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Exploding sunroofs have been an issue with an alarming number of new cars, including Toyota and Honda models–and no one is exactly sure why.
Since 1995, regulatory agencies in the U.S. and Canada have received over 1,200 reports of sunroofs suddenly shattering without any explanation or apparent cause. The problem has affected over 200 models from 35 auto manufacturers, primarily imports. Toyota and Honda vehicles account for approximately 14 percent of these incidents.
Even more troubling is the increase in the number of reported incidents in recent years. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 70 percent of all exploding sunroof reports received by the agency have been filed since 2011. This indicates that such events are happening more frequently, putting drivers and their passengers at risk for serious injury.
Few Consumers Know About Exploding Sunroofs
According to owners of Toyota, Honda and other vehicles with exploding sunroofs, these overhead windows simply shatter without warning.
A Utah woman who shared her story with Consumer Reports said she was driving home with her children one day when she heard a loud explosion. At first, she believed it was a tire blowout, but the vehicle’s handling was unaffected.
When she was finally able to pull over in order to determine the cause, she was shocked to find that the sunroof had shattered, scattering hundreds of tiny glass shards over the shade guard – which fortunately, had been closed at the time. She told CR, “I never imagined in a million years that would happen.”
In fact, relatively few Toyota owners are even aware of such events – until it happens to them. Although it is less frequent than having a blowout, it can be just as dangerous.
What is the Problem?
When vehicle owners bring their Toyota, Honda or other vehicle into a dealership because of exploding sunroofs, they are informed that the damage was caused by a flying piece of rock or road debris.
However, video evidence and eyewitness reports indicate that that when sunroofs explode, the shards travel upward, as if blown out from the vehicle interior. Bob Beranek, author of “The Complete Guide to Auto Glass Installation,” says there is virtually no way that such events could be caused by outside impacts.
Engineers and glass experts say that exploding sunroofs are due to internal stress and the manufacturing process itself. When the hot glass is removed from the furnace, the surface cools and solidifies much faster than the interior.
Dr. Chris Davies, head researcher at U.K.-based auto glass repair company Belron, explains that the way in which tempered glass is made “…creates permanent surface compression stress, which basically knits the molecules closer together, making it difficult for objects to create surface damage.”
However, he says, “If something does compromise the surface compression layer, it releases the large amount of energy stored in the central tensile stress zone” – which can be up to 15,000 pounds per square inch.
Automotive windshields are made the same way. However, unlike sunroofs, windshields are laminated, so when they shatter, the shards stick together rather than being scattered about.
Davies says that forced and uneven cooling during manufacturing, contaminants in the molten glass, and incorrect installation can all be contributing factors in exploding sunroofs. Many of these mishaps have occurred during days with extreme temperatures.
Who Pays For the Damage?
People who have had their sunroofs shatter are told to file claims with their insurers. However, as stories of exploding sunroofs on Toyota models and other vehicles become public, vehicle owners are realizing that the problem is not an accident.
One Toyota owner, posting on the internet forum Toyota Nation, complained, “I’m frustrated that I have to pay [a] $250 deductible [for damage] that I know was a manufacturing defect after I researched and found hundreds with the same experience.”
Addressing the Issue of Exploding Sunroofs
In response to consumer complaints, NHTSA has begun investigations into a number of auto manufacturers. Consumers Union is also demanding investigations, calling upon car makers to issue recalls.
Currently, there are a number of exploding sunroofs class action lawsuits making their way through the courts. If you are the owner of a Toyota or Honda vehicle equipped with a sunroof have have had the glass shatter, you may be able to get compensation by joining an exploding sunroof class action lawsuit investigation.
Join a Free Toyota, Honda Panoramic Sunroof Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you own a Honda or Toyota with a panoramic sunroof that shattered, you may be entitled to compensation.
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54 thoughts onToyota Exploding Sunroofs – Has it Happened to You?
I was headed to on July 9 2019 Tuscaloosa and my sunroof exploded I thought I was shot I couldn’t find anything and I heard the Holy Spirit say look at the sun roof and it has exploded out ! I called the dealership and got off the interstate and headed straight there where they said it was covered.
January 22, 2019 I was driving home from work in my 2018 Toyota Highlander when on a dark stretch of highway my panoramic window blew out. There was a loud, what sounded like gun blast and then a tremendous pressure hit me in the back. I thought I had been shot. I called the police and they searched my car and did not find anything that could have broken the glass. Toyota said a rock had to have hit it any told me that I needed to file a claim on my insurance. I did some research at the time and couldn’t find much information about exploding windows until I saw a report on the local news about the exact same issue I had. The woman fought with the dealer and finally they covered under warranty. I’m in the process of attempting same.
I had the same problem with my 2017 Toyota Camry. Dealer said the moon roof was struck by a rock causing it to explode. They would not cover it. Had to file an insurance claim. $500 deductable. Bummer. Last moon roof I will ever own. Better yet, last Toyota.
While driving on a two lane rural hwy, 5/10/19, I suddenly here an explosion above my head then began to hear wind inside the vehicle. It sounded like a shotgun & scared me to the point of ducking down in my seat while checking the rear & side view mirrors. There was no one around me. I was traveling @ 65mph. 60 degrees & partly cloudy. I immediately took the vehicle to the local dealership & questioned the SM & staff if this was a common occurrence. Everyone’s reply was NO. We left the vehicle (2017 Jeep GC Overland) & waited for a response. Five days later were notified that this is not covered under warranties & it was a result of whatever hit the vehicle. We had a small fist sized dent in the hood which occurred weeks b4 this incident! We’ve left that dealership & called another
who claims they can help. Small town-big city…We’ll see…In the meantime we googled exploding sunroofs & have found this is indeed an issue & transparency is crucial. The Auto industry has obviously been conditioned to pass this along to the consumer & safety regulators are quite aware as well…
My panoramic roof burst when I was driving home split highway no one on the highway on my side. It sounded like a gun shot through a window. Scared the crap outta me. Dealership said it was a rock. It wasn’t a result of a rock. It blew outward and they pointed out a point of “contact” I told them that could be where the flaw was. It was scary and cost me 1000 dollars to fix because they refused to accept it was a flaw. They first told me they would take care of me and work it out with Toyota and then came out after a side meeting and told me no sorry it’ll cost you. I know I didn’t take a rock but at that point was my word against them. I was unnerved after it was fixed for quite some time because I was scared it would happen again. My step dad was furious because they told me in front of home that they would handle it and pull strings and then came out and said no. I just wanted to give that vehicle back. It wasn’t that long after I got it either.
Our 2017 Honda CR-V had the sunroof explode as we were driving at 100 kph. We were by ourselves on the highway. The sunroof exploded up and out with most of the glass ending up on the highway. This did not occur from a rock or any other damage. This appears to be defective glass. Warranty will not cover, $1800 to fix.
Also had a brand new Honda that spontaneously exploded on 3/10/19. Exploded outward towards the sky. Honda was rude and insisted it was our fault and refused to even allow an appeal.
Toronto, Ontario.Friday February 8th I was driving in my Dodge Ram Lmtd through the country doing about 85km a hour. No one or anything around me. I hear a gunshot, drop my headlow trying to stay focused on the road. I check my tire pressure its fine. Trying to figure out what just happened and unable to find a reason for this gunshot bang i heard. My girlfriend opens the sunroof latch to reveal my sunroof shattered. No reason for it to have shattered other than the temperature and weather contitions affecting a poorly constructed piece of glass. My truck is new and the dealership refuses to take action. With the insurance deductable it isnt even covered or worth the claim. Unacceptable.
We are there too. No reason for it. Toyota reps came to inspect our Highlander blowout at our dealership. They told them to fix WITHOUT explanation.
Hi. The glass in my 2015 Honda accords sunroof exploded on Thursday, January 17, 2019 while driving abt 40 mph for no reason. Nothing hit it, it had no existing chips or damage. The residual glass is pointing upwards as if it had exploded from the inside out. Honda was rude and callous and refused to help and insisted that something hit it. There was nothing overhead when this occurred, no trees, bridges, etc. Something has to be done about this, it’s not right that they’re not standing by their flaw in workmanship.
Add me plz