1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Dashboard "Lens" is getting splotches

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by shawnph1970, Aug 23, 2014.

  1. shawnph1970

    shawnph1970 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2014
    15
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Has anyone seen this splotch problem? The clear plastic protector "lens" over the speedometer and instruments in the past 2 weeks has started developing large hazy splotches that spiderweb out from the edges. About 5 of them have developed, two dime sized, two smaller than that and one quarter sized.

    I can't get a good picture of it.

    I called the local Toyota for a repair under warranty. They first accused the dealer I got it at of selling a used car as new. It wasn't. It had 87 miles on it and I was the first to have it titled. So now they don't want to honor all of the warranty. "We looked it up in the system."

    That to the side, they then said that the chemicals the other dealer used to detail it in November of last year took 9 months to cause a problem and are creating these large splotches. They want me to pay for the repair out of pocket, saying Toyota won't cover it.

    I only use a dry cloth to wipe down the inside of the Prius, no chemicals and have never even touched this lens until today. I'm the only driver and the thing doesn't even have 2500 miles on it yet, believe it or not.

    The original place is far from me. But I've been on the phone with them and they're going to call back. I've never seen anyone complain of this issue before.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    what does the selling dealer say?
     
  3. shawnph1970

    shawnph1970 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2014
    15
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    They said to just suck it up, drive the 120 miles and they'll go ahead and fix it while I wait. I made an appt.

    I'm not impressed with the service process on Toyota. This is the 3rd time I've had to take this Prius in. The first was within 60 days. The dealer I dealt with badmouthed the selling dealer and seems to treat the customers poorly who didn't buy a car from them. I thought Toyota paid them for the repairs, so I don't get it.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    they do pay them for covered warranty, so it makes no sense. agree about toyota service, but i have found similar in all the brands i've owned. let us know how you make out, all the best.
     
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,798
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't get what is going bad with customer service lately...almost everywhere.

    You bought a Toyota that is still under warranty.

    The dealership you are going to now, seems defensive and adversarial against the dealership you purchased from...but that's not your problem. You just want your display problem resolved.

    Even if you want to say, the original dealership did the damage with whatever chemicals they used...that's STILL a Toyota dealership, so I'd think that damage would be covered by the warranty, and the remedy should be available to you at any Toyota dealership.

    Seems like customer service has gone south. It use to be if you bought a new vehicle, dealerships would be so much more supportive. They would give you the benefit of the doubt on a few things. Now it just seems like everybody is trying to get out of covering anything.

    Good Luck.

    PS.

    I'd be interested in knowing how everyone or anyone approached cleaning the display? I've been afraid to do anything since I bought the Prius in fear of making it worse. It's been clear for a long time, but now I think I see some spots, probably just regular dust...but I'm afraid to clean anything in that area.

    What IS a safe way to clean the display?
     
  6. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,760
    1,680
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    I bought 3 states away, have had zero complaints about local dealer service of such a car and they darn well know I was going out of the area because I was openly comparing prices. Routine warranty service, service offerings/reminders, etc are normal from my local dealer with nary a peep about where I bought it.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    exactly, they make more money on service than sales. that's why it makes no sense.
     
  8. Shasta1

    Shasta1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2014
    2
    1
    0
    Location:
    Fredericksburg, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    II
    We purchased a 2014 V in late August and by mid September we started see blotches. They started small and grew. We had driven the car through some hard rains with the defrost on high but that should not have put moisture in area of the car. The dealer claimed they have not seen that problem and scuffed it off as possible over spray of Armour All during dealer prep. But these spots just grew as if they were some form of crystal and started to blur the display. The dealer is replacing the whole display unit and the service rep said thanks to low miles they would cover it which has me worried since we have not done any thing to have caused it and it must be a factory quality control issue. The part is on back order now. This is not a part you can get to unless you know how to dismantle the dash. This picture is the module removed by the dealer and sitting on the center console. Its not in sharp focus but you can see the blotches. 0925141132b.jpg 0925141132b.jpg
     
  9. shawnph1970

    shawnph1970 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2014
    15
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Well, I feel vindicated that someone else had the problem. I'm sorry you did though. It does worry me that this might return.

    I'd suggest using nothing but compressed air to clean this part.
     
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,525
    8,429
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    isopropyl alcohol does wonders on eye glasses with those spots.
     
  11. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I had a big sneeze once while driving and caused a splotch. I tried to wipe the display but nothing I did would clean it. Then one day I realized it was being projected upward. So I wiped the actual lens with water and a paper towel. Cleaned right off.
     
  12. Shasta1

    Shasta1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2014
    2
    1
    0
    Location:
    Fredericksburg, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    II
    These blotches were on the electronic module and not on the surface of the plexiglass that protects the module. The dealer could not remove them and had to order a new module. Believe me this was some contamination of some sort that must have happend when they were putting the car together. The dealer would would have wiped it up and given the car back to me instead of a rental.
     
    mmmodem likes this.
  13. sharonr3219

    sharonr3219 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2014
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Middleburg, FL United States
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I also have a Prius V and the splotches are on the inside of the dash plexiglass. I am bringing it in to the dealer on Friday. Will let you all know what they say......
     
  14. shawnph1970

    shawnph1970 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2014
    15
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Based on experience, they're going to probably say it's the way you cleaned it and they don't know what it is. Definitely report back as others who develop this issue need backup! I don't exactly know what they replaced on mine, if it was the actual instrument panel or just the plastic lens. But whatever they replaced, the new one has been ok for a couple of months.
     
  15. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,884
    3,486
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I use a feather duster or Swifter duster....keeps it dust free and clean.
     
    The Electric Me likes this.
  16. Danman0303

    Danman0303 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2014
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Northeast, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    Been lurking around this forum for a while. I found it very helpful when purchasing my new Prius v in December 2013. I like the car but did experience this issue three months after purchase.

    One small dot appeared on the display screen (behind the glass). Within a week or two it spread to many dots. I took it to a dealer here in Jacksonville and they gave me a rental for the day while they fixed the issue. I have the service record in my car but from memory there is no mention of parts replacement... just wiping the area behind the glass and the display clean. It was covered under warranty as well. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen again. It has been eight months and no more spots!

    Shawn- I see you are from Northern FL as well. I do run the defroster during the rain as well. Not saying this is what caused my issue but it is promising that I have not had any more issues with spots.
     
  17. rwhyde

    rwhyde Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2011
    7
    2
    0
    Location:
    Colleyville, TX
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Well, I have a 2010 Prius that seems to have this problem regularly. I just went out this afternoon and tore into the thing to see what I could do to remedy the issue. What I found out is that it is NOT on the first lens cover that you touch when you are inside the car cleanign it so any claim that is the issue is nuts. I had to pull the top dash cover and then get to the instrument cluster and remove that. I quickly pulled the front tinted lens thinking it was just something inside of that I could wipe off. Nope, it was actually on the inside of the instrument cluster.
    I then disassembled that carefully by removing the screws on the backside of that. I carefully lifted out the electronics and laid them aside to get to the lens which was then the obvious issue. It almost looked lik some sort of waxy substance likely offgassed from the electronics. Since I wanted to get the car back together, I then set about to carefully clean the inside of the plastic lens with a soft cloth and dish washing detergent. It made littel difference I needed something ever so slightly abrasive. I settle on a very soft wet cloth with some dry bathroon cleanser, such as BonAmi and very gently rubbed the surface washing and checking and buffing with a terry bath towel. While it is not optically perfect and I could still see some slight haze under the light, it looks completely amazing in the car. I'd hope Toyota will sell just that lens, so we'll have to ask. Otherwise some VERY careful massaging might just do the trick. Now let's see how long it lasts! I know this is very late to this post, but maybe someone will see it and attain some value. I certainly did not find much help when i was searching earlier.
     
  18. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    764
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two