help me help you: Sunroof rust issue, with pics

I'm pretty pissed about it myself, this is my first Toyota, possibly my last. I bought it certified from a Toyota dealer, this I would expect from a buy here pay here lot, but to not stand behind your product, and jack up the cost of install to make me feel like it's truly a 50/50 cost split makes me further upset.

I just discover the same problem on my 05 4runner...who did you contact at Toyota? can you pass on the Email address? thanks.
 
I have the same problem on a 2008 4 runner, and have noticed this is actually common.
What response did you get from Toyota? Thanks
 
Must have been a bad batch or something. My 03's gone through 11 salty winters and the sunroof is 100% rust free
 
Sorry to bump an old thread, but my '07 4runner has rust on the sunroof as well. Would it be hard to remove it, clean it off, and respray it? Or should I get it replaced?

It's not terrible so maybe I should just live with it like it is.
 
Sorry to bump an old thread, but my '07 4runner has rust on the sunroof as well. Would it be hard to remove it, clean it off, and respray it? Or should I get it replaced?

It's not terrible so maybe I should just live with it like it is.

You could just wire brush it and coat it in something. There was a thread a few days back about this same thing happening on the tailgate behind the seal on the rear window which is a lot more understandable being on the exterior, but I assume it's the same deal. I'm assuming it's bad seals still, so after you refinish it, I'd suggest a new seal on it.
 
2008 Toyota 4Runner

Hello I found your posting online and I am also having the exact same problem with rusting you are having. Do you know if Toyota has had a recall on this issue. If no recall did you fix the problem yourself. I did some research and the glass is fine but it appears that the part needed is the Glass Sub-Assy, Remo (63201-35051) can you confirm. Thanking you in advance.

Frank.
 
rust on 08

I just bought my 08, used obviously, and I bought it out of town(about 400miles away) so I do not want to have to take it back over something that may be simple to resolve. Has anyone found any definitive resolution to this issue? It's my fault for not checking out the sunroof before I bought it, but I was pre-occupied checking for other things on a 6 year old vehicle with 80k miles before i bought it. Attached are some pics of what mine looks like. It rained here today, there is absolutely no water in the sunroof track. I will test the drains tomorrow but I highly doubt they are the issue as no water at all in the inside of the vehicle. The only wet area was when i touched the rusty spots in the pics. it's like water is getting in there and sitting, but not traveling anywhere else- thus creating rust along the edges. And its not very much water either, just damp. Any help is much appreciated.
 

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I actually just found this same problem on my 4runner. It finally became nice out and now I find this ugly rust. It's mostly above the passanger side along the leading edge. Pictures to come. Also 2008 4runner sport. I wonder if there was a bad batch of something.
 
Possibly a bad batch of seals? I mean it seems easy enough to fix or get fixed... The question is what actually needs fixing. My seals look perfect, no cracks or unusual wear that I can see. It's not right now- but could turn into something that totally ruins the truck
 
I just got in the Runner tonight and found rust in the seat. My wife said she had the sunroof open earlier. I looked around and found my sunroof looks the same as the pictures on this thread. The seal looks good and the truck is always in the garage. I am upset to say the least. I wish I would have caught it sooner. I would like to know what the fix is.
 
I just got in the Runner tonight and found rust in the seat. My wife said she had the sunroof open earlier. I looked around and found my sunroof looks the same as the pictures on this thread. The seal looks good and the truck is always in the garage. I am upset to say the least. I wish I would have caught it sooner. I would like to know what the fix is.

I haven't had the time the past few weeks to work on a solution. I am thinking it has to be a sunroof seal issue. I think i am going to try removing the rust, sanding it down and painting it, then putting a bead of silicone on both the outside and inside of the rubber seal. If nothing else, it will take a very long time for rust to build up like this again. If years from now its happening again, maybe I'll replace the seal/sunroof/ whatever...
 
Same issue on my 08 sr5. I saw this thread a few months back and checked my sunroof and it was fine. I checked today and it looks like the rest of the pictures on here. I wonder what caused this (water obviously) and how to help others prevent it. Where the sunroof seal meets he car there are dirty drip marks leading me to think that the main outer seal on the glass is to blame. I will clean it tomorrow and try to come up with a fix. On a side note, I replaced the rear window seal when I bought it 9 months ago because it was falling off when I would roll the window up or down.
 
2005 4Runner - same rust issue

I had this issue a few years back now on my '05. You can pop the sunroof glass out, sand the rust off (assuming it isn't too bad) and paint it up. One may be able to re-use the seal if it's not deteriorated and re-seal it with silicone. Mine was rusted pretty bad (which surprised me since the rest of the truck is really clean) but I never use the sunroof so I had forgotten about it!

Disappointing for sure and yet another reason I'll be going with no sunroof on my next one.
 
I pulled the sunroof and the seal. Before I did I noticed that the seal wasn't touching the painted car side like it should be which allows water and dirt in. But the seal does not allow for the water to get to where the rust is. This makes me think that it's the humidity that is causing the rust. The rust starts at the top of the metal rim under the seal.

So I pulled the seal off the metal and cleaned the rust as best as I could. I let some phosphoric acid soak in for about an hour and touched it up with black POR 15. I made sure to paint the rim really well as I think this is where the rust starts. When you pull the seal out there is a fair amount of sealant that comes out with it so I bought a new tube of it for replacing the seal. It got a bit messy but it took about 5 hours including paint dry time. I still need to figure out how to fill the gap between the seal and the vehicle side. I'm thinking some type of thick rubber tape.
 
can you guys make a quick how to remove the sunroof glass and seal
i think allot of members including myself would greatly appreciate this
and :worthless
 
My possible issue

After I cleaned my car the other day I decided to put a decal on the top of the wind shield. When I was poking through the top of the sun roof I noticed that one of my drains was clogged with mildew/other nastiness. What may of happened in my case is that the back up caused the foam pad, which the sun roof seats on, to saturate. Still if the metal as properly sealed I don't know how it would have rusted. Who knows, we get so much pollen here in Florida and it finds its way to foul up everything.
 
I am currently speaking with a VP at Toyota to address the premature rust that has accumulated on the sunroof of my 2008 Toyota 4runner. I have been seeking a fix for over a year now, and the rust is only getting worse. I know I've seen others post on here, as have I about this issue, but I would like to consolidate the threads and posts to show Toyota that this isn't an isolated issue, and deserves attention. I would greatly appreciate any members to take pictures and post them w/ your year and model, of any rust on the frame of your sunroof, as I plan to present this to Toyota. I will keep everyone updated on the progress and the outcome.

thanks in advance.

some pics of my issue:
craigslist082-1.jpg~original


sunrust4.jpg~original


sunrust3.jpg~original


sunrust1.jpg~original


sunrust2.jpg~original


CIMG0744.jpg~original


sunrust5.jpg~original
06 10 14 I suggest each of us add a date to each data entry. We can use post dates to prove to Toyota issues are ongoing.
I have recently spoken with Toyota regarding the massive rust on my 2005 4Runner moon roof door. Supposedly there are no documented cases in the Toyota database. Can you give me feedback as to how long you have fought this and any outcome to date? I will send my photos to support your claim. Thanks
 

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