VW Tiguan sunroof care
On the Mk2 Tiguan a blocked panoramic drain overflows down the A-pillars into the footwell and onto the screen. Just as often, though, the water is really the cowl drain at the base of the windshield, so confirm the source first.
Clogged drains
Four tubes, two down the A-pillars and two at the rear, and they collect debris ("spider traps") that blocks the flow. The lower front-tube end sits at the bottom of the A-pillar. Push water through gently and squeeze the lower hose to dislodge debris, or clear it from the top with a soft brush. Confirm with a water flush.
The drain tubes are a slip fit and will pop off inside the pillar under air pressure. Soft brush and water only.
When it is not the sunroof
- Cowl / plenum drain. The most common Tiguan footwell leak. Leaves block the plenum drains at the base of the windshield and water overflows into the cabin intake. VW even sells a cowl plenum drain part for it. Dedicated owner threads are literally titled "water in footwell, not from panoramic."
- A/C condensate drain. Wet floor with A/C use, not rain.
(The verified VW panoramic-roof bulletins, for a cracked water channel and a pinched rear drain, are for the Golf and Golf Sportwagen, not the Tiguan.)