Sunroof Leak repair not under warranty

[Phillyfan]

I have a new-to-me 2019 Nautilus (CPO'd) with a panoramic sunroof. The rear drains clogged up a year into my ownership. The repair is $408 including cleaning and up water and upholstery. Dealer says its not a warranty covered item. SInce it is a warrantied repair I agreed to pay for it.

Context: I traded in my 2017 Murano towards this Nautilus, because it had the same leaking sunroof drain issue which was covered by Nissan (until my warranty ran out on it). So, either I'm really unlucky or Philly has a lot of pollen year-round.

But, what do others think about this being a maintenance issue vs warranty?

 

[bbf2530]

I have a new-to-me 2019 Nautilus with a panoramic sunroof. The rear drains clogged up a year into my ownership. The repair is $408 including cleaning and up water and upholstery. Dealer says its not a warranty covered item. SInce it is a warrantied repair I agreed to pay for it.

Context: I traded in my 2017 Murano towards this Nautilus, because it had the same leaking sunroof drain issue which was covered by Nissan (until my warranty ran out on it). So, either I'm really unlucky or Philly has a lot of pollen year-round.

But, what do others think about this being a maintenance issue vs warranty?

Hi Phillyfan. Without more information, these are the thoughts I can comfortably add:
Unless your Nautilus was first sold (to the original owner) in June of 2020 or later, a 2019 Nautilus would most likely be outside the 4 year period of the 4 year/50,000 mile New Vehicle Warranty anyway.
Additionally, if the leak was due to debris clogging the drains, it would technically not be covered under the New Vehicle Warranty. Just as it would not have been covered by Nissan on the Murano, once the warranty had run out.

That being said, if the vehicle was still within the New Vehicle Warranty period, Lincoln and most Dealerships would probably cover the repair work. However, in this case, since it seems to be outside of the warranty, it would not be unusual at all for the repair to not be covered under warranty, and the Dealer not be willing to eat the costs either.

Unfortunately, moonroofs are not maintenance free components, although many people never bother to perform any maintenance at all. However, the maintenance is relatively easy, once we know what needs to be done and how to do it.

What you can do at this point is give Lincoln Concierge a call to see if they may be willing to helpl. Politely explain the situation, and see what they say. If they don't offer anything, then ask. Hopefully they may be willing to cover all/part of the costs or offer another form of compensation.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

 

[11MarkX]

I have a new-to-me 2019 Nautilus (CPO'd) with a panoramic sunroof. The rear drains clogged up a year into my ownership. The repair is $408 including cleaning and up water and upholstery. Dealer says its not a warranty covered item. SInce it is a warrantied repair I agreed to pay for it.

Context: I traded in my 2017 Murano towards this Nautilus, because it had the same leaking sunroof drain issue which was covered by Nissan (until my warranty ran out on it). So, either I'm really unlucky or Philly has a lot of pollen year-round.

But, what do others think about this being a maintenance issue vs warranty?

My opinion is it should be covered under warranty since it has happened enough times for Ford to issue a TSB.
Lincolns use exit channels, rather than smaller drain tubes, so probably wasn't a clog. What usually happens on 2019 and 2020 Nautilus's is the panel track and frame become loose which water can enter. Most of the time, there is roof noise traveling, sometime not. The permanent fix is to replace with updated roof components that became available in 2021. See tech service bulletin #SSM49679.

If your only getting water accumulate in rear where the spare tire area is, then it could be a weak seal on your tail lights.

Regards,

 

[DomDoobie]

I thought CPO cars were six years 100k warranty. I would call Lincoln concierge and tell them it was probably already clogging from previous owner and that they didn’t check it during CPO checks. Worth a shot. They might give you a free maintenance plan for oil changes and stuff

______________________________

 

[Phillyfan]

Had the roof leaking again and the dealership repaired it under the warranty of the previous repair I paid for. Seems fixed a month later but we haven't had torrential rains in Philly to truly confirm.

 

[Tikibarjim]

I have a 2020 Nautilus with sunroof that leaked from day one; 9 times in the shop but never was repaired successfully, sued Lincoln with a Lemon Law lawyer, won, but car was out of factory warranty, I sealed it with duct tape just never open it. The BS reasons that the dealer kept giving me were so stupid it was an embarrassment. I had the Ford factory rep come in & try to solve our issues but to no avail.
I saw on a previous post that there were updated roof components; does anyone know the part numbers?

 

[gman62]

Just curious on these types of leak issues and clogged drain lines. Does this happen cause because you open your roofs all the time? I barely EVER open a sun/moon roof. Or can this occur if you never use your roof?

Thanks

 

[bbf2530]

Just curious on these types of leak issues and clogged drain lines. Does this happen cause because you open your roofs all the time? I barely EVER open a sun/moon roof. Or can this occur if you never use your roof?

Thanks

Hi gman62. Yes, clogged drains can occur if the roof is never opened.

The seal around the glass when it is closed is not completely water/dust/dirt proof.

That is why it is important to periodically check the moonroof trough/channels under the glass, and clean them when needed. And also check/clear the 4 moonroof drains.

It is also important to periodically clean and lubricate the moonroof seals (and all door/window/trunk seals), in order to keep the soft and pliable. This is all part of yearly maintenance.
In addition, keeping those seals soft will help prevent some squeaks and creaks which sometimes begin to occur as a car ages.

Yes, some/many owners never bother to perform these maintenance items, and will say they never have any problems. And that may be true. However (in my opinion), it’s still easier to perform this maintenance once a year or so, than it is to fix up and clean up a moonroof leak.

Good luck.

______________________________

 

[earlw]

Agree that yearly maintenance needs to be done. however, how do you access the rear drain holes to clean on a 2019 Nautilus with the panoramic vista roof ?? I can't seem to see them at all. Any ideas ?? Thanks

 

[SeanH]

Agree that yearly maintenance needs to be done. however, how do you access the rear drain holes to clean on a 2019 Nautilus with the panoramic vista roof ?? I can't seem to see them at all. Any ideas ?? Thanks

Did you ever find the rear drain holes for your vehicle? I have the same issue.

 

[Tikibarjim]

My cousin who is a service writer for Ford in Cleveland said the sunroof tracks were redesigned after the 2020 year, I just put Gorilla tape over the seals & don't open the sunroof unfortunately.

 

[Capt1njohn]

I have the same problem with a 2019 Nautilus. Water coming down from above the rear right cargo area window getting in the spare tire area and also getting the rear floorboard soaking wet as well as the passenger side front floorboard. I found the front drains but cannot find the rear drains. I have been looking for an answer all over and I have not received a definite answer yet.

______________________________