Forester moonroof problems (merged thread)

[TheRealAnn]

I called and got the same price... someone else saw a motor online for $60 or so... wonder if that was used, or aftermarket...

I'm going to post my original comment as a new thread... to see what pops up.

[TheRealAnn]

My moonroof just died... 2003 SX

It groaned and struggled for a while, but kept working. I used lithium grease, and it was very happy ... but only for a few days, then back to struggling. Before I could look at it again, or take it in, it just stopped. Used the hand crank and last bit of life to close the glass, now it's silent.

Anyone have this happen? Got it fixed?
What was the problem? Estimated cost?

From reading other threads (see moonroof possessed), sounds like there may be problems/defects with Forester moonroofs, but Subaru hasn't issued a recall (yet?).

Help... feeling claustrophobic... need to open the roof and get some air ... sniff sniff sniff....

Ann

[RocketEyes]

Go to Hot Subaru of Plano near Dallas. They are awesome. No joke.

[Kevin]

My '03 moonroof is just fine so far - I use lithium grease as well.

[Lord Helmet]

mine died. there's a thread about it somewhere in the warranty forum. i got the "wrong" extended warranty that won't cover it. apparantly a cable on one side quit working. they have to replace the whole assembly, as a parts replacement can't be done.

1300ish american dollars.


f that.

[greentrees]

Happened to me last week at 32k. Fortunately, it was under warranty and they replaced the track/motor.

Good luck with your dilemma - it's frustrating and you're not alone.

[TheRealAnn]

Originally Posted by greentrees

Happened to me last week at 32k. Fortunately, it was under warranty and they replaced the track/motor.

Good luck with your dilemma - it's frustrating and you're not alone.

It seems there are many moonroof issues popping up... as if many are starting to fail, indicating a bigger problem.

If anyone has contacted SOA, let me know what they said. Also, if I can get a documented list of failures, I'll contact them -- see if a recall is in order for Foresters in a certain year-range -- to get the repairs done at their cost (since it's a defect they may have corrected since we got our cars).

$1300 to repair a $1000 option (which is not really an option on many models) is an unacceptable solution, especially without a guarantee it will last MUCH longer than the original moonroof.

[TheRealAnn]

Originally Posted by Roo

You CAN replace the motor assembly by itself. Just FYI, I was looking around for the part number:

65450SA001

Retail ~ 260

I'd be up for the challenge if one ever fails...simply loosen the rear portion of the headliner and unbolt/bolt the new one in place, and connect the wiring harness.

Where are you located? And how easy do you think it is... to repair??

(I'm double posting this... under my new thread too... Moonroof is dead)

[razz]

Originally Posted by toddlamp

Agreed.

There are some awesome dealers in MD!

Who are they?

[XSFORESTER]

[quote=Lord Helmet;174020]ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

my moonroof's been busted for a while and i took it in to have it looked at today. apparantly, the cable track assembly thing's got a problem. the roof will lower, but not move at all.

here's the fun part.

i've got the classic extended warranty, it covers the motor and switches, but not the assembly and cables. BULL****E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! there's also no chance of me upgrading to gold warranty.

1320 to replace it. that's 580 for the part and the rest is labor.

anybody ever replace one of these things? i'm thinking about just doing it myself. also, i'm going to try to get a cheaper one from somewhere if possible.


any input or advice? ................. Wow! I'm almost afraid to touch this one...... Mr. Vader!.............I've never heard anyone with a moon roof problem in a Subaru. No proof it was defective at the time of purchase...huh?
Usually with the cable track assembly........you would hear a noise coming from the moon roof (operating normally- before the problem)........ Of course I question the dealer............unless you don't normally report back to the Dealer for the maintenance -
When you said the roof will NOT lower, the Forester just slides back and forth...........but anyway.........I would pursue some junk yard and a mechanic buddy that someone may know.........whos knowledgable with Subaru moon roofs......if you want to save $
......However......this is still a good price (with labor).......The Subaru Forester moon roof .....is the size of at least 2 normal moon roofs!!!!!!!!!!
..This is why folks sometimes call it.......the 'TRANSFORMER!'.......honestly....I wouldn't put out this amount of $ either........and 'Subaru Of America' was no help either?

Sorry I couldn't help you any further .....Darth!!

.......................XSFORESTER........or....... ......Luke Skywalker!

[toddlamp]

Originally Posted by razz

Who are they?

Well, i've dealt mostly with Herb Gordon Dodge/Subaru because that's where I bought my car and it was right around the corner. However, I am not so fond of them anymore due to my current seat/air bag light situation.

I have gone to Wilkins twice and really liked them. I have also gone to Annapolis Subaru and rate them #1 in my book. Great service and that's where Jackie works so I can get my parts at a great price.

[TheRealAnn]

Just got off the phone with customer service at SOA -- very courteous and solicitous, but not much actual help.

The rep claimed there are no known issues with the Forester moonroof, and that each car is different. Did ask me to report back after I go to the dealer, and gave me a case number. Sort of surprised the dealer wouldn't report back automatically since there is a case number.

I'm out of warranty, so the rep also suggested I inquire about diagnostic fees... (big help, get to pay sky-high labor charges while somebody presses the button and nothing happens.)

I spoke to the dealer initially, and the guy didn't seem to have a clue as to moonroof issues. The parts department did indicate several complete assemblies had been ordered by the service department (indicating they've done total replacements).

I got the impression they don't really know what's wrong -- so they just replace everything, and charge the owner. I live in a high wealth area (not that I enjoy that status) so maybe no one else minds paying the money, and they have a spare car so they can still get around while the work is being done.

I mentioned to SOA that it was not comforting or confidence building to hear the dealer sound clueless, and also that SOA didn't realize there are some issues with the roof.

Will let you know what the dealer says after another chat, and visit.

Comments welcome.

[Doug]

The SOA rep was lying or simply ignorant when they told you there were no "known" issues with the moonroof; after they had mine for a day, my dealership called me back a week later and asked me to come back so they could test out a new procedure SOA recommended to them. Seems they were trying to figure out the cause of multiple moonroofs failure and identify a way to fix it.

I don't know what they did, but at first it didn't seem to work. Since then though, my moonroof only has to be "walked" shut about 25% of the time. Not a fix, but better than nothing.

Also, my dealership advised against replacing the entire assembly, since there seemed to be a problem with many of them, the chance that my new one would fail was pretty good. Keep in mind I am still under warranty though, so this may have been their way of avoiding a lot of work for very little personal gain.

[Benrock05201]

Originally Posted by Doug

The SOA rep was lying or simply ignorant when they told you there were no "known" issues.

That's the company line for every automotive company. You are always the only person having the problem. When the 00 O/B first came out there was a design flaw in the hood deflectors. At a good speed they would rip off the car, sometimes breaking and leaving the outside edges still on the car. I saw it happen alot and asked about it many times. My Subaru rep kept handing me the company line " You my only dealer thans having the problem ". Two days after I asked him for the last time I got a stop sale notice for the hood deflectors. They recalled all the ones in stock and redesigned them.

Ben

[TheRealAnn]

I'm not surprised to hear that SOA would not want to admit a problem; I'm sure they don't want a recall for all Forester Moonroof issues. However, they could have a silent recall -- where dealers are told to fix/replace them as they fail.

I have an appointment Tuesday morning with the dealer (because they were booked up for a week!!)... so I'll post after they tell me what they think is wrong. I spoke to two dealers (I live in between), they seem to have some sort of diagnostic list they plan to check, that takes about 30 minutes -- it includes motor, fuse, cable...??

Let's hope it's quick and easy to fix ... fingers crossed ... or that SOA is ready to do the right thing and correct a defect.