SO glad I found this thread!
Hey everyone,
I've joined this forum looking for some help regarding the panoramic sunroof on my 2016 Soul + with Primo Package. I didn't have much luck scouring the Soul forums, but it looks like I found my answer here.
I purchased the car brand new in January 2016. I searched specifically for a + trim with the Primo package specifically because I wanted a sunroof (and I'm a driver that uses it) and this would come in at a lower MSRP than an ! Fully loaded. Fast forward into about a year of ownership and around spring time this year (2017), I noticed that the closing operation of the sunroof was becoming substantially slower than normal. I took it to the local garage I go to for my oil changes and asked them to look. They cleaned and lubricated the tracks and told me it was somewhat better but still a little slow and that I should take it to the dealer. The sunroof was totally operational however, just somewhat slow when closing. Over the following few weeks, the sunroof would close progressively slower under average and normal operating conditions. I use it fully open a few times during the week, but usually use the "vent" feature more frequently. I don't open/close the roof going highway speeds either and have never forced the motor. There were also no visual obstructions impeding on the tracks.
June 26th, after I pull into the parking lot of the apartment complex I live in, I go to close the roof. It's now pulling closed significantly slower and just up until it hits the wind net, it stops closing and it slides itself back open at normal speed. Tried closing again, same issue. At this time all the service departments at the nearby dealers are closed. They advise me not to force it shut as it could further damage. I call Kia USA and there was little they could advise me of, other than there's no manual way to close the roof. I call the service dept at the dealer I bought it from (30+ miles from my home) and they tell me the manager is gone but advised me to Saran Wrap the roof for the overnight. No rain was forecasted so I bought Saran Wrap and completely covered it just in case until I can bring it in the following day. It poured overnight but the Wrap held up somewhat well.
I called the service dept the following day and tell them of the situation. They told me "we don't have appointments today" and I adamantly responded that I'm bringing the car in as I don't have a choice nor a garage to keep it in to protect it from the elements while the roof is stuck. Once at the dealer, they tell me that they'll look at t but if the issue found is not something covered under warranty, I'm liable for the $120 diagnostic fee. Ok fine I sign the authorization and the dealer shuttle takes me to my job. A few hours later i get a call from the manager stating that the tracks needed to be lubricated and cleaned and I will have to pay the $120. The dealer shuttle comes back to pick me up and go back to get the car. I speak with the service manager and explained that my local garage did just this a couple of months prior. He explained that because the panoramic roofs have tracks on the exterior, they're subjected to all of the elements and need this kind of Maintenence. He noted there's a "1 year period" for free adjustments but because cleaning and lubricating the tracks is considered Maintenence, it's not under warranty. It makes sense so I pay, despite everyone in my life claiming that's BS. Before I leave the dealer I inquire about what kind of lubrication they used. The Manager said it's a Kia product that only they have access to and that's what it should be maintained with. OK.
Fast forward to August 17th, a few days ago, also my birthday, less than two months later, the same thing happens. I pull into my lot, attempt to close the roof, gets most of the way there, very laboriously, stops by the net and opens back up again at normal speed and won't close. Leading up to this, I noticed the closing of the roof was starting to go slower again but would open just fine at normal speeds. I didn't have the time to take it back and fight with the dealer though. So when this happened again, I call the service dept again annoyed beyond belief and of course they're closed. I tried Saran wrapping it again but it was supposed to pour that night (which it did) and not wanting to risk ruining the car I called the local dealer and explained the ongoing situation and they offered to keep the car in their service bay overnight. They were able to manually close the glass pane and I have an appointment scheduled for Wednesday this week for the original dealer who I already paid to look at this issue again. It seems like the sunroofs of 2016 are a problem for Kia in general...
