NHTSA Complaint #10535558 — 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SE. THE DASHBOARD ON MY VEHICLE STARTED MELTING, BECAME STICKY/SHINY AND HAS AN AWFUL GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS STARTED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASED DOES NOT COVER TRIM FOR THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO TOYOTA FOR ROUTINE SERVICE FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND INQUIRED ABOUT THE DASHBOARD. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES AND THEY HAVE ALREADY CHANGED MULTIPLE DASHBOARDS. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO RESOLVE (1100 FOR PART AND 660 FOR LABOR), AND TO CALL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. AFTER A REVIEW BY TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE PART BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR. I WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THIS NOT BEING A RECALL THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO OFFER ANYTHING BY LAW. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS CREATING A SHINY "REFLECTING" EFFECT ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT IMPAIRS VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED GIVEN THAT IT IS A HAZARD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. DUE TO THIS I AM BITING THE BULLET AND WILL PAY TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. ALTHOUGH, WHAT WORRIES ME ARE THE DRIVERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND UNABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIRS DUE TO TOYOTA NOT HONORING THEIR PRODUCT. PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER FURTHER. *TR