# '02 Subaru roof vent

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/02-subaru-roof-vent/64453>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [May 7, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/02-subaru-roof-vent/64453 "2011-05-07T12:23:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pconnolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4da419/32.png) [@pconnolly](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pconnolly)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/02-subaru-roof-vent/64453/1 "2011-05-07T12:23:47Z")

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I can hear the mechanism operate, but roof vent won’t open. Shop tells me a complete replcement is required to fix problem to the tune of $1200. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/02-subaru-roof-vent/64453/2 "2011-05-07T12:39:23Z")

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Roof vent?  
Are you referring to the sunroof/moonroof?

Repairing these devices can be expensive, and a dealership (which I suspect is the one that gave you this estimate) is the most expensive of all. I suggest that you check with a body shop for a lower estimate.

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**Author:** ![pconnolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4da419/32.png) [@pconnolly](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pconnolly)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 12:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/02-subaru-roof-vent/64453/3 "2011-05-07T12:44:20Z")

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this is an outback with two sunroofs, the front one only tilts up to act as a vent while driving while the rear one opens fully for slow speed viewing of the heavens I guess. It’s the front one that is presently inoperative.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/02-subaru-roof-vent/64453/4 "2011-05-07T13:26:47Z")

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In view of the fact that it is only the front, tilting sunroof that is problematic, I doubt that a “complete replacement” is necessary. Both of your sunroofs utilize the same motor, so if the larger rear sunroof still operates properly, a “complete replacement” sounds extreme and unnecessary.

Take the car to a body shop with a good reputation and get an estimate from them.