Fuse panel question

My folks have a 2005 Vibe, returning from Florida, their fuel gage quit working turns out it shorted out. I thought it might be a fuse, but couldn't find the fuse panel although the owners manual claims there is one in the vehicle. They took it in to the dealer who told them there's no fuse panel , and the whole dashboard will have to be replaced for $500.00 I've never heard of a vehicle that didn't have a fuse panel in it, I smell a rip-off! My folks are old and really don't understand what's going on much less being able to afford something like this. Anybody have any suggestions on this?