Car washes use high pressure jets that the sunroof is not designed for. Whether your leak is "normal" is a separate question, but if you want them to give you a new sunroof you'll probably need to escalate this to Toyota directly.

Isn't there a process to "re-initialize" the sunroof? Would that offer any hope?

 

From the manual:




■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected or the moon roof does not close normally


The moon roof must be initialized in order to ensure proper operation.


Turn the power switch to ON mode.


Press and hold the “CLOSE” or “UP” switch until the following movement finishes.


The moon roof will tilt up and pause for 1 second or more.


Then it will tilt down, open and close fully.


Release the switch, and then press it in order to ensure proper operation.


If the moon roof does not move automatically, perform the procedure again from the beginning.

 

And there is actually a drain hose near the front of each side that is meant to drain water from the channel. My cx-5 used to let through a few drops here and there as well in an automatic touchless wash but not a drop in the heaviest of downpours. Haven't been through an automatic wash in the hybrid yet.

 

Please post the pictures of the leakage.
I have taken my 2015 RAV4 Limited to various pressure car wash, and haven't noticed any leaks.

 

Doesn't hurt to keep an eye on the sunroof drain tubes. Make sure they are free of debris which may clog tubes. Here is a quick write-up: How to Clean the Roof Drainage Tubes on a Toyota RAV4

Hate to say it but under normal operating conditions it is not normal for them to leak. High pressure car washes or clogged tubes I wouldn't be surprised to see leaks. With that said, we are going on two years with no sunroof leaks.

 

No leaks in dozens of car washes on either one of my 4.4s.

 

Unfortunately, the moon roof is an option that MUST come with the Limited version. If it were possible to not have it I would much prefer that option, but alas tis not the case. :frown

 

Sun roof should not leak..period! There are drain tubes for the sun roof..at least on our Outback there is...one of them may be plugged. This is part of the reason why we didn't get a sun roof on our car this time...potential problems...

 

Leased a 2017 rax4 from Erin Park. Sunroof went at 30,000km, seats were soaked. It happened again at 80,000km. There is a problem with RAV4 sunroofs....DO NOT BUY!!!!

 

Have you checked for clogged drain tubes??? In each corner of the sunroof you will find a drain tube hole. They do get clogged with debris, ask me how I know!

 

How do you know? 😆 I did check them, 2 up front in the corners....they look fine. I’ll keep an eye on them. I guess the water would pool on the lip eh? Thanks.

 

Water shouldn't pool if the holes are clear. Maybe the rubber seals around the edges are damaged or shot if your seats got wet. My A pillar and the headliner above my steering wheel were dripping wet, that's how I knew.