A sunroof is a nice feature to have on your vehicle, helping your interior look classier and more spacious. However, having a sunroof also has its downsides. They can be complex and have both mechanical and electronic parts that can wear over time.
If you’re interested in getting a brand-new car with a sunroof, you should consider that you may encounter these common problems down the line.
Some parts of the sunroof, such as the seals, its motor, and the glass, are known to encounter issues. While these components are generally designed to be durable, wear and tear from regular use can take its toll and cause the system to become faulty.
Sunroofs come in different shapes and sizes, but they all have seals that fit around their edges. Some sunroofs have two layers of seals with a drainage system in between that leads rainwater down to either your vehicle’s door jamb or under the vehicle. When the drainage system or the seals develop issues, then water can leak.
The drainage system is located in between two seals and is designed to deal with the water that finds its way past the first seal. The first seal and the drainage system are typically enough to ensure no water passes through. However, dirt and other debris like leaves can clog the drainage system after some time. The second seal is an added layer of protection, but since the water has nowhere else to go, it can force its way past the second seal and drip down your cabin.
Most sunroofs are mounted on a track so they can be moved forward and back. Automatic sunroofs have a motor that pulls a cable that’s attached to the glass panel. The track can get damaged over frequent use, which can cause the glass panel to become misaligned. A misaligned glass panel can prevent a proper seal. Similarly, a faulty cable can also prevent the glass panel from closing properly.
Sunroofs used to be manually operated, but the ones in modern vehicles are now mostly automated. The driver simply needs to press a button to activate the sunroof motor to open or close the glass panel. However, sunroof motors are known to run into several issues, such as seized or broken gears, faulty relays or fuses, and faulty wiring.
Many newer sunroof motors include a module that can fail, and if the module is part of the motor, the entire motor will need replacing.
Having a shattered sunroof glass panel might sound unlikely, but it’s actually one of the most common sunroof problems. The sunroof can be shattered by falling tree branches and the occasional hailstorm. Sunroofs may be made of either tempered or laminated glass. While both materials are generally tough, a strong enough impact may still cause them to break. The sunroof glass panel can shatter into many small pieces and fall into the cabin.
If you have any of these issues with your sunroof, you should go to a professional. Sunroof systems are complex and some components can be difficult to access and remove. At the same time, the repair process might require special knowledge and training.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.