Are 5th Gen 4Runners prone to dash cracking?

I bought a 2022 4Runner and it gets parked outside. I have ceramic tint installed on the windshield so it should reduce some of the UV rays that come through but it gets a lot of direct sunlight. It made me wonder, are the dashboards in these cars prone to cracking with sun exposure? If so, do you have recommendations for windshield sun shades or other products that will keep my dash in good shape for as long as possible?

 

I think I only heard of cracking on the 4th gen runners and Lexi. Probably because they were padded, and differential expansion of materials probably did them in.

The 5th gens, at least my 2021, appears to be a finely crafted solid piece of plastic. “Finely crafted” is serious, it has a great texture and finish, looks like it should be soft, but isnt.

It looks so nice to my eye that I prohibit anyone from putting anything on it, because being hard plastic, will probably scratch.

I had a 99 Accord for 22 years with a similar finely molded hard plastic dash. No problems at all and it spent it’s
last 10 years outside.

 

I've had fifth gens for 5 years in the hottest place in SC.......all parked in the open....

No cracking so far....

 

Can't say for the 5th gen, but there was an official recall on the 4th gen dashes, I never did mine because the color was slightly off.

 

only had mine about 3 years now. no issues thus far, but I use a sunshade (one of the few things I'll buy from the dealership) any time I park outside for more than an hour or two,and I hit it with Aero 303 protectant about every other month. not sure how necessary the 303 is, but it's an old habit from many years ago.

 

No issues with either my '10 or my '19 and both parked outside. Never heard of a 5th gen with this issue either.

 

Use 303 and a sun shield if that concerned. Uv light and heat are never good for plastics

 

Since it doesn’t seem like the 5th Gen dash boards are susceptible to cracking, I think I’ll just use 303 protectant for insurance. I ordered a sunshade from Amazon that is fit for my 4Runner and it does a good job of blocking out sunlight but it’s kind of a pain to put it up and take it down every time I drive the car.

 

I’ve used inexpensive silver sunshades from Walmart or auto parts stores on three 4Runners since 1987 and have had no cracking in any dash. It also keeps the interior a little cooler.

I recently got a full set of Weathertech vehicle sunshades for when it’s parked long term. They also serve to black out sunlight and interior light when (renegade) camping in the back.

 

Lived in southern NV for 3 years 115F+ days, no cracking or discoloration.