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Sunroof will not close

4004 Views 21 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Huey52
Hello GLA 250 owners, my sunroof is partly closed with one side still open. I never use my sunroof until last weekend on a great sunny day on Cape Cod. The car is in 2015. I have owned it for 3 years. The dealership that I bought it from said it was a $6000 replacement.
I almost fainted..... Why would I pay 6K for them to put in defective parts? I asked them to just seal it up and call it a day. They said they could not. The roof is covered in plastic and that plastic will not last long.
I am going to another dealership and getting another opinion. I also found online that there was a recall in 2021.
Any comments, ideas, opinions???
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Sorry to hear about your problems, sounds tough. Please define what you mean by “pay $6K to put in defective parts”.

I would advise you to visit another dealership and get a second opinion and more importantly, to see if the recall affects your vehicle. Also, please tell us the diagnosis so we can advise you on next steps. hopefully its something minor.

It’s possible that this is a relatively simple issue. I would also suggest opening the sunroof completely and checking for any debris like twigs or pebbles that may prevent the roof from closing Completely. Also make sure everything is lubricated properly and the seal isn’t damaged. This is probably something the dealer can do when you take it in.

If the second dealer says that the recall isn’t for your car and they also quote you on a replacement, don’t do it right away. Go to a reputable independent technician in your area that has experience with Mercedes-Benz. Ask them if they can seal off the sunroof As there will most likely be a way to do it. Also see what it will cost to repair the old parts.
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Closing problems have been a topic here many times. The search function should guide you.

IMHO it appears that the slide blocks are weaker than they should be. Recently an individual in Europe has been discussing a solution that they sell, using blocks that can be installed without full disassembly of the sunroof (which if taken to the dealer includes removing the headliner). These parts are also claimed to be more durable.

With any sunroof, maintenance is essential. There are several videos on line regarding cleaning and lubricating to avoid problems moving forward.

I'm keenly interested in what you find regarding the recall. Please keep us advised of your situation as you progress.
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Thank you. Will keep you posted. I am going to a different dealer for their opinion.
Copy of estimate below.
Material property Font Parallel Rectangle Number
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Having a '15 and sunroof as well, never an issue. I'm curious what it means when you say "partly closed with one side still open". Sounds like RamaGLA post where something may be stuck on one side stopping full closure. I actually used my open sunroof a couple times when first bought, now I just open headliner and use tilt up sunroof since I don't like the look of the little guard thing that pops up when sunroof open. Hopeful a dealer has a real solution for this, find it hard to believe this has become a $6k issue.

Also, did you try, maybe with someone's help to make sure sunroof is aligned and push it back a bit to open some, look in the sunroof tracks for any obstruction, then try closing again, of course care with fingers if someone is messing with sunroof while you are pushing open/close.
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Very sorry to hear Deborah, especially on a now off-season quiet and sunny Cape Cod day. :(

We use the fairly new Benz of Hanover just off Rte 3 and they're pretty good so do get a 2nd opinion. Although as a very labor intensive process to remove and replace the sunroof, and Benz service pricing in general, I'm not totally surprised by the estimate, but still just as shocked. :oops:
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Alas this has happened to others and is thereby often "partly closed with one side still open." So much so we stickied a link (which includes the preventive maintenance video):

Having a '15 and sunroof as well, never an issue. I'm curious what it means when you say "partly closed with one side still open". Sounds like RamaGLA post where something may be stuck on one side stopping full closure. I actually used my open sunroof a couple times when first bought, now I just open headliner and use tilt up sunroof since I don't like the look of the little guard thing that pops up when sunroof open. Hopeful a dealer has a real solution for this, find it hard to believe this has become a $6k issue.

Also, did you try, maybe with someone's help to make sure sunroof is aligned and push it back a bit to open some, look in the sunroof tracks for any obstruction, then try closing again, of course care with fingers if someone is messing with sunroof while you are pushing open/close.
Hello GLA 250 owners, my sunroof is partly closed with one side still open. I never use my sunroof until last weekend on a great sunny day on Cape Cod. The car is in 2015. I have owned it for 3 years. The dealership that I bought it from said it was a $6000 replacement.
I almost fainted..... Why would I pay 6K for them to put in defective parts? I asked them to just seal it up and call it a day. They said they could not. The roof is covered in plastic and that plastic will not last long.
I am going to another dealership and getting another opinion. I also found online that there was a recall in 2021.
Any comments, ideas, opinions???
Hello GLA 250 owners, my sunroof is partly closed with one side still open. I never use my sunroof until last weekend on a great sunny day on Cape Cod. The car is in 2015. I have owned it for 3 years. The dealership that I bought it from said it was a $6000 replacement.
I almost fainted..... Why would I pay 6K for them to put in defective parts? I asked them to just seal it up and call it a day. They said they could not. The roof is covered in plastic and that plastic will not last long.
I am going to another dealership and getting another opinion. I also found online that there was a recall in 2021.
Any comments, ideas, opinions???
Hello, There is always the same problem with the plastic guides. Mercedes knows the problem, but prefers to charge its customers a fortune to repair and replace the same guide.
I found the ultimate solution to the problem, to replace these guides without taking anything apart and even less forcing the rails.
I'll give you a contact email if you're interested in the solution.
[email protected]
It worked very well for me and the repair is very easy to do yourself in a few minutes.
Videos link HERE
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I had this problem with my 2015, but it was under warranty (just a couple months after I purchased the care CPO) and after 3 visits and MONTHS spent at the dealership (but at least they gave me a loaner), it appears to be fixed but I have decided not to open it again. At least, I'll never open it again after my CPO expires in January! I still like having a moonroof and probably would have paid extra for that, even if I knew I'd never be allowed to open it.

The design is seriously flawed and it appears to affect the CLA as well. I'm sorry, I don't have any advice for you except that if you can get it closed somehow, leave it closed and bank the money you saved by not "fixing" it to put towards your next car. Hopefully, one with a sunoof that works.
Thanks for your reply, they got the roof closed, sealed it and disconnected the motor.
Any one I run into with a GLA, I stop them and tell them about them roof problem.
The plastic rails are defective. I only used my sun roof once and heard the rails cracking. Mercedes gave me a 6K estimate to fix it. They said they could not close the roof. I took my car to another Mercedes dealer ship. Got it fixed for $360.
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If and when my wife's pano-roof similarly fails I'll also be electrically disconnecting same. "The best or nothing" Benz? I guess nothing. :(
Thanks for your reply, they got the roof closed, sealed it and disconnected the motor.
Any one I run into with a GLA, I stop them and tell them about them roof problem.
The plastic rails are defective. I only used my sun roof once and heard the rails cracking. Mercedes gave me a 6K estimate to fix it. They said they could not close the roof. I took my car to another Mercedes dealer ship. Got it fixed for $360.
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If and when my wife's pano-roof similarly fails I'll also be electrically disconnecting same. "The best or nothing" Benz? I guess nothing. :(
it's a good solution
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Thanks for your reply, they got the roof closed, sealed it and disconnected the motor.
Any one I run into with a GLA, I stop them and tell them about them roof problem.
The plastic rails are defective. I only used my sun roof once and heard the rails cracking. Mercedes gave me a 6K estimate to fix it. They said they could not close the roof. I took my car to another Mercedes dealer ship. Got it fixed for $360.
it's a good solution
Here is a good solution for you if the problem occurs again. In my opinion, there is no point having an option and not being able to use it. Since you used Mercedes-Benz genuine parts, you have a 2 year, unlimited mileage warranty (at least in Canada, please confirm for USA). if it occurs again, they have to replace them at their own cost. If it happens out of warranty, this aftermarket solution will fix the problem.
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had the same problem. those little plastic guides just shatter into thousands of pieces. so i just sealed the glass roof to the car, lol/not lol. cost $100 in materials but it took a lot of time and effort diy'ing it in my garage. not for the faint of heart - that's for sure.
And after all the problems with the GLA sun roofs, there is no recall. Bad Mercedes.
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I took a chance and ordered this part on eBay. It worked exactly as described. My moon roof is fixed. Took about 15 minutes. All I needed was a can of white grease and needle nose pliers. The part is pricey but the repair saves you a tremendous amount of money over what the dealer will charge to fix it their way. I had to purchase a pair, since mine were broken on both sides. If you have a basic mechanical skill set, I highly recommend this for the repair of your Mercedes moon roof. Mercedes should be ashamed of the original part they use; it is totally worthless. There should be a recall.
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I took a chance and ordered this part on eBay. It worked exactly as described. My moon roof is fixed. Took about 15 minutes. All I needed was a can of white grease and needle nose pliers. The part is pricey but the repair saves you a tremendous amount of money over what the dealer will charge to fix it their way. I had to purchase a pair, since mine were broken on both sides. If you have a basic mechanical skill set, I highly recommend this for the repair of your Mercedes moon roof. Mercedes should be ashamed of the original part they use; it is totally worthless. There should be a recall.
Thank you very much for your comment, we are happy to have been able to help you.
enjoy your sunroof and good road
TTo(y)(y)(y)
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And they wanted to charge 6k! Crazy benz dealership.
I used the parts from TTO and they worked perfect. Thank you. The pano roof glides nicely and feels strong.

My problem is the rear still will not come down. It acts like something is stuck. Ideas? Could this be something with the sliders? I see "Kits" for these on Ebay but have not found any info on installing or how to tell if they have failed. See below. Not sure if these can be installed without taking the rails out.

Font Automotive exterior Rim Fashion accessory

.
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I installed parts from TTO and works perfect.
but now have problem with the cable that pulls the roof. Anyone have an exploded view of all the parts involved in the mechanism?,
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