Sunroof
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 387
Likes: 11
From: Alberta
Ive had a sunroof on our suv for the past 10 years. Opening it is usually like "Hey I wonder it that thing still works?" Just don't use it or even think about it. Not knocking them I can see why people would like them just doesn't do anything for us.
Of course I forgot the vehicle had 3rd row seats also.
Of course I forgot the vehicle had 3rd row seats also.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 5
From: Weatherford Texas.
I actually haven't noticed any heat increase due to the moon roofs. I get most of the heat in through the windshield and side windows. The cover on my moonroof has not even been warm.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
I wouldnt expect them to leak when their this new, but if you plan on keeping your truck for 10+ yrs, whos to say they wont start having problems once they gets a little age on it. It may or may not, but i would be willing to bet that a truck without a sunroof, wouldnt be leaking.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 90
Likes: 3
I too wish the sun roof is something I didn't have to get with the other options I wanted. Not really a fear of leaks.. just don't care for them. I don't know why. Just not a sunroof fan. Maybe I didn't like getting forced to get one with a package
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
I doubt they leak today, but back when they first came out they were often referred to as the 'FUNNEL'.
Anyhow glad you guys like them you are running it high company, first auto maker to offer them was on the Nash Rambler
Anyhow glad you guys like them you are running it high company, first auto maker to offer them was on the Nash Rambler
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,133
Likes: 665
From: NH
I wouldnt expect them to leak when their this new, but if you plan on keeping your truck for 10+ yrs, whos to say they wont start having problems once they gets a little age on it. It may or may not, but i would be willing to bet that a truck without a sunroof, wouldnt be leaking.
I think some folks are thinking of the awful old plastic pop-up sunroofs with rubber surrounds. Those were junk, these are not.
I think a leak it unlikely. I'd be willing to bet Ford tested these things against high pressure water from a car wash, from a powerwasher, even from a fire hose.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
That's a fallacy. I had a 1996 Explorer Limited with a power glass moonroof. Had it all the way to 2011. When we got rid of it, the sunroof was working perfectly and it never, ever leaked, and we never, ever cleaned it.
I think some folks are thinking of the awful old plastic pop-up sunroofs with rubber surrounds. Those were junk, these are not.
I think a leak it unlikely. I'd be willing to bet Ford tested these things against high pressure water from a car wash, from a powerwasher, even from a fire hose.
I think some folks are thinking of the awful old plastic pop-up sunroofs with rubber surrounds. Those were junk, these are not.
I think a leak it unlikely. I'd be willing to bet Ford tested these things against high pressure water from a car wash, from a powerwasher, even from a fire hose.
By the time '96 rolled around sunroofs had been around and common in cars going back the 70's...how well I remember if you did not have a sunroof you took a big hit at trade in.
just google 'class action lawsuits sunroofs and be prepared for a shock, LOL.
Ford beginning in '73 when they first offered it drop shipped the cars to American Sunroof for the install and they had a good handle on it, but not all automakers did back in those days...
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Western New York
When you mention aftermarket sunroofs (sliders) and moon roofs (pop ups) I have a good friend who had a company installing them for dealers. Sunroofs often leak some but the drain tubes keep the water from entering the cabin. A plugged draintube and you will get water inside.
The principle reason the aftermarket disappeared is the insurance industry. There were a couple of major cases involving rollover accidents and the roof failed because the integrity had been compromised by cutting 3/4 of it out and replacing it with a clamped on chinchy metal frame and glass. Car manufacturers walked away from responsibility because hole was cut. The dealers would not touch them after that and the little guys couldn't afford the insurance. It even affected the trade value drastically.
The principle reason the aftermarket disappeared is the insurance industry. There were a couple of major cases involving rollover accidents and the roof failed because the integrity had been compromised by cutting 3/4 of it out and replacing it with a clamped on chinchy metal frame and glass. Car manufacturers walked away from responsibility because hole was cut. The dealers would not touch them after that and the little guys couldn't afford the insurance. It even affected the trade value drastically.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,133
Likes: 665
From: NH
Nothing against dh1200 whatsoever, its just that so many people on this forum don't want the 2017 Super Duty with a sunroof because they are so sure it is going to leak. It is not going to leak, and I'd hate to see people steered away from this great option out of incorrect notions...
What you say is true, the drain channels can get plugged up with leaf debris or whatever...but cleaning the drain tubes is pretty simple and painless. I had a 1992 Range Rover with a power glass moonroof, and it finally did leak a small amount of water inside when it was 21 years old. I opened the sunroof and used a MIG welding cable liner (flexible snake) to just run down the corner drain tubes. Within 5 minutes water was draining from the channels and no more leak inside.
Its possible a roof on a new Super Duty might leak, but it will be a rare exception and the repair should be pretty straightforward. The "seals" around the glass are simply designed to divert most of the water away while some will still filter in past the seal and drain away from one of the four corners in the designated drain channels.
What you say is true, the drain channels can get plugged up with leaf debris or whatever...but cleaning the drain tubes is pretty simple and painless. I had a 1992 Range Rover with a power glass moonroof, and it finally did leak a small amount of water inside when it was 21 years old. I opened the sunroof and used a MIG welding cable liner (flexible snake) to just run down the corner drain tubes. Within 5 minutes water was draining from the channels and no more leak inside.
Its possible a roof on a new Super Duty might leak, but it will be a rare exception and the repair should be pretty straightforward. The "seals" around the glass are simply designed to divert most of the water away while some will still filter in past the seal and drain away from one of the four corners in the designated drain channels.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Nothing against dh1200 whatsoever, its just that so many people on this forum don't want the 2017 Super Duty with a sunroof because they are so sure it is going to leak. It is not going to leak, and I'd hate to see people steered away from this great option out of incorrect notions...
What you say is true, the drain channels can get plugged up with leaf debris or whatever...but cleaning the drain tubes is pretty simple and painless. I had a 1992 Range Rover with a power glass moonroof, and it finally did leak a small amount of water inside when it was 21 years old. I opened the sunroof and used a MIG welding cable liner (flexible snake) to just run down the corner drain tubes. Within 5 minutes water was draining from the channels and no more leak inside.
Its possible a roof on a new Super Duty might leak, but it will be a rare exception and the repair should be pretty straightforward. The "seals" around the glass are simply designed to divert most of the water away while some will still filter in past the seal and drain away from one of the four corners in the designated drain channels.
What you say is true, the drain channels can get plugged up with leaf debris or whatever...but cleaning the drain tubes is pretty simple and painless. I had a 1992 Range Rover with a power glass moonroof, and it finally did leak a small amount of water inside when it was 21 years old. I opened the sunroof and used a MIG welding cable liner (flexible snake) to just run down the corner drain tubes. Within 5 minutes water was draining from the channels and no more leak inside.
Its possible a roof on a new Super Duty might leak, but it will be a rare exception and the repair should be pretty straightforward. The "seals" around the glass are simply designed to divert most of the water away while some will still filter in past the seal and drain away from one of the four corners in the designated drain channels.
I personally don't like the idea of gutters essentially inside the cabin, particularly when some people are complaining about mold in their less than 1 year old $50K truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,133
Likes: 665
From: NH
That's just how they're made.
If its any consolation, our 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost has the full panoramic moonroof and has never leaked since new and there is no mold smell inside.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Every single vehicle equipped with a power moonroof has gutters / rain channels as you describe.
That's just how they're made.
If its any consolation, our 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost has the full panoramic moonroof and has never leaked since new and there is no mold smell inside.
That's just how they're made.
If its any consolation, our 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost has the full panoramic moonroof and has never leaked since new and there is no mold smell inside.
Here's an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKF5...ature=youtu.be
People with "leaks" like that are being told it is normal and I do believe it is by design. It just isn't a design I am comfortable with.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,133
Likes: 665
From: NH
But no water is leaking into the vehicle in that video. The water drain channels are lower than the roof because when the front portion is opened it has to drop down to clear the rear section. Yet at the same time, the rear glass must have drain channels too. So although some people might be alarmed by this, I am not.