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Is a moonroof worth it in the long run? Worried that it will eventually leak.

Model Years 2018 to 2023
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leaks moonroof
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#21 ·
One more ‘pro’ vote here. I rarely open the glass, but the sliding shade is always open when I‘m driving. It imparts a slight bit of spaciousness that’s important to me.

And I agree with others here… over the course of over 30 years of moonroof ownership… never one leak across four vehicles, including my ‘21 Sport to date.
 
#22 ·
In the past, I have had the price of the glass roof taken completely off the purchase price of a car on the lot. I won't have one, even if "free".
YMMV
 
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#23 ·
I had the same dilemma when I decided on ordering my Crosstrek. Having had an Audi/VW (notorious for leak) I did not want to have to worry about it, but after weighing the odds, I decided on the option package that included the moonroof and blind side detection. I’ve had the vehicle for over two weeks and have only opened the moonroof to test it and was thinking I really didn’t need it. I usually have a cargo box and/or bike rack on top and defeats the purpose of the “moon” roof. Also noticed that the light streaming in from the “sun”roof also caused unwanted glare on the 8” touchscreen. BUT, nevertheless I’m happy with the decision to go with the moonroof for all the reasons in this thread. Not too worried about leaks as long proper maintenance is applied.
 
#24 ·
1987 Brat (with fun roof, @144K miles), no leak
1994 Altima SE (2 of them), no leaks (one totaled; one donated to a tech school, both with a bit over 200K miles)
2000 BMW 328Ci (@128K miles), no leak
2017 Outback (@27K miles); no leak
2021, Crosstrek Sport (@6600 miles), no leak
 
#25 ·
subyrubyroo said:
That is what the shade is for. It is no hotter than the rest of the headliner when closed. I guess when you are camping you cover all your windows which do let heat and cold in unlike the sunroof with the shade closed?
Click to expand...
Even with the shade closed, which is on the inside, a moonroof will let in sunlight and contribute to warming due to the greenhouse effect.
 
#26 ·
The moonroof issue was the #1 checkbox in my decision regarding purchase. I do not have covered parking. I live in the, normally wet Pacific Northwest. I don't need the "navigation application" that was part of the "moon roof package". My property is in. a heavily forested area of Fir, Cedar, and Pine that shed needles at a rate [especially this year] that rivals our rainfall in inches per year. I'm fine with moss on my walkway, not so much in the crevices around the moonroof. Top that off with the fact that I have never stargazed while driving.
I wanted the 2.5 engine. The dealership had two vehicles without the moonroof option. One Sport and One Ltd..
The choice came down to color.... I also live 2 miles up a semi-improved dirt/gravel road. The Sport was Black, The Ltd. was Silver.
I have been very satisfied with my Limited.
[ Also considered the possible structural strength of the two options and wether I wanted an extra lapful of glass in the unfortunate possibility of an accident, especially a roll over.]
 
#27 ·
AstroKats said:
Even with the shade closed, which is on the inside, a moonroof will let in sunlight and contribute to warming due to the greenhouse effect.
Click to expand...
Never had a bit of trouble with that. If any, it is very minor compared to what the windows let into the car.
 
#30 ·
My 1st sunroof in 40 yrs.
Would I have chosen it if it were a separate paid option? meh.
Do I use it now? Often
Is it a must-have? no.
Does it worry me about potential leaks over a 10year life span? Not at all.

It's a non-essential subjective nice to have, really.

The fun thing is the shade (or lack thereof) REALLY changes the car's acoustics. The sunroof adds a reflective surface for the sound, especially low frequencies. Blast some music, and experiment with the shade open/closed, you'll hear it.
 
#33 ·
I've had a moonroof on my last 3 vehicles
  • 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee - 10+ years and about 130K miles, no leaking
  • 2010 Nissan Murano - 9+ years and about 100K miles, no leaking
  • 2019 CrossTrek - no leaking to date
All of these were garaged at home and the Jeep and Nissan were garaged at the office. I park outside at the office with the CrossTrek, but I have not often been at the office since late 2019.
I do like having the shade open, and in Spring and Fall when I'm on a road with little traffic (and exhaust fumes) I like to open the glass. Particularly when I'm on a forest service road going to a trailhead.

Side note, a few weekends back I got bonked in the head twice by large, falling acorns through the open moonroof going to and from Tray Gap in North Georgia.
 
#36 ·
Qat said:
Comparing pine cones - the ones here in Georgia will typically fit in your hand. The ones I saw hiking in the Angeles above Pasadena were nearly as long as my forearm.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's relative. We had small pine cones where I grew up in the UK. Here, they are huge and the trees are enormous, so a totally different story...
 
#37 ·
subyrubyroo said:
That is what the shade is for. It is no hotter than the rest of the headliner when closed. I guess when you are camping you cover all your windows which do let heat and cold in unlike the sunroof with the shade closed?
Click to expand...
Yeah, we have a set of window covers. Less important in the Crosstrek as we don't sleep in it. I guess the shade would be OK for that for heat concerns. Still not a fan of sunroofs.
 
#38 ·
I wont own a vehicle without one anymore, I don’t open them a ton but I leave the sun shades open which gives even a small car a really nice open feeling. At 6’3” I haven’t had any issues with fitting in a car, even my ‘21 Sport. I have had a moonroof/sunroof in ever car/truck I have owned for the past 30 years + with not a single leak.
 
#39 ·
Boondox said:
I don't like moonroofs. They can leak and they let in a lot more heat. When we camp we would need an insulating cover for it anyway.
Click to expand...
A moonroof also lets out a lot of heat, as in the moonroof is a great vent to release all the heat that has built up in the vehicle when it has been parked in the sun for a while. Also in tilt mode provides heat exhaust while the vehicle is parked in the sun and better circulation of air within the vehicle when rolling.
 
#40 ·
I had 2 previous cars with moonroofs and neither had 'active' leaks. My 2015 Legacy did however have a moisture issue I noticed when driving in torrential rain down I-81 in Virginia where water was beading up on the underside of the glass. It's weird because it wasn't peeing into the car. The car was less than a year old at that point, garage kept, meticulously cleaned. Never had an issue washing or hitting it straight on with the hose.

I ordered my Crosstrek with no moonroof because it was a $2500 option along with the navigation, upgraded stereo, and heated steering wheel. I wasn't going to pay $2500 for a heated steering wheel. Moonroof also lowers the overall headroom up front and the opening ends right over the middle of your head, so if you're tall like me, you may have an issue.
 
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