How to Repair the Sunroof Drain on a Volkswagen Tiguan MK2

The problem manifests as dampness on the headlining near the A-pillar on the driver or passenger side or with water dripping into the cabin. The cause is a blocked sunroof drain or a leaking connector.

First, open the sunroof and locate the drain holes in the front corners. Blow compressed air to clear the blockage; if that’s not enough, use a thin wire or fishing line to 'break through' the obstruction.

If the issue is a leaking connector (as shown in the video), remove the handle, sun visor, and A-pillar trim enough to move the headlining. Locate the drain connector on the sunroof, disconnect it, and remove it. Apply RTV silicone to the end of the tube, reinsert the connector until excess silicone oozes out, and let it dry. Reconnect the clip and test by pouring water in the corner of the sunroof: if there are no leaks, the job is done.

However, the video does not show the most difficult part, which is removing the headlining without breaking the clips. The A-pillar plastics and handle are fragile: it’s best to obtain replacement clips before starting.

Additionally, if the tube is completely blocked, a simple air blow may not suffice: in some cases, the entire drain tube needs to be replaced.