3LT Dash Separation
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,298
Likes: 3,198
From: Oro Valley Arizona
3LT Dash Separation
A known issue for several years that affected us recently. Barely discernible white space near the defroster vent along the windshield. And some related peeling back from it. Hard to see so we learned to live with it. Time to sell the car. Certainly can do as is with the requisite disclosure. Not going to replace the dash on a car that is leaving us. So the apparent option is to take a hit to our sales price. Had a auto upholstery guy look at it a year ago. He said maybe he could stretch then flatten the leather, pulling it forward, and re-glue it. But was uncertain at best. Appreciated his candor. .
I wondered given the passage of time that someone has discovered a affordable 'fix'.
I wondered given the passage of time that someone has discovered a affordable 'fix'.
Last edited by papillion; Jun 17, 2021 at 01:38 PM.
Popular Reply
Jun 17, 2021, 03:07 PM
Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 500
Likes: 432
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Here is the link that shows the features of the updated 3LT dash:
https://www.facebook.com/corvettemechanic/videos/773880019946195/
https://www.facebook.com/corvettemechanic/videos/773880019946195/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,348
Likes: 3,319
As you know, many threads on this even though the problem is fortunately uncommon. No real fix other than to replace the dash, although there is a report or two of people heating the dash or otherwise DIY.
Best of luck
Best of luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 82
From: Az
I wonder how many of these 3lt are daily drivers and sit in the sun all day? Or how many people use product on their dash.
I don’t use anything on mine. Just wipe it from day one. No issues.
but still. They should not be coming apart no matter the use. Another poor gm product , that their not doing anything about.
I don’t use anything on mine. Just wipe it from day one. No issues.
but still. They should not be coming apart no matter the use. Another poor gm product , that their not doing anything about.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
Mine doesn't have the problem (2014 with 3LT), but I often wonder if it is related to sitting out in the sun a lot, getting very hot inside the car during the day, or cleaning the dash with leather conditioners. The owners manual says to clean with a clean rag, damp with just water. I see a lot of auto leather conditioners at stores like WalMart, so I wonder how many use those, despite what the owners manual states.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
A known issue for several years that affected us recently. Barely discernible white space near the defroster vent along the windshield. And some related peeling back from it. Hard to see so we learned to live with it. Time to sell the car. Certainly can do as is with the requisite disclosure. Not going to replace the dash on a car that is leaving us. So the apparent option is to take a hit to our sales price. Had a auto upholstery guy look at it a year ago. He said maybe he could stretch then flatten the leather, pulling it forward, and re-glue it. But was uncertain at best. Appreciated his candor. .
I wondered given the passage of time that someone has discovered a affordable 'fix'.
I wondered given the passage of time that someone has discovered a affordable 'fix'.
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; Jun 18, 2021 at 11:41 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
I wonder how many of these 3lt are daily drivers and sit in the sun all day? Or how many people use product on their dash.
I don’t use anything on mine. Just wipe it from day one. No issues.
but still. They should not be coming apart no matter the use. Another poor gm product , that their not doing anything about.
I don’t use anything on mine. Just wipe it from day one. No issues.
but still. They should not be coming apart no matter the use. Another poor gm product , that their not doing anything about.
..
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 533
Likes: 271
From: Indianapolis, IN
It would be good to know when this was implemented as a change.
I have a 2017 3LT that I bought new in 2018. No issues, and I plan on keeping the car for a very long time.
If it happens I will try to stretch and re-reglue. I have also thought of going somewhere and have them remove the windshield to allow me access and then reinstall the windshield after I repair.
I wish us all good luck.
Ken
I have a 2017 3LT that I bought new in 2018. No issues, and I plan on keeping the car for a very long time.
If it happens I will try to stretch and re-reglue. I have also thought of going somewhere and have them remove the windshield to allow me access and then reinstall the windshield after I repair.
I wish us all good luck.
Ken
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,864
From: Virginia
I wonder how many of these 3lt are daily drivers and sit in the sun all day? Or how many people use product on their dash.
I don’t use anything on mine. Just wipe it from day one. No issues.
but still. They should not be coming apart no matter the use. Another poor gm product , that their not doing anything about.
I don’t use anything on mine. Just wipe it from day one. No issues.
but still. They should not be coming apart no matter the use. Another poor gm product , that their not doing anything about.
Also GM was supposed to have implemented a "fix" for 2019 3LTs however has been reports of 2019s here with the condition as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 82
From: Az
There's been quite a few reports on this forum of 'garage queens' rarely subjected to sun/heat where their 3LT dashes have delaminated, so not so sure heat/sun is necessarily the cause.
Also GM was supposed to have implemented a "fix" for 2019 3LTs however has been reports of 2019s here with the condition as well.
Also GM was supposed to have implemented a "fix" for 2019 3LTs however has been reports of 2019s here with the condition as well.
Any dash w this problem. Gm should replace it , no questions asked. Free
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 533
Likes: 271
From: Indianapolis, IN
If it happens within a number of years I agree.
But, if you go back over the years, lots of dashes have cracked or had an issue. This isn't a new problem, it doesn't make it right but it isn't new.
I guess if you spent 70-90K on car you would think you wouldn't have an issue.
GM has loyal Corvette owners, and they really should bend over backwards for them. But in their defense how long should they be responsible?
Ken
But, if you go back over the years, lots of dashes have cracked or had an issue. This isn't a new problem, it doesn't make it right but it isn't new.
I guess if you spent 70-90K on car you would think you wouldn't have an issue.
GM has loyal Corvette owners, and they really should bend over backwards for them. But in their defense how long should they be responsible?
Ken
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 82
From: Az
If it happens within a number of years I agree.
But, if you go back over the years, lots of dashes have cracked or had an issue. This isn't a new problem, it doesn't make it right but it isn't new.
I guess if you spent 70-90K on car you would think you wouldn't have an issue.
GM has loyal Corvette owners, and they really should bend over backwards for them. But in their defense how long should they be responsible?
Ken
But, if you go back over the years, lots of dashes have cracked or had an issue. This isn't a new problem, it doesn't make it right but it isn't new.
I guess if you spent 70-90K on car you would think you wouldn't have an issue.
GM has loyal Corvette owners, and they really should bend over backwards for them. But in their defense how long should they be responsible?
Ken
Especially where it’s known to be a manufacturing issue.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 59
Likes: 4
From: East Tennessee
Hey guys I am having the same problem on my 2014 3LT Z51, absolutely love my car but it bugs me when I look up and the leather is pulling back from my defrost vent. My problem is I do not trust my local dealer to really do anything on my car and they will not go up to bet for me with GM even though the car has a grand total of 8000 miles... the PO had it for 6 years and only put 700 miles a year on it, I actually drive it. I wonder if anyone who has had their dash fixed could chime in and recommend to us whom are struggling on how they handled theirs. My big concern is that GM is going to put back on the exact part that came off of it which in theory will do the same thing right, or do we think that fix that was mentioned in the video has been applied to replacement dashes now?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,020
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From: Plymouth Massachusetts
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Yes some need to be replaced but if we started a thread with who's 3LT or 3LZ dash is not separating I believe we would have 100's of responses with no problems. I have been lucky owning a 2014 Z51 with 3LT and a 2017 3LZ with no problems at all so far and ENJOY every time I get into my C7 knowing that it has the best interior offered on the C7 model period..........
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 59
Likes: 4
From: East Tennessee
Yes some need to be replaced but if we started a thread with who's 3LT or 3LZ dash is not separating I believe we would have 100's of responses with no problems. I have been lucky owning a 2014 Z51 with 3LT and a 2017 3LZ with no problems at all so far and ENJOY every time I get into my C7 knowing that it has the best interior offered on the C7 model period..........
But like you said, I would not change having the 3LT for anything! It truly makes the car feel special.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
If it happens within a number of years I agree.
But, if you go back over the years, lots of dashes have cracked or had an issue. This isn't a new problem, it doesn't make it right but it isn't new.
I guess if you spent 70-90K on car you would think you wouldn't have an issue.
GM has loyal Corvette owners, and they really should bend over backwards for them. But in their defense how long should they be responsible?
Ken
But, if you go back over the years, lots of dashes have cracked or had an issue. This isn't a new problem, it doesn't make it right but it isn't new.
I guess if you spent 70-90K on car you would think you wouldn't have an issue.
GM has loyal Corvette owners, and they really should bend over backwards for them. But in their defense how long should they be responsible?
Ken
Hey guys I am having the same problem on my 2014 3LT Z51, absolutely love my car but it bugs me when I look up and the leather is pulling back from my defrost vent. My problem is I do not trust my local dealer to really do anything on my car and they will not go up to bet for me with GM even though the car has a grand total of 8000 miles... the PO had it for 6 years and only put 700 miles a year on it, I actually drive it. I wonder if anyone who has had their dash fixed could chime in and recommend to us whom are struggling on how they handled theirs. My big concern is that GM is going to put back on the exact part that came off of it which in theory will do the same thing right, or do we think that fix that was mentioned in the video has been applied to replacement dashes now?
Pro
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 634
Likes: 153
From: North Carolina
Here is the link that shows the features of the updated 3LT dash:
Product improvement on 2014-2019... - Thecorvettemechanic (facebook.com)
Product improvement on 2014-2019... - Thecorvettemechanic (facebook.com)
.Originally Posted by 37driver View Post
I’m selling the C6 and looking for a C7 vert. I’m seeing a lot of 3LT cars that I really like but I’m reading where the glue under the leather dash has failed and the leather has peeled up. Is this pretty much a given on these cars?
Yes! I have a 2019 stingray and leather dash is shrieking.