Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A California Lexus owner is suing the car manufacturer and its parent company Toyota over an alleged defect that causes the vehicle’s sunroof to shatter.
Plaintiff Ginger Minoletti claims the sunroof of her Lexus RX 350 shattered last February, while she was driving on the highway.
The class action lawsuit says Minoletti noticed a loud cracking noise while the lower cover shade was closed but she didn’t immediately realize what had happened.
Later she discovered the splintered glass from the shattered sunroof, with the pieces of broken glass contained by the closed cover shade, the lawsuit states.
The plaintiff alleges that the defect puts drivers and passengers in great danger of being caught in a shower of broken glass while the vehicle is in motion.
Minoletti says the defendants refused to pay for the replacement of her sunroof because the vehicle’s warranty had apparently expired. She says she had to pay out of pocket for an expensive replacement sunroof.
The class action lawsuit alleges Toyota Motor Corp., Lexus’ parent company, has known about this defect since at least 2012 but still failed to notify customers about it.
She claims Lexus and Toyota are actively trying to block consumers from getting information about this problem.
The Lexus class action lawsuit alleges many consumers have filed complaints about this same defect with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The NHTSA is allegedly investigating similar shattering sunroof complaints lodged against several other car makers, including Audi, Ford and Volkswagen.
Likewise, owners and lessors of other vehicle makes have been bringing similar defective sunroof lawsuits.
In June 2016, a similar claim against Hyundai was allowed to proceed, but only on fraud-based claims. The judge in that case dismissed claims for unjust enrichment and violation of California consumer protection laws.
Plaintiffs in that case complain that the panoramic sunroofs in several models of Hyundai vehicles have a tendency to implode. Like Minoletti, the plaintiffs say the vehicle’s manufacturer refused to pay for the shattered sunroof.
Hyundai recalled almost 20,000 vehicles from model years 2012 and 2013 to remedy the supposed defect. Still, plaintiffs allege the company failed to adequately alert customers to the problem.
Kia Motors America was hit with its own shattering sunroof class action lawsuit in 2015. Plaintiffs there allege Kia has been knowingly selling vehicles with shatter-prone sunroofs for as long as 10Â years.
The problem could have to do with the ceramic-tinted area that surrounds the outer zone of the sunroof, which the plaintiffs say weakens the tempered glass.
The plaintiff in that lawsuit said the sunroof on her Kia shattered after only two months of use. The claim implicates several different models of Kia vehicles from model years 2011 to 2015.
In her own Lexus class action lawsuit, Minoletti is proposing to represent a Class of all persons in California who owned or leased a Lexus vehicle with a sunroof.
She is represented by attorneys Brian Chase of Bisnar Chase and Brian Kabateck of Kabateck Brown Kellner LLP.
The Lexus Defective Sunroof Class Action Lawsuit is Minoletti v. Toyota Motors Sales USA, Case No. BC636269, in the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
57 thoughts onLexus Class Action Claims Sunroof Spontaneously Shatters
Hello everyone, I’m in Canada and just had this happen to our 2016 RX350 while driving home. Do you know if and how can we become a part of this action considering this class action is in US? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you
You should contact class counsel with your questions. Counsel is listed at the bottom of the article and can be Googled for contact information.
I would like to be included on this settlement
I am an Idaho resident with a 2014 Lexus GS 350. About 6 months ago my husband was driving 80mph on the freeway when suddenly he heard a bang (sounded like a gun shot) and found that the sunroof glass had exploded. Although we thought it was unlikely, suspected a rock had hit the glass at just the right angle causing it to shatter. Last week I was driving home from work at 45mph and no vehicles around and suddenly a loud bang. Luckily the sunroof curtain was closed or I would have been covered in shards of glass. This has happened twice and we have been forced to pay out of pocket for a high priced replacements!
My Sunroof exploded on my 200h, Lexus did not take responsibility wanted to give me a $125 Credit and the sunroof cost over $700 to replace!
What is the point of telling us about the class action law suit if they’re not going to tell us where to go to be part of the lawsuit? This site seems to be a waste of time if they’re not actually going to direct us to a place to be included.
The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!
You can also contact class counsel with any questions about the case. We list current counsel at the bottom of every article, and you can Google for contact information.
I have a 2012 RX 450 with a sun roof and though it has not broken yet should they recall them.
I experienced the same thing with a 2013 Camry SE. Sunroof glass shattered while driving. Contacted and filed a complaint with Toyota, but nothing was done it wasn’t covered and out of warranty. Paid $525 for the replacement glass out of pocket! How can I be added to the lawsuit?
I have a 2010 RX350 and would like more I do on the sunroof issues.
I have been a loyal Lexus customer since 1999. Every Lexus I’ve owned has come with a sunroof! I expect better from Lexus! How do I become a part of this lawsuit?
What is the year of the Lexus that is affected by the sunroof?
As a California resident, I own a Lexus RX 350 with a sunroof. Would like to be included in this class action lawsuit.