Hi all, I have a 2011 Touareg and have been having roof leak issues. Took it to the dealer and already spent like $2K for them to replace the drains. After taking it home, we noticed it was still leaking after a rain storm.
The dealer says the next step is to replace the entire frame, which is going to cost another $3500.
Anyone have experience with this and does that seem like the right solution?
They also left dirty hand prints all over the headliner

It has been mentioned in a few threads on here where the pano roof frames had deformed causing a few different problems, water leaking being one of them.

 

Where are the leaks coming from exactly?

The shop leaving hand prints on the headliner would have put me through the roof

 

We've noticed water on the front mats on both the passenger and driver side.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the dealer. I'm hoping they can hook me up with a loaner since they said it's going to be a 2 week repair.

 

OMFG... so you're going to spend min $5500 on "sunroof repairs" when you can only see evidence of a leak on your floor mats? (on a 2011 specimen too)

I'm predicting that you'll be back soon after, when there's still water on the floor mats.... if you don't end up throwing yourself off a bridge first.

 

Right, I'm not sure what else to do at this point since I'm pretty much at their mercy unless I find a good independent mechanic with Touareg experience.

 

• let's assume that there's no such thing as service manuals that you could obtain to gain any type of knowledge with regards to the potential feasibility of the suggested repairs fixing the alleged issue.
• let's assume that you believe that the roof could actually be leaking but somehow, said water "teleports" straight to the floormats without leaving any trace on your roof liner, seats, dash, console, pillars, etc.

If we do all that, would it not be an option to say, take some sort of ghetto approach and tape a garbage bag or something across the roof to see if "sealing" the potential leak would fix it?

I personally have nothing to go on except your description, but I find it hard to believe that having had drains replaced (not really clear on what was done), you still have a leak from that sunroof.... did they credit you for those unnecessary repairs? How do they explain\justify those repairs if the leak was "upstream" of those components?

Lastly, why don't you have them commit to replacing the roof (if that's what you'll try next) and clearly add the "stipulation" that if the leak still continues after, you will not be responsible for payment?

 

My instinct says clogged drains

 

My instinct says clogged drains

Took it to the dealer and already spent like $2K for them to replace the drains.

 

This sounds familiar. Including the greasy hand prints all over the headliner. They put a brand new headliner in mine after a drain replacement and greased up the whole thing front to back. Nobody cares about their work anymore. The replacement drain did not fix mine either. I have since applied silicone on the corners directly above the drains and so far it has worked. But we’ll see this summer during sone thunderstorms. That’s when mine would do it. Down the a-pillar. I would try silicone around the top edge of the cassette where the seal makes contact with the tray. Directly above the drains there is a dip in the plastic tray and I suspect a weak pint where water escapes and runs down the drain tubes and down the a-pillar. Check your fuse boxes for rust or signs on water.

 

Hi @Brobb - thanks for the note. We haven't gone through any dealer woes yet but the rest of your post sounds identical to our situation (leaks down the A-pillar; rust from leaks in fusebox areas in both sides). With the fusebox covers off, pouring some water in the sunroof tray by the drains shows that the drains do work (aren't clogged) but a stream of water still leaks down the A-pillars and runs through the fusebox area onto the passenger and driver floors.

I've started the steps of removing the headliner in order to better see and address where the leak may be coming from, but if I can address it by using some silicone in easy-to-reach locations (such as the ones you mention) then I'm all for that instead of messing any further with interior trim.

My question: can you describe in more detail where you applied the silicone? I'll offer this photo... is the area marked in red (on each side) where you applied the sealant? Presumably I'd have to clean the area first, and push it up under the rubber seal where it meets the plastic tray/cassette? Thanks in advance!

IMG_6023 edited.jpg

• Bluey
• Mar 31, 2024

Sunroof drain area

 

The front drains end in the plenum chamber. (aka water box)
There should be a drain grommet that allows contents to drain from there.... here's a visual

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-volkswagen-audi-parts/valve/8d0819419/

Check if water is collecting in your box first. If it is, check\clear\replace drain valve\grommet.
If water isn't making it to the box, then the butchers messed up the drain connections as per above. Go back and have them rectify it.

 

I believe there were no drain grommets in 2011-2017 body style. Just a large oval hole. At least that was the case in my 2016. It’s a much larger hole than my 2009 had and no longer seems to be an issue for clogs.

 

I believe there were no drain grommets in 2011-2017 body style.

 

Maybe my were removed but I doubt it. I believe the hole is too large for the grommet that was on the T1’s. But who knows. Would love to see if someone else with a T3 has grommets as then I would know something had been tinkered with.

 

You in pigeon forge right now?

 

Yea I live here. Are you in town?

 

Oh no ****. I live outside of Townsend!

 

Oh nice. I love Townsend area. We should meet up sometime.

 

We definitely should! You're maybe an hour from me but I'm always looking for an excuse to hit up black rifle coffee....

 

Sorry for not replying earlier, been busy over here. I've since been putting a tarp over the car whenever it rains to protect it. Apparently there was a small bit of water in the light fixtures according to my wife (it's her car). I wasn't able to verify it.

Thanks for the suggestions all, I will have to spend some time looking it over myself.

At this point, I'm wondering if I should just be looking at a new car.

 

Does the 2011 have the big pano sunroof? I have the regular sized escape hatch that I siliconed to seal it after getting major water dripping from the control panel in the overhead. I pulled the headliner, A-pillar trim, cleaned drains, snaked drains, and got water running where it should when I poured it through. Still got wet in a car wash. It's not that important to have a sunroof for me, so I sealed it up.

I just saw a FB post showing a diagram of how the pieces fit together and there was mention of a sealing strip that can become loose. Not sure which generation of sunroof that was, but when I peel the silicone off to reseal it, I'll open it up to check that area.

 

Yep, the whole roof basically. Do you have a link to the post? It sucks that it's so cold out so it's hard to do anything without freezing since I don't have a garage.

Dealer basically said I'm on the hook for the $6000 to do a frame repair even though the $2000 drain repair did nothing. I wish I had the part where he said the $2000 would be rolled in to the next repair in writing.
I contacted VW and they said I still need to take it in for a "diagnostic" to figure out what the next step is.

 

@MetsFan , I found the post and read further down and his sunroof is like mine - just a hole in the roof. It wouldn't help you much since you have the pano sunroof, but if you are interested, it is in the VW Touareg Owners Group. Do a search for "sunroof" and look for a post from a Mr. Risk from 9-9-23. Pic is in the comments.

 

Hey.. if definitely seems like we have the same issue. My desk had been replaced by a dealership years ago and I wonder they just didn’t get it installed correctly.
Yes that area is where I siliconed and also around that curve and towards the back of the vehicle more. I thought I seen a few weak area a bit further down as well. Yea clean it first and I used gloves and my fingers to make sure I sealed that transition between cartridge and seal. I am still trying to decide if it’s worked. I haven’t had a leak since my second application. But I have not had any heavy rain to test it well either. Good luck and let me know if it fixes your issue. Cheers.