Weak motors result in slow operation and eventually motor failure.
I believe that KAH24 has more experience than I do in the intricacies of OEM engineering/design and failure analysis. He's providing the raw data, no filter. If you disagree, that's fine, but it doesn't change anything. The key point is to understand that the information provided is the industry standard, not something that a customer rep or owners manual is going to tell you.
@melvimbe,
As
@FordTechOne mentioned, there would indeed be slower operation and early sunroof motor failure if one used a lower torque motor (which of course would create “slow motor” complaints and likely a more expensive repair when the motor fails prematurely—leaving the sunroof partially/fully open). The seals and gaskets need lubrication to keep them from sticking and creating resistance.
From an OEM engineering/design standpoint, I’ve no issues with the panoramic sunroof (as a matter of fact I like my composite oil pan as well).
Food for thought from an OEM statistics standpoint:
1. Believe me, panoramic roofs/sunroofs, sliding rear windows, motorized convertible tops, power window regulators (heck anything mechanical and man made)—periodically fails. Believe me, we see more mechanism failures in the winter (especially in the snow belt)—when for some reason folks get motivated on a 20 degree day to drive with the top down (or roof open)—and do not understand the elementary school physics of frozen water/ice causing binding. Even more sad are the warranty claims for “my windshield wipers broke when they were frozen to the windshield.” Sorry, I digress.
2. The experts on my team have worked for the gamut of OEMs (domestic/foreign) and I trust they can tell a good design vs. a flawed one.
3. Based on cold hard data, I believe my OEM has a world class reputation for reliable design, and yet we have failure rates within an expected range—as we aren’t perfect. Ultimately we change the design or modify recommended procedures at a certain proprietary threshold (which every OEM has). When my guys say that my panoramic roof is well designed, I listen.
4. When a customer (any OEM) experiences panoramic roof failure—to them the failure rate is 100% because it happened to that person—and they blame a flawed design. Statistically, one has to look at the total volume of panoramic roofs installed that year in that specific OEM application (lets use MY 2019 as an example, and lets just say that 200000 F Series pickups/SUVs have that sliding roof—it might be more given the volume of F150s and Expeditions sold worldwide). If 1000 panoramic sunroofs fail that is a whopping 0.005 failure rate (half of 1%).
5. The problem is, we would hear nearly all 1000 of those complaints on forum boards (which is why I’ve never paid any attention to the grousing). I enjoy learning, but don’t rely one iota on forums to figure out what statistically is going to break on any of my vehicles. Forum boards statistically over-represent complaints, as no one posts “wow, jeepers, my panoramic sunroof is simply amazing!”
NOTE1: I will concede that perhaps an OEM service manager (some of the sharp ones in the industry already do) could recommend OEM maintenance is done for convertible tops (especially the retractable hardtops), panoramic roofs. Conversely, a consumer can ask to have services performed. To me PMCS is common sense—but perhaps to others who wait until things break, a bit more direction could be of benefit.
NOTE2: As mentioned earlier, one can purchase detailed instructions on how to maintain things—and purchase Krytox(tm), or an equivalent OEM spec, plastic/rubber polymer safe grease. To me that is part of the pride in ownership. Again, I state—that may be just me.
NOTE3: For any OEM panoramic/sun/moon roof design— I’d recommend using the panoramic sunroof regularly (which would allow cleaning to take place). Also, pay attention to creaks/rattles—as that is a sign of need for lubrication.
I genuinely hope this is beneficial as my biases lead me to only look at the black/white data of things.
