Leaking Hardtop On 2013 Hilux

May 28, 2014

Hi All,

I just wanted to get your opinion on a problem I have been having with my 2013 Hilux with Snugtop hardtop. I purchased the Hilux new from a Toyota dealer last year and decided to get the hardtop that they offered in their accessories brochure since I need to carry bags etc in the cargo area. Unfortunately a few months after getting the Hilux I noticed when it rained it would leak quite a bit in the cargo area, especially after real heavy rain. I tried to tighten up the clamps that hold it on but to no avail. Note, this is the recommended roof that Toyota offered us when we purchased the Hilux

I decided to contact the Toyota dealership and get them to take a look at it. After the first visit they took the roof off and applied some silicon to the areas where the rubber seal of the hardtop joins the cargo area. I wasn't too impressed with this solution, but since I was desperate to keep my stuff dry I decided to go with it. Unfortunately after the next big rainfall it was leaking even worse around the areas where it joins with the cargo area. I took the Hilux back to the dealer and they proceeded to apply an even thicker amount of silicon to the left side of the hardtop seal where it was leaking the most. Again I was not impressed with this approach and I could really see the silicon job when looking at the Hilux from the left side. Well, it didn't end there it still leaks to this day at the back of the cargo area and also at the tailgate window around the top. We are in the process of trying to claim the roof with the dealership and Toyota, because we believe the roof is faulty. They have performed some tests with compressed air and think the only problem is with the seal on window at the back of the cargo area, but unfortunately I believe its more than that. As I mentioned it leaks at the tailgate window also and at the back around the seal joining the hardtop to the cargo area. The dealership and Toyota seem to insist on fixing the roof rather than replacing it or refunding us, but this has already been going on for nearly half a year. We have it booked in for some more tests next week but I am really loosing my patience with them.

So, sorry for the long story. I just wanted to get your guys opinion on this, not sure how many of you have hardtops? Do your ones leak also, or is this some bad luck? I certainly wont accept the leaking because I got the roof for the very reason of keeping my stuff safe and dry in the back. Lets hope Toyota and the dealership sort their act out soon.

Many thanks for any replies.

June 6, 2014

hi mate

Ive had an 07 hilux and now have a 10 plate.. both rained in .. i think they came with them on ...they were defantely 2 different brands of hard top. the tail gate will always rain in because you can see daylight through it and the new one i have has sliding windows and they rain in aswell.. but its not too much of a big deal to me as its abit of a work vehicle.....i imagine there ail a problem with all pick up canopies if the truth be known

June 6, 2014

Hi Trevor,

thanks for your reply. That's interesting information, I didn't expect that its such a common thing. I understand that the tail gate has gaps, but that's not where the water is coming from. I heard the ARB hard tops are good and supposed to be water tight. I wish I would have known about this before purchasing it with the Hilux.

Thanks very much for your reply.