2021-2022 Kia Sportage Panoramic Sunroof Noise TSB

Kia has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) BOD306 to address concerns regarding the panoramic sunroof in certain 2017-2022 model year Sportage (QL) vehicles. Owners may experience a slow, noisy, or inoperative sunroof. This bulletin applies to vehicles produced between December 10, 2015, and December 7, 2021.

Symptoms

Owners of affected Kia Sportage vehicles may observe the following issues with their panoramic sunroof:

• Slow operation
• Abnormal noise when operating
• Completely inoperative sunroof

These symptoms, including the Kia Sportage panoramic sunroof noise, are typically caused by friction within the sunroof track mechanism.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The root cause of the panoramic sunroof issues is often dust or dirt intrusion into the sunroof track mechanism. Vehicles frequently driven in dusty environments or areas with high concentrations of sand or dirt in the air are particularly susceptible. This environmental debris accumulates in the mechanism, leading to increased friction and hindering normal operation.

Technicians will inspect the sunroof's operation and check for dust and dirt within the mechanism to confirm the condition before proceeding with the repair outlined in this TSB.

Important Warnings for Owners and Technicians

Kia has issued several critical notices regarding this repair:

• "Do not replace the sunroof assembly or related components for this concern. Any associated claims for sunroof replacement are subject to Warranty review and chargeback."
• "Use a non-marring trim removal tool (such as Snap-on® Part Number PBN5 or equivalent) to avoid damaging trim pieces."
• When removing the movable glass, "With the assistance of another person, lift and remove the movable glass from the vehicle."
• "Be careful not to scratch, damage, and/or break the glass during removal."
• "DO NOT replace the entire tilt lever assembly."
• "Failure to use the lubricant specified on page 6 of this bulletin may result in an ineffective or repeat repair."
• "Do not use Kia Dampening Grease (P/N UM011-CHA052), as it is not compatible with the grease used by the factory."
• "Ensure the glass, sunroof track mechanism, and all other components contacted while performing this procedure are clean."

These warnings emphasize the importance of following the specific repair steps and using the correct materials to avoid unnecessary part replacements or ineffective repairs for the Kia Sportage panoramic sunroof noise.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair procedure focuses on cleaning, lubricating, and replacing specific components to restore normal sunroof operation. The steps include:

1. Inspection: Verify the customer's concern and inspect the sunroof mechanism for dust and dirt.
2. Roof Rack Removal: Remove both roof rack side rails. This involves removing eight caps and eight nuts (four on each side).
3. Movable Glass Removal: Carefully remove the panoramic sunroof's movable glass with the assistance of another person.
4. Tilt Lever Shoe Replacement: Remove the existing shoe assemblies attached to the tilt lever and replace them with new parts. It is crucial not to replace the entire tilt lever assembly.
5. Mechanism Cleaning: Thoroughly remove all dust, sand, and old grease from the entire mechanism rail using a rag and/or suitable brush. This step is critical for addressing the Kia Sportage panoramic sunroof noise.
6. Lubrication: Lightly coat the new tilt lever shoes with the specified lubricant. Then, apply a generous amount of grease to the mechanism rail. It is important to use only the specified lubricant and avoid Kia Dampening Grease (P/N UM011-CHA052).
7. Reinstallation: Reinstall the movable glass, ensuring proper alignment of the tilt levers and glass. Then, reinstall the roof rack side rails.
8. Final Cleaning: Clean any excess lubricant from the panoramic sunroof and surrounding surfaces.
9. Function Test: Perform a function test to confirm smooth and normal operation, including one-touch open/close functionality.

Required Tools or Parts

Technicians will need the following specific tools and parts for this repair:

Required Tools:

• Lubricant: P/N 81685 3SO00 (One container covers 30 vehicles; maximum order quantity is one per dealer)
• Upholstery Clip Remover
• Torx Wrench Socket T25 (Locally sourced)
• Acid Brush

Required Parts:

• Shoe Assy - Fix: P/N 81637 G8000 (Quantity: 2)
• Shoe Assy - Rotate: P/N 81638 G8000 (Quantity: 2)

Warranty Information

For warranty claims related to this issue, the following codes and information apply:

• N Code: Q56
• C Code: ZZ1
• Claim Type: W (Warranty)
• Causal P/N: 81639 D9000
• Repair Description: Panoramic Sunroof Rail Cleaning & Shoe Assy Replacement
• Labor Op Code: 81637F01
• Operation Time: 0.8 M/H
• Replacement P/N: 81637 G8000 (Quantity: 2), 81638 G8000 (Quantity: 2)

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Source: NHTSA ID 10210220