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Sunroof Clog - Not covered under warranty?

29101 Views 45 Replies 29 Participants Last post by  anon
Long story short - Water got into our 2016 HR-V and it's from the sunroof drain being clogged with leaves. Dealer says it's "mother nature" and won't be covered under the warranty. Honda customer service said it should be.

Anyone have experience with this issue?


Nothing in the manual says to check the sunroof drain regularly as part of the maintenance. They had to remove the roof liner to even fix it. They basically told us to not park under trees as if nobody does it.

Meanwhile our Civic that has been parked under the same tree for even longer has never had an issue. I've never had someone tell me to check my sunroof drain nor have I ever seen it in our owner's manual.

Am I crazy thinking the dealer is wrong? We're waiting to hear back on what the Honda case manager says but I'm worried it won't be covered and we'll have to foot the bill.
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I'm not a big fan of sunroofs. I pulled the fuse to disable mine.
So upset with Honda about a clogged Sunroof draining into the car. They charged me $235 to fix it, but I’m left with a wet car. When asked what to do to avoid this in the future, the tech said don’t part under a tree or cover your car with a tarp. I didn’t want a sunroof, and never use it, this makes me so upset at Honda. Never again a Honda
Will debris still gets in if you don't use the sunroof? My 2016 had this issue so I'm trying to figure out the best way to avoid this.
I just had this exact same problem occur. Water on the passenger floor, no idea for how long as I have black interior and didn’t see it at first though I noticed a musty smell for about a week. First took it to a mechanic who thought it was the air-conditioning, but after spending $130 for him to clear the ac drain and pull up the carpeting to let it all dry out, another rain storm happened and more water in my car. Took it back and he recommended a local windshield repair shop. They checked the car, said it was a clogged sunroof drain, charged me $23 AND washed my car. No water came in. He suggested cleaning the sunroof drains once a year to prevent this. Said it was a common issue he sees. Based on reading this thread, I’m very glad I didn’t go to Honda.
I had the problem of clogged sunroof drain on my 2016 HR-V also. It caused heavy wetness on the passenger side floor after driving in rain.

Based on what I saw this problem occurs if you forget to completely close the sunroof (tilted up slightly or glass open). Or if the sunroof got accidentally opened and you didn't know. If the sunroof shade is closed, it's hard to know that the glass is not fully closed. Leaving the car like this for a while causes excess dust and debris to enter the sunroof channel, eventually causing the drain to clog up.

I took the car to a local mechanic, and he fixed for $150. He used solvent, air gun, and hot water to clear the clog.
I will tell you about my experience with warranties...Years ago, I bought a new Toyota Camry.. I wanted a soft plug heater, but did not want to void the warranty, so I had them put it in. One day, it fell out, but it was within the warranty period..and the engine froze up.. They said the warranty was no good, since the block heater was not "standard equipment".
Will debris still gets in if you don't use the sunroof? My 2016 had this issue so I'm trying to figure out the best way to avoid this.
Late reply, but for others that may come across this, yes, it's still a problem if you don't use the sunroof. Some water and ultrafine debris will leak around the seal. No seals are water-tight. Even the doors have drain holes at the bottom to allow water to drain out.

I'd say it might be worse if you don't use the sunroof. The seals will harden and crack if they aren't lubricated regularly.

The sunroof was a deal breaker for me. I had an LX even though, at the time, the EX was only $2000 more and was much better equipped.
Late to the party here but I had an identical issue with my 2017 HR-V EX AWD this past week. The leak shorted out the fuse box causing a variety of problems. After pushing back on Honda the fuse box replacement and internal water damage to the vehicle was ultimately covered under the manufacturer's warranty.

I'm not sure if this is an ongoing issue with these vehicles but it seems that Honda is now covering these fixes.
To file a complaint call 800-999-1009
I just filed a complaint today on my 2017 Honda HRV and got a case number. Everyone with this problem needs to report it so they will take responsibility for it. Obviously it's a manufacturer defect but my extended warranty doesn't cover it since it hasn't been recalled. Now I have to spend almost $700 in repairs and nothing can be done to prevent this from happening again unless I never take my car outside. The clogged moonroof drains caused water to cover my driver side and front passenger side floors and ruined my battery. I had to get it towed. Fortunately I caught the problem before it ruined my electronics or anything else. I was told to keep the car covered and clean it once a week. If they would of told me that before I bought it I would of opted for something else. Makes no sense that I'll have to put a cover over my car every time I go camping or park my car under a tree at work. I bought this car to enjoy the outdoors, but I can't keep it outdoors. What a waste of time and money! Everyone please report it so Honda will take responsibility for their mistakes!
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Sunroof clog, I have read other posts. I have a huge puddle on floor on my 2018 hrv seems to be coming from sunroof. I hope this is covered under my warranty as it’s wet from the roof down. How did people get Honda to own up to it?
Hi everyone!

I have same issue as the original poster on this topic! Just wondering if anyone here knows how to unclog the rear sunroof drain points please?
Thanks
Long story short - Water got into our 2016 HR-V and it's from the sunroof drain being clogged with leaves. Dealer says it's "mother nature" and won't be covered under the warranty. Honda customer service said it should be.

Anyone have experience with this issue?


Nothing in the manual says to check the sunroof drain regularly as part of the maintenance. They had to remove the roof liner to even fix it. They basically told us to not park under trees as if nobody does it.

Meanwhile our Civic that has been parked under the same tree for even longer has never had an issue. I've never had someone tell me to check my sunroof drain nor have I ever seen it in our owner's manual.

Am I crazy thinking the dealer is wrong? We're waiting to hear back on what the Honda case manager says but I'm worried it won't be covered and we'll have to foot the bill.
I am having same problem
And told since it’s an outside force it’s not covered
This happened 3 times
Case manager and all practically said too bad clean your gutters
I was treated terribly
Sunroof clog, I have read other posts. I have a huge puddle on floor on my 2018 hrv seems to be coming from sunroof. I hope this is covered under my warranty as it’s wet from the roof down. How did people get Honda to own up to it?
Nope my 2016 hrv wasn’t covered
Said outside force
Generally car manufacturers will expect the vehicles owner to carry out regular maintenance on the sunroof, nothing major; regular cleaning of the vehicles bodywork will prevent a build up of tree sap, pollen, leaves and so on on the outside. A regular vacuum and 'look-see' of interior channels which are accessible when the sunroof is opened. Open and close the sunroof on a regular basis to ensure components do not seize due to lack of use. There is normally a section in the owners manual, or a standalone addendum for vehicles with sunroofs which will provide some guidance on what is expected. That was the case with my Civics owners manual, though I note there is nothing listed in my current HR-V's owners manual reference maintaining the sunroof, then again I do not have a sunroof, which may explain the omission.

The last vehicle I had with a sunroof was my 2003 Honda Civic, and in the 7 years and 80k miles I owned it I never had any issues with the sunroof. However, I noted with the Civics replacement from another manufacturer that some owners with sunroofs fitted were experiencing blocked drain holes on a regular basis, so it is not just a Honda issue.

For those that are experiencing this issue, I would suggest asking your dealership or HUS where it is laid down what is expected of owners when it is comes to maintaining their sunroofs. If it is not blatantly obvious; owners manual or HUS website, then that may provide an opportunity for someone to bring a claim against HUS.

Some may find the following video of interest;

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Long story short - Water got into our 2016 HR-V and it's from the sunroof drain being clogged with leaves. Dealer says it's "mother nature" and won't be covered under the warranty. Honda customer service said it should be.

Anyone have experience with this issue?


Nothing in the manual says to check the sunroof drain regularly as part of the maintenance. They had to remove the roof liner to even fix it. They basically told us to not park under trees as if nobody does it.

Meanwhile our Civic that has been parked under the same tree for even longer has never had an issue. I've never had someone tell me to check my sunroof drain nor have I ever seen it in our owner's manual.

Am I crazy thinking the dealer is wrong? We're waiting to hear back on what the Honda case manager says but I'm worried it won't be covered and we'll have to foot the bill.
It’s not covered I have the same issue
I'm not a big fan of sunroofs. I pulled the fuse to disable mine.
That won't stop this this problem. The sunroof does not entirely seal sowater and dust get in which thwn exit via drains. You will need to clean in there or water will enter the car on heavy rain as the drain blocks.
Nope my 2016 hrv wasn’t covered
Said outside force
I have just had mine cleaned under warranty. Fortunately I was able lift to dry the carpets. I'm still waiting on an answer on the stained roof lining. This is going to be an ongoing problem and as the rear drains are under the back glass. It is in my belief it is a design fault. You can't clean what you can't get at and there is no mention of clearing sunroof drains in any of my documents.
Hi everyone!

I have same issue as the original poster on this topic! Just wondering if anyone here knows how to unclog the rear sunroof drain points please?
Thanks
I haven't done this yet but here is the advice.
At the rear the drains exit behind the rear wheel arch shields
Step one remove these.
Step two obtain a long length of whipper snipper cord.
Step three thread this carefully up the drain.Dont push too hard as you may dislodge the drain!!
Dirt and water should flow out if drain is clogged.
Note well !!! I haven't done this advice was from my dealer.

Other advice. Vacuum out the roof drain tray regularly. As in when you wash the car. Its best to use a wet dry vac with a small ( narrow) extension tube.

All this is not good enough. Honda should fess up to not advising that the drains are pretty much not accessible by the lay person and add it to the service schedule at least.
It was a two hour job for the dealer to do mine under warranty. The told me next time I would have to pay. I will be taking this up with our ACCC. We do have "lemon" laws here.
I am currently leasing a 2020 HRV. 3 months ago water ran into the fuse box and the driver’s side of the cab. I took the car in right away and after waiting for 3 hours they told me the sunroof drain was clogged. Never knew sunroofs had a drain. It is not mentioned in the owners manual. I rarely ever used the sunroof. This car has less than 17,000 miles on it how and why is the sunroof drain clogged?

They drove me home. I reached out weekly. Either they did not call me back or got on the phone and said someone would call me back and that person never called me back either. The dealer’s service department took a month to finally call me back and ask me to put a claim in to my insurance company. They stated that HONDA would not cover it. The repair estimate is close to $4,000 at this point. They let the car sit there on their lot and get moldy. It is now December 5, 2022, I brought the car in on September 7, 2022. I have paid 3 months on my lease and have not had the car I leased or any other car. I did put a claim into my insurance company and after a fight they are covering the repairs. They paid me for the repairs and the money has been sitting in the bank for a month now. The dealership is saying they can’t get all of the parts. This is ridiculous. Shame on Honda, shame on the dealership. They are stealing my money. I have paid close to $1,000 in lease payments and not had a vehicle. Thieves.
This is obviously a design flaw. A car with only 16+ thousand miles on it should not have a clogged anything. So aggravated and disappointed in the dealership and Honda. How can they treat people this way and get away with it.
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I am currently leasing a 2020 HRV. 3 months ago water ran into the fuse box and the driver’s side of the cab. I took the car in right away and after waiting for 3 hours they told me the sunroof drain was clogged. Never knew sunroofs had a drain. It is not mentioned in the owners manual. I rarely ever used the sunroof. This car has less than 17,000 miles on it how and why is the sunroof drain clogged?

They drove me home. I reached out weekly. Either they did not call me back or got on the phone and said someone would call me back and that person never called me back either. The dealer’s service department took a month to finally call me back and ask me to put a claim in to my insurance company. They stated that HONDA would not cover it. The repair estimate is close to $4,000 at this point. They let the car sit there on their lot and get moldy. It is now December 5, 2022, I brought the car in on September 7, 2022. I have paid 3 months on my lease and have not had the car I leased or any other car. I did put a claim into my insurance company and after a fight they are covering the repairs. They paid me for the repairs and the money has been sitting in the bank for a month now. The dealership is saying they can’t get all of the parts. This is ridiculous. Shame on Honda, shame on the dealership. They are stealing my money. I have paid close to $1,000 in lease payments and not had a vehicle. Thieves.
This is obviously a design flaw. A car with only 16+ thousand miles on it should not have a clogged anything. So aggravated and disappointed in the dealership and Honda. How can they treat people this way and get away with it.
I’m going through the exact same problem as you did with my 2021 HRV. My car couldn’t detect my car key two weeks ago and they misdiagnosed it saying it’s caused by the window switch on the passenger side. They replaced it and it was covered by warranty since my car is only under 7500 miles. Then two weeks later the same problem occurs, now they say it’s because of my sunroof clogged and it damaged the MICU and charge me $4100 to fix without warranty coverage. They said it’s maintenance issue but if the owner user manual never mentioned about how to maintain the sunroof then how does it a maintenance issue, and no one ever mentioned it from the dealer, how do owners supposed to know?! Plus they obviously misdiagnosed it two weeks ago when the problem may be able to prevent if they had an accurate diagnosis. I submitted claim to Honda USA but they denied my claim!! I’m still trying to fight but SHAME ON HONDA!!
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Might be worth submitting to your car insurance.
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