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2011 Prius Sunroof Deflector Seal Deterioration?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Daliss, Jan 19, 2017.

  1. Daliss

    Daliss Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I have a strange problem and I am looking for any other owner who may have or are experiencing the same issue. The rubber seal attached to the Sunroof deflector has started twisting and detaching from the glass plate. The rubber looked dry, stretched and twisted. I first noticed this in early December and thought I should have it checked out at my next maintenance visit. However a few days later, the problem was much worse, with a loop of rubber completely detached and sticking out. So I brought the car to my dealer in Montreal and the service manager agreed this was very strange. He took photos and sent them to Toyota Canada with a request to see if they would cover the cost of the repair (Unfortunately, the whole deflector has to be replaced). I spoke with the manager today and he told me that Toyota Canada refused. The cost of repair is minimum $600 + plus labour and taxes. I am taking this up directly with Toyota Canada because it is clearly a defective part (I have not put any strange products or solvents on the seal, did not go to automated car washes and have not exposed the car to anything extreme, unless the Montreal climate is considered extreme!). However, I was wondering if anyone else experienced this. To my surprise, My first hit on Google contained a review posted a week ago by Rick, a Prius owner in Fergus, Ontario who EXACTLY described my problem! I also found a 2013 post on PriusChat with a few people who seemed to have a similar issue. (Note: I cannot provide links to these posts at this time as I have only posted 3 times previously)

    If anyone else has experienced this, please let me know. It will help my case with Toyota Canada. I have attached some photos showing the damage.
    Thx!

     
  2. maurices

    maurices Member

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    Sartell, Minnesota
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    2013 Prius
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    Four
    I have a 2013 with the sunroof, would be very interested in how this situation is eventually resolved.
     
  3. Daliss

    Daliss Junior Member

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    • I'll will let everyone know how it goes. If anyone has had similar issues, it could help my case. (and vice versa).
     
  4. Daliss

    Daliss Junior Member

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  5. Karma2011 Prius

    Karma2011 Prius New Member

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    Location:
    Anchorage, AK
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    2011 Prius
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    IV
    Not sure if my post earlier made it, so here it is again:

    I have a 2011 Prius and am having the exact same issue. Our local dealership (anchorage) quoted us $2200 to fix the problem, stating he whole glass had to be replaced. They are calling Toyota tomorrow to see if they will cover it as a manufacturing defect, but I am not hopeful.

    Please keep us posted on your progress. I intend to follow up on my own after the phone call tomorrow.
     
  6. working1

    working1 Active Member

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    What kind of chemicals are used to deice the roads? Magnesium chloride is nasty stuff.
     
  7. Daliss

    Daliss Junior Member

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    Thanks Karma2011. I have not yet contacted Toyota because I want to go to them with the best case possible and examples of others who have the same problem. I am glad you posted because I will add you to the list (I count about 5 cases so far of which three involve 2011 Prius': mine, your and the one in Fergus, Ontario.

    I will definitely post back when i have contacted Toyota.
     
  8. Daliss

    Daliss Junior Member

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    I don't think it is likely to be that for a couple of reasons:
    1. The examples come from people living in quite different regions and jurisdictions, so not sure how likely that these jurisdictions all use the same road de-icers. Where I live it is mostly basic road salt.
    2. If it was due to a particular chemical substance, then it should affect the rubber on other parts of the car (It doesn't: I have rubber lining and seals quite close by that are in perfect shape) and it should also affect other Prius owners in my city, and in fact all other car owners; that does not seem to be the case; the damaged rubber is limited to the deflector and sun roof, thereby suggesting a manufacturing defect with that part. (I also have a 25-year-old Corolla station wagon and after all these winters, the rubber seals are still in pretty good shape!)
     
  9. Johnvoorn

    Johnvoorn Junior Member

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    2011 Prius
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    N/A
    Identical issue here in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), 2011 Prius with solar roof. The rubbers on the edges of the moonroof (or sunroof) are deteriorating. I contact my dealer and this is not under guarantee anymore so he advised to cut off the rubbers. I checked with the solar panel and that also seems to be without rubbers but to me this solution is not very nice. Any suggestions welcome.
     
  10. Karma2011 Prius

    Karma2011 Prius New Member

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    IV

    We got a phone call from the local dealership and they stated that it is a cosmetic only issue and Toyota will not cover the cost to fix it. I took it to Speedy Glass and they also said that it is cosmetic and the roof will not leak into the cabin. I will be calling Toyota myself but I'm not confident in a positive response.
     
  11. Karma2011 Prius

    Karma2011 Prius New Member

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    Agree. In Alaska they don't use salt or chemicals for the road, only gravel. Could it be an issue with the climate?
     
    Nora Chhun likes this.
  12. Karma2011 Prius

    Karma2011 Prius New Member

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    Here are the images from my 2011 Prius.
     

    Attached Files:

    Nora Chhun likes this.
  13. Karma2011 Prius

    Karma2011 Prius New Member

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    I posted a negative review on our local dealership's page. I instantly got a call from the parts/service manager who told me he has some different contacts at Toyota who he would call. He told me he's seen this issue before and it's because of the environment (cold weather I assume). I received a call back yesterday and he told me that Toyota will cover it on goodwill. He ordered the front and middle glass piece and will be installing it next week. I am very excited this is the outcome.

    I was looking at suggestion/tip boards for working with Toyota and many people said to try and work this out with your local dealership. Have you spoken with the manager at your dealership? Clearly this is a manufacturing defect and Toyota needs to step up and cover this for you. I
     
    Nora Chhun likes this.
  14. David Goldberger

    David Goldberger Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
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    Four
    Hi Daliss,

    I am having a very similar problem here in Portland, Oregon. Minimal exposure to road salts (Portland believes it kills trees).

    In my case the entire top piece of rubber molding is peeling off. Let me know if you have any new information.

     
    Nora Chhun likes this.
  15. Wallace Bird

    Wallace Bird New Member

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    2013 Prius
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    Base
    I have a 2013 Prius with the same problem, both on the deflector and on the "moon roof" itself. I live in an area that does not ever use road chemicals to de-ice, so it can't be that. I'm currently working with my original dealer to try to get this repaired "on goodwill." I will let you know what happens.
     
    Nora Chhun likes this.
  16. Nora Chhun

    Nora Chhun New Member

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    Hello! i live in quebec city, Canada and I have a prius 2012 and I have been having the same issue but very worse. Its been peeling off since at least one year now, the total cost for new roof and labor is 2 390$ Canadian. This is a total joke and obviously a defect issue. My dealer ship Boulevard Toyota offered me a discount on the cost but there is no way I will be paying for this. I contacted Toyota Canada via social network and surprise they are analyzing my case. Will repost when I get an answer from them!
     

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    Aaron Vitolins likes this.
  17. R Richards

    R Richards New Member

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    2010 Prius
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    Base
    HI Dallas, Add another to your list. Our 2010 started having the same problem with the gasket in the fall, and now it'seems pretty well completely gone. Like Karma we've been quoted in the mid- $2000's for the sunroof and deflector replacement. I was gobsmacked that they engineered it so that the whole panel has to be replaced for an (I hope!) aesthetic fix. It's pretty rainy where we live, so we're really counting on that under gasket/bladder.
     
    Shaun Coard likes this.
  18. Nora Chhun

    Nora Chhun New Member

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    2012 Prius
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    Five
    I have posted few weeks ago about the same issue on my 2012 prius. Pictures below says it all! I have been arguing with boulevardtoyota in quebec city then with toyota canada, my case is open and i am being patient! So disapointed about the only way to fix it: 2000$and more for a new sun roof! Does not make any sense! I have posted on facebook my issue tagging @ToyotaCanada, i invite you all to do it too! They seem pretty alert to me. We shouldnt be paying a dime for this defect!
     

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    Strudel likes this.
  19. Hybrid_Man

    Hybrid_Man New Member

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    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Hi Daliss, I wonder how did the situation turn out for you? Did you get it fixed? I am so sorry I found this thread almost too late, but again - I have just purchased a used Prius 2012 with the piece of the weather strip by the deflector completely torn off. I didn't pay much attention to this at the time of purchasing and now I'm thinking what to do about it. Wonder if my complaint not being the original owner will be taken seriously by Toyota...
     
  20. Chris Knowlton

    Chris Knowlton New Member

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