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WK2 Sunroofs - buzz, squeaks, rattles and other issues

102K views 116 replies 84 participants last post by  Doppleganger 
#1 ·
1. Symptom/Vehicle Issue: Headliner Rattle Around Perimeter Of Sunroof

Check the dual lock fasteners - if a fastener is not engaged between the headliner and the sunroof module a buzz, squeak, or rattle may be present around the sunroof opening of the headliner.

If any location is not secured press up until the pieces of dual lock are locked together. (Gently pull down on headliner near sunroof opening to check for engagement of dual lock fasteners.)

There are 5 dual lock fasteners on the standard sunroof and 14 fasteners on the dual pane sunroof.




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2. Symptom/Vehicle Issue: Sunroof Inoperative

Discussion:

Some recent reports indicate the sunroof does not open. Inspection has revealed the main headliner harness to sunroof module may not be connected. The main sunroof harness connector originally taped to the headliner needs to be inspected for proper routing and connection. Inspect and connect as needed to resolve.



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3. Symptom/Vehicle Issue: Sunroof Wind Deflector Noise

Diagnosis:

Some early reports indicate the top bow of the wind deflector vibrates at highway speeds. This vibration is mostly been described as a visual concern, however, some owners may complain of a slight noise associated with this movement.

Repair Procedure:

Review the concern with the owner as described. Drive the vehicle to duplicate the complaint, if the condition is evident, isolate the deflector, and note any change. If concern changed during the isolation, replace the wind deflector as needed. The new deflector and spring should resolve some wind related turbulence at highway speeds, it however will not correct concerns with rattles unless the attachment screws are loose.

Note: The wind deflector should not be replaced for rattle concerns when the sunroof is in the closed position.

Verification: Test the operation to complete.



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4. Symptom/Vehicle Issue: Sunroof Creaks Driving On Uneven Surfaces, Bumpy Road Conditions

Discussion:

Some early reports indicate full vehicle sunroofs, sales code GWJ, Power Front, Fixed Rear may creak at times when driving through certain road conditions. Validate the sunroof is adjusted per the specifications as required. Apply Mopar Krytox Lubricant 4773427 to the sunroof seals, test the vehicle for noise to complete.



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--Milous
 
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#71 ·
So mine's on week 3 of being in the shop. I got the sound of creaking wooden floor boards coming from the C pillar / Sunroof area. I brought them a copy of the TSB. They did the work and the noise is still there. I even drove the jeep without the headliner in it with the tech in the back passenger seat looking for the noise, he doesn't think it's the sunroof and while the body adhesive on the pillar area didn't work he still thinks it's coming from that area. I told the service manager about reading about how one of us had gotten the pillar area spot welded and that appeared to fix the issue...so...he's going back to the engineers at Chrysler.

At least I have a loaner, a 4 cyl. front drive Cherokee. Rides like a go-cart but it's getting me back and forth to work. If this goes on past 30 days, I imagine I'll need to Lemon the Trail Hawk, I'm hoping I don't have to. I won a case against Hyundai in '11 and they bought the car back..but damn it was a pain in the a$$.
 
#72 ·
Hi Fury3,
This is not what we want to hear from our customers. We understand how trips like these to the dealer can become frustrating and would like to offer our assistance. Please send us a private message with additional details.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#73 ·
Starting week four of not having my Trailhawk. Still creaking and groaning from the C pillar/Sunroof area. TSB performed, didn't work, Re-routing sunroof drain hose, didn't work. More body adhesive added to the previous added adhesive...didn't work. Structural foam added....didn't work. Dealer asked me to call Chrysler to open a case with with them. I sent Jeep Cares a PM with details.

I was completely excited and proud to own this Jeep. I don't even want a new one, just want mine fixed and back, but if it can't be done...what's next?
 
#74 ·
just want mine fixed and back, but if it can't be done...what's next?

Do what I did. Could not stand the ESS system on my first 2018 GC so I traded in on a 2018 GC with the V8. This time I ordered the new one without the sun roof and all the other complex gadgets that seem to give a lot of owner's problems. A Limited 4x4 with V8, tow package and Nav. Very happy so far.
 
#75 · (Edited)
My 2016 with the pano sunroof had the creaking issue starting about a month after I purchased it new (May 2016). I pulled down the headliner a bit just above the rear passenger door and shoved a microfiber wax applicator pad between some parts I thought might be touching one another. That seemed to fix it for about a year and half, literally heard nothing for a year and half. About two months ago the sound came back and its worse than ever, I've tried replicating my prior fix to no avail. I hear the creaking on and off depending on outside temperature (hotter the worse it gets) and I may just live with it. I just can't bring myself to have someone tear into my interior like I've read on here and potentially have no success. When I pull down the headliner and look up and I simultaneously push on the rear glass pane it definitely seems as if its coming from some spot where the track meets the body, but that's also just a guess.

I've had really poor experiences at two Jeep service centers near me, so it doesn't help the confidence case. I brought the issue up at Koons shortly after I heard it in 2016 and I was told by the service advisor that his tech "pressed" on a couple panels in the truck and this seemed to fix it. B.S. that's just laziness, heard the noise as I drove off the lot.

Oh well.
 
#76 ·
I have been noticing an intermittent noise with my sunroof, it's more of a rattle/something loose than a creak though. Also when it's happening doesn't matter what type of road surface smooth/bumpy/potholes it does it, but other times nothing. Anyone have something like this?
 
#77 ·
Are you thinking about getting this looked at by the dealer? Send us a direct message with your VIN if we can be of any assistance with the servicing process.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#81 · (Edited)
I know this thread is old but I was at work yesterday waiting for something to get done before leaving for the day and was perusing the boards and decided to read this thread for no particular reason.
I had been bothered by a strange rattle that would come and go from time to time and figured it was girl showing her age (2012). I looked everywhere for the source but never found it. After reading this thread and the suggestion to check the headliner, I got in my car and pressed up on the headliner around my sunroof and heard three very satisfying snaps. The ride home last night and the ride in to work this morning let me know the strange and random rattle was gone. Thanks to the community for the info. :thumbsup:
 
#85 ·
My 2017 Summit has a 'squeaky' noise coming from above the rear right seat area of the headliner around the pano roof. I've pulled down the headliner a few inches and looked/felt around and cannot figure out what is rubbing against what. I put a small bathroom wash cloth up in there and pressed the headliner back up until the 'hooks' snapped back in and this has greatly reduced the occurrence of the noise. It used to make the squeaks going over even really small bumpy patches of road and not it only does it when the bumps are more heavy.

I'm thinking about trying to find some foam that is a few inches thick that I could put up in there that would 'compress' more than the wash cloth is. Any thoughts on this approach?
 
#95 ·
My 2017 Summit has a 'squeaky' noise coming from above the rear right seat area of the headliner around the pano roof
I also have this issue, it happens when I am stopped and goes away once I drive. It happens every now and then, how did you fix this?

edit: Its actually a rattling sound, not sure if that makes a difference. I'll try to get sound the next time I drive.
 
#88 ·
I've been having a very annoying rattle above the drivers head coming from the sunroof for the past month in my 2015. It doesn't seem like it fits the TSB. Last night I pulled the B and C pillar trim and pulled down the headliner to expose what I could of the sunroof assembly and tracked down the location of the rattle.

The photo below shows the area where it's coming from, it is the rear left (drivers) corner of the rear section of glass. It appears there should be a bolt that goes into the brass washer? I separated the velcro on the passenger side and with an inspection mirror saw it also did not have a bolt in the same location but there are threads.

Oddly enough my roof has some damage to it in that area (unverified if it's the same location as I just correlated the two this morning) that might have been someone putting a bolt in that location that was too long? The service history shows no service to the sunroof though. Is anyone familiar with the assembly that could verify the bolt locations, the FSM doesn't have clear pictures to tell where exact locations are.

 
#91 ·
I've been having a very annoying rattle above the drivers head coming from the sunroof for the past month in my 2015. It doesn't seem like it fits the TSB. Last night I pulled the B and C pillar trim and pulled down the headliner to expose what I could of the sunroof assembly and tracked down the location of the rattle.

The photo below shows the area where it's coming from, it is the rear left (drivers) corner of the rear section of glass. It appears there should be a bolt that goes into the brass washer? I separated the velcro on the passenger side and with an inspection mirror saw it also did not have a bolt in the same location but there are threads.

Oddly enough my roof has some damage to it in that area (unverified if it's the same location as I just correlated the two this morning) that might have been someone putting a bolt in that location that was too long? The service history shows no service to the sunroof though. Is anyone familiar with the assembly that could verify the bolt locations, the FSM doesn't have clear pictures to tell where exact locations are.

I know this is from a few months ago, but our 2018 had an identical issue. Didn't hear the rattle on test drive or on the way home (2 hour drive), but heard it the next day. Rather than take it back or to the dealership, I ended up taking down the headliner, just like you did for this pic, and there is the hole. The difference is, in the last "fold" of the headliner (where it slips underneath the rubber/pillars), out rolled a small gray bolt, even before I found the hole. It fits into the hole shown in your picture perfectly. Snugged it up with a 10mm socket, if I recall correctly, and bam, no more rattle.

If it works its way out (again?) after a while, I will re-insert it, but with blue loctite.
 
#89 ·
I took my 2019 Trailhawk (with 11k miles) to the dealer for a sunroof related rattle 2 days ago. They called me today saying they drove down the road and didn't hear any "out of the ordinary" rattle. So I asked if they heard any rattling and deemed "normal or ordinary" and SA said "with comparable models and age, yes". I find that highly ironic especially considering the loaner was a 2018 Renegade, possibly the worst newer vehicle I've driven, yet despite it being over 50% cheaper, older, and more miles it has no rattles :unsure:
 
#93 ·
Morning, all. New owner in Buffalo, NY. Bought a lightly used, very low mileage '19 Limited X just before the new year and have loved almost every minute of it, so far.

I've experienced the creaks you've all mentioned, mostly above the rear passenger seat, but more annoyingly I've had an issue where the sunroof will not always close from open or vent position if I'm cruising on the highway. No set speed threshold at which this is guaranteed to occur (I've had trouble anywhere from 65-80mph), but nonetheless, it seems like it senses something in the way and pops/slides back open.

Thoughts? This will be on my list of checks when I take her in for service if we cannot e-diagnose this issue ;-)

Stay safe and healthy, all!
 
#99 ·
Morning, all. New owner in Buffalo, NY. Bought a lightly used, very low mileage '19 Limited X just before the new year and have loved almost every minute of it, so far.

I've experienced the creaks you've all mentioned, mostly above the rear passenger seat, but more annoyingly I've had an issue where the sunroof will not always close from open or vent position if I'm cruising on the highway. No set speed threshold at which this is guaranteed to occur (I've had trouble anywhere from 65-80mph), but nonetheless, it seems like it senses something in the way and pops/slides back open.

Thoughts? This will be on my list of checks when I take her in for service if we cannot e-diagnose this issue ;-)

Stay safe and healthy, all!
Hey BuffaloX19, I have had the same issue with my '19 Trailhawk. Every once in a while the sunroof doesn't close from the vented position while on the highway. I thought that maybe the air pressure caused a sensor to think something was in the way so I opened the window a crack and that worked. Did you ever get it looked at? Everything else has been great with my ride so far.
 
#94 ·
Mine squeaked at low speeds when it was below 45 degrees out until cabin warmed up and then was fine. Really weird, dealer couldn’t fix it and warranty ran out so I fixed myself after Christmas this year!!!
Traded it on a non- FCA product and nice and quite again. :p
 
#97 ·
How did you fix it? I have the same issue. 2018 Overland. Just had it in for service, my auto stop and start wasn't working. It just said battery charging. Turns out main battery and stop and start battery were bad. Dealer said that it must have sit on the lot for a bit before getting moved around and they went bad. Anyways, they also looked at the sunroof rattle. They said they adjusted it and it was all good, but its not. Same thing, after cabin is warmed up it goes away, but its pretty obnoxious.
 
#96 ·
I had a super annoying rattle that I first thought was coming from the front passenger headrest (US left hand drive), but later localized to the rear passenger headliner. It was more evident once the cabin warmed up.

After $600+ of troubleshooting at the dealership (out of warranty), they finally found a loose nut at the back of the pano sunroof track. Tightened it up with some blue loctite and no more rattle.

I had their sound guy add some sound insulation to each front door for good measure. $100 per door.

I was ready to dump the vehicle over this rattle, but my wife convinced me it was better to pay for the repair then be saddled with a new car payment all over again. She was right, of course. ;-)
 
#98 ·
Took my '18 TH in for the sunroof rattle, figured since I wasn't working they could keep it for the usual 3 days. Told them the rattle was coming from the passenger side, mid rail area.
They took it for a test drive and agreed there was a rattle. The next day ( because it seems they can only manage to do one step a day:mad:). They "pressed in" and "pushed around" the headliner and discovered the rattle was coming from the side mirror and how it wasn't seated properly. So they pushed and pulled that around. All rattles are gone.

The fun part: because they didn't do any "repairs" or used any parts, the Warranty doesn't cover it:mad::mad:.

So I'm out $150

My theory is that they wanted some $ for the "free" Jeep Wave oil change.

BTW, my side complaint of the Jeep moving against the transmission when remote start is used, "normal - throttle body". Just Cr@p.

Al
 
#100 ·
Anyone have any electrical issues post sunroof TSB. I had it serviced two weeks ago and no problems, last week I started to get a loud buzzing when I started the car that sounded like it came from above the sunglasses holder area. I tried pushing at all points posted to maybe clip something in that wasn't to no avail. One day after the buzzing started I started getting "Left Turn Signal Out" Error intermittently while driving that day. Its been on constantly after that, I thought it was just my deautoLED 3157 CANBUS bulbs maybe went bad, so I had them ship me out a new set (cant beat their lifetime warranty) and it worked for maybe an hour or so and it went back to hyper flashing. But I replaced both outer turn signals at the same time and it worked for a little bit but then I got an error message saying both sides were out so I said screw it. Luckily I still had the original halogen bulbs in my glovebox and a multitool so I swapped them out thinking it was maybe the LEDs causing an issue out of nowhere and the same happened with the halogens. Also, the two inner brake lights inside closest to the license plate arent illuminated at all now and my left brake light is on but doesn't illuminate when on the brake or when my lights are on. I'm calling Jeep in Englewood Cliffs NJ to get an appointment ASAP to avoid any issues with the police. Anyone else have any issues like this? I'm thinking there's a connecter loose or not connected 🤷‍♂️.
 
#102 ·
To follow-up on my post from a year ago with the missing bolts...I finally took the time to remove the trim and access the bolt locations. I picked up new bolts from Lowe's and did the drivers side. When I lowered the passenger side two OE bolts fell out. So the two OE bolts went back in with some blue loctite.

I'm not sure if the assembly was removed and these were never tightened or if they worked themselves loose. If you are having issues you can check them by separating the velcro around the sunroof and sending an inspection mirror to the back corners.

Fingers cross for no more rattling.
 
#104 ·
New here, and new to Jeep: 2021 Overland purchased 4 months ago. This thread helped me diagnose and repair a rattle from the drivers side rear of my sunroof. I also had a loose bolt and washer that rattled over every bump. How does this type of issue make it through production, especially when there have been similar problems going back to 2011 or 2012 models?

Based on IAmTodd's suggestion, I lowered the headliner in the drivers side rear by removing the coat hook and carefully separating the hook&loop fasteners, and inserting an inspection mirror. Sure enough, there was a hidden gray 10mm bolt and washer that was not tightened. I was able to get an offset box-end wrench on it, with the help of the mirror, and tightened it. No more rattle.

Here are some photos:

The offending bolt after tightening, as seen in my mirror:
Automotive tire Fixture Automotive exterior Bumper Hood

The white material is a piece of foam packaging I wrapped around a wire connector, thinking it may have been the source of the rattle.

Area of the rattle, with headliner pulled down slightly. I have a flashlight wedged above the headliner.
Motor vehicle Window Vehicle Automotive design Automotive exterior


Removing this coat hook allows you to pull the headliner down a bit more so you can get to the bolt.
Vehicle Door Steering part Vehicle door Fixture


This forum was very helpful to me -thank you! - I just wanted to add to it.
 
#107 ·
New here, and new to Jeep: 2021 Overland purchased 4 months ago. This thread helped me diagnose and repair a rattle from the drivers side rear of my sunroof. I also had a loose bolt and washer that rattled over every bump. How does this type of issue make it through production, especially when there have been similar problems going back to 2011 or 2012 models?

Based on IAmTodd's suggestion, I lowered the headliner in the drivers side rear by removing the coat hook and carefully separating the hook&loop fasteners, and inserting an inspection mirror. Sure enough, there was a hidden gray 10mm bolt and washer that was not tightened. I was able to get an offset box-end wrench on it, with the help of the mirror, and tightened it. No more rattle.

Here are some photos:

The offending bolt after tightening, as seen in my mirror:
View attachment 237929
The white material is a piece of foam packaging I wrapped around a wire connector, thinking it may have been the source of the rattle.

Area of the rattle, with headliner pulled down slightly. I have a flashlight wedged above the headliner.
View attachment 237930

Removing this coat hook allows you to pull the headliner down a bit more so you can get to the bolt.
View attachment 237931

This forum was very helpful to me -thank you! - I just wanted to add to it.
Thanks so much for this. I also have a 2021 overland and this rattle has been driving me crazy. I had a look in the same spot as you did and 'hey presto'.. GOT IT :) Bolt was loose and was the source of the rattle. Tightened it and problem is solved, for now. The next time it appears I'll go futher and remove the bolt adding some thread lock to prevent it from happening again. Thanks so much for the efforts and going further than Jeep has to resolve this. How they have not fixed this in the factory is astonishing. Anyways, self help and research works :)
 
#105 ·
I think these might be loosening on their own from the heat of the sun. When I reinstalled the two rear bolts I used some blue locktite. Glad I was able to send you in the right direction.

I still have the same rattle on occasion. I'm to the point that I may remove the headliner and attempt to locate it. Maybe it's more loose bolts??
 
#106 ·
Well, looks like I've got the dreaded rattle now, too. Passenger side of the sunroof track, about dead in the middle. It sounds like two drumsticks rattling together and it's driving me fucking nuts. I HATE rattles and this is one of the worst I've ever heard in a newer car. Removed the coat hook and tried feeling around up in there some, but I can't see anything. I'll get an inspection mirror tonight if I can. It seems to be less bad when the vehicle is warm, but now that it's gotten chilly it's constant. If I push downwards on the sunroof track, the noise stops, so I think that's a little interesting.

I'm hoping I can spot a loose bolt somewhere and tighten it and be good to go. If I have to pull the headliner I'll be pissed, but I guess it'll give me a chance to remove all of the trim I need to in order to swap the seatbelts to SRT red ones.
 
#108 ·
Update for me - A week or so I went around the perimeter of the sunroof and pulled the headliner down from the velcro fasteners enough that I could get smaller ratchet and 10mm socket up in there. Tightened 3 of the grey bolts on each side of the sunroof (I can't feel if there are any more than that). Rattle is still there, but less pronounced. Still insanely annoying. Some plastic trim near the back seems to be rattling too, just to compound my NVH pleasure. I get that the roads around here are shitty and all, but come on it's a Jeep with 22k miles. My 20 year old Regal rattles less.
 
#109 ·
Did more inspection and I can confirm tightening the bolts did get rid of the "drumsticks rattling together" noise I had. There were actually two separate noises.

The other rattle is coming from the black plastic trim (that runs from the left to right side of the Jeep) between the two sunroof panels. I shoved a thick cloth facemask I had in the console in between the plastic and the roof and that made it stop. I never use the sunroof so for now it's fine. I'll have to go more in depth with it later to figure out what exactly is causing it. Either way, there is no rattling from the roof now and I am pleased.
 
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