My Moon Roof Saga

I have been struggling with the drivers side grab handle having water dripping out of it since I bought the truck. I have done most every fix I can think of (cleaning/boroscoping the front drains, fuel line zip ties on the drain tubes, sealing the seactions of the pan where it comes together in the front etc) and was about to try to force the dealership to replace the entire pan and has had to happen to some of the members trucks here on the forum.

Before I went down that road, I had a thought to boroscope the rear drain channel and look what I found! I don't have the moon roof open that much nor does it get parked under trees so I don't believe that it got stuck in there during my ownership. I am hoping that it somehow made it into the channel during its time as a dealer demo and that is why it was dripping down the grab handle for so long.

Time will tell for sure but I thought I would share this for anyone else who may be having a similar issue.

 

Is the dealer not willing to diagnose the issue? I understand they would require payment up front and then if they found a defect they would reimburse you.

 

The dealer has said that its the drain tubes. I just did another water test and it still leaks. I took the headliner down partially and found its leaking from the seams of the sunroof pan where the front and the sides meet. Now to fight with the dealer to fix it.

 

This is the location of the leak. There is a droplet forming around the bolt hole in the pan. The water is coming in at the seam just above it.

 

I started the process of getting the dealership to fix the moonroof leak in my tundra today. Considering the location and how its leaking I believe it should be covered under warranty. However, there is a non-zero chance it won't be based on others past experience with this issue.

If it is not, does any one know the steps or can point me to where I can find a set of instructions on how to remove and reinstall the moon roof? I have several options in mind to correct the issue myself should the dealer deny the claim but it would be nice to know what I would be getting into should I want to try to remove the moon roof myself.

 

The car care nut has a video somewhere describing the process and saying if/when you pull the seal it's almost impossible to get it back in and not have a leak. If its at all possible to do the repair without removing the moon roof that would be your best chance. Otherwise you'll be swapping one leak for another. Ill find the video give me a minute.

https://youtu.be/7HyuriUhTSo?si=SqqQbG3fHoUjfIXH

1:40 in he goes over the seal.

 

They did change the design of the seal to where it does clip in all the way around the corners of the moonroof. There is a second seal that goes between the body and the pan that is what prevents water entry between the roof panel and the top of the pan. Not sure if that would fix the issues he is describing though. For me, the leak appears to be where the seams of sunroof pan where bonded together.

 

That video makes me think that I will probably see if I can create a sort of catch can that will collect and re-direct the water to a drain.

 

If you plugged the hole with RTV would it then redirect to the drain tube?

 

I have thought about that as well but its in a very difficult to reach area both from the top/outside of the pan and inside/under the roof. I would be concerned I wouldn't be able to get the RTV in the right spot and not fix the leak and maybe make it harder to redirect.

 

Update from the dealer 2-2-2026. I provided them with 2 videos and a photo showing the leak location and my setup that verified the water leak at that location. Thus far they have not been able to replicate the leak yet and asked to keep it overnight to do more disassembly and try again in the morning.

I will update this thread as I know more to keep track of the timeline and let others know of my experience.

Update from the dealer 2-3-2026. They still haven't been able to make it leak. They are keeping it overnight. Again.

Update from the dealer 2-4-2026. they are replacing the sunroof. Hopefully this will permanently fix the issue.

Update from the dealer 2-10-2026. The new sunroof has arrived and the tech is in the process of replacing it. Looks like I will have the truck back at the end of the week.

Update 2-12-2026- I have the truck back. Just need to wait for rain to validate the repair.

 

My (former) service dept couldn’t replicate it, more than once. It happens on mine only when parked nose down in heavy rain, as I stated, described in depth and emphasized. Dealer didn’t have any slopes around the lot, so they couldn’t replicate the condition it happened in (no, I do not use them any longer…this is just one of many reasons), so they could not replicate the issue. BS, there are curbs all around the place, but that wasn’t a workable option for them.

@Wtundra2023 Is yours leaking while parked on flat ground or just when on an incline/decline?

 

So far its only leaked during heavy rain and most of the time parked nose down in the driveway.

There are 2 levels of gutters built into the pan, an upper and a lower. The upper gutter is just under the seal around the panoramic roof that you can see from the outside. When water gets in that gutter up to a certain level it will leak. What it appears to be is the seam where the front part of the drain pan and the drivers side of the drain pan come together.

I haven't heard back today from the dealership. I am hoping that they have either found the leak and are attempting to fix it, or are still trying make it leak and haven't given up on it yet.

 

Updated the thread title to "My Moon Roof Saga" to more accurately depict what the thread has turned into. Latest update (also captured previously) is Toyota is replacing the moonroof. Hopefully this will be the end of the leaks.

 

While I think your issue is different.
I had a similar leak but from the right side passenger and would spill through the A pillar and the leak into the headliner.

It ended up being an issue with the gasket for the front windshield. Which had to be replaced.
Hopefully your saga ends quickly.

 

Today I learned that moon roofs have drain tubes.

Never in a million years...

 

I found out about the tubes when the dealer told me they were the reason for the leaks. It is important keep them clear, but they weren't cause of the leak....

 

On the topic of drain tubes, is there a recommended way to clean them? I try to periodically clean the tracks and guides on the slider as well as clearing bugs and debris off the air deflector and I would like to also flush the drain tubes if there's a good way of doing it.

 

I bought this off of the jungle website. Seems to work well.

Upgraded Auto Sunroof Drain Cleaning Tool, 120" Long Flexible Drain Brush Pipe Cleaners for Car, Slim Drain Dredging Tool Tube Cleaning Brush Perfect for Car Sunroof, Windshield Wiper Drain Hole

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6D2HBQ?th=1

 

I have not cleaned the drains on my 2024 Tundra Platinum TRD OR yet, but this is a constant issue with my 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser. For those drains, and I clean them monthly because it sits outside, I simply use weed eater line. I keep a coil of it in the pocket on the driver's door. If it has been neglected for awhile, I will spray some APC down the drain holes after I have cleared them with the weed eater line. Hope this helps. I am not sure if this if a fix for the Tundra, but has been useful with my Land Cruiser.
~Katie

 

Update in post 11. Hopefully all is resolved by the end of the week a I will get the truck back. I will update again once I hear more.

 

I have the truck back. I plan on verifying the repair has fixed issue using the same setup I did to confirm the leak initially.

Hopefully all is well.

 

Those things wind up everywhere. On my last truck I couldn’t get it to shift into park one day. Guess what it was.

 

Since we are the topic

What's the best way of cleaning or preventing leaks from the moon roof ?

 

Most you can really do is make sure the gutters are and drain tubes are clear.

 

.. and some good lithium grease for the tracks to keep smooth and quiet. Also going to be trying that MAXL One out this summer and it's supposed to have properties that protect rubber seals as well.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&pf...=2ahUKEwi02sTVzd2SAxXoRTABHXR_EQoQ0Qx6BAgYEAE