Ontario Man Stunned by $22,520 Repair for Sunroof Malfunction

UPDATE: An Ontario man is reeling after receiving a shocking repair estimate of $22,520 for a malfunctioning sunroof on his 2020 Toyota Camry XLE. Mark Hilts, from Newmarket, Ontario, reported this eye-watering cost after his wife discovered the panoramic sunroof would not close while driving on a pleasant day in October 2023.

Hilts explained, “My wife was out with the vehicle and it was a nice day, so she opened the sunroof. But when she got home and tried to close it, it wouldn’t budge.” The situation escalated when Hilts took the vehicle to a local Toyota dealership for inspection. A technician revealed in a video that the sunroof frame had suffered a serious deformation, requiring a complete replacement of the sunroof assembly.

The revelation left Hilts in disbelief. “I thought for sure that the decimal place was in the wrong spot,” he said, expressing concern over the exorbitant repair cost. “If a sunroof is $22,000, how much is the motor or transmission? It must be double that.”

Faced with the staggering bill, Hilts opted for a more affordable solution. The dealership offered to seal the sunroof shut for $576, which they accepted. “They disconnected the power to it, and it’s sealed shut and now we can’t use it,” he stated.

According to a spokesperson for Toyota Canada, the high cost of the sunroof replacement reflects both the size of the unit and the complexity of the repair. “Upon inspection of this vehicle, it was determined that it suffered a deformation of the frame of the panoramic sunroof assembly caused by an external factor,” the spokesperson said.

While sunroofs are generally reliable, they can face various issues, including leaks, motor failures, and, as in this case, structural damage. Hilts’ experience raises a critical question for car buyers: Is the addition of a sunroof worth the potential headaches and high repair costs?

The incident has sparked discussions among drivers and industry experts about the risks associated with sunroof installations. As more people consider purchasing vehicles with sunroofs, this story serves as a cautionary tale about unexpected expenses that can arise.

Consumers are urged to evaluate their options carefully before deciding on a sunroof, especially in light of this alarming case. Hilts, while still in disbelief at the repair cost, hopes to raise awareness of potential issues faced by sunroof owners.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and the broader implications for car buyers in Ontario and beyond.