Concerned about moonroof leakage

Hi folks!

I am not the proud owner of a brand new 2024 SR5 Premium and I could not be more happy about driving this awesome Japanese tank home

This particular model is equipped with a moonroof. Out of the 5 vehicles I have owned, none of them have been equipped with this feature so I am not familiar with the upkeep/maintenance. I think it’s a great feature but I do want to know if there are any known issues with moonroofs on the 5th gen. My main concern would be leakage of course. Obviously everything breaks and I’m know there are bound to be a few bad apples. I want to drive this vehicle for aa long as possible and would like peace of mind if this isn’t a common issue.

Thanks!

 

There have been reported issues with sunroofs leaking because the drain plug gets clogged up, but if you ask around you'll find a very cheap & easy mod to mitigate that problem. I've owned a lot of vehicles with sunroofs (including this one) and so far, no issues.

 

Just clean the drains out every year or so. There's one at each corner. Also cycle it like a window to keep it lubed.

 

Isn’t there a drain that helps avoid this? Sorry I’m still learning about this!

 

After it's open you can push the button again and it will open a few more inches. In 97 I purchased a new SR5 with a sunroof, sold it about a year ago, 230k miles and no issue's with the sunroof.

 

There is, but the mod is to extend the drain. Plus there is any easy way to unclog it. I've had my 4Runner for 1yr and have ran it through about 70 car washes already (I have a yearly pass at a drive-thru-touchless place). Plus it's been driven in the rain a lot.

So far, no issues at all. Again, you'll find people who vow to never own a truck with a sunroof and you'll hear from others who have never had an issue with the sunroof on their truck. Nothing is guaranteed to be maintenance free.

 

My 2019 is six years old and no moonroof issues, or anything else for that matter.

 

Had one, a 2008 with a clogged drain. I ran a piece of weed eater line through it and unclogged it, lickity-split quick and easy-peasy.

 

As I dive deeper into this moonroof rabbit hole I’m learning about this more. Are there two or 4 holes for the moonroof? I see there are two for the front but I don’t see any for the rear. Are they way back there? I poured water to test out where they drain. Fronts noticed the visible leaks under the truck but didn’t see anything for the rears (granted I didn’t pour a lot of water back there)

 

After about 9 years of ownership during real heavy rain I noticed wet spot on headliner if front of the sunroof cover. I figured that sunroof drains might be clogged, I poured some water in the channels around sunroof and water was draining very slow. So I bought 0.095" trimmer line, put it in front drain holes and cleaned out drains with it. Took me maybe 15 min and it was fine after that. My truck by the way was always parked outside. So as a maintenance maybe it's a good idea to clean drains once a year or two, especially if you drive with opened moonroof a lot, but it should be fine for many years without any cleaning.

 

Is there only the two holes that need to be cleaned? Can’t tell if there are any in the back.
Thanks!

 

Glad I went with no moonroof, guess I'll never get to know how reliable those are haha.

 

I don't remember now, I did that cleaning maybe 5 years ago, but I think there was 2 in the back as well. In my case water was going pretty fast in the back, so I didn't bother looking for it. I remember I found a good video on Youtube about this, not sure if was specifically for 4Runner or for other Toyota.

 

I never wanted moonroof at the first place but in Canada you can't buy 4Runner without a moonroof. I think we got only what you call premium trim in US. But I grew to like moonroof because with open moonroof and liftgate window 4Runner feels like a convertible : )

 

4 total with 2 in the back corners of the “tray.”

I wish I didn’t choose it over the sliding cargo tray. I would have about 5 inches more headroom too.

 

Oh I wish I had the tray. No nees to level the back for sleeping. Agree on headroom.

 

No issues with mine and I’ve never cleared the drains. This is my 2006 Jeep Cherokee after a heavy rain though lmao

 

Just Jeep things XD
On a side note I didn’t know that Pro models had sunroofs

 

I think this video is for the 4th Gen? But it will give you an idea.

 

As far as I know the main reason these clog up is from random debris/dead bugs etc getting stuck in the little filters of the hoses. If the moonroof is left closed all the time would it be correct in assuming that only water can seep through and this could mitigate any possible issues?

 

The drains can still clog if it's always closed, although it can't happen as easily. Parking under trees is the biggest risk factor.

 

This.

From what I understand moonroofs are designed with trays and drains because they don’t seal perfectly when closed. In other words, even if you don’t open it, it can still clog over time with things like pollen, dust, and mildew that forms inside the drain tubes.

This will take a long time to happen in a garage stored vehicle. But if you live in an area with frequent rain, and humidity conditions that allow for mold/mildew/algea to grow, then I think you’ll eventually get a clog.

But if you only keep a vehicle a few years, I doubt that will become an issue in such a short time (even if you live in the pacific northwest).

 

First of all test if the moonroof leaks or not. My new 4Runner sunroof had a leak and I'm glad I caught it before warranty expires.

After all, all moonroofs leak by design but its a controlled leak to drain though the drain lines.

To skip future problems I don't use my moonroof and park in garage. I should remember myself to clean the drain tubes from time to time. I also tinted my moonroof with darkest and most solar energy rejection ceramic tint to keep the heat less (as I felt it heats up more than my previous no moonroof 4runner). I really wish I could buy 4Runner with trim & options I need without the damn moonroof.

 

I wouldn't have bought my 4R without the moonroof. I'd have kept my Wrangler. But, I'd had a 4R with moonroof and felt it was close enough to topless that I'd feel ok not having a convertible. Generally, the 4R moonroof almost never leaks (it did on my 2008 until I cleaned the drains).

When it does leak, it's a ten minute maintenance item. You have to spend about ten minutes, every five to ten years, cleaning the drains...if you park outside 100% of the time.

 

I had to search out and pay a bit more to get my '24 TRD OR without the sunroof. I don't like them for reasons of possible leaks, extra maintenance and lessened structural integrity of the body.

 

I have a 2015 SR5P with sunroof. No issues for the past 9 years and I live in RAINcouver (Vancouver Canada). Never had to clean the drains either.

 

Never had an issue in the 11 years I owned my 2013, and never cleaned the drain holes. I will be periodically cleaning them on my 2023 going forward just to be safe.

 

Open up the kick panels on the driver and passenger sides. Pull up the tubing and remove the fittings from the end of the tubes. Throw them away.

The fittings do nothing but give a place for debris to get stuck. When the schmutz builds up the weed wacker line goes right through the clog. You think you're clear but you aren't. I finally hired a guy to tear my 4 runner apart, find the problem and fix it.

Those clogged fittings are what he found...

 

FYI - sunroof drain cleaning threads; https://www.4runners.com/threads/check-your-sunroof-drains.30676/

 

Mine drips a bit at the rear seal when closed. Keep the drains clear and not a problem.