Sunroof Recalls
I subscribe to the National Highway and Safety Administration’s recall service so I get notices when glass-related recalls are announced. I received a couple within a month so I thought I would share with you the recall notices.
If you have a dealer client that uses you for their glass work, then you probably already know about these recalls. However, those out there that have retail clients calling you about their Hyundai or Subaru sunroof, make sure you alert them to these recalls.
Manufacturer: Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc
1. SUMMARY:
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 4, 2011, through October 31, 2011 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs.The panoramic sunroof assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory.
CONSEQUENCE:
If the assembly was weakened at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof’s integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall will begin in March 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
NOTES:
Hyundai’s recall campaign number is 108. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. SUMMARY:
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011.The moon roof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.
CONSEQUENCE:
The moon roof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Subaru has notified the affected owners and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moon roof glass, free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
NOTES:
Subaru’s recall campaign number is WVW-33. This is an expansion of NHTSA recall 11V-467. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
In regards to the Hyundai panoramic roof assembly becoming weakened at installation at the factory, I wonder what caused it to be weakened. I R&Ied a panoramic roof assembly on a Hyundai SUV for replacement of the tiny front and rear roof panels due to hail. The assembly is mostly plastic. Do you think R&I of these would be nixed by Hyundai due to potential weakening of the plastic assembly? I know the vehicle I worked on was not a Veloster, but I assume the design is similar.
I have a 2011 kia sorrento ex with just under 51k on it. walked outside this am and found sunroof shattered. car was parked in driveway, no trees in vicinity. home is on a 2 acre grassy lot with no other close homes/vehicles etc. was researching for possibe recall or other similar complaints and found one from Nov 2010 where owner stated he had a recall on his sorrento. we purchased our car in July 2010 and have had it serviced at K ia with no mention of this problem or of any recall. if the sunroof shattering a common problem? we did not have leaks/air whistling and car seemed fine until this am. we are rying to get repaired at this time but local dealer is closed today.
I would like to see some statistics on the number of veloster’s this happened to. This is the first I have heard of this and you would think that it would be pretty big news since this is such a hazard for other drivers.
Thanks for the report Bob
We own a 2005 Toyota Sienna van that we bought new. While driving down the highway today the moonroof glass shattered for no apparent reason. I looked online and saw many different vehicles have had the same issue including 2005 Honda vans. Why are so many vehicles having this issue? I also own a 2007 Honda Civic with a moonroof. I hope I don’t have another issue with exploding glass.
Hi Bob,
I am a freelance writer in Canada researching shattering sunroofs in the US. I am desperately trying to find someone who’s had this happen to them, that I can interview tomorrow. Do you know of anyone that could help me out?
Thanks.
10/14/2014 Was coming home from dealer recall for shifter problem. Sounded like 12 gauge shotgun in back seat. Pulled over and sunroof was blown apart. The sliding cover held the glass. Haven’t contacted anyone yet.
Hi Bob On April 28th 2014 my husband and I were on the way to the airport and suddenly are sunroof exploded on our 2013 Hyundai Sonata . We went back to the dealer we bought it from ,they said there is nothing they can do,it was probably a rock that it hit,even though you could see the shattered glass was pushed up.He told us we would have to go to ICBC. He gave us a number to call to talk to Hyundai directly. My husband called and they told him the same. Because there is know recall on that model they will do nothing. We are very angry and feel let down by Hyundai.
Hi Elaine, this just happened to my husband when he was on the highway on his way to work. We also have a 2013 hyundai sonata. Hyundai will not buy our car back they say they found an impact spot but would not say where they found it at. We have a 1 year old and I’m so afraid to put him back in the backseat due to the fact that glass went everywhere. We are consulting with an attorney. Would you and your husband be willing to call and talk to us? We have to have more cases or they won’t do anything. Btw, my name is ashlin and my number is 9189132490
I have 20`13 Toyota Sienna That the sun roof blew out while travelling down the highway. No one around just bang and it blew out. Toyota says it must have had a rock hit it???. No of any one else having this problem.
I had my. Sunroof explode on highway last week on a very hot day .i have had blowouts in past but this was much louder. . I really thought someone shot out a window. I was very fortunate that I had inside closed so glass did not hit me. My dealer and all the guys working there said they never saw anything like it . They seemed pretty sincere. To their credit they replaced it and now we are dealing with chips to the paint. I think Hyundai really has to address this issue. I am sure someone already has died as a result of this. The car is a Sonata 2013. I bought it brand new from dealer last year 2014. It has about 23km on it I will always close inside on highway from now on.. Don’t trust it. . Carl. Ottawa. Canada
Bob
I have a 2013 subaru outback .I was just driving down hiway when a loud (like explosion) happen.Didn’t know what happen pulled the sun roof shade slightly back and sunroof looked like volcano shattered from inside out.
I was driving my 2009 Hyundai Sonata today, Dec 8, 2015 and the sunroof exploded! The sound was deafening, and made my ears ring for a couple of hours.
There was no suspicious activity, no driving under any overpasses, no extreme temperatures, no suspicious activity and no other vehicles in my vicinity.
I was happy I was able to keep the car on the road, and I didn’t crash! NO idea what caused it, or how it could’ve been prevented.
I have a 2013 sonota limited the sun roof exploded driving about 40 mph. clear day no traffic like a shot gun going off, hope thay can fix this problem, I have three sonota-s
My 2012 Sonata’s roof shattered about three weeks ago. The dealer won’t cover it, even though my car is still under warranty. They said there’s no way to prove that a rock didn’t hit it. I filed a report with the GA State Trooper that day. I was driving, heard a loud boom, then saw pieces of glass sliding down the windshield. If it weren’t for the fabric shield inside of the car, the glass would have rained all over me. Anyways, I’m stuck paying the bill. The only recalls that I can find are for Hyundai Veloster. Please contact if you hear of anything different.
My Hyundai Sonata 2012 Limited Panorama Sunroof stopped working fall 2015. I wasn’t able to open/close and the whole railing was shattered under the glass and had to be replaced. The dealer’s quote was $2300!!!
I spent $1400 because I purchased parts myself and paid for labor and car rental.
I have a 2010 Toyota Sienna that was parked in my garage from 2p yesterday afternoon until 9:30 this morning. When I parked it, the sunroof was in perfect condition. I came out to a completely shattered sunroof this morning. Since it’s a Sunday, we’ll find out what they theory they have tomorrow for it. Pretty sure there aren’t any flying rocks in my garage.
I have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata and was traveling on George Bush Freeway (190) in Plano, Texas and my sunroof just shatter. I thought it was a gun shot because that’s just what it sounded like. Glass flew everywhere inside car and on roof. There’s chip marks from the glass on the roof of car. I contacted Fenton Hyundai in Mesquite, Texas and they acted like they was surprise and said they never heard of any such thing happening.
We own a 2010 kia forte koup as, my 16 year old son was driving to school today and the sunroof exploded and glass flew off back of car…. I have contacted kia of america
I was on my way to the beach yesterday, everything was fine at this point. The sunroof was perfect but once I got to the beach parked and left for two hours I came back, opened the ceiling cover to opened the sunroof and there was a high crack in it. I parked in awide open space.
2016 Surbaru Outback. Driving 75mph, no other vehicles around us. Fair weather. Out of nowhere huge BANG. Luckily the sunroof cover was closed. We could hear the sunroof glass shattering all over. So glad the cover was closed! I was afraid that the air pressure would push it open. We were close to the dealer that we bought it from so drove straight there. I asked the service man if he had heard of this before and he quietly said “yes”.