Car sunroofs across various makes and models have been reported to be spontaneously exploding, with complaints potentially reaching a record high this year. According to an analysis by the Wall Street Journal, nearly 500 complaints have been filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2026 alone, compared to 550 complaints for the entire previous year.
Amber Nguyen, 26, reported a loud bang while driving her 2025 Lexus SUV, describing the sound as similar to a gunshot. Following the noise, she experienced wind entering through her shattered sunroof. Other incidents include a Kia minivan's sunroof exploding on a Wisconsin highway and a GMC SUV's moonroof collapsing onto seats occupied by children. The analysis indicates that sunroof failures have been reported in over 200 models from 17 different manufacturers in the past three years, with such failures occurring approximately once a day. Notably, one in five complaints involves vehicles from the 2025 or 2026 model years.
Commonly cited vehicles in these complaints include the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda CR-V. Factors contributing to the shattering of sunroofs may include design and manufacturing issues, road debris, and extreme temperature changes. Since 2021, the NHTSA has received nearly 2,800 complaints regarding unexpected sunroof breakage, with over 500 involving newer vehicles. Despite the number of complaints, sunroof issues have rarely resulted in recalls.
In 2013, the NHTSA investigated Kia Sorento SUVs after multiple reports of sunroof damage but concluded in 2021 that there was insufficient evidence of a defect, attributing the issues to minor damage from road debris. A spokesperson for the NHTSA stated that while breaking sunroofs can be startling and costly, there have been no reported crashes or serious injuries linked to shattered sunroofs. The agency noted that major suppliers are moving towards using laminated glass and stronger materials in production.
Sunroofs and moonroofs have become increasingly common in newer vehicle models, now featured on more than half of cars produced for the US market, reflecting a 35% increase over the past decade, according to data from industry-research firm Omdia. Sunroofs are opaque coverings that can be removed to allow light or air in, while moonroofs are tinted glass that permits light even when closed. Reports of shattering glass involve both types.
Hyundai has conducted multiple studies on sunroof breakage but has not identified defects, attributing issues to debris. Honda noted that the increase in CR-V sales with moonroofs may skew raw complaint numbers. Kia and Toyota did not respond to requests for comment.