🔧 Tucson - Rear Window Regulator Replacement

The rear window regulator is the track-and-cable mechanism that raises and lowers the rear door glass. On your Tucson, the rear regulator is inside the door behind the trim panel and moisture barrier, and the glass must be supported before the regulator is removed.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours per rear door

Assumption: This procedure applies to either rear door; left and right sides are mirror images.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before unplugging the rear window motor connector.
• ⚠️ Support the glass before removing the regulator bolts. The glass can drop suddenly and break.
• ⚠️ Wear cut-resistant gloves. The inside of the door has sharp metal edges.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses in case clips or glass hardware snap loose.
• ⚠️ Do not operate the window switch while the regulator is loose inside the door.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Plastic trim removal tool set
• Panel clip removal pliers
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Painter’s tape 1-inch
• Glass suction cup handles 4-inch (specialty)
• Work light
• Cut-resistant gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear window regulator assembly - Qty: 1
• Rear window motor - Qty: 1 if not included with regulator
• Rear door trim panel clips - Qty: 4-8
• Butyl sealing tape - Qty: 1 roll

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tucson on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Move the rear window to about halfway down if it still operates. This gives access to the glass clamp bolts.
• If the window does not move, you may need to access the clamp bolts after removing the door panel and carefully move the glass by hand once the regulator is loosened.
• Use painter’s tape on the outside of the door frame to help support the glass later.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket before unplugging connectors.
• A regulator is the scissor, cable, or rail mechanism that physically moves the glass up and down.
• Butyl sealing tape is sticky black sealant used to reseal the plastic moisture barrier inside the door.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the Rear Door Handle Trim

• Use a plastic trim removal tool to gently pry off the small trim cover behind the interior door handle.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the screw behind the handle trim.
• Keep the screw in a small tray so it does not get lost.
• Take photos before unplugging anything.

Step 2: Remove the Door Pull Screw

• Use a plastic trim removal tool to lift the small cover inside the armrest pull pocket.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the screw inside the pull pocket.
• If there is another lower trim cover, remove it with the plastic trim removal tool and remove the screw with a Phillips #2 screwdriver.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Door Trim Panel

• Use panel clip removal pliers or a plastic trim removal tool at the lower rear corner of the door panel.
• Pop the trim clips loose one at a time along the bottom and side edges.
• Lift the door panel upward to unhook it from the window ledge.
• Hold the panel close to the door because wiring and handle cables are still attached.

Step 4: Disconnect Wiring and Handle Cables

• Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to press the lock tab on the rear window switch connector, then unplug it by hand.
• Use needle-nose pliers to rotate the interior handle cable ends out of their levers.
• Slide the cable housings out of their brackets by hand.
• Set the trim panel on a clean, soft surface.

Step 5: Peel Back the Moisture Barrier

• Use your hands and a plastic trim removal tool to slowly peel the plastic moisture barrier away from the rear door.
• Do not tear the plastic sheet. It keeps water away from the cabin side of the door trim.
• Use the plastic trim removal tool to separate the sticky butyl sealant if it stretches.
• Keep dirt off the sealant.

Step 6: Reconnect Power Temporarily and Position the Glass

• If the regulator still works, reconnect the rear window switch connector by hand.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Use the rear window switch to move the glass until the glass clamp bolts line up with the door access holes.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable again using a 10mm socket.
• If the regulator does not work, skip motor movement and continue carefully with the glass supported.

Step 7: Support the Rear Door Glass

• Attach glass suction cup handles to the glass if available.
• Use painter’s tape to secure the glass to the upper door frame from the outside of the door.
• Use several vertical strips of painter’s tape over the top of the frame for strength.
• Make sure the glass cannot slide down before loosening the clamps.

Step 8: Loosen the Glass Clamp Bolts

• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet wrench through the access holes to loosen the glass clamp bolts.
• Do not fully remove the bolts unless the new regulator design requires it.
• Carefully lift the glass fully upward by hand or with glass suction cup handles.
• Add more painter’s tape to hold the glass at the full-up position.

Step 9: Disconnect the Window Motor Connector

• Use a work light to locate the rear window motor on the regulator.
• Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to press the connector lock tab.
• Unplug the motor connector by hand. Do not pull on the wires.

Step 10: Remove the Window Regulator Bolts

• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet wrench to remove the regulator mounting bolts from the inner door panel.
• Support the regulator with one hand as the last bolt is removed.
• If the motor is separate from the regulator, use a 10mm socket to remove the motor bolts after the regulator is out.
• Remove the regulator assembly through the largest door access opening.

Step 11: Install the New Regulator

• Compare the new rear window regulator with the old one before installation.
• Guide the new regulator through the door access opening.
• Use a 10mm socket to start all regulator mounting bolts by hand before tightening.
• Use a torque wrench with a 10mm socket to tighten the regulator bolts to Torque to 7-9 Nm (62-80 in-lbs).
• If installing the motor separately, use a torque wrench with a 10mm socket to tighten the motor bolts to Torque to 4-6 Nm (35-53 in-lbs).

Step 12: Reconnect the Motor and Seat the Glass

• Plug the window motor connector in by hand until it clicks.
• Carefully remove enough painter’s tape to lower the glass into the regulator clamps.
• Use glass suction cup handles or both hands to guide the glass straight down.
• Make sure the glass sits fully and evenly in the clamps.
• Use a torque wrench with a 10mm socket to tighten the glass clamp bolts to Torque to 6-8 Nm (53-71 in-lbs).

Step 13: Test the Window Before Reassembly

• Reconnect the rear window switch connector by hand if it is unplugged.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Use the rear window switch to move the glass fully down and fully up.
• Watch the glass travel. It should move smoothly without tilting, binding, or clicking.
• If it binds, stop immediately and recheck that the glass is seated evenly in the clamps.

Step 14: Reseal the Moisture Barrier

• Disconnect the negative battery cable again using a 10mm socket before final reassembly.
• Press the plastic moisture barrier back onto the door by hand.
• Use butyl sealing tape to repair any torn or weak sealing areas.
• Make sure no wiring is pinched behind the barrier.

Step 15: Reinstall the Door Trim Panel

• Hold the trim panel close to the door and reconnect the interior handle cables by hand.
• Use needle-nose pliers if needed to seat cable ends into their levers.
• Reconnect the rear window switch connector by hand until it clicks.
• Hang the top of the panel over the window ledge.
• Line up the trim clips and press firmly around the panel edges by hand until the clips snap in.

Step 16: Reinstall Screws and Covers

• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to reinstall the screw inside the armrest pull pocket.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to reinstall the screw behind the interior handle.
• Tighten the trim screws snugly only: Torque to 1.5-2.5 Nm (13-22 in-lbs).
• Snap the trim covers back into place by hand.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket and tighten it to Torque to 4-6 Nm (35-53 in-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Run the rear window fully down and fully up at least five times.
• ✅ Test the rear window from both the rear door switch and the driver master switch.
• ✅ Listen for grinding, popping, or cable noises. Stop and inspect if you hear anything abnormal.
• ✅ Check that the glass seals evenly at the top of the door frame.
• ✅ After washing or rain, check the rear door area for water leaks. Reseal the moisture barrier if needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$550 USD equivalent (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$180 USD equivalent (parts only)

You Save: $190-$370 USD equivalent by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours per rear door.

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