Fungus (!!!) growing inside dashboard glass

Vacuum Flourescent Display, is the type of display used in the gen 3. It's inferior to LCD in lots of ways....

 

My 2010 Prius III has the same problem. I first noticed it when the car was about 3 months old. To be clear, the display in question is not the primary display with speed that is reflected up from a horizontal panel. This is the multifuntion central display that is next to it.

The dealership offerred a rental car and a repair without question, but said they'd never seen one like this and there were no service bulletins about it.

I'll let you know how it turns out...

 

Thanks . . . mine is spreading. It's halfway up to the battery display, and out to the right past the trip display. I am putting off going to the dealer . . . Hope all goes well with your repair. That's great they are giving you a rental!

 

I just got back from my dealer for the 20K service and to fix the dried condensation in the MFD. I thought they would have to replace it but the advisor said that the unit is not a sealed unit so they were able to take apart the instrument cluster and clean the dried condensation.

It looks like new again and it looks fine to me. I have no problem with this repair.

He did tell me that I had a long way to go to the 36K warranty expiration and if it happens again they will replace it next time and see if Toyota has come up with a new sealed unit.

 

This is actually good news. How did they get access to the display?

 

The service report says:

Removed upper instrument panel. Removed instrument cluster. Dissassembled cluster to get all moisture out and cleaned lens cover of all moisture. Reinstalled.

I would assume the upper instrument panel is the top dash cover.

I think this is good news too. In the case we were to get moisture after the warranty expires, we can do the same and clean the lens. Of course I hope Toyota figures out how the moisture is getting in the cluster in the first place and how to prevent it from happening.

 

Anyone that is having issues with the condensation (fungus) getting in their instrument panel, I highly recommend getting the car to your dealer and have them clean the lenses. I am amazed at how clear the entire instrument panel displays are now that all of the lenses have been thoroughly cleaned.

I was having to use my reading glasses to read some of the display information, especially in bright sunlight and at night when the brightness is dimmed. Now I have no problem reading the displays without the glasses. All of the displays are crisp and clear now. It is one of those things that you do not realize how blurry the displays have gotten until you have them cleaned.

 

Had the same problem about 2 months after getting my III. Dealer ordered the part and replaced it. Have not had any problem since (14 months now)

 

I had mine fixed yesterday, you would not believe how much they had to tear up the dashboard to replace the dashboard glass. I wish I had taken a picture of it. There is a small rattle that I will probably have to live with, it isn't always possible to put it back together the same way and as snug. By the way, I asked if it was possible to remove the rear beeping sound, and they said it was not possible. Is this true or just a line from them?

 

They do have to remove a lot to get to the instrument panel. My dealer put mine back together and I luckily did not have any rattles after.

The rear beeping is a customizable feature listed in your owner's manual. It can be changed from continuous to one beep but the dealer has to do it. Take a copy of the owner's manual with you the next time you go.

 

I got the same issue on the display but teh dealer will not fix it.. did any one find a bulliton about this so I can try to get this replaced under warrenty????

 

I have not seen a TSB on this issue but I did not need one for my dealer. He took one look and told me that they would take care of it under warranty.

There have been numerous others that have posted on here about their cars being fixed under warranty. Many have replaced the display modules and others have just cleaned the lenses.

I would make copies of several posts on here and take it back to your dealer.

 

Now there’s a different look about going green! :/

 

I have a problem wit the multi function display being blurry. I have a 2010 Prius and only has 22k on it. I took it to the dealer and they want to charge me 6 hrs of labor to clean it. They think someone had gotten grease on the inside plastic. I said Really? I cant imagine that considering how hard it must be to remove. If its the hardware its covered under warranty. its a 50/50 shot. Im not sure what I am going to do because if it just needs cleaning its 750$. Ugh!

 

I have the same issue 23k miles on car. The dealer wants to charge me 6 hours of labor to clean lens. I think this issues should be a recall and covered by Toyota.
I have not taken it in yet. Im not sure what to do.

 

This should be covered under warranty as it is a known problem. My dealership took mine apart and cleaned the lenses. It looks much better now. Others have replaced the electronics and all. This has all been done under warranty. Let your dealership know this.

 

My 1 1/2 year old 2010 is growing what I feel is condensation in the same spot. I've taken it to the dealer 2ce, who say they have to have it long enough to decide what needs to be fixed, and I'm taking it in later this week. They said they've never heard of it doing that.... I'll let you know what they discover.

 

JayP,

You show a Wilmington, NC location so I have to assume that you are referring to Toyota of Wilmington, correct?

I took mine to the service advisor to see it one afternoon prior to scheduling a service appointment. When I took it back and left if for the day, they decided to pull mine out and clean the lenses rather than replace.

My advisor is Mike Cooke. This is definitely not the first time they have seen this.

Dwight

 

Toyota needs to FIX the issue, not put a band-aid on it by taking it apart and cleaning it...the same issue will come up again OUT OF WARRANTY.

 

Yes, I agree with your statement. I will have to say I have not had any further re-occurrences to date.

Others had their MID electronics replaced. If this was not a re-design then who is to say that the problem will not come back on the replacement units, though.

I do agree that Toyota needs to determine how the cold air from the defroster is getting in to the instrument panel in the first place and fix this issue.