. has slowly worsened

NHTSA ID

11694011

Incident

Apr 5, 2023

I was recently informed about a previous recall on a dashboard issue I've been dealing with for years. I have a sticky cracking dashboard that imitates a smell in warm to hot temperatures. I have own this vehicle since 2014 and lived at the same address since 2006. Never have I been made aware of the recalls on this issue. I have vested a lot of money to keep this great car on great condition. And it would be good to receive consideration to have the problem dashboard replaced. The sticky dashboard also produces a glare on the windshield causing a blinding most of the time This makes driving challenging unless it's covered. I would really appreciate consideration on extending this recall for the safety of all those on the road ways. Please and Thank you!

NHTSA ID

11683166

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Solara. The contact stated that upon inspection, the interior dashboard was sticky and had started to deteriorate. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and the failure was linked to an undisclosed recall; however, the recall repair had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,731.

NHTSA ID

11681853

Incident

Aug 15, 2024

Mileage

75,731 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting. Additionally, the dashboard was sticky and cracking. The contact was unable to clean or wipe the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed about a recall and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11553706

Incident

Nov 6, 2023

Mileage

150,000 mi

TOYOTA has known about this problem for years. They also had knowledge regarding a recall and an extended warranty. Unfortunately, I was not made aware of their extended warranty until it was too late. This vehicle has the melting dash problem which has gotten to a "dangerous" level. The glare on the windshield makes it unsafe for drivers and pedestrians who may be in an area which causes them to be obscured. I know this car is older, but my son who is using this as a cheaper method of transportation doesn't drive it much. It only now has 95,000 miles on it and has always been well maintained. The local dealer gave me a price of $2,500.00 to replace this dash. Also, in addition to the vision issue, I assume there will soon be problems with all the electronics contained in the dash area. I'm asking that the Federal Safety Board force Toyota to do the right thing, since they have told me they will not stand behind the produce. One of their representatives told me that with my history ( 8 or 9 new vehicles since 1990), they may make an exception since their extended warranty expired. They declined my request.

NHTSA ID

11468453

Incident

Jun 7, 2019

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS OR OPEN HIGHWAYS ON SUNNY DAYS, DRIVER SOMETIMES BECOMES BLINDED FROM GLARE FROM "MELTING" SHINY DASHBOARD. THIS PROBLEM WITH "MELTING" DASHBOARD BEGAN MAYBE 5-6 YEARS AGO AND HAS KEPT GETTING WORSE. THE BLINDING REFLECTIONS ARE NOW SO BAD AT TIMES THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE WE ARE SOMETIMES BLINDED BY REFLECTIONS FROM THE SHINY DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ID

11416615

Incident

May 14, 2021

Mileage

49,769 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED AND WAS STICKY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFECT CAUSED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH DECREASED DRIVING VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED FOR THE DASHBOARD REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.*BF*JB

NHTSA ID

11375220

Incident

Nov 15, 2020

Mileage

71,000 mi

THE DRIVER SEAT HAS A TEAR IN IT AND THERE ARE ONLY 120,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT TORN ON A CRACK IN THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT. ALSO - THE DASH HAS CRACKS ALL THROUGH IT BUT WE HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. IS THAT TRUE? THE DASH SURFACE IS STICKY AND HARD TO CLEAN.

NHTSA ID

11342826

Incident

Aug 1, 2015

Mileage

95,000 mi

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.