🔧 CX-5 - Rear Window Regulator Replacement

Replacing a rear window regulator on your CX-5 means removing the rear door trim panel, supporting the glass, then swapping the regulator assembly inside the door. The regulator is the lift mechanism that moves the window glass up and down.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before unplugging door wiring connectors.
• ⚠️ Support the glass with tape before loosening regulator bolts. The glass can drop suddenly.
• ⚠️ Wear cut-resistant gloves because the inside of the door has sharp metal edges.
• ⚠️ Keep the ignition OFF while your hands are inside the door.
• ⚠️ Do not slam the door while the glass is taped in place.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• Ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive
• 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive
• Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Plastic trim removal tool set
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Panel clip pliers
• Needle-nose pliers
• Painter’s tape 2-inch wide
• Torque wrench inch-pound 3/8-inch drive
• 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 per door
• Rear door trim panel clips - Qty: 6-10 recommended
• Butyl sealing tape - Qty: 1 roll

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your CX-5 on level ground and turn the ignition OFF.
• If the window still moves, position it halfway down so the glass clamp bolts are visible through the door openings.
• If the window will not move, you can still do the repair, but you must support the glass carefully once the trim panel is off.
• Use a 10mm socket to disconnect the negative battery cable.
• A plastic trim tool is a non-metal pry tool that helps remove panels without scratching them.
• Butyl sealing tape is sticky black sealant used to reseal the plastic door moisture barrier.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Disconnect the Battery

• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet handle to loosen the negative battery terminal nut.
• Lift the negative cable off the battery post and move it aside.
• Wait 1 minute before unplugging door connectors.
• Take a photo before disassembly.

Step 2: Remove the Door Screw Covers

• Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to lift the cover behind the inside door handle.
• Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to lift the cover inside the door pull pocket.
• Wrap the screwdriver tip with painter’s tape 2-inch wide if you want extra scratch protection.

Step 3: Remove the Door Trim Screws

• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the screw behind the inside door handle.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the screw inside the door pull pocket.
• Put both screws somewhere safe.

Step 4: Release the Rear Door Panel

• Use a plastic trim removal tool at the lower rear corner of the door panel.
• Pry outward gently until the first clip pops loose.
• Continue around the bottom and sides with the plastic trim removal tool.
• Use panel clip pliers if a clip stays stuck in the metal door.
• Lift the panel upward to unhook it from the window ledge.
• Pull near clips, not edges.

Step 5: Disconnect Door Panel Wiring

• Hold the door panel close to the door.
• Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to press connector lock tabs if needed.
• Unplug the rear window switch connector.
• Unplug any courtesy light connector if equipped.
• Set the door panel on a clean blanket.

Step 6: Disconnect the Inside Handle Cable

• Use needle-nose pliers to rotate the cable end out of its holder.
• Lift the cable ball end out of the inside handle lever.
• Do not bend the cable sharply.

Step 7: Peel Back the Moisture Barrier

• Use your fingers and a plastic trim removal tool to slowly peel back the clear plastic moisture barrier.
• Only peel back enough to access the regulator and glass bolts.
• Keep the sticky black butyl sealant attached if possible.
• If the sealant tears, use butyl sealing tape during reassembly.

Step 8: Secure the Window Glass

• Use painter’s tape 2-inch wide to tape the glass to the upper door frame.
• Run at least two long strips from the outside of the glass, over the top of the door, and onto the inside of the glass.
• Add a third strip if the glass feels loose.
• Wear cut-resistant gloves while touching the glass.

Step 9: Loosen the Glass Clamp Bolts

• Use a work light to find the glass clamp bolts through the door service openings.
• Use a 10mm socket, 6-inch extension, and ratchet handle to loosen the glass clamp bolts.
• Do not remove the bolts unless needed.
• Slide the glass fully upward by hand and secure it again with painter’s tape 2-inch wide.
• Glass clamp bolts torque: 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs)

Step 10: Unplug the Window Motor

• Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to press the lock tab on the window motor connector.
• Pull the connector straight off the motor.
• Do not pull on the wires.

Step 11: Remove the Old Regulator

• Use a 10mm socket, 6-inch extension, and ratchet handle to remove the regulator mounting bolts.
• Hold the regulator with one hand while removing the last bolt.
• Fold the regulator slightly and guide it out through the large door opening.
• Regulator mounting bolts torque: 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs)

Step 12: Transfer the Motor if Needed

• If the new regulator does not include a motor, use a 10mm socket to remove the motor from the old regulator.
• Install the motor onto the new regulator with the 10mm socket.
• Use the inch-pound torque wrench to tighten the motor bolts.
• Window motor bolts torque: 4-6 Nm (35-53 in-lbs)

Step 13: Install the New Regulator

• Guide the new regulator into the door through the large opening.
• Start all bolts by hand first.
• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet handle to snug the regulator bolts.
• Use the inch-pound torque wrench to tighten the regulator mounting bolts to 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs).
• Plug the window motor connector in by hand until it clicks.

Step 14: Attach the Glass

• Carefully remove just enough painter’s tape 2-inch wide to lower the glass by hand.
• Lower the glass into the regulator clamps.
• Make sure the glass sits evenly in the front and rear window channels.
• Use a 10mm socket to lightly tighten the glass clamp bolts.
• Use the inch-pound torque wrench to tighten the glass clamp bolts to 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs).

Step 15: Test Before Reassembly

• Use a 10mm socket to reconnect the negative battery cable.
• Temporarily plug in the rear window switch connector by hand.
• Turn the ignition ON.
• Run the window fully down and fully up.
• Watch for tilting, binding, clicking, or grinding.
• If the glass binds, turn ignition OFF and adjust the glass with the 10mm socket.

Step 16: Reseal the Moisture Barrier

• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Press the plastic moisture barrier back onto the door by hand.
• Use butyl sealing tape anywhere the old sealant no longer sticks.
• Make a full seal around the barrier to prevent water leaks.

Step 17: Reconnect Cable and Wiring

• Use needle-nose pliers to install the inside handle cable ball end into the lever.
• Snap the cable housing back into its holder by hand.
• Reconnect the rear window switch connector by hand.
• Reconnect any courtesy light connector by hand if equipped.

Step 18: Reinstall the Door Panel

• Hang the top of the door panel on the window ledge.
• Line up the trim clips with the holes in the door.
• Press around the panel edges with your palm until the clips snap in.
• Replace any broken rear door trim panel clips.

Step 19: Reinstall Screws and Covers

• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to reinstall the screw inside the door pull pocket.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to reinstall the screw behind the inside door handle.
• Snap both screw covers back into place by hand.

Step 20: Initialize the Window

• Turn the ignition ON.
• Use the affected rear door switch to lower the window fully, then hold the switch down for 2 seconds.
• Use the affected rear door switch to raise the window fully, then hold the switch up for 2 seconds.
• Repeat the same process from the driver master switch if auto operation does not work correctly.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Test the rear window from the rear door switch and the driver master switch.
• ✅ Confirm the glass moves smoothly without clicking, grinding, or tilting.
• ✅ Check that the inside door handle, lock, speaker, and switch work correctly.
• ✅ Pour a small amount of water over the outside window area and check for leaks near the door panel.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 per rear door (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$250 per rear door (parts only)

You Save: $260-$400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.8 hours per rear door.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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