C7 3LT Dash Problems
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Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 51
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From: Franklin, TN
I bought my 2017 3LT GS 7M vert 4 weeks ago and this was on my inspection punch list. There was a bubble above the HUD smaller than the palm of your hand and sticking up maybe 1/8”, not very noticeable. Also some minor lifting up around the dashboard vents where you can push down on that and it moves slightly but no noticeable bubbling. I doubt this has been active for some time and it was acceptable to me as none of it stands out.
On the flip side, I really like the 3LT trim with the sueded steering wheels and other areas. The vented seats push air through the sueded part of the seats better than on any car I’ve had, including my BMW X7m50i.
On the flip side, I really like the 3LT trim with the sueded steering wheels and other areas. The vented seats push air through the sueded part of the seats better than on any car I’ve had, including my BMW X7m50i.
Last edited by clydecpa; Nov 6, 2024 at 12:52 AM. Reason: Details
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This issue is now 3 generations old starting with the 4lt C6 dashes
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My 2014 3LT with no dash problems. Of course mine is garaged at home. My employer also had solar panels installed over the parking lot, so it's sits in the shade when I take it to work.
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my 1st 3LT Stingray had it bad. My 2nd Z51 did not because I went to the extreme to stop it.. I had 70% Ceramic Tint installed and a dash cover.. It worked great and did not fail in 60k miles/5 years.. I bought a 2lt for my Z06 so no issue now..
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I'd modify your statement slightly. Most have MINOR almost unnoticeable issues. Mine is likely one of those, I'd say its pretty common to have some loosening around the center vent, you might not even notice it unless you stare at it very carefully.
Mine has over the years gotten slightly worse. The issue is the dash is two pieces, the lower portion (below the stitch seam) seems to have had legitimate and problematic issues on 2014 and 2015 models. 2016 had some improvements and on mine for example I notice no issues on this lower larger portion. The upper portion is another story, and I think until the 2019 changes with extra staples and longer tabs with more glue there are issues. Most are a ever so slight lifting or bubbling on the lip of the vent. Mine was like that for years. Now I have some lifting on the vertical surfaces between the lip and the vent, but is it an issue? No. Would I have them rip out the dash to fix it, absolutely not. I might try a syringe to prevent it form getting worse. If my car wasn't asleep I'd grab a picture, because its 99% unnoticeable.
You are correct, people with MAJOR dash issues are an extreme minority. The design up near the vent is poor and it will eventually fail in some way unless you have a 2019 dash.
Mine has over the years gotten slightly worse. The issue is the dash is two pieces, the lower portion (below the stitch seam) seems to have had legitimate and problematic issues on 2014 and 2015 models. 2016 had some improvements and on mine for example I notice no issues on this lower larger portion. The upper portion is another story, and I think until the 2019 changes with extra staples and longer tabs with more glue there are issues. Most are a ever so slight lifting or bubbling on the lip of the vent. Mine was like that for years. Now I have some lifting on the vertical surfaces between the lip and the vent, but is it an issue? No. Would I have them rip out the dash to fix it, absolutely not. I might try a syringe to prevent it form getting worse. If my car wasn't asleep I'd grab a picture, because its 99% unnoticeable.
You are correct, people with MAJOR dash issues are an extreme minority. The design up near the vent is poor and it will eventually fail in some way unless you have a 2019 dash.
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Stuff like this is harder to fix than you'd think.
The ends yes can be controlled and made better by longer tabs and more stables. But that of course has a money cost.
The glue is another story, like many substances in your car there are trade offs, and getting it to layer right and consistent on the dash can be an issue (and that would be at a dash sub supplier not at GM). No production process or material or substance (glue, grease, etc) is perfect you always get variation and you have to deal with issues like environmental conditions (while factories are climate controlled you don't have near perfect control of things like humidity and temperature down to an exact value).
This is more of a boutique process gluing on leather to a dash, most other leather like dashes (on high volume product) are using some sort of molded process and are not real leather (rather a plastic designed to look and even feel like a leather or a vinyl style top). Unless you buy a high end luxury product and then they spend more time on labor, remember Corvette is a mass produced vehicle by a volume run of the mill manufacturer.
The ends yes can be controlled and made better by longer tabs and more stables. But that of course has a money cost.
The glue is another story, like many substances in your car there are trade offs, and getting it to layer right and consistent on the dash can be an issue (and that would be at a dash sub supplier not at GM). No production process or material or substance (glue, grease, etc) is perfect you always get variation and you have to deal with issues like environmental conditions (while factories are climate controlled you don't have near perfect control of things like humidity and temperature down to an exact value).
This is more of a boutique process gluing on leather to a dash, most other leather like dashes (on high volume product) are using some sort of molded process and are not real leather (rather a plastic designed to look and even feel like a leather or a vinyl style top). Unless you buy a high end luxury product and then they spend more time on labor, remember Corvette is a mass produced vehicle by a volume run of the mill manufacturer.
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