Dashboard discolouration??

i30niko · **October 10, 2012, 12:43:55**

Hi everyone,

Since I have bought the vehicle I have noticed some discolouration appearing on the dash (passenger's side) developing around the SRS AIRBAG module....As you can see from the picture it is whiter than normal dash colour and it looks washed out......

I have tried those rubber/vynil protectants that you get from Auto stores which seem to cover up the problem for a few days but it re-appears on the same spot....!!

Weird thing is it shaped as a rectangle on what it seems to be the SRS module underneath it as you can see from the photo.

Is there a permanent fix or do I report to Hyundai? This problem has been bugging me since I bought the vehicle back in June!

(2010 i30 CRDi Auto)

REGARDS

rustynutz · **Reply #1: October 10, 2012, 12:46:17**

I'd be taking it back to Hyundai.......

Shambles · **Reply #2: October 10, 2012, 13:00:48**

There's something more than just cosmetic about that - and don't forget your SRS is a safety feature so they cannot question your reasons for having it inspected. Thoroughly. Immediately.

i30niko · **Reply #3: October 10, 2012, 13:54:29**

Damn,

Back to Hyundai it is then!

I would like to know if anyone has had this on their i30's??

REGARDS

Keith · **Reply #4: October 10, 2012, 14:42:19**

Not me, 2008 car.

Asterix · **Reply #5: October 10, 2012, 19:00:26**

That sure is some large spots.

I have something similar, but much smaller/less visible, approx 1x10 cm I think.

I don't think it's a safety issue, but something to do with the quality of the plastic the dashboard is produced of.

Shambles · **Reply #6: October 10, 2012, 20:48:34**

Quote from: Asterix on October 10, 2012, 19:00:26

I don't think it's a safety issue...

Hmmm I'm not so sure.

If the dashboard plastic has become distorted due to heat or stress (and it could be, given that the SRS module outline is now showing through) then it could compromise the effectiveness of the airbag if it were to deploy.

Other than the inconvenience of having to visit the supplier, it can't do any harm to check, can it?

Dazzler · **Reply #7: October 10, 2012, 20:51:52**

Hi Niko,

Being as you bought it 2nd hand (I think), could be a tricky one.

They could say it has had some strong cleaning solution used on that area (because that is what it looks like to me) and you can't say emphatically that the previous owner didn't

Good luck, but if all else fails might be able to get a dash mat that covers the whole dash (with a loose flap over the airbag)

komaterpillar · **Reply #8: October 10, 2012, 21:17:49**

Exactly the same thing happened to our 08 slx, replaced under warranty, took them 5 weeks to source a dash though and 3 days to fit it

Dazzler · **Reply #9: October 10, 2012, 21:19:27**

Quote from: komaterpillar on October 10, 2012, 21:17:49

Exactly the same thing happened to our 08 slx, replaced under warranty, took them 5 weeks to source a dash though and 3 days to fit it

That is handy Niko .. (thanks Brett) A precedent has been set

Phil №❶ · **Reply #10: October 10, 2012, 23:10:03**

Looks like heat affected during manufacture to me. If the plastic has been made brittle by the fault, it is definitely a safety issue, you don't want splinters of exploding plastic (and it is an explosion to deploy airbags). Return to Hy & replace.

Surferdude · **Reply #11: October 10, 2012, 23:56:55**

Almost identical distortion on the passenger air bag on my wife's Corolla.
It's been there since we bought it and it was only a year old at that time. Hasn't got any worse.

i30niko · **Reply #12: October 11, 2012, 10:43:52**

Quote from: komaterpillar on October 10, 2012, 21:17:49

Exactly the same thing happened to our 08 slx, replaced under warranty, took them 5 weeks to source a dash though and 3 days to fit it

Oh this sheds some light to the situation....I am assuming it will be a huge job to change the dashboard wouldn't it?
THanks for your help guys I will chase it up with the dealer and let you know......

DAZZ, I bought the car brand new in June.....

CHEERS

Dazzler · **Reply #13: October 11, 2012, 10:50:09**

Quote from: i30niko on October 11, 2012, 10:43:52

DAZZ, I bought the car brand new in June.....

CHEERS

Threw me that you have only bought it in 2012 but it is a 2010 model (Think I remember the story now)

i30niko · **Reply #14: October 11, 2012, 10:54:52**

Quote from: Roo Dazz on October 11, 2012, 10:50:09

Quote from: i30niko on October 11, 2012, 10:43:52

DAZZ, I bought the car brand new in June.....

CHEERS

Threw me that you have only bought it in 2012 but it is a 2010 model (Think I remember the story now)

Good observation....Well technically it was an MY11 model on a runout sale.....But sticker says it was built in 2010 in Korean imported here 2011.....I think they go by import date.....

Doggie 1 · **Reply #15: October 11, 2012, 10:58:14**

Quote from: i30niko on October 11, 2012, 10:54:52

Quote from: Roo Dazz on October 11, 2012, 10:50:09
Quote from: i30niko on October 11, 2012, 10:43:52

DAZZ, I bought the car brand new in June.....

CHEERS

Threw me that you have only bought it in 2012 but it is a 2010 model (Think I remember the story now)

Good observation....Well technically it was an MY11 model on a runout sale.....But sticker says it was built in 2010 in Korean imported here 2011.....I think they go by import date.....

No, they go by the Australian compliance date.
From the date of first licence you have a five year warranty regardless of the build date.

eye30 · **Reply #16: October 11, 2012, 14:33:37**

Looks odd to me so I'd be asking the dealer to look at it and check that the module is in first class codition.

Also to source a new dash etc.

You don't want to wait until an incident to find out it is not working correctly, do you..

Saying that does the airbag/srs light work correctly when you turn the ignition on?

i30niko · **Reply #17: October 12, 2012, 08:27:52**

Quote from: eye30 on October 11, 2012, 14:33:37

Looks odd to me so I'd be asking the dealer to look at it and check that the module is in first class codition.

Also to source a new dash etc.

You don't want to wait until an incident to find out it is not working correctly, do you..

Saying that does the airbag/srs light work correctly when you turn the ignition on?

Yeah all the lights including the airbag one work fine.....It is very strange as the discoloration is perfectly shaped as a rectangle on the inside edges.....There's definitely something 'cooking' behind there.

I am just worried with the amount of work it would take to remove the whole dash......It is not that I cannot afford to have a car, but I am mostly concerned on how a new dash will be installed (Will there be rattles afterwards or loose edges etc?)

eye30 · **Reply #18: October 12, 2012, 13:22:10**

I would expect it will be just as it was when it was delivered and if there are any additional noises then I would expect them to be sorted as part of the repair.

Will they provide a loan car if it is in for warranty repairs?

Asterix · **Reply #19: October 12, 2012, 18:16:34**

Here's how the dashboard looks in my i30.

I've never before thought of the connection with the airbag.

i30niko · **Reply #20: October 13, 2012, 07:14:38**

Quote from: Asterix on October 12, 2012, 18:16:34

Here's how the dashboard looks in my i30.

I've never before thought of the connection with the airbag.

Yeah mine is the same but worse.....Good to see I am not the only one.
I don't think its just discoloration as it is 'behind' the airbag module. Otherwise the discoloration would show everywhere.
I will book the car to the Hyundai service and let you guys know of the result.
I would suggest you take it to Hyundai as well and we can compare results.
REGARDS

Asterix · **Reply #21: October 13, 2012, 22:26:11**

Hi I30Niko

As my car is out of warranty I will definitely NOT ask the dealer to replace the dashboard..

i30niko · **Reply #22: October 14, 2012, 09:58:37**

Quote from: Asterix on October 13, 2012, 22:26:11

Hi I30Niko

As my car is out of warranty I will definitely NOT ask the dealer to replace the dashboard..

Oh I see....I have booked a visit to the dealer in 2 weeks time - There might be a huge safety issue with the airbag, if it is - it is important you get it checked out - warranty or not it is for your safety.....Either way this is all just speculation - I am sure Hyundai will try and use excuses and blame the problem on me somehow....

Asterix · **Reply #23: October 14, 2012, 18:54:39**

I'm looking forward to hear the verdict...

eye30 · **Reply #24: October 14, 2012, 20:19:53**

Quote from: i30niko on October 14, 2012, 09:58:37

I have booked a visit to the dealer in 2 weeks time - There might be a huge safety issue with the airbag,

Did you mention it was airbag related as 2 weeks seems along time.

i30niko · **Reply #25: October 14, 2012, 22:49:52**

Quote from: eye30 on October 14, 2012, 20:19:53

Quote from: i30niko on October 14, 2012, 09:58:37
I have booked a visit to the dealer in 2 weeks time - There might be a huge safety issue with the airbag,

Did you mention it was airbag related as 2 weeks seems along time.

Well this is just my own speculation - I will not be certain of what it is until the dealer sees it - Here in Australia unfortunately this is how things work - Either way I will be keeping you all posted with the outcome.

i30niko · **Reply #26: October 18, 2012, 02:53:43**

As I said on my last post I have booked the car in 2 weeks time.

What I did on the meantime is printed the above photos out and I put them on an envelope and I sent it to the Service manager at Hyundai.

He reassured me that it is only "cosmetic" and this it is very common problem on the i30s.

He did admit that my case is much worse than others he has seen and he said that the cause is something to with the airbag module.
The dash around the airbag module is 'softer' than the rest of the dash so it can easily 'rip' in case of airbag activation and sometimes
it can wash out or fade.

He said he will try and 'clean it' on the next appointment and if the job is not satisfactory he will order a new dash for me!

tla · **Reply #27: October 18, 2012, 06:09:49**

I've always wondered where the dash opened to allow the passenger-side airbag to inflate. I didn't consider that it actually ripped open.