How Does A Sunroof Explode?

How does a car’s sunroof “explode?” While it probably sounds like a really weird concept, a sunroof “explodes” when it randomly, and spontaneously, shatters while you’re driving. The reason why this phenomenon has been called an explosion is due to the loud “bang” that the glass makes when it shatters.

Can car sunroofs explode?

“This sort of incident is inherently dangerous and deserves to be investigated,” said Consumer Reports reporter Jeff Plungis. Plungis pored through years of government complaints and found that between 1995 and 2017, 859 complaints of exploding sunroofs were made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Which cars have exploding sunroofs?

The models with the highest number of complaints, in order, were the Scion tC, Hyundai Veloster, Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano, Kia Optima, Ford Explorer, Honda Accord, Cadillac SRX, Nissan Maxima, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Are sunroofs safe in a crash?

Safety experts agree that large panoramic sunroofs or moonroofs intensify the risk of serious injury or death via vehicle ejection during a rollover accident. Studies show when a sunroof shatters during a rollover it decreases the roofs strength compared to cars without those added features.

How much does it cost to replace a shattered sunroof?

The average cost of a sunroof replacement is $500 with average prices ranging from $250 to $750 in the US for 2020, according to axeladvisor. However, some sunroof glass can cost as much as $700 to $1,200 to replace.

How safe is a panoramic sunroof?

But it’s essentially a giant hole. That means it won’t offer the support of a conventional roof. And though panoramic sunroofs are typically sealed to prevent moisture intrusion, there’s a greater risk of drainage complications and leaks. There are also potential issues with road noise and wind penetration.

Are sunroofs loud?

In addition, sunroofs are often too loud to have open at speeds above 80kmh (50mph), unless you enjoy yelling at your passengers in order to have a conversation.

Are sunroofs laminated or tempered?

“All current and prior Tesla vehicle sunroofs use laminated glass,” Tesla said.Seven manufacturers—BMW, Fiat Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen—said they still used only tempered glass.

Can a rock shatter a sunroof?

Other Reasons Sunroofs Shatter
Kelley says there are other reasons sunroofs might shatter, such as a small rocks or pieces of debris that can chip the glass.

Why is a sunroof bad?

Sunroofs also steal headroom as you might have guessed. It has to slide inside the roof which requires space robbing you some for your head. Long term problems include water leakage through uneven seals and failure of the electric motor mechanism to retract the roof.

Is sunroof good for cars?

The primary advantage of having a sunroof is that it lets in more natural light than what the regular glass area would provide. Sunroofs always come with a sunblind and have a tint to prevent the cabin from heating up too much. They allow more natural light into the cabin and make the cabin feel larger.

What’s the purpose of a sunroof in a car?

A sunroof is a movable panel that opens to uncover a window in an automobile roof, allowing light and fresh air to enter the passenger compartment.

Why did my sunroof shattered?

According to Global News, the issue could be from contaminants inside the glass, which cause the glass to shatter due to “internal stress caused by high temperatures.” Consumer Reports reported that the moonroofs are susceptible to damage because the glass bends and warps over time as the car goes over bumps and dips.

Is sunroof covered under insurance?

Most types of damage to the sunroof or to the car from the sunroof will need comprehensive auto coverage. This type of policy protects the vehicle’s value from non-accident related damage. This coverage can provide extensive protection to most components of the vehicle.

Does insurance cover a shattered sunroof?

Does my insurance policy cover broken glass? If your sunroof (or other glass, e.g., windshield, door glass or rear window) is damaged by something other than a collision, it’s generally handled under your comprehensive coverage.

Can panoramic sunroof break?

Fortunately, the cases of panoramic sunroofs breaking without being involved in an accident or suffering road damage have not caused serious injury. Carmakers – including Hyundai, Nissan, Kia, Ford, BMW, Mazda and Toyota – have received complaints, in recent years, from consumers about the glass shattering suddenly.

Are Moonroofs problematic?

Probably the most common problem, sunroof leakage can be a disaster to deal with. It could be because of a clog on the drain of the sunroof or wear and tear of rubber seals. Both cases are not that costly to get fixed but they can cause some serious damage to the interior of your car if water seeps into critical spots.

Is sunroof safe for kids?

4. Beautiful views at times can lead to deadly consequences: Kids standing with their heads out of sunroof is turning out to be a new challenge as more cars are now being sold with sunroof. A sunroof isn’t meant for people or kids to popping out the upper half of their bodies.

Can you open a sunroof while driving?

Drivers could tilt it open or remove it completely. But, an opaque, movable sunroof is not commonly sold on vehicles anymore, MotorTrend says.

Which car has the biggest sunroof?

Tata Safari – The most exciting launches of 2021 was of Tata Safari and the XT+ and XZ+ come with the widest panoramic sunroof in the segment. While the former variant is limited to manual transmission only, the XZ+ is also offered with an optional 6-speed torque converter unit.

Does laminated glass shatter?

Laminated glass is made by bonding one or two layers of glass with a layer of resin, commonly polyvinyl butyral (PVB).This produces compact glass that holds in place rather than shatter when hit by attackers and buglers.