FIX! Leaking Panoramic Roof Volkswagen Tiguan

[@lisabridge5332]

My 2015 VW Tiguan panoramic sunroof leaked terribly just after I purchased in May 2017. Since then, I paid over $2000 to the dealer & mechanics & I filed with my Auto Insurance to repair my Panoramic sunroof leaks & interior condensation. It was determined there was a manufacturing DEFECT. I also had my attorney send a letter to VW of America., but they refused to help. Is there anyone who wants to start a CLASS-ACTION lawsuit with me to stop this defect & harm to others in the future? Lisa Bridge Vero Beach FL

[@gaurav99168]

Hello, I am facing the same issue with my VW tiguan 2012

[@lonnlorenz1146]

Any result from this? I have 2012 Tiguan with same problem - water condensation so bad that the floorboards have mold and actually grew a mushroom! I'm thinking VW at least needs to do a recall or something?

[@inthenameofourfathersfirst7449]

Its appalling that VWs whether Golf, Touran, Jetta, Passat, Toureg, all sufder from leaks, predominantly from sunroofs. Its a crime, that they have taken shortcuts and design such flimsy systems in recent years that are causing such pain and angst amounst owners who, primarily brought these cars because of the reliability and trust afforded to German car manufacturers. This trust is being destroyed, and I can see the onset of decline in the German car industry. Its shocking the way they are treating their customers despite knowing that there is a flaw in the design. VW should recall and fix for free!!!!!

[@3PDL4LIF]

Agreed. Considering there is almost 1/4 Million views on this video, I'd say it should have been a warranty issue too.

[@thatstrami]

Having the same issue with my 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan. I really appreciate your video and how detailed you are in showing the steps to maneuver the panel in order to access said hoses. Excellent video

[@3PDL4LIF]

No problem, glad it helped

[@nextlayersecurity]

update -- followed this procedure today and found all FOUR drain plugs showed obvious signs of leak (dirt down side of drain tube). On back two, there were obvious glue spots on each side of tube inserted into bushing but rest was loose and leaking water. the front tubes were harder to access due to issue where I found it necessary to remove A-pillar trim on driver and passenger side of vehicle. The TOP plastic clip on A-pillar was a BEAR to detach -- compounded by Airbag. The trick: longer needle nosed pliers applied to stem of clip to twist the head of clip 90degrees for it to release from A-pillar trim. If you read this with A-pillar partially released, you'll know what I'm talking about. I found the light removal was unnecessary. In summary: I find this tube+bushing seal solution is lacking in VW design. I agree that hose clamp would be preferred but this would require a different bushing with a barbed insert INTO the tube.

[@sebastiancaporelli6007]

Great video, very usefull! those leaks are driving me crazy

[@hondared250]

I work on lots of these and the number one leak point is the white fitting itself , when its fitted new at the factory it sort of self seals onto the outlet at each corner of the housing . Now due to the material that the white bit is made from it tends to expand slightly and then leaks from there . What we now do is to use a worm clamp to clamp the white fitting to the housing and then reseal the blue part with silicone roof and gutter sealant as seen in the video . A bit more work than shown here but I can assure you it will still leak around that white fitting especially once its been disturbed by removal unless you fit the clamps . Alternativly you can use a 5mm wide cable tie but make sure it is centered over the widest part of the white fitting or it will just slide off .

[@nextlayersecurity]

I'm with you 100% on this after going through procedure today. Upon inspection, All four corners were leaking for my Tiguan. Even with the hose/worm clamp, I'm concerned about this being a problem in a couple years (again). I'm contemplating improvising a different solution for front -- and possibly back. The front seems obvious first potential because of easy access to both end of tube for full replacement. I was thinking some rubber fitting to match insert on White bushing with clamp/screw option to tube.

[@hondared250]

If you use the clamp and fit it correctly it wont leak , with the sealant just smear it generously around the joint and it will be fine as well . If you try some other sort of medium like a rubber to fit over the bulbous part you will find in time that it will split as the rubber will perish in the heat .

[@nextlayersecurity]

hello and thanks for the insight. yes, I likely don't appreciate the heat this area experiences in a hot summer day.

[@hondared250]

Thats half the reason they fail the heat causes the joints to expand , while you can clamp the main part you cant do the same with the second part so thats why we use non acidic silicone or polyurethane [windscreen sealant -bond ]

[@nextlayersecurity]

what do you think about this particular solution queued at the "big reveal" ?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIDGeoWCpbZ3jMkm36s

[@nextlayersecurity]

Incredible to find this video. sincere thanks. I have '09 Tiguan SEL with same issue. I suspect my issue specific to rear as I just spent 20min removing everything from rear hatch (including spare, etc) as I have water condensation on everything under rear hatch lid. In addition to the leaking bushing you describe, I've read other articles about clogged drain tubes as well so I plan to stick something down tube as well to insure clear. thanks again for the post.

[@marcusaurelius49]

Thanks. Just found my roof leaking through the sun shade light fitting after a car wash so this will be helpful.

[@3PDL4LIF]

Glad it helped

[@elcardon4577]

thank you for the video, you also have to check the drain of the hoses, they are behind the wheels, they are usually blocked, i did it in my VW Bora Sportwagon 2008.

[@rchristianwooley4870]

Where do the front tubes come out? I cleaned the back ones..

[@nathangay1162]

There has to be a class action lawsuit for this!? I just bought a 09 sportwagon used and have no warrenty. I love buying cars with issues ugh.

[@Someplaceinthemiddle2025]

Holy shit, the rain drains through the inside of the car??? What kind of madness is that????

[@EXOVCDS]

Uh... all sunroof cars run drains through the inside that then exit under / outside the vehicle.

[@farhorizons3901]

Brilliant! I have exactly the same leak in my Touran. I thought I had to completely remove the A-pillar cover but your technique will save me a lot of extra work. Thanks!

[@3PDL4LIF]

No problem. Hope it works well for you

[@alanwbelcher]

Thank you for posting. Can you update us? Has it worked? Also, I own a Jetta wagon with same issue. When I pulled the rear trim I couldn't locate the hoses, but more important, I couldn't get the metal clips to snap back in correctly, and bent 2 of them. At that point I gave up trying to fix it. I don't want to ruin the A-pillar covers as well. If anyone has a suggestion on how to deal with VW mounting clips....

[@wentworthdouglas4792]

Leaking was stressing me more than the wife...thanks I was really considering divorcing my golf

[@3PDL4LIF]

No problem. Glad to help! Hope all goes well

[@jack_wu]

07 Audi Q7: I used plumbing parts - Compression Brass Sleeve -- and use a hose clamp on outside of the white coupling shown in video. needless to say the liner is difficult to pull to make the room for fingers to work on pulling the drain pipe and push it back...

[@robbeard6929]

All modern cars are the same, complete shit, they all need taking to court. It's wrong, very wrong made from recycled crap.

[@patroklos6606]

Thanks for the video from Greece with a leaking Tiguan 2008 !!! Excellent work.

[@olivier7649]

Thank you very much. Im a french fan. So tired with my wife's tiguan, full of smog, moisture? I don't know the exact Word in english... thank you again.👍

[@3PDL4LIF]

Hey Olivier, glad the video helped you 😀

[@overlandingtundrak9833]

Thank you for your help. Also hats off to the awesome the car is in your garage great minds think a like!!

[@PanayiotisMavrokefalos]

I am about to do this fix to my Skoda Yeti 2010 which pretty much is identical to the tiguan in this aspect. Thanks for the tips very useful how to reach the spots. I will just add that you can also blow some compressed air in the tube in case it is clogged once you have access to them. A wire can be used for the clogged tube but this might damage the silicon tube and replacing it will be ugly job.

[@3PDL4LIF]

Good suggestion also. Good luck with your project

[@wesleyhoare789]

Thanks for this video the Volkswagen dealer in my town had no idea about this problem or where not familiar my front ones on both sides gave out so I used RTV it solved the issue

[@3PDL4LIF]

Awesome. Glad to hear it helped

[@Michael-T-G-ps110]

Such a great video thanks for taking the time to show how it’s done.

[@3PDL4LIF]

No problem. Hope it helps

[@MzPinkRacer]

just got a 16 tig. Might as well go ahead and do this in case it happens to mine...

[@andresboza8285]

Thank you Daniel, you saved me at least US$200 in repair fees from a local technician here in Costa Rica. Now the curtain is starting to rip in the front right side (already replaced once less than two years ago) and the headliner is starting to peel off in the front. Great! I'll guess this time I am going to get the parts in Florida and figure out how to do it myself.

[@3PDL4LIF]

Andres Boza Glad the video helped you :)

[@georgesaint4417]

Car manufacturers get away with a lot, it's a good job they don't make aircraft engines or planes. Good video, I'm here because my 2016 Skoda Yeti is leaking water on the passenger side, absolutely soaking wet floor. But I don't have a wet ceiling and the drain holes are working well, water comes out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the door pillars. So I'm stuck as what it could be?

[@larrygolyzniak0000]

Thanks for the great clues, but how do you get the rear fitting out where you can add the silicone. I can see it, but I don't want to just yank on it. I think for now I'll just try to spread some silicone around the connection where the blue tube goes into the fitting. I don't want to make the problem worse!

[@3PDL4LIF]

Larry Golyzniak just get a long pair of needle nose pliers and gently pull on the white hard plastic peice until it pops off. Be gentle with it though.

[@Mr7Poz]

Thank you, I paid the price for neglect and now must suffer every rainfall.

[@jackychan4960]

Grazie from italy

[@3PDL4LIF]

Prego🍕

[@paulbrooks2539]

Thanks,paid £370 last year didn’t solve the problem.I noticed the hose was severely kinked under the retaining clip at the rear, need to solve that problem!!!!

[@johnquirke1059]

I did all the above,still had problems.The BLACK rubber socket which lower end of each hose is inserted into has little cuts in the end of each one and these get blocked with dust,insects etc.then the water backs up in each pipe.Solution cut off the bottom section and water etc will flow through freely.JJQ.

[@user-lj3tx4dz8y]

am I the only one that thinks this is the cheapest and stupidest way to make this? mine had some tape around them lol. they couldnt spring for a little bit of sealant?!?!?!

[@golfrfth8725]

Hi Daniel, where is the tips of the panoramic roof water discharge channel's front and rear? Please would you show me on a picture or video those tips because i have 2013tiguan with panoramic roof and i want to check there... Thank you

[@hebercontreras7969]

My car has this problem as well

[@tom_kudy]

That´s what i was looking for ,thanks a lot 👍🏻

[@derios6605]

Thanks for the Video. My Mechanic just "blowed" the holes free (at least for free) but that didnt work. I was a little depressed that this coud get expensive. Saw your Video, was telling myself "wtf" and repaired it in ~5-10 min. Thank you :)

[@3PDL4LIF]

Glad the video helped you out!

[@ENZIO90]

I think a class action lawsuit, should be filed against volkswagen.

[@emiliopenia]

Hi Daniel, thanks for your video. I have the same problem in the front companion corner and I've tried to follow your solution but I can't pull of one of the sunvisor clips, the one that is on the center of the car and not on the door side. Can you please point me in the right direction to remove it? I've tried forcing it from underneath with a screwdriver, I've tried twisting it and I've tried pulling it off. As I'm afraid I might break it, I haven't really applied too much force yet. Thank you for your time!

[@robcoreano]

I currently have a 2011 VW Tiguan and the driver side is soaking wet. I pressed the floor mat and is like half an inch of water, I vacuum it but still water getting in. Is so frustrating so I'm looking for videos like this to have some direction of possible solutions and definitely this could be a solution. Great vid!

[@3PDL4LIF]

Robert Coreano I was frustrated too, until I implemented this solution. Havent had any problems since. Good luck.

[@jesshoward3603]

Any luck anybody ?

[@misterPheng]

Robert Coreano, did you ever solve the wet floor? Was it just these tubes?

[@excessnet]

Thanks, this video will save me a lot of time figuring out where things are! :)

[@3PDL4LIF]

No problem. Hope it helps

[@keithjames2229]

Got the pipes out. See that it is wet and filled with gross, wet mud. But the white cap is not popping off. Is that okay? Should I just put silicon around the edges anyway?

[@3PDL4LIF]

Make sure you remove the white caps. Ensure everything is clean and nice a dry. Then re-apply the white cap, then silicone it to seal everything up again. Good luck :)

[@3PDL4LIF]

Send me your email and I'll send you some pictures. But if you just pull down the roof liner in the areas that I show in the video, you'll be able to see where the drain hoses connect to the roof. Its really straight forward. The rear hoses are easier to get to than the front hoses, but all are accessible.

[@Danny-he3tx]

Tank you for the Video Fromm Germany. My Dad had the Problem, now i can Help him and he don't must pay so mich money in the Dealer

[@3PDL4LIF]

No problem. Good luck :)

[@bumblebee34]

So that's the best design the German engineers could come up with?

[@3PDL4LIF]

Who knows, lol.... It's probably different now.

[@BillRehbock]

It is designed a bit different now, after the class-action lawsuit that occurred. VW (thanks to my dealer arguing my case) did take care of my 2011 Tiguan out of warranty before the lawsuit when the water took out the sunroof, shade, and roof liner. The funny (well, not ha-ha funny, actually) thing is that I had a 2005 Jaguar Super V8 that had an almost identical sun-roof drain issue. The water worked its way down the c-pillar to underneath the rear seat where the air suspension control system is. The moisture caused the rear air suspension to over-inflate and my Jaguar looked like it had old "Hi-Jackers" on it. Jaguar wound up covering it as an out-of-warranty courtesy, which was nice. So not just isolated to German cars.

[@benoitcoulon2416]

Thanks for sharing. Avoided me a bill for my tiguan. A bike brake cable and I was fine for my front leak !

[@3PDL4LIF]

Glad it helped :)

[@larrygolyzniak0000]

Thanks for the generous use of your time. All the other videos show the front only. So I guess the fitting is just pushed back in carefully after the silicone is applied. Well for now I coated the junction with silicone, left the trim piece off, and will check for leaking. If that doesn't do the trick I'll try pulling the fitting. Thanks b again!

[@3PDL4LIF]

Larry Golyzniak hope it works out for you. Good luck

[@rickhelliwell1659]

Great video Daniel, very useful. I'm gonna struggle getting silicone to dry this time of year so i have done a temporary repair with insulation tape 3 of the drains. Hopefully these will hold out until next summer when i can do a proper job. Thanks for the info, from West Yorkshire, England.

[@MIKHAEL140]

I Did that too but I still have a leak on one side; I suspect the bottom of the drain being blocked?

[@nikolamin3548]

Thank you very much!!

[@3PDL4LIF]

Glad to help :)

[@michaelbonade4667]

That boot in the door🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@3PDL4LIF]

Gotta use whatever you can! ;)

[@bigbossbigboss8065]

Thank you from belgium

[@3PDL4LIF]

Hope it works out :)

[@rchristianwooley4870]

The back right corner of mine leaks. How did you remove the plastic trim piece? I'm afraid to just start pulling on it. Is it clipped in?

[@3PDL4LIF]

R Christian Wooley you just have to gently pry down on it. There are only a few clips holding it in. Just work your fingers in between the the headliner and the plastic trim, slowly work your fingers around the perimeter and pull down as you are doing it. It will pop right off.

[@rchristianwooley4870]

Daniel Iafrate OK, thank you. I've removed trim on other vehicles and had clips break or bend. I also have an 09 in near pristine condition, except for the leak.. Thanks for the quick response

[@agrimarltd1003]

Hi Daniel! I have some questions for you. Did the leaking caused any damage on the roof's pattern since you had leaking on all sides of the roof? Did you disable the airbags, before removing the covers? And what was the purpose that you removed the sun proof shields? I thank you in advance for you time.

[@3PDL4LIF]

Agrimar Ltd No I did not disable the airbags before working on the car. In hindsight I should have at least unplugged the battery. You'll have to pull the sun visor off in order to be able to pull the roof liner down and be able to access the drain hose.

[@agrimarltd1003]

I see! Thank you very much!

[@vinsonF]

Hi Daniel, I am having an issue with reaching the tubes of the front drains. Did you just pry down the headliner to reach it, or did you just pull on whatever part of the tube you were able to reach? If I get it out that way, I foresee difficulties in re-attaching it. In short, what did you do with the headliner to disconnect and re-attach the front drain tubes?

[@3PDL4LIF]

vinsonF just pull down on the headliner and jam your hand in there. If not, a long pair of needle nose pliers work too. Its defiantly not in a convenient spot though. Good luck

[@vinsonF]

Daniel Iafrate I will try that. I'm just scared of wrecking the headliner by bending it or something. Were you able to stick your whole hand in there without breaking anything? Thanks for the reply.

[@3PDL4LIF]

vinsonF yeah it will bend. Just make sure your A Pillar Plastic trim is pulled back/off and also you have the sunvisor screws taken off too. That should give it enough play room for you to get your hand in.

[@buzz_chill]

Do I need to disconnect the tube from the roof drain hole or can I just start applying the silicone with the roof drain hole and tube still attached?

[@3PDL4LIF]

Sam Canero take the tube and fitting off and do it properly ;)

[@nextlayersecurity]

I suggest following procedure in video. disconnect bushing from sunroof drain in order to get better access to rube+bushing. People in comments are trying for easy button and applying silicone sealant to tube+bushing without taking them apart and that's likely not going to provide good/reliable long term result. the silicone should be applied for full length of tube portion inserted into bushing.

[@sidahmedamraoui8986]

Thank you for video

[@JeffSebrechts]

Do you have to shut off the airbag for this operation?

[@3PDL4LIF]

I didnt when I did my repair. In hindsight, it would have been a good idea to at least disconnect the battery.

[@javagif6851]

Thanks for the video. Helped me on my Tiguan 2008.

[@3PDL4LIF]

Glad to help :)

[@jesse2006]

Damn local vw dealer charged my gf $1000 to fix this in Portland Oregon

[@DenBozhok]

thanks! very helpful and I think implies for all VWs with panoramic roof. any regular maintenance needs to be done to this pipes before winter season?

[@3PDL4LIF]

Den B Thanks. I haven't done anything to our Tiguan since the repair video here, and we haven't had any issues.

[@DenBozhok]

thanks :) looks like your silicone / duck tape is better then original VW glue :)

[@MrFuji]

Thanks, will try that this sunday!

[@3PDL4LIF]

Good luck :)

[@lavantaescottful]

what is the bottom trim called

[@3PDL4LIF]

What do you mean?

[@lemlattimer8329]

How difficult is it to take the trim off??

[@3PDL4LIF]

Very Easy. Just make sure the plastic is relatively warm or ambient temperature. You dont want the clips to crack or break when you take it off.

[@paulbrooks2539]

Hi , how do get the sun visors off. Do you apply a flat screwdriver behind the plastic cover and gentle prise them off 🧐

[@tmezan]

is it the same for b6 variant ?

[@3PDL4LIF]

Not sure because it's a different glass style in that vehicle. Follow the same procedure in my video and you'll find out. I would check the back trunk side first. Its easier to access than the front.

[@tmezan]

@@3PDL4LIF thank u.. i made it!

[@taharalg]

Thanks man

[@TheMexitol]

Great video, help me a lot!

[@3PDL4LIF]

TheMexitol glad I could help!

[@hadrian1]

very good video! thanks!

[@3PDL4LIF]

hadrian1 Thanks :)

[@you2ubesucksbeyond]

Very cool! Thanks! Guess I need to just suck up and do it before its a problem.

[@randomrazr]

should you avoid vehicles with this fancy panoramic roof

[@dagimgetachew841]

definetly

[@nextlayersecurity]

I suggest a big NO but depends entirely on type of person you are. I know people who could care less about sunroof and truly think of vehicle as utilitarian device only (ie. point A to point B. nothing more). While there's nothing wrong with this perspective, my preference is to enjoy the creature comforts. The fix here is really straightforward. If you own vehicle for six+ years and have to do this once (or twice), is that OK? again.. up to you.

[@Psk2205]

Got my new generation 2017 tiguan leaking roof done under warranty.

[@eamonnmcdermott1939]

VW=JUNK! Buy Japanese and you wont have problems like this!