2011 Prius Sunroof Deflector Seal Deterioration?

My guess is that this is a UV problem. Garaged vehicles appear to be less susceptible as with vehicles operating in temperate environments.

Unprotected rubber/vinyl seals will breakdown and loose elasticity over time. With use and large temperature extremes over the seasons, expansion/contraction of the inelastic seal is likely to cause it to detach and become decrepit.

Has anyone tried using an exterior UV protectant like Xtreme vinyl spray as preventive maintenance? Sunscreen might work too.

 

Well, add my 2014 Prius Four to the deteriorating seal problem (main sunroof panel seals and smaller front glass panel seals have deteriorated). Live in the Seattle suburbs so the weather is never really too cold or too hot for long.

The local dealer said $2900 ($753 - front glass piece, $1185 - main sunroof glass, $250-300 for other parts and roughly $600 for labor)!

Toyota Customer Care (800) 331-4331 said that they would cover slightly more than a 1/3, the dealer around 1/3 and I would have the remaining ($850 or so). They also let me know that my Platinum VSA (Service agreement) does not apply since the problem is not mechanical. It's shocking to think that fixing a rubber seal could be so costly and problematic.

The offer is disappointing given what I've read on this forum and especially so since Toyota hasn't solved the problem and that it might reoccur again.

With kids growing up, I've purchased three Toyota's in the past six years. I'm in the market again - to help one more kid and to replace another vehicle. This situation does not inspire loyalty at all.

 

They are not seals. They are edging around the glass to make pretty.

 

That is what I noticed this spring. I completely removed my loose piece, along the trailing edge of the deflector between it and the big center glass, and have not yet done anything to find or make a replacement. It is not leaking.

 

It's a 7 year old car. How many years should any manufacturer warranty there product?
Sunroofs on all cars are problematic. I personally hate them.
Just close it, silicone along the edge. Pull the fuse for the sunroof, and keep driving!

 

If they want customers to be happy and return for more, lifetime warranty.

 

Then they don't make any money.....

 

Prospective buyers always post in here inquiring which gen 3 to purchase because “it’s a bulletproof car,” so why do people still buy these scam extended warranties?

It’s a manufacture defect so if “moon roof” is printed clearly on the policy coverage, you win. If not, get what ever money you have left from the policy & cancel it.

 

The deteriorating rubber edge (it's not a seal) problem that is...

After a second round of discussions, Toyota agreed to cover the entire repair.

I'm thankful that they did. Kudos also to the local dealership for their help during the process.

 

I remove the rubber part by part and have no leaking yet, seems to be possible.
Found a seal on aliexpress which should be able to be used, not tried my selves yet but I wanted to let you know, it is called:
3M sedan panoramic roof seal sticker for Toyota Camry Corolla RAV4 Yaris Highlander/Land Cruiser/PRADO Vios Vitz/Reiz Prius

 

My 2019 Prius had the same issue. I live in Portland Oregon so no road salt here. I have also been quoted 2000 to replace the sunroof. There has to be a better solution.

 

I have a 2011 Prius III and am suddenly having the same issue, caught me by surprise: warping and buckling of the exterior rubber surrounding sunroof components, to the point that the rubber pieces popped out of their housing. Just came from service department of dealership and was quoted ~$1000 to fix it. This seems like a pretty clear instance of faulty/low quality material choice for the purpose if it keeps happening on vehicles that aren't even as old as mine and all different climates. I hoped it was just cosmetic, but dealership is saying it's functional and will cause additional problems (leaking, etc.) and that a body repair shop has to do it - they can't even fix it inhouse.

 

I don't remember anyone yet confirming that it will cause leaking. Mine hasn't, though it now spends most of its time in the garage, due to the growing regional risk of cat theft. But it certainly has been exposed to a significant amount of rain since the problem cropped up nearly two years, and still spends an occasional few nights out in the rain when projects take up garage space. And it was very well drenched when we traveled to the coast for a couple days of storm watching some weeks ago.

 

Finally got embarrassed enough about how bad this looked and just cut it all off. Ridiculous. As others have pointed out the seal to the interior cabin is completely separate and all this rubber is, is edging around the glass. No additional wind noise or any negative that I have found in doing this.

 

It certainly seems to happen to vehicles used in extreme cold climates compared to ones say in California.

 

After reading all the threads, can we assume that the seal of the deflector is quite an esthetic one ?
I read that some people didn't replace it and didn't have any leaks ?
It seems that water is drained with the drain hole... (btw, where are those holes ? I would want to check if there are still empty)
I had a lot of water in the spare tire well but read another threads about trunk's leaks, I'm going to pass through all the possible sources.
I wouln't change the deflector or sun glasses if not ''necessary''
The inside seal seems to do the job from preventing roof leaks.

** Sorry for my imperfect english

 

As far as I could see, there are no drain holes. The water flows through the windshield.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I live in the same area and have this issue did you ever get it fixed

 

Same issue here with my 2011 Prius. Toyota paid for half to fix it the first time about 4 years ago and now it's happened again. This time it's fully come off and even the seal around the interior of the rear driver-side door has fallen off. I'm taking it to a local mechanic (not the dealership) this time. Will let you know what they say. It's so annoying because other than that (and a bit of rust on the bottom of the passenger door) - the car still drives great. It feels urgent to get it fixed this time though as I'm smelling strong exhaust in the cabin.

 

I am so glad I found other people with this problem! The deterioration started several months ago but I just noticed it was really bad a couple months ago when I was showing it to a friend who’s a used car dealer and he said it would need to be fixed before I could sell it… found out from a local Toyota dealer that the two panels I’d need to replace would cost $2500CAD just for the parts!

I heard today from someone that “Almost every 2010-2011 Prius had the same glass issue. Hence they didnt make it after.”

he also told me there was a recall in the US (mine is a US car though we have brought it to Canada) because of a class action lawsuit - but I can’t find anything online about the recall or class action

anyone know about that?
Thanks!
Adam