From what I understand, people are hesitant to do this for two reasons: 1- the dash assembly is a terribly complicated assembly, and 2- the dealer service network hasn't proven to be terribly reliable and/or trustworthy. Apparently it's not a simple "remove these fasteners, pop this area, and it comes right out" sorta thing. I read a while ago (might be in this thread) that someone had the dealer replace the dash, and it was a nightmare because the assembly is so complicated and integrated. Having the dealer even attempt a fix could snowball into all sorts of issues.

I'd also like to find a permafix for this that I can do myself. Maybe an attractive piece of fitted trim that fits over the offending bulges but has hardware through the AC vents to hold them in place?

My friend was like "can't you just take it to the dealer and have them fix it?" and my response was essentially, "ehh, yes and no"...

^this

This what? No need to jump on a bandwagon.

According to the repair manual replacing the dash is a straight forward easy job. I am not going to post the doc online. If dealers that are messing it up, they are doing so on their own accord. There are several techs on this board who take pride in what they do.

Hearsay does not help the community get their cars fixed. Discouraging people to take their cars to dealers to get their cars fixed doesn't help either.

Everyone wants everyone to enjoy their cars.

The guy that changed my dash said that there is not tech data regarding this issue. So he had to do shit like we would. I have to go back and have him re install some bolts that were misplaced though.

I will look into the manual, but firstly you both acknowledge and deny the secondary issue, which is dealer reliability. An oil change is also a straight forward easy job (and one that most everyone at the dealership actually has experience doing), but somehow they still F it up on occasion. If an oil change can be botched so easily, then an abnormal issue like removing the dash assembly could easily result in scratched interior, other things not working, etc. So far I've read of one person having this dash issue attempted, and it resulted in multiple return visits and additional headaches. So far that's a 100% dealer service failure rate in my eyes. If other members have had the dealer fix it, then I urge them to post here. I'm also nearly 100% certain that the part is simply replaced with the same part again, only delaying a recurrent issue if the root problem is heat.

I'm not saying the dealer shouldn't fix it, but many of us simply don't want the opportunity for such things to happen at all because we have little faith in the competency of the techs, especially when performing an uncommon task.

There are absolutely good techs out there, but I don't know them personally. I'd love to get their input on this issue, though. For some issues I'd rather employ a fix myself than take it to someone I don't know, and thus, can't trust, regardless whether it's their responsibility or not.

This goes for any repair garage as well, not just dealers, but unfortunately for warranty issues, the dealer is the only option.

so after taking the vent off, it seems that the middle is not rising up because of a notch that catches on the vent.
I would think that a simple solution would be to place that notch evenly across the entirety of this part of the dash so as to prevent either side from rising again.
A possible solution could be gluing this part of the dash down to a thin piece of metal or plastic that attaches on the underside of the piece with a 90 degree angle that spreads across the affected area and has a notch at the end.
idk if thats an understandable explanation, but thats just my two cents. i know that someone has already used epoxy and clamped these pieces down, but this was just another way one could fix this issue

edit: not too sure if the first method is the best route to take because it may cause fitment issues with the vents, but Im not sure. Ill have to check it out again.
Also im not sure if there is a place for these notches to catch across the entirety of the vent cover. I didnt look at it too hard when i took it off but ill go back and check unless anybody else can chime in.

a much simpler way without having to fabricate anything might be to get a staple gun and staple across the assembly creating notches with the staples so that these notches would catch on the vent and keep the dash from rising up.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I'm curious for those that got the dash replaced, how's your new one? I work at Toyota and we have about 20 employee fr-s in the lot, ranging from some of the first ones delivered to cars made in the past 6 months. Based on my check today, every car was doing this to some extent and it didn't seem to be age based (worst car was a January 14 build date). Sadly it doesn't give me much hope that a replacement part would fix the issue.

I think the best way to fix this issue is not replacing the dash after all. If only someone could do hooks that could hold down the dash when it expands itll be the best way. This is happening because only the middle part of the rubber or whatever that is has the hook.

I had my dash replaced in June and it's been 100% better! No issues at all with the new dash.

Had my dash replaced over a year ago, and no issues to speak of. Very happy.

I spoke with my service manager yesterday. The parts are on order and will be getting replaced soon along with both window seals and the driver's side 1/4 window/seal (again).

My dealer said the exact same thing. I called Toyota and opened a case with them. They had the District Service Manager come out and look at it. They agreed to replace the dash as a "Act of Good Faith". I say bullshit, its warranty.

Don't give up. Just because the cars on the lot have the same problem doesn't mean they aren't ALL broken. If enough people complain about this, they will do something about it. I'm waiting for the parts to come in now.

I don't think so. I poked at mine a bit to see what the problem was. The padding inside had swollen and split until the edge of the dash was coming up above the AC vent. Its not just a matter of holding down the edge of the dash. The padding underneath it is affected.

so they dealer replaced it and I picked it up Friday. The dash has a good fit and looks much better structurally. Unfortunately, it looks gray. There is a noticeable difference in the black panels and the dark gray dash now that I don't remember being like that.