Annoying Sunroof!

[Bells]

My cars into Audi in a few weeks to re-look at the creaking sunroof which is doing my head in every time I take it out (they couldn’t find an issue last time). Going over any rough road it creaks and seems to rattle. However, when I was on the motorway the other day I also seemed to be getting some high pitched wind whistle even with the sunroof fully closed which was extremely annoying.

Pushing up on the headlining and putting some pressure on it seemed to stop this temporarily but I checked the seals today and it seems like the main seal is lifting on mine and isn’t secure at the front at all. I’m sure this isn’t right but would anyone else mind checking theirs? Wonder if this is the cause of the whistling noise if it’s not air tight as such when shut.

Attached some photos, I know it’s dirty it’s due a clean.

 

[quattrorally]

I also have noticed a creaking sunroof. I checked my seal after seeing your post and can confirm i have the same issue.

Haven't had any high pitched noises yet.

What have Audi said about it?

 

[Bells]

I also have noticed a creaking sunroof. I checked my seal after seeing your post and can confirm i have the same issue.

Haven't had any high pitched noises yet.

What have Audi said about it?

You don’t want to know, I’ve had an absolute nightmare since. Basically I reported the same issue back in November, my local Audi dealer road tested the car and couldn’t find an issue on the day (the rattling) but logged it as a ‘concern’, no mention of an visual inspection being carried out. I didn’t think anymore of it as I wasn’t driving my car much during lockdown but a trip to Newcastle prompted me to take the car into the dealer again as it was annoying me hence the above post.

Audi then diagnosed the issue as inner seal coming away from sunroof cassett, which requires replacement, not a case of just resticking it. Bad news for me is my manufacturers warranty expired at the end of Feb which would’ve covered it but used approved doesn’t as it excludes all seals and sunroof claims - which is ridiculous in my opinion. Audi have asked me for £460 to strip and replace the sunroof seal but can’t guarantee that’ll stop the rattle / creak…

I complained to Audi UK’s Chief Exec saying I should be able to do a retrospective warranty claim as I logged the issue in November and they did nothing. Was a complete waste of time they basically said it’s up to me to fight it with the garage and that they can’t tell the garage how to do their job. My local dealer refused any good will gesture towards the cost of the work as I didn’t buy the car from them ( another Audi garage down south). My only option now is the motor ombudsman but from what I’ve read online it’s unlikely or would take months for a decision.

I’m struggling to justify paying the £460 but I can’t find any other garage that will do the work, I’ve took it to 3 different ones and they’ve all said they would just look to re-stick the original seal as the rubber hasn’t perished just the sticky it’s held on with. My main concern is water ingress but one garage said it’s just a damp seal.

Interesting yours has gone too, Audi said it wasn’t a common issue and I was just unlucky…

 

[quattrorally]

You should absolutely be able to claim retrospectively since you reported it during the warranty period and they didn't resolve it.

You should definitely fight them on that point above.

I doubt the seal will fix the rattle, though it may fix the high pitch noise you're hearing.

Keep us posted.


If anyone else is reading this, can you check your sunroof seal and tell us if it's coming away, regardless of whether you have a rattle or high pitched noise?

 

[quattrorally]

what makes you think the motor ombudsman wouldn't rule in your favour regarding the warranty claim? since it was reported during the warranty period.

 

[Bells]

You should absolutely be able to claim retrospectively since you reported it during the warranty period and they didn't resolve it.

You should definitely fight them on that point above.

I doubt the seal will fix the rattle, though it may fix the high pitch noise you're hearing.

Keep us posted.


If anyone else is reading this, can you check your sunroof seal and tell us if it's coming away, regardless of whether you have a rattle or high pitched noise?

Yeah I’ll keep you updated mate, let me what response you get if you take yours into Audi too, is your car under any warranty?

I’m not sure if the high pitched noise was just a co-incidence it was really windy on the day at motorway speeds. I was on the motorway at the weekend and didn’t notice anything similar this time around. I’m keeping a special eye on the seal to make sure I don’t start getting any water ingress as I obviously haven’t had any repair done yet. A sunroof specialist I spoke to said the wind whistle was more likely linked to incorrectly seated glass rather than a seal but he hasn’t seen the car in person to do a full inspection.

 

[Bells]

what makes you think the motor ombudsman wouldn't rule in your favour regarding the warranty claim? since it was reported during the warranty period.

Just basing it off what I’ve read online, that retrospective warranty claims are especially hard to prove - if the garage say they couldn’t find an issue at the time (which they did). What may help me is the fact they deemed it serious enough to log it as a concern. It doesn’t cost me anything to submit a case, just my time completing the forms so I’ve got nothing to loose really.

 

[AlS3BE]

I’ve had similar issues on pano roofs before. The rattles is most likely the mech/cartridge that does the wizardry. Audi won’t warrant this unless it’s had the bi-annual service which is a clean and spray of some expensive grease.
As for the seal there’s limited warranty on theses as well like door and window seals. Something to try is a rubber rejuvenator type stuff. These can plump up rubber seals a bit and help with a better seal to lower wind type noise. Can’t remember the stuff I’ve used in the past but it worked well on an old car I had for door and windows seals.

 

[no_idea]

gummi pflege will help with the seals.
Has the sunroof had a service?

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[Bells]

gummi pflege will help with the seals.
Has the sunroof had a service?

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I’ll look into Gummi Plege after I’ve sorted the seal one way or another

I’ve only had the car since last Sept so it’s never been mentioned to me. Not sure if the previous owner had a service done on the sunroof it was a used approved car though. I’ve asked my local Audi dealer about sunroof services and they’ve said they don’t do one for my car?

 

[Bells]

I’ve had similar issues on pano roofs before. The rattles is most likely the mech/cartridge that does the wizardry. Audi won’t warrant this unless it’s had the bi-annual service which is a clean and spray of some expensive grease.
As for the seal there’s limited warranty on theses as well like door and window seals. Something to try is a rubber rejuvenator type stuff. These can plump up rubber seals a bit and help with a better seal to lower wind type noise. Can’t remember the stuff I’ve used in the past but it worked well on an old car I had for door and windows seals.

My local centre haven’t even mentioned a service even when questioned on it, I can’t find any reference to it online either with Audi’s fixed price servicing etc. Although I have heard people pay it - I think my Dad got offered it once on his A3 by the same dealer who told me they don’t service them

 

[AlS3BE]

My local centre haven’t even mentioned a service even when questioned on it, I can’t find any reference to it online either with Audi’s fixed price servicing etc. Although I have heard people pay it - I think my Dad got offered it once on his A3 by the same dealer who told me they don’t service them

I think it’s like £100+ for the service.
Only reason I know about the warranty is I had issues and was never offered the service even though it was only main dealer serviced. Traded the car in before it was sorted as I was getting a new car anyway but wanted everything sorted beforehand. No doubt they just chucked it on the forecourt as used approved and it became someone else’s problem.
It’s similar to the air con/climate warranty. They won’t warrant it unless it’s had the air con service at 2 years. Was quoted around £200 for that as the new r1234 wasn’t readily available.

 

[no_idea]

I’ll look into Gummi Plege after I’ve sorted the seal one way or another

I’ve only had the car since last Sept so it’s never been mentioned to me. Not sure if the previous owner had a service done on the sunroof it was a used approved car though. I’ve asked my local Audi dealer about sunroof services and they’ve said they don’t do one for my car?

I thought it was in the service schedule for all cars with Pano roof. Mine used to annoy me until they offered to service it. As stated above it is just a clean and re-grease with some 'special grease'. I think the standard price is around £120.
I have it done at 2 year intervals and it doesn't give me any problems now.

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[AlS3BE]

The grease is like £40 for 30ml as I looked at doing this myself a while back then decided never to have a pano roof again.

 

[quattrorally]

Yeah I’ll keep you updated mate, let me what response you get if you take yours into Audi too, is your car under any warranty?

I’m not sure if the high pitched noise was just a co-incidence it was really windy on the day at motorway speeds. I was on the motorway at the weekend and didn’t notice anything similar this time around. I’m keeping a special eye on the seal to make sure I don’t start getting any water ingress as I obviously haven’t had any repair done yet. A sunroof specialist I spoke to said the wind whistle was more likely linked to incorrectly seated glass rather than a seal but he hasn’t seen the car in person to do a full inspection.

I've got approved used warranty but just confirmed that the booklet of cover specifically excludes "sunroof assemblies".

 

[quattrorally]

I’ll look into Gummi Plege after I’ve sorted the seal one way or another

I’ve only had the car since last Sept so it’s never been mentioned to me. Not sure if the previous owner had a service done on the sunroof it was a used approved car though. I’ve asked my local Audi dealer about sunroof services and they’ve said they don’t do one for my car?

The sunroof service isn't in the service schedule for the A5/S5. I've confirmed that with Audi but because I made a point of it before buying this car, they did it for me free of charge. That was November.

 

[no_idea]

Done a screenshot

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Just noticed only states to clear the drains!

 

[quattrorally]

I’ve had similar issues on pano roofs before. The rattles is most likely the mech/cartridge that does the wizardry. Audi won’t warrant this unless it’s had the bi-annual service which is a clean and spray of some expensive grease.
As for the seal there’s limited warranty on theses as well like door and window seals. Something to try is a rubber rejuvenator type stuff. These can plump up rubber seals a bit and help with a better seal to lower wind type noise. Can’t remember the stuff I’ve used in the past but it worked well on an old car I had for door and windows seals.

Come to think of it, the sound I'm experience is more of a squeaking than a rattling.

I'll try and upload a video of it.

 

[quattrorally]

Page 2 towards the top

Can't seem to attach the pdf

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Yeah seen this, only thing I would say is that it seems to apply to MY2020 vehicles and specifically states USA.

I imagine if you showed this to an Audi dealer in the UK they would say it doesn't apply to the UK A5/S5 etc. even though it's the same car.

it doesn't make sense, I agree.

 

[no_idea]

Yeah seen this, only thing I would say is that it seems to apply to MY2020 vehicles and specifically states USA.

I imagine if you showed this to an Audi dealer in the UK they would say it doesn't apply to the UK A5/S5 etc. even though it's the same car.

it doesn't make sense, I agree.

Yes just spotted that, my mistake should have read it!
For my RS4 it is in the service schedule under additions

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[no_idea]

My local centre haven’t even mentioned a service even when questioned on it, I can’t find any reference to it online either with Audi’s fixed price servicing etc. Although I have heard people pay it - I think my Dad got offered it once on his A3 by the same dealer who told me they don’t service them

Are you registered on myAudi? As that should give you the specific schedule for your model including the additional service items.

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[AlS3BE]

Come to think of it, the sound I'm experience is more of a squeaking than a rattling.

I'll try and upload a video of it.

A good lube up might solve your problems.

 

[Bells]

I've got approved used warranty but just confirmed that the booklet of cover specifically excludes "sunroof assemblies".

Yeah nice of them to exclude everything relating to sunroofs. Basically even if there was a service interval for it, it would be pretty pointless as the warranty excludes it anyway so can’t be claimed against.

Also checked Audi’s extended warranty and it’s the same wording and excluded from that too - even if you opted for full component cover.

 

[JRD729]

I recently bought a 2019 RS5 with the Pano Roof... it ticks and rattles over bumps. Been in the dealer twice where all they have done is lube it up more on the seals. They have essentially said that on the high performance cars with harder suspension it's more of an issue but it's just a design fault that can't be fixed! To be fair since the extra lube it's better... but still there at times...

Does anyone know of a way to register this complaint with Audi themselves so they are least know there's an issue? ... Surely it can't be beyond their capabilities to design a fix... or determine exactly which parts are making contact and insulate them.....

 

[Bells]

I recently bought a 2019 RS5 with the Pano Roof... it ticks and rattles over bumps. Been in the dealer twice where all they have done is lube it up more on the seals. They have essentially said that on the high performance cars with harder suspension it's more of an issue but it's just a design fault that can't be fixed! To be fair since the extra lube it's better... but still there at times...

Does anyone know of a way to register this complaint with Audi themselves so they are least know there's an issue? ... Surely it can't be beyond their capabilities to design a fix... or determine exactly which parts are making contact and insulate them.....

From my experience Audi UK didn’t care, although I will be complaining again if this seal fix doesn’t solve the majority of the rattling as my Audi dealers diagnosis is that it relates to that. I’m booked in next week for a seal replacement at a cost of £380 - which I’ll be trying to get back via the Motor Ombudsman.

I was offered a sunroof service at the same time as my seal fix at a cost of £84 which lubricates the seals - but was told it wouldn’t impact or solve the rattling and since the sunroof isn’t warranted it doesn’t effect that - I told the dealer I was struggling to see what the point of it was, to which they didn’t have an answer.

Audi UK’s stance with me was they weren’t there to tell the garages what to do and didn’t seem bothered about protecting their product image either. So if that’s the case what is their role apart from PR

 

[Bells]

From my experience Audi UK didn’t care, although I will be complaining again if this seal fix doesn’t solve the majority of the rattling as my Audi dealers diagnosis is that it relates to that. I’m booked in next week for a seal replacement at a cost of £380 - which I’ll be trying to get back via the Motor Ombudsman.

I was offered a sunroof service at the same time as my seal fix at a cost of £84 which lubricates the seals - but was told it wouldn’t impact or solve the rattling and since the sunroof isn’t warranted it doesn’t effect that - I told the dealer I was struggling to see what the point of it was, to which they didn’t have an answer.

Audi UK’s stance with me was they weren’t there to tell the garages what to do and didn’t seem bothered about protecting their product image either. So if that’s the case what is their role apart from PR

So further to this the car went in last week for the seal replacement - it has now been done parts came to just over £180 the rest was labour, with the total bill being £381.83.

I haven’t got any photos, typically the weathers been dreadful but I did open it up to check the work briefly. The seal is definitely a lot more secure not 100% straight as an arrow if I was being picky but that doesn’t bother me too much as you don’t tend to see it. The good news is although it’s classed as wear and tear still it’s got a 2 year Audi parts warranty so should it fail again it’ll be going straight back to get replaced again.

Don’t want to speak too soon but hopefully the wind whistle has gone and the rattling is much reduced although time will tell. I’m not sure whether the replacement seal will have impacted on this though or whether Audi dismantling the pan roof to access the seal and re-assembling has done some good in term of adjustments.

Now onto the ombudsman claim to see if I can get some or all of my money back

 

[adcad]

So further to this the car went in last week for the seal replacement - it has now been done parts came to just over £180 the rest was labour, with the total bill being £381.83.

I haven’t got any photos, typically the weathers been dreadful but I did open it up to check the work briefly. The seal is definitely a lot more secure not 100% straight as an arrow if I was being picky but that doesn’t bother me too much as you don’t tend to see it. The good news is although it’s classed as wear and tear still it’s got a 2 year Audi parts warranty so should it fail again it’ll be going straight back to get replaced again.

Don’t want to speak too soon but hopefully the wind whistle has gone and the rattling is much reduced although time will tell. I’m not sure whether the replacement seal will have impacted on this though or whether Audi dismantling the pan roof to access the seal and re-assembling has done some good in term of adjustments.

Now onto the ombudsman claim to see if I can get some or all of my money back

I don’t suppose you would have the part number for the seal, I have the same issue and was thinking of doing myself before selling the car in July.