Sunroof Noise

I have a 2003 SR5 V8. There is a very annoying noise that comes out from the sunroof. I took it to the dealer and they were not able to fix it. According to them, Toyota knows about this problem and is coming out with a part (a tube of some kind); but not sure when!! Any body experiencing similar problem?
Also, my wife mentions there is a metal like noise coming from somewhere in the back. She can hear it when she is sitting in the rear seat but I can not hear it from the front.
Beside these noise problem, I love the vehicle.

Please share if you have similar problems. Thanks.

Have your dealer show you
Technical Service Bulletin
NV003-03 ,2003-06-11
NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS HEADLINER RATTLES (REVISED)
Tom

I have experienced the exact problem with the noise in the back
turns out it is the rear seat latch. It sweaks
the fix is to apply some White Lithium Grease to the latch, this worked for me. I have a 2003 SR5 V8 Sport
this grease can be bought from any Toyota dealership
Don't waste your time bringing it in like I did, chances are they will not find it.

Regarding the sunroof noise, still no fix. I contacted the dealer again, they said they can not do anything until toyota comes up with that new Tube/part. They have no idea how long it will take either.....meanwhile I am driving with that annoying noise everyday. It is just sad that it is happening in a brand new vehicle that costs over $30K. Anybody have same problem? Were the dealer to fix this without waiting for that part? Thanks in advance!

Just bought a '03 4Runner SR5 v8 used with 3300 miles on it (demo). When I test drove it, I noticed the rattle. Told them I wanted the rattle fix before I bought the truck. Went back to check it out and the noise was gone. The salesperson said that a screw was loose in the sunroof and it had been fixed (but I'm not so sure that was the fix). OK, no problem. Bought the truck and drove 50 miles home. By the time I was home the rattle had started again.

My particular rattle sounds like a loose screw. It's metal-on-metal rattle, and it's not particularly loud, but it is very annoying.

I tightened all the visible screws. None were loose.

The rattle is not caused by the wind. It's caused by vibration, because it rattles even when idle.

When I push up on the glass of the sunroof, the rattle stops. So I could drive around with one arm on the steering wheel and one on the sunroof, right?

I haven't contacted the dealer yet, but will let you know what I find out. I want to know what they really did to stop the rattle the 1st time.

Regarding the sunroof noise, still no fix. I contacted the dealer again, they said they can not do anything until toyota comes up with that new Tube/part. They have no idea how long it will take either.....meanwhile I am driving with that annoying noise everyday. It is just sad that it is happening in a brand new vehicle that costs over $30K. Anybody have same problem? Were the dealer to fix this without waiting for that part? Thanks in advance!

it should be under warranty . I would leave it at the dealer and get a loaner until they fix it.

Here is the rundown,
1. First time I took it, they told me it was fixed and it never was. They told me they put a extra foam/pad. As soon as I drove off the parking lot the noise came back. I took it right back, then the manager admits that it is a known problem and toyota is coming up with the part but not sure when. I basically had to wait for that.
2. Got a call back in about 3 weeks. Took it in. When I got there, the service manager realized that one of the part still had not arrived. Sent me back home.
3. Got another call in about 2 -3 weeks and I took it in. It was finally fixed.

So it took about 1 and 1/2 months and few trips to the dealer to get it finally fixed. Toyota has a service bulletin out (refer to the postings above), the dealer basically replaced some parts with new parts.

Steve,
Not to be a pain, but I was wondering if you could expand just a little on your fix. I got to a point back in Dec. where I had closed the sunroof and the noise stopped. Being in New Englad, there's no reason to open it again until May. Anyway, I'm incredibly busy now and haven't been to the dealership. I know when I open and close the sunroof again, the rattle will start. It must now be in some kind of perfect position to not rattle.

I want to be armed with all the info possible when I get the truck to the dealer. I know now that the noise is not a screw... it's the glass or surrounding metal rattling against the headliner. That's why it stops when pressure is applied to it. Does this sound like your problem? Was the fix the same one as known in the technical bulletin?

Thanks for the help

Here is the rundown,
1. First time I took it, they told me it was fixed and it never was. They told me they put a extra foam/pad. As soon as I drove off the parking lot the noise came back. I took it right back, then the manager admits that it is a known problem and toyota is coming up with the part but not sure when. I basically had to wait for that.
2. Got a call back in about 3 weeks. Took it in. When I got there, the service manager realized that one of the part still had not arrived. Sent me back home.
3. Got another call in about 2 -3 weeks and I took it in. It was finally fixed.

So it took about 1 and 1/2 months and few trips to the dealer to get it finally fixed. Toyota has a service bulletin out (refer to the postings above), the dealer basically replaced some parts with new parts.

I just bought a 2004 with a sunroof, and so far no noises. Does the rattle start over time or from the beginning?

I just bought a 2004 with a sunroof, and so far no noises. Does the rattle start over time or from the beginning?

I don't know the answer to that one because I bought mine with 3300 miles on it. I'm glad it happened so early, though, because it's covered by warranty. I'd open and close your sunroof pretty often to see if you can get it to make noise. I also have a 2003, so I don't know if they fixed the problem for 2004 or not.

It's been opened & shut a few times, so far so good. The one I test drove first didn't seem to rattle either, and I'm sure that had more miles on it. Mine has 158, hee hee.

Yes the fix was the same one listed on the technical bulletin. The noise was due to some metal/wiring stuff AND I think they came with a new part that is like a foam tube or something that will be wrapped around the wiring.
Also I have a couple of other noise problems.
-There is a noise coming from from back of my rear seat, which is not too loud from the front seats but you can hear it from the rear seat distinctly. I read somewhere that it is just the latch on the rear seat and could be fixed by putting some kind of lubricant.
-Another one is kinda strange. Do you know the sound of that latch or locking mechanism when you close your rear door? (it is about 2 second long too). Well when I am driving, I get that sound randomly. I have not been able to show it to the dealer because it happens randomly. Anyway, let me know if these problems seems familiar.


Steve,
Not to be a pain, but I was wondering if you could expand just a little on your fix. I got to a point back in Dec. where I had closed the sunroof and the noise stopped. Being in New Englad, there's no reason to open it again until May. Anyway, I'm incredibly busy now and haven't been to the dealership. I know when I open and close the sunroof again, the rattle will start. It must now be in some kind of perfect position to not rattle.

I want to be armed with all the info possible when I get the truck to the dealer. I know now that the noise is not a screw... it's the glass or surrounding metal rattling against the headliner. That's why it stops when pressure is applied to it. Does this sound like your problem? Was the fix the same one as known in the technical bulletin?

Thanks for the help

"Yes the fix was the same one listed on the technical bulletin. The noise was due to some metal/wiring stuff AND I think they came with a new part that is like a foam tube or something that will be wrapped around the wiring."

Ah, so maybe they fixed it for the 2004, I sure hope so!

I have had the same noise for several months. I hade it "fixed" two months ago to no avail. The dealership "fixed" it again a couple of days ago, again using the TSB as a guideline and using the parts which includes some grease of some kind. They got rid of the noise when the vehicle was idling but it has now returned when I go over bumps. I will be getting a hold of the dealer who said if it returned he would order a whole new unit(over $2000 Can$) though he knew Toyota would not be a happy camper. I will be calling him next week.

I just fixed a 2004 with the new tsb that Toyota sent to us all is well now! :)

Where can I find the TSB ?

Dealer only.

I got a call from the dealer re the 3rd shot at repairing the roof. Toyota will not put a new part in just yet...............the price is $3400.00(Can $) just for the part.
I am giving the dealer the truck next week(and getting a 4Runner loaner at no cost) for a couple of days as Toyota wants them to take the entire roof apart to check some bolts. The dealer has been fantastic so we will see if this "repair" does the job. Even the dealer is getting frustrated but is doing a fantastic job at trying!!!!!! I am impressed with their attempts.
I will keep the Board up to date.
It is a fantastic vehicle..........I would buy one again. This is just a nagging noise and I am more than convinced that it will be gone at some point. I have nothing negative to say about Toyota.......all I can ask is that it be repaired!!!!!!!

I took my vehicle in and the dealership kept it for two days and followed a revised TSB to repair the sunroof noise. The noise is now gone. It has only been one day but so far all is quiet....horaay!!!!!!! I will let everyone know if it comes back. The dealer told me the revised TSB is very detailed compated to the original TSB. For everyone's info.

I also have a 2003 4-Runner w/sunroof noise. The noise sounded at first as if it was coming from the back of the vehicle. Traced the noise to the sunroof and a wire that runs from the wind deflector along the aluminum track (out of view) toward the back of the sunroof opening. This wire is pulled along as the roof is opened. Applied some heavy grease to this wire..(both sides of sunroof opening) and the noise has never come back.. this heavy grease stopped this wire from rattling against the aluminum track thus stopping the noise... (wrapping this wire with some type of foam may also work)...it's been 6 months and so far so good......good luck

Steve, your latch type noise coming from the rear of your car is not the backseat latch problem. There is another Toyota forum where several folks with your exact vehicle were/are experiencing this problem The random noise is due to a slip joint coming ungreased from the factory. Apparently there is greese joint nipple under there and only needs to be lubed to fix the random clunk noise. I copied the actual fix from the othe site. It is:
The slip joint, where the driveshaft spline mates with the transmission output shaft spline is dry (unlubed), and binding. It is lubed via a grease fitting. Have the dealer give it shot of grease. I believe the service interval is every second oil change.

I have been enjoying ridding 2003 4Runner V6 Limited.

I came across the issue of rattling noise from sunroof. Fortunately, dealer fixed it on my first trip.

Unfortunately, I have made several trips complaining a random rattling noise that comes from rear passenger side door / panel. Dealer changed the shock absorber during my last trip, but the same nagging noise is still keep coming!!! As I said earlier, it is random and it happens during bumpy rides and during turns.

Can any one share idea / suggestion to resolve this issue, please?

Thanks.

-sv

I have fixed many rattling sunroofs on 03+ 4Runners It seems like most of the noise comes from the sliding rods on the sunroof. Usually applying heavy body grease 08887-02007 on the sliding rods will take the noise away. They now have some tubing that goes on the wind deflector rods instead of using grease. I have also seen the garnish side plastic pieces rattle. You can remove those and add felt behind them causing them to fit tighter on the track.
NV013-03 Is the latest Sunroof rattle TSB.