Are sagging headliners a thing of the past?

[1 SX]

Just a general question, i have not seen a sagging headliner in years.. is this thankfully a thing that no longer happens? I’ve had a few Buicks / Oldsmobile / Saturns and the headliner let go in all of them lol. Are there still newer let’s say within the past 10-15 years cars out there that have this problem?

Let me know your thoughts on why is happens, what we can do to prevent it, and what current-ish makes have this problem.

 

[GMAX]

I just had one replaced on a 2007 Honda Accord due to extreme sagging.

 

[zfasts03]

same here `07 Accord replaced in Aug. `21

 

[Gimpy1]

Nope my 05 GTO headliner was sagging and I replaced it. The cause is the foad backing stars to deteriorate and this causes the cloth headliner to separate and sag. Th headliners do last longer which I attribute to better materials. But I also believe that parking your car in a garage vs outside in the heat and sun helps longevity.

 

[b_b]

its something that rarely happens now, but it does happen occasionally. night and day difference from 90s cars.

 

[DBMaster]

its something that rarely happens now, but it does happen occasionally. night and day difference from 90s cars.

Had it happen in a 1975 Corolla and 1979 Bonneville, too. Never happened in my 1989 Accord and I drove that car for 23 years.

 

[NitroM3]

Remove the head liner and install Fat Mat (1st choice now) or Dynamat. The heat is the main reason for the headliners pulling away or sagging. The heat attacks the glues and sealer and finally no more adhesion.

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[SR5]

I've got a sagging headliner in my '06 GM Holden (Opel) Astra. It doesn't get in the way, the car is just my commuter/beater that I park on the street.

 

[levi]

Getting one repaired next week in an 07 Silverado Classic crew cab.

 

[himemsys]

Just a general question, i have not seen a sagging headliner in years.. is this thankfully a thing that no longer happens? I’ve had a few Buicks / Oldsmobile / Saturns and the headliner let go in all of them lol. Are there still newer let’s say within the past 10-15 years cars out there that have this problem?

Let me know your thoughts on why is happens, what we can do to prevent it, and what current-ish makes have this problem.

Seems like it starts happening after roughly 12-15 years. So this year it should be most common in cars from 2009 and earlier. Next year, 2010 and earlier. Etc. The real test is if recent cars start showing it in 12-15 years, which we won't know for at least 10 years. Check back then and we can discuss if it's getting better.

 

[1 SX]

Wow I’m surprised it still happens and it seems to be many different makes and not just domestic brands like I thought.

 

[tshephard]

In my limited experience:

I think it's mildew or such.
I generally lose a headliner sometime after a moisture error
I believe I see that the foam has been eaten, leaving powder-able stuff on both sides - so I do not think adhesive.
For me, the next adhesive will not work - because of the powder on both sides.

I'm gonna (Durango, so looooong) cut side to side above the front headrests, and let the upholstery guy do it, but buy and store the next 6 or 7 feet. I figure I can get a 4 by 5 foot piece out without breaking, and probably back in!
I'll have to do it 3 times, but better than a 12 by 5. I can work out the 'joints' with the guy to look like the other 'rolls'.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The Mazda 6 is known for saggy headliners

 

[samven]

My Ram is 18 years old and the headliner is fine but the front dash turned to dust 2 years ago.

 

[Carmudgeon]

It's all over once the thin foam backing has deteriorated to the point where it starts disintegrating.

 

[PimTac]

I haven’t seen a sagging headliner in many many years. It used to be common up till around the 90’s or so. The materials got better.

 

[duck__dodgers]

word of caution....don't leave a towel wet from chlorinated pool water in a closed car on a sunny day. the resulting steam/moisture/chlorine? may weaken-dissolve the aged headliner adhesive? aged foam? in a modern older car.

Not that it ever happened to me, lol. 2004 original Accord, happened in 2019.

 

[01rangerxl]

I don't see it much anymore except in some old sedans.

My grandma on my dad's side had a 1980s Plymouth Gran Fury, and I remember in the early 90s the headliner was sagging bad in the back. It already seemed like such an old car at the time, but was maybe 10 years old. It was replaced with a Ford Escort around 95-96.

I've never had a sagging headliner. Even the one in my 94 Explorer is almost like new aside from some minor blemishes. Glues and materials have improved a lot.

We do get peeling at the edges of the headliners on the GMT800s at work, but they all have tons of miles, are outside all of the time, and get driven with the windows open a lot.

 

[Motu]

They are one piece these days. On my Volvo I have the liner held up by thumb tacks - I can lie back in the seat and watch the stars.

 

[Nick1994]

They seem a lot better. My Jeep's is getting bad, I need to have it reupholstered.