Sunroof Frame Cracked??

[skadee]

VW's had my 2017 GTI for 2 days, and just found out today that the sunroof frame is cracked, THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY!!

No idea of what this is going to run me, because the local shop doesn't do "body" work, and the next nearest VW shop that can is 40 min away (not bad, but still).

This doesn't seem to be an unusual issue amongst members here, is this a defect that VW may pony up on to repair post-warranty?

I'd be curious to learn of how many other people have had the frame crack on them.

 

[HstephenG]

I have a 2019 and I have a small crack on the front left corner. Haven't taken it in yet.

 

[Wavy]

VW's had my 2017 GTI for 2 days, and just found out today that the sunroof frame is cracked, THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY!!

No idea of what this is going to run me, because the local shop doesn't do "body" work, and the next nearest VW shop that can is 40 min away (not bad, but still).

This doesn't seem to be an unusual issue amongst members here, is this a defect that VW may pony up on to repair post-warranty?

I'd be curious to learn of how many other people have had the frame crack on them.VW

VW's had my 2017 GTI for 2 days, and just found out today that the sunroof frame is cracked, THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY!!

No idea of what this is going to run me, because the local shop doesn't do "body" work, and the next nearest VW shop that can is 40 min away (not bad, but still).

This doesn't seem to be an unusual issue amongst members here, is this a defect that VW may pony up on to repair post-warranty?

I'd be curious to learn of how many other people have had the frame crack on them.

VW unbeknownst to me had used the patch kit they sell on my car whenever I took it in for servicing and they noticed cracks. It's on their service bulletin. 60k in or so those patches they placed were no longer effective and I started to get leaks in the cabin. I take it back because it's a known issue and the dealer wanted over 3k to replace the frame. I contacted VWoA for assistance and they said since I was out of warranty I was on my own. So I bought some permatex black, took off the patches VW put on the car and covered any small crack with permatex and wala no more leaks. I also dropped the headliner removed the rust painted over it and water tested the car to make sure the leaks were gone.

 

[skadee]

Thanks for the replies. I was anticipating 1k, but they blew me away with a 2-3k rough estimate. They are currently looking into "VW goodwill", but if I'm going to be shelling out that kinda coin, Permatex is the first attempt. Not sure I'm up to pulling the headliner, but one of the techs noted that it was a known issue in 2015, and they had a recall to add some strips to those frames, but subsequent years weren't supposed to have the issue (although the new service writer noted that she's seen 3 in the six months she's been there).

Still sounds like a recall is justified.

 

[Wavy]

Thanks for the replies. I was anticipating 1k, but they blew me away with a 2-3k rough estimate. They are currently looking into "VW goodwill", but if I'm going to be shelling out that kinda coin, Permatex is the first attempt. Not sure I'm up to pulling the headliner, but one of the techs noted that it was a known issue in 2015, and they had a recall to add some strips to those frames, but subsequent years weren't supposed to have the issue (although the new service writer noted that she's seen 3 in the six months she's been there).

Still sounds like a recall is justified.

There's a class action law suit against VW for this issue. Those patches they add only do so much. It's just crap that they have a tech bulletin for it and don't even make the customer aware that the car is being patched when you take the car in for unrelated issues. Then when those patches fail they want to hold you liable for that issue. It's clear that it was a poor design to begin with. I'm just glad that the permatex worked. The tabs on the "oh sh** handles were a PITA. It took me over an hour to get them all out. I just wanted to access the rust and make sure it was addressed since I was not going to pay 3k for a new frame only for it to leak down the road as well. I also had a leak on record early into the ownership which they said was the drain lines but it makes me think it was the frame the whole time.

 

[jimlloyd40]

There's a class action law suit against VW for this issue. Those patches they add only do so much. It's just crap that they have a tech bulletin for it and don't even make the customer aware that the car is being patched when you take the car in for unrelated issues. Then when those patches fail they want to hold you liable for that issue. It's clear that it was a poor design to begin with. I'm just glad that the permatex worked. The tabs on the "oh sh** handles were a PITA. It took me over an hour to get them all out. I just wanted to access the rust and make sure it was addressed since I was not going to pay 3k for a new frame only for it to leak down the road as well. I also had a leak on record early into the ownership which they said was the drain lines but it makes me think it was the frame the whole time.

Are you joining the class action lawsuit?

 

[Wavy]

Are you joining the class action lawsuit?

I tried but since i hadn't come out of pocket for the replacement I didn't qualify.

 

[Narkls]

VW unbeknownst to me had used the patch kit they sell on my car whenever I took it in for servicing and they noticed cracks. It's on their service bulletin. 60k in or so those patches they placed were no longer effective and I started to get leaks in the cabin. I take it back because it's a known issue and the dealer wanted over 3k to replace the frame. I contacted VWoA for assistance and they said since I was out of warranty I was on my own. So I bought some permatex black, took off the patches VW put on the car and covered any small crack with permatex and wala no more leaks. I also dropped the headliner removed the rust painted over it and water tested the car to make sure the leaks were gone.View attachment 208969

Hey buddy, mind doing a step by step on what you did. Same boat here. Have the patches and leaking again. VW near me quoted $4,500 for replacment.. yeah no. Were the patches somewhat easy to remove? Or did you use some sort of thinner?

 

[Wavy]

Hey buddy, mind doing a step by step on what you did. Same boat here. Have the patches and leaking again. VW near me quoted $4,500 for replacment.. yeah no. Were the patches somewhat easy to remove? Or did you use some sort of thinner?

The patches came off no problem. If you want you can also try replacing the patches. VW sells a kit dirt cheap. If that doesn't work then try the permatex instead of the patches. When you remove the patches VW added you should be able to visually see small cracks on your frame. Fill them up a couple times and it should be good to go. I'd drop the headliner to clean up any rust spots that you've developed on the frame and then paint over it with a rust proof spray paint. Drive around with no headliner and test it whenever it rains to make sure you've covered the leaks on the frame.

 

[Wavy]

There are clips for the visor and roof handles. Those clips are a pita to get out but with small pocket screwdrivers you should be able to get it. It took me about an hour to get those things out. The overhead console is pretty easy to get out. Try searching up videos on it to get an idea. You may not find one for a mk7 but other Volkswagens are similar in the process.

 

[merrilltom]

VW's had my 2017 GTI for 2 days, and just found out today that the sunroof frame is cracked, THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY!!

No idea of what this is going to run me, because the local shop doesn't do "body" work, and the next nearest VW shop that can is 40 min away (not bad, but still).

This doesn't seem to be an unusual issue amongst members here, is this a defect that VW may pony up on to repair post-warranty?

I'd be curious to learn of how many other people have had the frame crack on them.

Same here. So far, my dealership has basically taken the attitude that since it's not still under warranty that I'm on my own.

 

[merrilltom]

Thanks for the replies. I was anticipating 1k, but they blew me away with a 2-3k rough estimate. They are currently looking into "VW goodwill", but if I'm going to be shelling out that kinda coin, Permatex is the first attempt. Not sure I'm up to pulling the headliner, but one of the techs noted that it was a known issue in 2015, and they had a recall to add some strips to those frames, but subsequent years weren't supposed to have the issue (although the new service writer noted that she's seen 3 in the six months she's been there).

Still sounds li

There's a class action law suit against VW for this issue. Those patches they add only do so much. It's just crap that they have a tech bulletin for it and don't even make the customer aware that the car is being patched when you take the car in for unrelated issues. Then when those patches fail they want to hold you liable for that issue. It's clear that it was a poor design to begin with. I'm just glad that the permatex worked. The tabs on the "oh sh** handles were a PITA. It took me over an hour to get them all out. I just wanted to access the rust and make sure it was addressed since I was not going to pay 3k for a new frame only for it to leak down the road as well. I also had a leak on record early into the ownership which they said was the drain lines but it makes me think it was the frame the whole time.

Unfortunately the class action lawsuit was dropped. Not sure why, there has been speculation that there were backroom settlements with the one who filed the lawsuit.

 

[redbug119]

There's a class action law suit against VW for this issue. Those patches they add only do so much. It's just crap that they have a tech bulletin for it and don't even make the customer aware that the car is being patched when you take the car in for unrelated issues. Then when those patches fail they want to hold you liable for that issue. It's clear that it was a poor design to begin with. I'm just glad that the permatex worked. The tabs on the "oh sh** handles were a PITA. It took me over an hour to get them all out. I just wanted to access the rust and make sure it was addressed since I was not going to pay 3k for a new frame only for it to leak down the road as well. I also had a leak on record early into the ownership which they said was the drain lines but it makes me think it was the frame the whole time.

Wow, sounds like my story too. I paid for new drain lines and had no problems for a while, then a flood. Now they have no clue. Maybe sunroof frame, maybe body weld. They put in new antenna but that didn't stem the flow. I was warned by service advisor it will be an expensive repair, maybe insurance will help. But doesn't look like it, they say "wear and tear". Going to try and do some sort of permanent seal, tape and a tarp or something until i can get it traded in. Even if they say its fixed, I'm not throwing good money after bad with 97k miles.