Dash Warping

3471 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Glenn's HC, Feb 27, 2006

3SRT4ME

Discussion Starter · Aug 4, 2004

Where the dash meets the vent grill trim (just beneath the front window), the dash is suppose to sit 2 to 3 mm higher than the vent grill trim. My dash, unfortunately, came from the factory with a slight warp; such that the dash was despressed and sitting 1 to 2 mm lower than the vent grill trim at its lowest point directly in front of the driver's seat. Over the past two and half months I have had two different dealerships attempt three times to fix this trim alignment issue. The condition has worsened and now the depression in the dash in front of the driver's seat is 3 to 4 mm lower than the vent grill trim and the dash directly in front of the passesenger's seat is slightly depressed and now sits about even with the vent grill trim.

At one of the dealerships, the one that I bought the vehicle from, the Service Director told me that DC is aware that a number of its vehicles have experienced this problem. And DC only recently created a fix involving the use of clips to straighten the plane of the dash where it meets the vent grill trim. Apparently, this information is available on DC's Star System. The problem according to the Service Director is that DC has yet to produce clips needed to fix the problem or even assign a part number to those clips. Hence, he can not get them yet.

Any one else have this problem? And are you having better luck in getting your dealership to correct the problem?

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

rogue

· #2 · Aug 4, 2004

Mine is also misaligned. There is a 3" section that is seated lower than the rest of the dash by about 3mm. A minor annoyance, but I planned on pointing it out next time I take the car in for service...

You are not alone

I'll update you when i take it in...

LWOOD

· #3 · Aug 4, 2004

I have a very slight pulling away of the leading edge of the dash and the trailing edge of the trim. I like one piece dashes, but I was afraid of this happening, especially in the heat. Gonna have to put up the cardboard sun blocker all the time.

jeepgrady

· #4 · Aug 6, 2004

Man, you guys make me mad. After reading this post, I checked mine. Sure enough, right in front of the drivers seat, the dash piece is lower than the rest of the dash. Instead of the piece being slightly higher than the vent, it is level with the vent.

After buying countless new cars, I have learned not to be quite as anal as in the past relating to certain cosmetic problems. While I know that we all strive for perfection, it will never happen. The risk we take is that the problem will be worse after the ill-informed so-called technicians get their hands on the problem. Too many times I complained about something such as this only to blow a gasket when I picked up my car and discovered that the problem was much worse than before they touched it.

I discovered a little pimple on the finish of my glove box. I wanted so much to get them to replace it, however, I know that I will not be satisfied with the correction and decided to live with it. Beleive me, I'm sure no one else will even notice it.

If the problem is not so noticable or evident, leave it alone.

I must say, that this 300C is the highest quality vehicle I have ever purchased, however, nothing is perfect.

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FAME2002

· #5 · Aug 7, 2004

yep....I have it as well. Its been "fixed" once already and its still not right. They ordered me a new piece and it still has the warp in it.

upstate

· #6 · Aug 9, 2004

I had a soft spot above my speedo. They put a new dash in for me.

LWOOD

· #7 · Aug 9, 2004

Sorry to hear about the soft spot in your speedo...don't they have pills for that now?

bigwise1

· #8 · Nov 12, 2005

bringin this thread back from the dead but i also have this on the drivers side. were you guys able to get this fixed?

marlinspike

· #9 · Nov 12, 2005 (Edited)

jeepgrady said:
While I know that we all strive for perfection, it will never happen.

What do you mean perfection doesn't happen. My MB was perfect when bought new in 1985 for $50k (why yes, in 1985 dollars that is over $88,000 in today's money, and when you look at the sticker price it was like a $97k car in today's money)...except for the fact that the rear left seatbelt is for the right side of the car, thus is permanently backwards (and still is) and there was a piece of German newspaper wedged between the steering wheel and the knee bolster.
:doh:

kevenj

· #10 · Nov 13, 2005 (Edited)

jeepgrady said:
While I know that we all strive for perfection, it will never happen.

If the problem is not so noticable or evident, leave it alone.

I must say, that this 300C is the highest quality vehicle I have ever purchased, however, nothing is perfect.

Exactly.... Don't forget this is a PRODUCTION CAR, built on an assembly line! It is not a hand made car. That's why we could all afford one!

I think because the overall built quality and fit and finish on the 300 is SO GOOD for a production car, that we notice the few little problems and blow them out of proportion. The last GM car I owned had nowhere NEAR the quality that this machine has.... I've heard the 300 called a 'poor man's bentley' but you cannot realisticaly expect a $150,000 car for $35,000 !

Buz-CCC

· #11 · Nov 13, 2005

IMHO you paid or are paying for your car, I know nothing is perfect but Chrysler did not say "This car has a blemish so we will take some money off" As most of you paid MSRP & more. Get it fixed as your car should be righr . Its called quality control and if you let them get away with it things will get any better!

3SRT4ME

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 13, 2005

bigwise1 said:
bringin this thread back from the dead but i also have this on the drivers side. were you guys able to get this fixed?

In the end, dealer had to replace the entire dash.

bigwise1

· #13 · Feb 9, 2006

i know this is an old thread but i'm curious to see if anyone else is experiencing this and had it fixed. my dash is pretty bad and it's already been fixed once. i'm thinking about taking it in again or just getting a dash cover so i don't have to look at it.

Glenn's HC

· #14 · Feb 27, 2006

your not alone my friend i have the same crap going on . So Much for the FLag ship

300C4ME said:
Where the dash meets the vent grill trim (just beneath the front window), the dash is suppose to sit 2 to 3 mm higher than the vent grill trim. My dash, unfortunately, came from the factory with a slight warp; such that the dash was despressed and sitting 1 to 2 mm lower than the vent grill trim at its lowest point directly in front of the driver's seat. Over the past two and half months I have had two different dealerships attempt three times to fix this trim alignment issue. The condition has worsened and now the depression in the dash in front of the driver's seat is 3 to 4 mm lower than the vent grill trim and the dash directly in front of the passesenger's seat is slightly depressed and now sits about even with the vent grill trim.

At one of the dealerships, the one that I bought the vehicle from, the Service Director told me that DC is aware that a number of its vehicles have experienced this problem. And DC only recently created a fix involving the use of clips to straighten the plane of the dash where it meets the vent grill trim. Apparently, this information is available on DC's Star System. The problem according to the Service Director is that DC has yet to produce clips needed to fix the problem or even assign a part number to those clips. Hence, he can not get them yet.

Any one else have this problem? And are you having better luck in getting your dealership to correct the problem?

Glenn's HC

· #15 · Feb 27, 2006

I was told by the service specialist and given a nice letter on crysler letter head stating "Meets Commercial Standard" Well I guess that says it all for the American auto industry. No Wonder there laying off workers every month by the thousands

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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