2018 Limited - Sunroof popping when trying to move...anyone experience this?

Description kind of says it, but you hit the button to move/slide the sunroof forward or back and there is a loud popping/clicking sound. Eventually it will move very slowly, but something is definitely wrong.

I do not ever use the sunroof, but have had a lot of rain recently and when driving had a drip of water drop out of the map light. Thought the sunroof might not be secure and it was not raining at the time so hit the back button to slide the glass open and it began the popping/clicking like there was a motor issue. Then did the same thing when I went to move it forward. Have tried once more and same issue. Afraid to try again because I worry it will get stuck and not close.

Truck only has 38K miles so I am guess this will not be covered under warranty, so anyone else had this issue in the past?

 

Mine is smooth and works properly on my '18 Limited. Good Luck with your problem.

 

I have a 2020 that does not do that. But the 45 mph air deflector noise took a while to figure out...

 

2014 with 197k, sunroof works great, use it all the time. I'd tilt it up, and clean the seals really good, then slide it back and clean the sunroof sealing surface, you may have treesap in the seals causing it to bind, or some other kind of gunk, I think a good cleaning, and lubing up the seals would do wonders. I don't have a recommendation on a lube, maybe tire shine or somethin. I'd google it first to see what's compatible and would last.

I had to clean mine really good after hitting mud holes on gravel roads, it was packed full of sand and clay, sunroof wasnt too happy about that.

 

Hey Mssmith8, did you ever figure this problem out? What did you do to fix? Mine just started!!

 

The moonroof in my 2019 TRD Pro started doing this crap today. Truck has less than 20K miles, and the moonroof almost never gets used. Called my buddy at Toyota and he wants to see the truck on Monday. He says it's probably stuck to the track. I wish my truck had not come with that hole in the roof.

 

Any update? My 19 pro just started today

 

They had the truck for two days. Replaced the cable assembly that operates the sunroof. Sunroof works perfectly now, but now my headliner is not tucked in right. Apparently they broke some clips, taking it back tomorrow for them to fix that. But the sunroof is fine.

 

Thanks for the reply. I just dropped my truck off at the dealer today so we’ll see what comes of it. Have you had any water leaks since they worked on it? Wish the pro didn’t come with one! Bummer about your headliner..

 

The truck is back in shop today for the headliner, should be an easy fix. No water leaks from the sunroof. Inside the channels are two drain holes, one on each side that allow water to drain away from the sunroof. Make sure those drains are not fouled out with debris. The main thing to remember is to USE the sunroof more often. Open and close it on a regular basis, which I never did. I'm with you, wish the PRO did not come with the sunroof, I just don't care for them. I actually thought about removing the fuse for the sunroof. That way it will not get used, but that in itself could cause problems like I had in the first place. Oh well, just gotta roll with it.

 

This happened to mine today. It was all going great until I decided to open the sunroof for the first time, I just bought the truck yesterday. It was all bound up and wouldn’t close. Took it to my local dealer who ordered a new cartridge, cables, etc. said it was all bound up and the cables were seized. They couldn’t even force it to move. They told me it should be fixed and back in my hands by next Friday as long as the parts get there when they’re supposed to. Damn, it’s a 2021 and only has 2400 miles! Fortunately, all under warranty! I’m guessing the first owner never used the sunroof.

 

Hate seeing this happening with Toyota. Mine was fixed back good as new. Now I just have to remember to open the damn thing every once in a while. Really wish my truck didn't even have that hole in the roof.

 

Plus 1 - Its like the 4wd system - use it or lose it.
Also don't park uphill over extended periods under pine trees. The needles get past the seal and end up plugging the drain holes.
Rain water ends up in the cabin in a location depending on how your truck is leaning.
Mine came in on drivers pillar.

 

That will be hard for me since I live on a hill and there is no escaping pine or cedar trees! Guess I’ll just have to use it regularly and clean the drain holes every oil change or once a year… yay..

 

I hope they get your headliner straightened out for you, this all happened to me a week before my warranty expires. Thank the lord they honored it. I couldn’t imagine how mad I would have been just being out side the warranty. Any experience cleaning the drain holes/regular sun roof maintenance? I’ve seen YouTube videos of weed wackier cord. Curious as to what would be best.

 

I just had my 2018 Platinum in for this issue as well. Dealer quoted me up to $4000 if everything needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, I'm passed warranty so I'll order the parts and do it myself at some point. There is a TSB out for this btw... https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10174874-9999.pdf .

 

Known issue, the cables rust.