Burnt Dashboard Problems

debbiejarrell · 07-29-2005, 10:03 AM

I accidently posted this in new member introductions area.Therefore I am reposting it here.

I am wondering how many KIA Sephia owners have a burnt dashboard. Mine is burnt all the way across. It started over the speedometer area and continued to worsen over the years. In my small town I know of 5 people who have the same problem. My boss, who has been in the plastics industry for 30 years says it is a defect in the dashboard. I have complained to my local KIA dealer and to the main offices in California, (I think), trying to get them to fix it. I can get a new dashboard at the local dealers but they want $273.00 for it which is highway robbery!! My car is still in pretty good shape but the dashboard really makes it look awful.

popof10 · 07-29-2005, 11:33 AM

I bought a '97 that came with a burnt dashboard. I wondered what caused it, just assumed that the previous owner had some kind of fire under there. mine is both scorched on the surface, and curled up at the base of the windshield. Not pretty, but the car works . . .

97molavi · 07-29-2005, 05:45 PM

that's good to know, mine is burnt on top of the speedo and curled up in the center. I try no to pay attention, but give this '97 the looks of a '77. I don't think the dealership is going to do anything. By the way tomorrow I am off to the "stealership" to have a recall work done on my seatbelts. Maybe they should recall the dash too!!

lucky · 08-02-2005, 06:55 PM

Glad to know that there was a reason for the burnt and curling and breaking of the vents on top of my dash board. Seems like they use some kind of material that doesn't like the summer sun.

popof10 · 08-09-2005, 11:07 AM

I don't know if it is really caused by the summer sun. At least in my case, tghe burnt area is over the instrument panel only. If it were caused by the sun, I wopuld think the dash would be scorched all the way over to the passenger's side, but it isn't.

BasSBraT · 08-10-2005, 02:33 AM

wow thats weird. funny, i dont have that problem & my car is the same gen as you guys...im thinkin its bad wiring under the dash or something (like to the speedometer) cause i know its not the sun...i live in FL & its hot & sunny everyday. i smell a recall!

wthr4d · 12-02-2005, 01:13 PM

acctually the problem is from heat and sunlight, BUT its doesnt affect every dash because it comes from a defect in the chemical makeup of the dash. The plastic itself looses "moisture" and dries up. this causes a curling and "burnt" look to it. IF the curling hasnt happened yet you can clean it and treat it with petroleum based "moisturizer" to help refresh the look. I used armorall cleaner and a heavy dose of vaseline.

of course on my Kia the problem is too late to fix, it has cruled already and the curl is blocking air flow from the windsheild defroster. I dont want to go through the trouble and expencse of a replacement. Im thinking utility knife and a nice custom cover ought to hide it. _YUK_

drmarks82 · 12-19-2005, 04:04 PM

I have had the same problem. It does make the car look unpleasant. I think Kia should have a recall for it. The last time I had my car inspected they made me cut some of it off, because it was interfering with the defrost vent.

thomash · 12-20-2005, 06:32 PM

I also have had the problem. I went to a few junkyards this week to look for parts, and EVERY Kia Sephia there from our model years had melted dashpads.

I also had the dashpad replaced when it was still under warranty... but the replacement one melted!

WolfSpring · 01-04-2006, 01:18 PM

I to have the same problem, 95 Kia sephia, NC, lived in GA for the first year too. Maybe humitdy mixed in with the sun? To the person without the problem, do you have any kinda tint maybe? Is there a quick fix for it? I mean obviously I can cut it away, but can it be forced back down and glued? or would this be back, excuse my ignorance, I'm a computer and communications guy, just learning cars.