How do I remove the wood dash panels to access the radio, navigation system, light bulbs that illuminate gauges etc. I don't want to indiscriminately start prying and end up cracking the veneer.

 

There a video on YouTube. Links are in the sticky.

 

Quick summary: use plastic trim tool (or fingers) to pop bottom out first. Top of each section is snapped in, so just pull straight out. Be careful, the snap fittings can be very sharp.

 

As above but ........ depends on what you want to access.
If it's the radio and centre switch panels - you need to remove the centre console rather than the veneered panels. If it's the small gauges then it's the centre "wooden" panel, and if it's the major instrument panel, then both major wooden panel and side ventilation panel have to come off plus various plugs and connectors to get access to the light bulb units.
Not difficult, but takes care and time to avoid breaking stuff.
Radio ones are internal, so further deconstruction required !!
I would only replace the ones that don't work