First off has anyone experienced this: I have a 2004 purchased new. I looked down
at my instrument panel last night and noticed a small crack (.5") in the
instrument panel in that long rectangular area under the speedo.

I don't know how much disassembly would be required to replace the
clear plastic part. I assume this is all one piece of plastic and that the crack will only continue to grow. I reviewed my warranty info and I think it should be covered.

Any attorneys out there want to review their warranty info and give an opinion regarding whether this should in fact be covered under my warranty?

Thanks.

 

If the car's still in the 36/36 base warranty period (and it should be unless you've put a LOT of miles on it!), I see no reason why it wouldn't be covered under warranty unless there's obvious indications of other damage that might hint at abuse or an accident.

As for replacing the part itself, I don't know what kind of disassembly is required to get the instrument panel off the car but don't be surprised if the exact part you're refering to isn't available alone. I'll bet you have to buy, or they'll have to replace, the assembly as a whole.

Good luck,
Steve R.

 

...and, it'll be on backorder! It just seems this way for some things.

 

Shouldn't be an issue on a 2004, just talk to the Service Manager at the dealership you purchased the car from.

 

More than likely!

I'd be "very" surprised if any dealer had an S2000 instrument panel just sitting around on the shelf, much less the individual parts for one.

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

All that being said, if there's nothing to indicate you caused the crack you can expect it to be replaced. You can expect the dealer to blame it on you. So I would hope there's nothing around the crack to hint at an impact of some kind.

 

I know this is a common theme around here, especially with blown engines, stripped transmissions, exploded differentials, and smoked clutches, but if there's no obvious damage otherwise, there's no reason to "assume" that this will be the case.

Please, let's not open a can of worms that doesn't necessarily need to be opened!

OC1515, good luck on this one and let us know how it goes.

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

I'm not trying to open anything. But the damage should be looked at and he should see if there was any way something could have damaged it after the car was delivered. It it was impossible, then great. If not, expect the dealer to balk.

He should be told to expect problems but hope for the best. He should also prepare a good argument ahead of time just in case.

 

Don't go in expecting everything to work out. What if it doesn't? You need a plan for if it doesn't, at first, go your way. Prepare a letter to American Honda and let the dealer know that you mean business (if they don't handle it in the first place).

 

When warranty claims are made the Manufacturer pays it right? Is there some penalty to to dealer when warranty claims are paid?