Concerns - Popping/Creaking Noise from Sunroof

[AMDman18]

Mine started making terrible sounds yesterday (sounds like big rain drops on the sunroof, pops over bumps). When I got home I put a generous application of silicone lube on all the rubber gaskets in the sunroof and it seems to be normal again...so it might need an application every few months or so to keep it quiet, unless it gets worse.

As for application to the entire gasket, you can do the front half by opening the sunroof all the way. To get the rest, I did the very back of the gasket with the sunroof tilted only, then the middle section by putting the glass backward a little to get the most clearance for my fingers. This was done by applying the silicone to a microfiber towel (that is now destroyed lol) and working it into the very slim space with my skinny fingers. Honestly, the real application solution would to get a tool with a cloth or foam applicator, like maybe a small paint brush with a foam head to get in there. Something like this would work I bet:

View attachment 17634

Wonder where one would acquire one of those other than the internet. Might look around locally to see if any arts and crafts places sell them.

 

[Revvdmedia]

Wonder where one would acquire one of those other than the internet. Might look around locally to see if any arts and crafts places sell them.

Yes, arts/crafts stores have them. I also think Home Depot will have them in the painting aisle. Maybe even the dollar store in the home/tools section.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Those foam "brushes" are anywhere that paint products are sold.

 

[NigelM]

To add to the sunroof discussion I have a 2018 Premium. Bought with 2,100 miles on the clock. Resident Central Florida. It's garaged.
Started hearing creaking/rattling noises within a few hundred miles when roof was closed, both with shade open and closed. It's getting worse as time goes by.
Am taking it in for its first oil change/tire rotation this Friday (and for wiring loom recall). They are aware of sunroof complaint and said they'd look at it but I still called KIA USA and opened a case file. I would strongly recommend, as others have done here, to do this as I am guessing this is the only way KIA will do something. Presumably they are reluctant at this point to officially recognize an issue as it then gets expensive if they accept there is a problem. (I had the same problem with premature front tire wear on my 2003 350Z years ago - they kept replacing tires for free for a while until they were forced to accept there was an issue and eventually an official recall notice went out).

Very helpful rep on the phone so I have a Case # and she states she will call me on Monday to see how my dealer visit went etc so they seem keen at this point in time.

 

[nhcowboy28]

To add to the sunroof discussion I have a 2018 Premium. Bought with 2,100 miles on the clock. Resident Central Florida. It's garaged.
Started hearing creaking/rattling noises within a few hundred miles when roof was closed, both with shade open and closed. It's getting worse as time goes by.
Am taking it in for its first oil change/tire rotation this Friday (and for wiring loom recall). They are aware of sunroof complaint and said they'd look at it but I still called KIA USA and opened a case file. I would strongly recommend, as others have done here, to do this as I am guessing this is the only way KIA will do something. Presumably they are reluctant at this point to officially recognize an issue as it then gets expensive if they accept there is a problem. (I had the same problem with premature front tire wear on my 2003 350Z years ago - they kept replacing tires for free for a while until they were forced to accept there was an issue and eventually an official recall notice went out).

Very helpful rep on the phone so I have a Case # and she states she will call me on Monday to see how my dealer visit went etc so they seem keen at this point in time.

So what has transpired since?

I’ve got the damn creaking sunroof now.

Tried the shinetsu silicone on the rubber seals. I think it made it worse. Lol

 

[westcoastGT]

So what has transpired since?

I’ve got the damn creaking sunroof now.

Tried the shinetsu silicone on the rubber seals. I think it made it worse. Lol

report report report !!! THEY KNOW ITS AN ISSUE !

 

[CaliSting]

I don’t know if there is a fix from Kia Corp yet but my dealer apparently put some foam rubber under rails. That helped a little but didn’t eliminate rattling . The first round they used silicon and that just made matters worse.

 

[nhcowboy28]

I don’t know if there is a fix from Kia Corp yet but my dealer apparently put some foam rubber under rails. That helped a little but didn’t eliminate rattling . The first round they used silicon and that just made matters worse.

You mind taking a picture of where they put the foam?

 

[CaliSting]

You mind taking a picture of where they put the foam?

Sorry sold the car last week.

 

[ShannonC]

Same here. They are replacing the rails the sun roof moves along as its not sitting flush causing excessive frictional/rubbing noises when the car moves.

How did the replacement turn out?

 

[Cassius]

My car makes weird sounds. Driving down any imperfect road (we got lots of them in Seattle) it sounds like it's raining (got lots of that too). The sunroof makes little pitter patter pops. This is different than when I back into my uneven driveway when it groans like it wants to spit out the glass.

I have the same problem. I made an appointment to take the service tech on a drive to point out exactly what I was hearing. I sometimes swear it was raining on a sunny day. The tech heard the noise and determined when I took the car in for service that the two side rails were loose. He could not tighten them to make the noise stop and had to order two new side rails. Let's hope that fixes the problem. I would suggest taking your service tech for a ride.

 

[Cassius]

I also hear popping from my sunroof when driving whether it's open or closed. I have also heard intermittent popping noises from the door seals. I'm definitely not happy about it given the price of the car. I had an Optima turbo with panoramic sunroof that never made a sound so I know I shouldn't have to settle for this. I have the same dilemma others have mentioned that I worry my problem will get bigger if I take it in for service and they start taking things apart. I also don't want anyone else driving it!

I will be watching for posts on the issue being solved. I would try the grease suggestion, but would rather Kia fix the problem.

UPDATE: I made an appointment to take the service tech for a ride. Was able to point out popping noise. At next appt. tech noticed two side rails loose but could not tighten enough to stop the noise. Two new side rails being ordered. Keeping my fingers crossed that this iTAs the fix. I must say that just with the tightening of the rails, the noise is considerably less. I would strongly advise to take your tech for a ride. KIA had no problem with this.

 

[Revvdmedia]

My first service came up quicker than anticipated, I should be booking the car in for next week. On my laundry list of concerns, the sunroof noise is one. Unfortunately it's been stupid cold lately and I have a ton of frozen winter attached to my car, the garage isn't warm enough to melt it. Unless it warms enough to get rid of this, I don't know if I'll be able to duplicate my sunroof noises without getting other noises over top of it (from ice and junk on the car). I also haven't really paid any attention to the sunroof when it's cold, I leave the sunshade closed so the cold doesn't come in and this seems to muffle the sound mostly, not to mention the music that is pretty much always playing. I noticed the sunroof noises mainly when it's just above freezing and sunshade open whether the glass is ajar or not, so hopefully we get a change of weather next week. I'd rather get this looked at and dealt with sooner than later. If not, I'll try to get them to document it for later.

 

[westcoastGT]

My first service came up quicker than anticipated, I should be booking the car in for next week. On my laundry list of concerns, the sunroof noise is one. Unfortunately it's been stupid cold lately and I have a ton of frozen winter attached to my car, the garage isn't warm enough to melt it. Unless it warms enough to get rid of this, I don't know if I'll be able to duplicate my sunroof noises without getting other noises over top of it (from ice and junk on the car). I also haven't really paid any attention to the sunroof when it's cold, I leave the sunshade closed so the cold doesn't come in and this seems to muffle the sound mostly, not to mention the music that is pretty much always playing. I noticed the sunroof noises mainly when it's just above freezing and sunshade open whether the glass is ajar or not, so hopefully we get a change of weather next week. I'd rather get this looked at and dealt with sooner than later. If not, I'll try to get them to document it for later.

KIA Canada knows what it is now , mine got worse to the point that it creaked and popped regardless of cold or hot it just needed a little bit of uneven road to act up ................good luck , where are you located in Canada ?

 

[Revvdmedia]

KIA Canada knows what it is now , mine got worse to the point that it creaked and popped regardless of cold or hot it just needed a little bit of uneven road to act up ................good luck , where are you located in Canada ?

I am in Edmonton. I only started noticing mine about a month ago. I don't really hear it with the sunshade closed, but it would pop over bumps when it was open. It might do it a lot more than I know, but since it's been cold out, I've normally had the sunshade closed. I'll at least get it noted and have them see if they can duplicate the concern, this upcoming Monday....

 

[nhcowboy28]

Called the premium care hotline. Logged a case.

They said that they can make sure the dealer provides a loaner if that dealer pushes back.

So I’ll be setting up service probably for next Saturday.

 

[K-Rock]

My Sunroof is quite, but a spring did pop on closing once. I was stationary and found the parts. Dealer fixed under warranty. Time will tell if it holds.

My 2013 Elantra GT pano was awesome.

 

[nhcowboy28]

So the interesting thing on mine..

I swore it was the rubber seals “gumming” against the contact points.

But at slow speeds 10-20 mph) with roof fully open on rough roads, I can hear the same creaking.

Obviously not a seal/lubrication issue.

At least I can better articulate to the dealer next week.

 

[D87]

Has anyone ever applied felt take to the roof molding? I think that may be the culprit. I haven't seen anyone response after getting the sunroof railing replaced.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Has anyone ever applied felt take to the roof molding? I think that may be the culprit. I haven't seen anyone response after getting the sunroof railing replaced.

Interesting you mention it...

I was scheduled for a dealer visit over the weekend... I cancelled due to rain, but I started wedging my finger while driving in various spots (not expecting to make a difference)...

For me, wedging something In The front driver’s side gap stopped the creaking. Keep in mind the creaking happens even when the sunroof is open, so not a rubber seal/contact issue.

I found a random rubber block and some felt furniture pad was the perfect thickness. I just shove it in there when it is already closed.

I shouldn’t have to, but is it worth going back and forth with the dealer and then risking them f’n something else up (paint)... I may just deal with this workaround.

As you can see, it doesn’t push/raise the sunroof up enough to disrupt the external appearance/seal.

I’ll plasti-dip / sharpie it black. No one will ever know!!