American Sunroof Company (now known as American Sunroof Inalfa)

American Sunroof Company (now known as American Sunroof Inalfa)

&#160 My American Sunroof model 925 electronic sunroof system has given me nothing but trouble since its installation in my SUV in 1994. I have always been skeptical of "after-market" automobile equipment; this experience has soured me on all but "factory-installed" options on any new vehicle, and I have vowed to never have another sunroof of any type. In the 11 years that I owned my SUV, I had several instances of severe leakage from the front, driver's-side half of the sunroof, and at least one instance in which the retracting glass panel jammed in mid-stream, neither opening fully or closing completely. (A car with a hole in the roof and a puddle at your feet is a challenge to drive and to maintain, especially when you are leaving on vacation in the morning!) In the 11-year life of this sunroof, I have had at least four expensive service calls, averaging between $150 and $250, on top of routine maintenance. Because such repairs and service must be performed by an American Sunroof dealer, a customer faces a long drive to the repair shop if he doesn't live in a major market. Isolated, rural residents are, literally, up a creek. I have found my sunroof to be extremely temperamental. The least little bit of debris or leaf litter caused interior drains in the vehicle to clog, creating a back-up when rainstorms occur and the inevitable leakage above the driver's head. What the original American Sunroof installer didn't tell me in the beginning is that you are essentially buying into a "system" that will require regular (at least annual) costly maintenance and service in order to keep it in operating condition. Are you willing

to commit to this added schedule of maintenance by another company, on top of what you already are facing with the larger vehicle itself? I had gotten to the point that I never opened the sunroof, for fear that it might never shut. In my case, reliability of the product has been nil. In 2004, after repeated letters over the course of a year to the company, the original American Sunroof West Coast installer, and two East Coast dealers in my area, I believe we have finally isolated the problem after 11 years -- incorrect original configuration of the rooftop drain lines, causing the lines to "pinch," clog with debris, and overflow during wet weather. How did I achieve this (apparent) solution to the problem? Through absolutely no help of company headquarters in Michigan! My letters pleading for replacement and/or removal and reinstallation of my existing sunroof to isolate the problem went unanswered, as did my telephone inquiries ... until the company (apparently now called "American Sunroof Inalfa") referred my letter to its Michigan attorney, who disclaimed any responsibility for the performance of the company's products, because the current company ("American Sunroof Inalfa") bought out American Sunroof Company at some point in the past, and refuses any liability for the previous company's sunroofs ... even though their corporate names remain almost identical. (Go figure! A lot of legalese that basically told its customer, "Get lost!") No, it finally took the personal interest of an American Sunroof dealer 100 miles from me to offer to "benchcheck" my vehicle. After a half-day of inspection, he isolated and corrected the problem of original mis-installation of the drain lines. He wouldn't take any money for his time or effort, but I tipped his mechanic in gratitude. In summary, it took a concerned dealer to compensate for the disinterested and dismissive company and its attorney. A poor reflection on American Sunroof's customer service. Moral: there is a reason why most automobiles are built with solid roofs and arrive at the showroom intact. Think twice whether you really want to cut that hole in the top of your SUV. Click this link to e-mail the above consumer: Email User Consumer

Comment On This

The comment posted in response to my original complaint -- in addition to being rude -- is incorrect. The problems with this sunroof dated from the time my vehicle was brand-new and lasted throughout the life of the vehicle. And they had nothing to do with incorrect or improper maintenance by me. As far as having an 11-year-old car, I'm proud of that. I expect products to last. Too bad this commenter believes otherwise. He has settled for all-too-common poor quality in most consumer products these days. At least he could be civil to those of us who expect better.

Comment On This

get a life you loser. There is nothing on a car that lasts without maintainence. Why don't you get risd of that 11 year old car.