​​​Honda Knowingly Sells Vehicles With Sunroofs That Spontaneously Explode, Class Action Alleges

Honda Sunroof Class Action Lawsuit Overview:

• Who: Honda is facing a class action lawsuit over an alleged manufacturing defect in its vehicles’ sunroofs.
• What: Vehicle owners allege the sunroofs spontaneously explode, showering drivers and passengers in glass and posing a major danger on the roads.
• Where: U.S.

Honda knowingly sells vehicles with sunroofs and moonroofs that randomly and suddenly explode, showering drivers and passengers with broken glass, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

Mary Tappana, Darryl Roberts, and Dustin Fulcomer filed the lawsuit against the automaker, alleging violations of state consumer protection laws, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment and fraudulent concealment, arguing the company has long known about the manufacturing defect that affects 2015- 2020 Honda and Acura vehicles, but has refused to do anything about it.

All three bought Honda vehicles with sunroofs, and all three had those sunroofs “suddenly, and without warning” explode.

“The explosion caused Ms. Tappana to become distracted and put her and others on the road at risk of a collision. She was unable to immediately pull over, as she was driving on a busy highway. She drove two miles to the nearest exit before she was able to stop and assess the damage,” the claims reads, stating the experience was similar for Roberts and Fulcomer.

“The sunroof defect creates serious danger for vehicle occupants and others on the road,” the lawsuit states.

“Drivers of class vehicles have reported sunroof explosions causing shards of glass to fly through their vehicles, sometimes while driving at high speeds. The loud explosion and flying glass distract drivers and create a hazard to the people in the Class Vehicles and those around them.”

Honda refused to fix the defect or reimburse any of the drivers for the shattered sunroofs, despite knowing about the defect since 1995, and all three had to pay out of pocket to replace their sunroofs, the drivers say.

According to the claim, Honda’s representatives have often suggested to consumers that their sunroofs were damaged by a flying object such as a rock or gravel. “In fact, the sunroof defect manifests even when the glass is not exposed to an airborne object. The sunroofs explode as a result of the defect present in the Honda and Acura vehicles at the point of sale,” the claim reads.

The group wants to represent anyone in the U.S. who has purchased or leased one of the vehicles, and also Missouri, Washington, and Florida subclasses. They seek certification of the Class, damages, interest, injunctive relief, legal fees and costs, and a jury trial.

Honda isn’t the only automaker facing legal action over exploding sunroofs; in Canada, Hyundai is facing a class action lawsuit that accuses it of failing to warn drivers about a defect that causes sunroofs in some of its vehicles to spontaneously shatter.

Do you own a vehicle with a sunroof? Let us know if you’ve ever had any issues with it in the comments section!

The drivers are represented by Adam Polk, Jordan Elias, and Simon S. Grille of Girard Sharp LLP; Matthew Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC; Benjamin F. Johns of Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP; and Steven G. Calamusa of Gordon & Partners, PA.

The Honda Sunroof Class Action Lawsuit is Tappana, et al., v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. 2:21-cv-09046 in the U.S. District Court Central District of California.

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