• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Sunroof Glass Seal Issue

Messages
3
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
USA
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST
#1
I recently purchased a 2020 Explorer ST. Love the vehicle exactly what I was looking but unfortunately the sunroof tempered glass exploded onme the first week of ownership.

I brought the vehicle to my local ford dealership and it has been nothing but trouble. They broke my pillars my light fixtures AC vents the track for the sunroof. Pretty much everything they touched was damaged. After several months of fighting them they finally replaced all the damaged parts and now we are finally back to the sunroof.

I made them bring out the hose and do a water test and the sunroof has a tiny drip at the seal where the gasket meets itself around the glass and ford says it’s normal that their sunroofs have a wet seal technology and it’s supposed to be a controlled leak.

can anyone confirm this ? I made them bring out another explorer to test with the hose and it doesn’t leak like mine but they insist that it is supposed to allow some drip that makes it into the trough.

[Update] below is a video of the other explorer they pulled off the lot that they state is leaking now but that was after I left. My vehicle is leaking in one specific spot and is a steady stream not a stagnant drop.

https://streamable.com/fnx368
 

Last edited:
Messages
1,472
Reactions
707
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#2
That sounds like a horrible dealer. It shouldn’t leak at all.
 

OP
M
Messages
3
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
USA
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #3
Can anyone with a sunroof grab a hose and see if it slightly drips past the glass seal and post the video. it’s making it into the trough so it’s not leaking into the car but I feel like it shouldn’t have any amount make it past the seal it’s a brand new oem part and they said their oem parts vendor says this is normal and the seal is not bad and they won’t replace it because it’s meant to have small amounts come in that’s normal.
 

OP
M
Messages
3
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
USA
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #4
Our roof systems use a wet seal type technology, which is designed to allow water in controlled volumes to get through and reach the trough that leads to the drains. This controlled leak system shouldn't allow water to leak past the trough to the seats, to the floor, etc.

If this is leaking into the troughs which feed the water out to the drains which exit the vehicle, then there is no issue to be repaired this is expected and desired behavior. If this is leaking into the seats/floors/passengers, then I'd suspect an alignment issues with the panels or there is an obstruction somewhere in the drain system.
WE ALSO SIT THE OTHER EXPLORER OUTSIDE THIS MORNING WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND HAVE A VIDEO OF WATER COMING IN ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE GLASS.
 

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,626
Reactions
1,185
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#5
Never had it leak with just rain. I have felt water on the rare occasion I go through a car wash with a strong spray on the roof. Water can work its way around or under the seal hence the drains.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Messages
53
Reactions
23
Points
7
Location
California
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST
#6
All sunroof's leak some water they are not completely sealed (you can look it up on google) so he is not lying there. This is the very reason they have drains. I would just make sure all the drains are still connected up tight to the body/track/trough whatever and they are clear of any debris or grease from the install. It does look a little excessive in the video but I can't confirm this, however you might be able to just pull the seal forward a tiny bit all across the area making sure its even (unless its glued) and that might fix it. I had a hummer H3 about 6 or 7 years ago and its sunroof leaked and I found out one day my drain tube was clogged because when I went to back up it spilled water on the the wife. lol. Cleaned it out and never had a problem after that. If your drains are clear and working you should never know that there is water in there unless you stick your fingers up there.
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,586
Reactions
5,359
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#7
Yes, it’s a wet seal. That’s why there's a trough around the perimeter with drains on all 4 corners. Some water passing is 100% normal.
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,586
Reactions
5,359
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#8
That sounds like a horrible dealer. It shouldn’t leak at all.
Incorrect. Wet seals are the industry standard. Your door glass has wet seals also…hence the drain holes in the bottom of the doors.
 

Messages
1,472
Reactions
707
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#9
Incorrect. Wet seals are the industry standard. Your door glass has wet seals also…hence the drain holes in the bottom of the doors.
I understand that, But it shouldn’t leak on the interior though. I’ve driven through a lot of intense weather, and all three of my 6g Explorers never leaked into the interior.
 



Top