Found Rust on the Sunroof Frame
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zerowkul98
New member
A couple people in here have. I dont think there is a TSB or recall on it, so if youre going to remedy it youre going to have to do it on your own. EIther have it fixed, replaced, or do it youself. Ive taken care of a couple "spots" or decay on my 03. I just broke out the brass bristeled brush, rubbed it down until it was nice n shiney metal, wiped it down with alcohol then immediately put 3 coats of primer, 3 coats of touch-up paint, 3 coats clearcoat.
Good luck!
Good luck!
I have two small spots on mine. Is it surface rust? If so, I can deal with that, but mine which looks like the pictures in the other link look to be rusting through from the inside. There are no marks or scratches on the paint that would have allowed it to rust.
08medic4x4
New member
I tried local Toyotas x 4, and corporate Toyota, and they told me it was more or less and isolated incident, and they don't have a record of it being a wide spread problem. I can honestly say I will probably never buy or use Toyota again, not for warranty work, or anything, from my experiences with them it's all about $, not doing the right thing. too many horror stories from too many people, and seeing first hand how they lie and intimidate the elderly. it's a real shame.
Considering this is the only real issue I have seen with mine being 9 years old now, I don't think it is the end of the world. Obviously there is a design flaw, but I think it is impossible to design a vehicle that is 100% perfect. I guess my main issue is that it is a dealer only part that is very expensive and not easy to replace. I wouldn't have as much of a problem if I could replace it for around $100, but $600 just for the part is a little much. It isn't like a fender that you can neglect. Once that rusts through, you have a leak to deal with.
Don't they all lie, cheat and steal ???, not just toyota.
How many incidents does it take to become a TSB/Recall... You're right the parts are too expensive to replace even if I do the labor myself...
Rust on Frame of Sunroof x2
I have a 2003 4Runner Limited. I discovered rust on the frame in June 2012. The thing was totally rusted out and crumbling. I was lucky it did not leak. I took it to the local Toyota dealer in Hawaii and they said the same thing - not a common problem. They referred me to a local repair shop who repaired in for around $1200.
Now it is Jul 2014, not even two years later and I have the same problem. Obviously there is some sort of problem with the vehicle that has caused this twice.
I will take it back to Toyota, but I am sure I know what their answer will be.
"Suck it."
I have a 2003 4Runner Limited. I discovered rust on the frame in June 2012. The thing was totally rusted out and crumbling. I was lucky it did not leak. I took it to the local Toyota dealer in Hawaii and they said the same thing - not a common problem. They referred me to a local repair shop who repaired in for around $1200.
Now it is Jul 2014, not even two years later and I have the same problem. Obviously there is some sort of problem with the vehicle that has caused this twice.
I will take it back to Toyota, but I am sure I know what their answer will be.
"Suck it."
Rust on Frame of Sunroof x3
I have a 2003 4Runner Limited also with rust along the leading edge of the sunroof frame. I found it when I tried to clear the drains to prevent the leaking I have been getting inside the cabin. It is so advanced that rusted metal has fallen away and the little pieces are clogging the drains. This is my first major issue with this 12-year old vehicle so it's hard to whine about it but I would really like to get it fixed well enough to get another 5+ years out of it. Has anyone else had experienced and had this repaired? I see that Russman30 has done this in Hawaii but I was hoping for a less expensive solution.
I have a 2003 4Runner Limited also with rust along the leading edge of the sunroof frame. I found it when I tried to clear the drains to prevent the leaking I have been getting inside the cabin. It is so advanced that rusted metal has fallen away and the little pieces are clogging the drains. This is my first major issue with this 12-year old vehicle so it's hard to whine about it but I would really like to get it fixed well enough to get another 5+ years out of it. Has anyone else had experienced and had this repaired? I see that Russman30 has done this in Hawaii but I was hoping for a less expensive solution.
toyo
Member
A Toyota TSB has several different purposes.
1. They will issue a TSB when they discover a "better" way for the technician to diagnose, repair, etc a certain component on a vehicle.
2. How to properly perform updates to ECM's, PROMS, radios, etc with the updated firmware versions.
3. When they have redesigned a certain part that is not performing as designed. They will give the technician instructions on how diagnose and determine if this TSB applies. The new part#, procedure to replace part if needing replaced. The warranty coverage period, the OP codes if covered, etc.
99% of the TSB's that they release are only valid on that particular vehicle for the remainder of the 3/36 warranty period. Of course it depends whether it's the drivetrain or such as those warranties are longer.
There's many other reasons for a TSB, but I think you get the idea. A recall on a sunroof that has rust is not gonna happen in a million years. A recall is for safety issues for the most part.
I have rust on my 2008 ForeRunner SR5 and even had the sunroof replaced once. The rust has come right back. I asked the dealer where they put it in at to replace it for free but they would not do it. They did offer to knock down the price from $800 to $425 and I said "No". My service advisor then told to me to call Toyota Customer Care directly. I have a case open with them right now and I am waiting for a reply.
Picked up a 2008 SR5 Sport this week and there was rust on the forward (leading edge) portion of the moonroof glass frame and a portion of the L and R sides. Looks like it started in the forward L and R corners, then spread from there. Rear frame corners, rail and rear portion of the side rails were fine. Picked up a used assembly and just used the glass from it. Now I have an extra assembly and motor if I ever need one.
Based on the drain layout within the assembly I have 2 theories about how this might have happened. 1) Both forward drains became clogged at one time causing the water to pool in the forward corners OR 2) The previous owner regularly backed the vehicle in on a sloped parking space, such as a driveway, putting the T4R at an angle that interfered with the function of the drain system enough to cause rain water to pool towards the front. I'm leaning towards #2 because it seems the odds would be high that both front drains were clogged at the same time for such a long time to result in rust.
DEF4Runner
New member
Any pictures of the rust? I can't see any around my moonroof but I'd sure like to be proactive if it's somewhere I'm just not seeing.
DEF4Runner
New member
Thanks! I took a look at mine today and rust is forming under the seal...I can hear it crunch when I press on the front of it. I guess I'll try to pry the seal up as much as I can, wire brush it off and hit it with some rust converter. Too bad that seal is permanently stuck.
Here's a couple pics of mine...
Here's a couple pics of mine...
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toyo
Member
I don't think it's a drain issue. It would have to be pretty full of water for an extended period of time to rust in this location. My 08 has about an 8" spot. It is on the front pass side. I think its the seal at the top that isn't sealing properly.
I have run how water with a bleach solution over the years to make sure all is clear in the lines.
I'd like to check in as well. My moon roof is showing rust in the front of the frame, and it's bad enough that it's flaking off. Granted, I haven't used it in over 4 years and I live in the North East, but this shouldn't be happening.
I am going to clean it with a wire brush as much as I can and hit some rustoleum on it. Hope not to have to pay the high $$ to fix the moon roof on such an old vehicle (08).
I am going to clean it with a wire brush as much as I can and hit some rustoleum on it. Hope not to have to pay the high $$ to fix the moon roof on such an old vehicle (08).
DEF4Runner
New member
Has anyone sucessfully removed the seal with a heat gun to clean/reseal? Something tells me it might be seepage coming through dried/deteriorated adhesive at the top of the moonroof.
