NHTSA Complaint #10346664 — 2004 ACURA TL

2004 ACURA TL DASHBOARD CRACKED IN THREE (3) DIFFERENT AREAS ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT ACURA HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A DEFECTIVE PART, BUT IS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT WITHOUT THE OWNER PAYING FOR A GOOD PORTION ($800 TO A $1000). YES, THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IT HAS OCCURRED ON COUNTLESS 2004 ACURA TL'S, MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS THAT THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. I'M CONCERNED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT NOW THAT THE DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE. I NO LONGER LET ANYONE RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY PERFECTLY GOOD VEHICLE BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED FOR THERE SAFETY. I THINK A LITTLE OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO BE APPLIED TO THIS SITUATION AND ACURA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS DEFECTIVE PART VIA RECALL. I SHOULD NOT IN ANYWAY BE REQUIRED TO PAY ($800 TO $1000) SO I CAN FEEL SAFE TO LET SOMEONE RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AGAIN. ANOTHER CONCERN IS IF AND WHEN REPLACED ARE THESE DASHBOARDS EXACTLY THE SAME? VERY RESPECTFULLY. *TR