F150 broken guide sunroof rail repair assessment 2015+

Troubleshooting 2015 Ford F150 Sun Roof malfunction. Remove and replace broken panoramic moonroof will not open only tilt vent same as 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
FL3Z-1651071-A
FL3Z-1651071-B

[@nancygruttman-tyler127]

Ricardo, thank you taking the effort and time to make this video. I had a problem with my sunroof track just like yours. I took it to the Ford dealer to have them close it so water would not come in--it was not tightly sealed across the top. When I got my truck back, there was a whole inch opening along the entire top of the truck where the front glass and rear glass are supposed to meet. The front glass was still dropped down below the level of the rear glass. They said that was the best they could do and it would cost $4,000 to fix. I really cannot believe they were trying to take advantage of me, a 78-year old widow, however your video has shown me that the job can be done a lot cheaper. They have taken my truck back to try to close the gap--at least to put it back to where it was when I took it in. If they are not successful, I'm going to find someone to help me do it myself. I have nothing to lose and a lot to save! Thanks, again, Ricardo.

[@usa91787]

I know this is a ways after you posted it but the broken piece came from the lower track for the cable.

[@LegendaryPrince777]

Did you bought new rails ? Or did you noticed you didn’t had to buy new ones once you removed the small broken piece maybe preventing from the rails to slide back? Great video btw thank you

[@chadyv28]

Do you have the part name/number for thr rails you replaced? Aoso, did you have any water leaks after doing this?

[@gaylordgredel9360]

Great video. Thanks for posting

[@hunterbeal3644]

THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@jimself9395]

I really wish everybody would put the year of the vehicle they are working on in the title of any Automotive for truck type repair

[@ricardosworkshop]

That's a great idea. This one is a 2015 Ford F140 Platinum 3.5L Twin Turbo FX4. So 4x4. But the panoramic sunroof is the same from 2015-2020 and even the newer ones.

[@troywilliams8659]

Im getting metal rails tomorrow

[@i3oosted]

just happened to mine, will be doing this soon, thanks for the vid and part numbers!

[@ricardosworkshop]

Glad it helped

[@ChrisStruckman]

I found the exact same piece

[@rickylester7605]

I think i can fix my moonroof off of this video. Thanks.

[@ivansolis2465]

How you install the brackets

[@jaymoney9917]

Great video very poor materials and design. Mine is broken...1 month after buying truck.

[@ricardosworkshop]

I know... i thought there might be a metal replacement but cannot find one.

[@jaycollup7204]

did you ever find replacement rails not from ford?

[@ricardosworkshop]

Online. They're still quite expensive but not $300

[@SealofPerfection]

I haven't seen any aftermarkets that were improved. The new ones from Ford are the most updated and have been holding up so far. FL3Z-1651070-E is what you want

[@joesmammy2124]

This a "panoramic" roof

[@chuckcollinsworth5000]

When one or more guides or rails are broken you ALEAYS replace them. Remember they are broken and do need replaced. I mean you're already that far in so why not change them?

[@chuckcollinsworth5000]

ALWAYS!!! REMEMBER THEY ARE ALREDY BROKE!!!

[@ricardosworkshop]

Great point Chuck. Thanks. This was more of a discovery video. While I wait for new rails

[@nealwright5630]

Ford dealership quoted $1500 for new rails this morning. They don't sell the slide parts anymore. So, basically, they screwed the design of this and are now making bank on repairing them at $3, to $4k.

[@schutte83]

This is one of the many reasons I got rid of my F150 and treaded it in for a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Have owned my Tundra for almost two years and not a single problem. Why they would use plastic in such a huge sunroof is just plain dumb. Fords customer service is horrible!!!

[@christianw4]

Call the Ford dealer and file a complaint. My warranty is up and it’s a $3500 in repair. If they get out of compliance they will make it a recall and reimburse everybody.

[@DellyGuest1]

I have a 2016 F150 and I'm having the same Exact Problem!!

[@pepesilvia4564]

thank you brother, you god's work with this video. This stupid sunroof has been defective since 2015, and Ford STILL hasn't done anything, still using the same crappy supplier for this sunroof. Literally everyone I know has had the same issue, mine broke 2 times during warranty and now has been broken again.

[@Stephen-fb2zn]

fixed my sunroof - thank you. ADDITION -- seeing the way you did it, and knowing to look for junk in the track, I worked my fingers along the rail and pushed the little broken piece out of the way (between the two rail guides) and then it opened and I could finish removing that broken bit. Saves having to pull the glass out.

[@AlanSilvaa]

My blind doesn't close completely. Does anyone know how to fix this?

[@cassiemarion6707]

Thanks a million. Just saved me over $600 at the dealership. My husband did this in 15 minutes. This is EXACTLY what was wrong. Please, keep posting... Money saver!! ❤

[@1978tickler]

Thank you! This helped me clear debris amd get it closed. Saved me thousands. Next round is on me. If you ever get to Atlantic Canada.

[@Pilot545]

I def don’t regret my sunroof. But my fabric cover came out of the track on the driver side. When I took it to my dealer, they also said my roof rail was cracked (although, my sunroof functions fine…even the fabric cover still works….it just is flappy on the drivers side). They said it was an 8 hour job. I said…no. Glad I came across your vid. At the very least, I’m going to inspect my roof rails…and hopefully see how to re-insert the cover in whatever groove it belongs.

[@johnbradsher8185]

Hope this will work on mine if so saves me $600

[@RC-bj6ol]

I found the exact same plastic piece that broke off. Ford obviously has a design flaw. This video was super helpful. Thanks for creating it!

[@davidatwood3228]

I hate that I had to get a sunroof in order to get the other features that I wanted. It's such a liability to have a sunroof in an area of the country where it frequently hails baseball sized hail. I have opened up the sunroof less than 5 times in the 5 years I have owned this truck and you guessed it, even with very minimal use, it suddenly started rattling and I realized it had broke and I am now watching this video to figure out how to fix the POS. How annoying that it breaks even if you never use it. I wish it just had a normal roof.

[@corylangford742]

Man!! Thanks for sharing! I'm on my second go round of my roof doing this, but was worried now that the warranty is over. I will take care of it on my own now.

[@ricardosworkshop]

Awesome... thanks for watching!

[@bradleyfarve]

Just bought gap insurance that was 4k for this and stuff and I just come across this😂😂😂 canceling tomorrow!!!! glad my 30 days isn’t up😂😂😂

[@djay1220]

I have to do the same thing to my 2017 Lincoln Mkc panoramic sunroof too it sometimes get stuck when I try opening it but it will tilt I hope this work!!!

[@AutoVitaMinIzmail]

Thank you for the video, I have a Ford Escape and I need to change the removable part of the sunroof. I couldn't find a video of this for the Ford Escape anywhere, but I see you have the same sunroof principle on the F150. I think I'll do it myself.))

[@yesoryeslasvegas2502]

Dealer replaced my guide rails and 3 month laters it stops working. They now say it’s a different problem and are claiming my cables are worn. Should they have replaced the cable or caught that when they replaced the guide rails?? I refuse to pay $7k for this

[@dakota82]

This looks like what is happening with my ‘16 ford f150 lariat. I’ll be doing this soon. Right now mosquitos are tearing me up

[@malikshabazz4569]

WOW!!! Easy fix. Ford wanted to charge me $500 just to remove the broken piece. THANKS

[@bkehlin]

Perhaps Ford designed that little plastic piece to break off so you'd have to go in to the dealer to have it serviced. $$$ Obviously it's not important otherwise the window wouldn't work after removing it. 😅

[@Arkie407]

Since I bought a used 2016 Platinum FX4 4dr, I didn't have a choice of getting sunroof or not. Our past experiences have never been good, with 5 out of 5 all breaking at some point, even with rare use! Grandkids think it's really neat - I just grit my teeth & mumble something to humor them... VERY much appreciate this video and for the part numbers! "Just in case..."

[@mpderm21]

Same exact broken piece.

[@kidbaseball4]

This video helped me get my sunroof closed. The same piece in your video broke off on my sunroof. It wouldn’t let me close the sunroof after I opened it and I just wanted to say Thank You!

[@danwtheplan]

What is the official name for the sun roof rail for replacement? Want to do a search. Thank you

[@ricardosworkshop]

FL3Z-1651071-A FL3Z-1651071-B

[@danwtheplan]

Thank you very much, perfect match! Great video, by the way! @@ricardosworkshop

[@BlasiusAttleboro]

FL3Z1651070E THATS THE PART NUMBER FOR BOTH SUNROOF SLIDING PANELS.

[@seang3101]

Swear I have that same plastic piece I found and after looking around, idk where the hell it broke off of...

[@RobertPlattBell]

Great video. I like how you dropped the screw - sounds like something I would do! I found two chunks of plastic in the tracks of my 2016 King Ranch. It was making horrible noises and not closing (finally got it to close after 20 minutes of dicking around). After removing the plastic chunks, it works fine! Should I replace the rails anyway or "if it works, don't fix it!" Maybe I should buy the rails and keep them around "just in case" more parts break off! Thanks again for the video!

[@optx23perez90]

Anyone have small leaks from both sides? Any idea how I could fix this issue myself?

[@allisong5009]

Great video you helped me make the decision to get a sunroof on my factory order 👍🏾

[@Jchristensen805]

Brilliant! I'm on my 2nd F series (2105 F-150, 2018 F-350), and both have had serious issues with the panoramic moonroof. Dealer replaced rails three times on the F-150. Ford would not cover on either once out of warranty, despite Ford knowing, and dealers admitting this is a major design flaw. Gonna make me convert to Ram!!

[@ricardosworkshop]

That new ram does look nice lol... i think they were coming out with an all metal replacement to end the issues.

[@marlanandstefanieholland9267]

If you need it in the future, don’t go to Ford. I had to replace the tracks in my 2004 and Ford wanted $1250. I went to a body shop & they charged $700. Body shops definitely have the ability.

[@angelleon4680]

I have a 2017 raptor and it’s not shutting all the way on one side and it will vent but it won’t slide back

[@robs2341]

Hey Ricardo! You in houston? want to help me fix mine? 😅

[@SPBurt1]

Just FYI for others experiencing this issue. My 2016 F-150 Lariat had issues a week after I bought it (used). Like a dummy I did not test the roof before driving off the lot. On my first try I heard a pop and the window would not retract. I let it go and planned to take it to the dealer for repair. Eventually I decided to investigate and remove the roof panel as shown in this video. Everything went fine and the panel is easy to remove. I found chunks of plastic in the tracks. I removed them, reassembled, applied a bit of silicone grease. Window operated fine for a while. It eventually failed again and this time it was stuck in the open position. I could not remove the window because it was partly in the retracted position, so I took it to the dealership. I will update with cost of repair when I get the truck back. Jan 6 2021. No longer under warranty and not covered by my extended warranty, this should be interesting.

[@ricardosworkshop]

Thanks for the info!

[@mizzlemafia551]

@SPBurt1 So what was the damage? I was quoted $3,800. Just bout the truck a few months ago, CPO and yet still “not covered by the warranty”

[@jorger4280]

@SPBurt1 So how’d everything go at the dealership, what was the damage?

[@mizzlemafia551]

@@jorger4280 Check out sunroof doctor, has the replacement tracks for $140, 20 minute job

[@hangmanfsc]

@@mizzlemafia551 thanks for this info!

[@YesImhymn]

Thank you for creating this video. I have a 2018 Platinum that is doing the same exact thing as yours. Before watching your video I had accepted it’s fate as a window instead of a sunroof. Now I will be fixing it. Thank you

[@appelmac1]

Why would my sunshade not work? 2019 lariat

[@geoffmaxwell4461]

I'm going to regret asking this but.. why do I keep hearing horror stories of $4000 repair bills for rail issues when it looks like worst case it might be a couple of hours work?

[@on2wheels275]

It’s probably the charge back to ford for the warranty work. Should be a 2-3 hour labor plus parts

[@ricardosworkshop]

Ford, like most auto repair shops doesn't like repairing just one thing. They like to replace everything that could go wrong in order to give you a good warranty. This usualy means they replace perfectly good parts.

[@josed.3696]

Same thing here, I had same issue on my f250 and I believe the total bill was 3200$. They stated the whole interior had to be removed in order to drop the whole glass to replace the rails. If it ever happened again I’m sure doing it myself doesn’t seem too big a job to take on. Thanks for the great information man. 😎🤟🏽

[@ivansolis2465]

I took mine to the dealer and they tell me 3000 to repair it and fu?? No I told them to sell me the part and I installed my self is not to hard it easy

[@SealofPerfection]

Here's the reason: When you're in warranty, Ford tells them to replace the rails. If that doesn't fix it, or if it's too broken to start with, you can put an entire track in it. I have seen a few that the rails/arms fixed, but eventually the rest of the track failed and it had to be replaced. Under warranty, no big deal. But look at it from the dealer's perspective: You come in with your truck out of warranty. They replace the arms only, and it works fine. 6 months from now, due to the pressure the track was put under when the arms initially broke, the lower part of the track finally breaks. So now you HAVE to have a track. What's going to happen? The customer is going to come back and and raise holy hell because he now has to have a track, and wants to know why he spent $400 six months ago. Nobody's going to want to hear the truthful explanation, which is that nobody could have predicted the track would break later on. And oftentimes, the dealer is going to have to maybe credit back the arms, and then replace the track. Which isn't their fault at all. But that's how you take care of business, and it costs them money in this case. So when you're out of warranty, some dealers just say "Track or nothing"....that way it's ALL new, and they are covered by Ford's part warranty. Personally, I just explain it with kind of a disclaimer, like "Look, 99% of the time the arms will fix this and that'll be the end of it. But you have to understand that the lower track COULD give out later on, due to the trauma caused when the arms break....so do you want to risk $400 bucks now and play the odds and save that money the track costs, or do you want to go ahead with $2500 for a track?" Most people opt for the arms and take their chances.

[@Mad_Hazardous]

Bro!!!! You are the MAN. Thank you for sharing this video. I was having the same issues. Followed the same steps and found 2 of the same little pieces on both sides, in the exact same spot and like you, could not figure out where the heck they came from. But alas... I finally have my sunroof. Here's to you, my guy!

[@ricardosworkshop]

Glad I could help

[@cezar09]

Have you ever replaced the back glass? Is it easier or harder?

[@ricardosworkshop]

Never have... but looks easier

[@waltajmaliii]

Hi thanks for the video, I wish I’ve know before. I took mine to the dealership the first time it happened and they said they lubricated and fixed it. The next thing I know it broke. Wouldn’t open all the way then wouldn’t close. The dealership told me $5,300.00 ok still looking around.

[@ricardosworkshop]

Wow... they want to put a whole new one in it instead of fixing the existing one. It could be as easy as the track. I would try it before paying that much money.

[@bennypacheco9064]

I have the same piece that came off and on the same side. And i have no cracks on the plastic.

[@mbrick]

Good find! That little piece you found did break off of the rails. It is off of the bottom side so it is not easy to see. You can see the exact same piece in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYjOg4aQl8aFjtk

[@ricardosworkshop]

Thanks brickner!

[@jesuscota6263]

I just bought a Lariat 2021, and the moon/sunroof exploded the next day.. Ford is taking forever to find the glass replacement cause the is back order… Any recommendations?

[@ricardosworkshop]

Exploded? Like it shattered? I would tape it up untill you get a replacement. Try not ro tape the paint.

[@NEALSZ]

Great video! I have it save. I have been having water leaking and I seen a video showing the magnetic plates that help hold the roof liner are allowing water to leak into the cabin. Any thoughts?

[@Daveed273]

You mean to tell me the sunroof repair is that easy?!?

[@arturo4109]

Do you have the link to buy the part, please give it to me

[@useradmn]

Same thing on my 2015 F150. Thank you!

[@iamangus4319]

Great video very detailed thank you for taking your time to help us with the same problem

[@jasonshaeffer3612]

Absolutely love your videos. Just got a 17 and need to replace these rails. The little tips like "use yo head" will make my life so much easier when the parts come in. Thanks and keep up the great vids!!!

[@user-qu6rd1uv7z]

Great video. This is a known issue with Ford.

[@سيفالراشدي-ذ3ل]

The worst sun roof made by car manifactorer

[@TJ-po9ol]

Why the hell did ford use plastic for all this? These constantly break on everyone

[@ricardosworkshop]

Right! For light weight, the should have stuck to aluminum.

[@tracestaker6237]

Thank You So much for the video! Ill go try it right now and see if its the same thing that happened to mine! :)

[@MartinRodriguez-gx9cs]

I loved my sun roof till my headliner got soaked yesterday, now I’m hating it because I have to find out what the hell is the issue!

[@ricardosworkshop]

Open the sunroof and clean the water drain paths. Thats usually what gets clogged.

[@Reviewerguy1228]

When it rains/going through car wash, does water come into your sunroof and go down the drain track? Every time I get in my truck after it rains and I drive off you hear the water bubble and then it goes down the drain

[@ricardosworkshop]

Sometimes it does but most of the time is doesn't get through the gasket. But I'm sure location and temperature matter.

[@bhrindersinghgill6890]

My truck sunroof also gets stuck like yours is Ford dealer can fix it and how much will it cost do you have any idea

[@ricardosworkshop]

Just the parts are like $400 from Ford. But I've heard they charge as much as $3000 total.

[@MrStinton_]

Saved me a tonn of money.. appreciate it ! 10 mins and a piece of plastic later.. all good lol. You can even just stick your fingers alongways the track after taking the sideshields off. You're more than likely to find a piece of plastic there which is jamming the roof, causing it not to operate as it should. thanks again!

[@merlotthegreat]

Did you buy new rails or did you just remove the plastic piece and place the sunroof back on?

[@ricardosworkshop]

I just removed the broken plastic. But it went out a couple weeks after... so I bought new rails. Installing them soon

[@jamesun25]

honestly how easy was it to fix? i have basically the same part i found in my track. seems easier than the previous version of sunroofs. just curious

[@ricardosworkshop]

I think it's super easy. Just with this was a metal part instead of plastic.

[@spacemonkey1983style]

Mine is doing the same thing except mine wont even vent. Although it may be because I tried the calibration and it wasn't able to complete because my sunroof wont open. Hopefully it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

[@TruthbetoldtotheWorld]

Great job bro, which part of Houston do you live? I got the same issue, may be you can help?

[@Beerzy]

Awesome video bud. What year is your truck? It was mentioned on F150forum that the mechanism is different in the later years. I just picked up a 2019 with the panoramic roof and just looking for tips on servicing and keeping it operating properly.

[@ricardosworkshop]

Thanks! This is a 2015

[@shannonfrey7242]

Mine is a 2019 and is leaking up by visor so ready for the thousand dollar bill to fix it.

[@elyambly13579]

I just bought a 2017 F-150 on 10/19/2021 and a month after having it, the third time I went to open the sunroof it opened only 1/4 and I said better I close it and then take it to repair and begin to close and then It began to open without me opening it, but only the driver's side low to open and the passenger side did not lower to open, touching the rear glass and breaking the sunroof glass. Does anyone know of a place in Orlando FL that fixes this problem?

[@eduardocano8115]

Will they be the same guides as a 2019 ford lobo?

[@ricardosworkshop]

Yes... same

[@josephtodaro80]

For just told me my entire rail system needed to be replaced over $4,000. I'll try this first.

[@budstik]

went through the same procedure and found a broken chunk of the passenger side. Why go through the effort of replacing the part if its cheap and just going to break again? I'm gonna call this fix good 👍. thanks for taking the time to make the video.

[@budstik]

and my warranty just expired last month 😑

[@ricardosworkshop]

Aww...sux, of course it would. But you can do the fix yourself. 👍🏼

[@martina.p.2097]

Exact same plastic piece, no idea where it came from but was impeding my sunroof from closing. Now if I try to open it, it sounds like something is definitely breaking. I’ll be doing the same thing here - thank you!

[@gairyosburn8534]

Do you have to replace the piece or just remove the broken part that is causing the jam?

[@ricardosworkshop]

In this video, I just removed the broken part. I then ordered new tracks and intalled them in a different vid.

[@aktnilabrado7399]

Same exact thing happened to me. Same exact broken piece of plastic and I can’t figure out where it broke off from. It does work without problems now with that little piece missing. No leak,no wind noise,nothing.

[@MacD14]

I need to replace both tracks. How long did it take you overall to do this? I had taken my truck to the dealer and they want $4 grand and quoted me 8 hours of labor. So, DIY it is.

[@ricardosworkshop]

Lol... DIY is the way to go... it's not hard at all... less than an hour.

[@MacD14]

@@ricardosworkshop awesome brother thanks

[@DYNAMICNEWDOG]

Does anyone know where to get the plastic guide rails for the bottom its from 2016 f150.

[@trentbrickley957]

I had the same plastic piece in my track and now it’s stuck open, idk where it came frim

[@tracycook6986]

Yes, repair place lied to me and said it would take 4 hours to remove the moonroof just to assess the situation.

[@Iamuncaco1]

Same issue with mine. I am looking for parts! Thanks!

[@ianbarsch]

Do you know the reprogram sequence for a 2019 Expedition?

[@ivansolis2465]

New follower

[@ebongear]

Thank you for making this video! I have the exact same little plastic piece broken off on our 2018 f150. The gal at our local ford dealer is telling me they will need to remove the windshield to do this repair... and the best part... she says if they break my windshield I have to pay for a new one

[@ricardosworkshop]

What... wow, that's unbelievable. Glad the video helped. Did you replace the rails?

[@ebongear]

@@ricardosworkshop No, this should be covered under the warranty thankfully. Definetily not going to our local dealership to do the work.

[@adriangutierrez3472]

I just found this video and I have the exact same broken piece too And my sunroof is doing to same as this one in the video. Stopping and getting stuck. I guess I’m going to have to do this over the weekend. Thanks for the Video Ricardo!

[@colbymonnington4309]

Watched this video and there was the same little broken piece of plastic in mine. If I can offer some advice, use a 1/4 nut driver on those torque screws. Preferably with a magnetic tip and it will make life so much easier lol. Thanks again for the video!

[@pablosedillo9368]

So did you replace those rails? What was involved with replacing the rails?

[@mikegreenbike]

Thank you. like your style of video making.

[@ricardosworkshop]

Thanks Mike!

[@oscarapple1365]

Let's go Astros! How's the repair holding up?

[@yohannycalderon1596]

Thank you very much. Same issue here, plastic piece broke off and will give trouble when trying to open or close. Will definitely try to take the glass off like you did and inspect the rails. Thanks a lot.

[@saragreen1751]

OMG the dealership wants to charge me $1040 for parts and labor for this trying to say it’s a 5 hour job. I am going to buy the rails myself and replace. I am so glad I looked this up before taking it in. I love my truck and the roof it has sucked not using it. Thanks so much!!!

[@greggodfrey5387]

I got quotes $289.00 with the tracks. It’s like an hour job

[@aperdue100]

Thank YOU!!! any chance you have a part number!

[@johnh6170]

It’s in the description

[@SealofPerfection]

FL3Z-1651070-E is a kit with both guide arms, the most current # as of March 2021