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Exploding Sunroofs!

41 messages,  Last post on Nov 14, 2009 at 8:52 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus IS 250, Toyota Avalon, Cadillac STS, Volkswagen New Beetle, Infiniti G35, Mazda CX-7, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Saab 9-3, Jeep Liberty, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon, SUV

#1 of 41 IS250 Sunroof Exploded... by bayarea415 Mar 28, 2007 (4:18 pm)
Happen to you guys yet?   Was on driving doing maybe 50-60mph and suddenly heard this loud pop coming from my roof. Sounded like something exploded.   At first I thought someone had actually landed on my roof!! Saw debrises flying off my roof from the rearview mirror.   Open the sunroof shade and realized a huge hole in the middle of the sunroof!! I had to close it cuz the smaller pieces of glass were falling. What would've happened if I had the sunroof open?   I've read somewhere that the NHTSA is investigating Scion's sunroof shattering. Wonder if this is related to Scion's?? Replies to this message: cworthin (Jul 06, 2007 12:49 pm) minicoopers (Jul 24, 2007 7:40 pm) toby_x (Jun 18, 2008 3:46 pm)
#2 of 41 Exploding sunroof by ricksterq Mar 29, 2007 (9:53 am)
Wow, that's a bummer. I haven't had this problem with my IS250. I'm coming up on a year old. I HAVE had a problem with some squeeking or a "chirping" kind of noise coming from my moonroof on an intermittent basis. Seems to happen when I'm on the freeway and the moonroof is in tilt position. Lexus has yet to even hear it. Replies to this message: mimicat3872 (Apr 04, 2007 12:19 pm) bayarea415 (Apr 04, 2007 9:08 pm) louiswei (Apr 05, 2007 3:51 am)
#3 of 41 Re: Exploding sunroof [ricksterq] by mimicat3872 Apr 04, 2007 (12:19 pm)
Replying to: ricksterq (Mar 29, 2007 9:53 am) OMG... Are you seriously serious?! I have never heard of that one but...now shocked...Did you go to the Lexus dealer? What did they say? OR repairing services. Replies to this message: bayarea415 (Apr 04, 2007 9:08 pm) louiswei (Apr 05, 2007 3:51 am)
#4 of 41 Re: Exploding sunroof [mimicat3872] by bayarea415 Apr 04, 2007 (9:08 pm)
Replying to: mimicat3872 (Apr 04, 2007 12:19 pm) went to the dealer and they said they had a lex rep inspected and claimed that it was struck by an outside object which voided my warranty (for a replacement).   there's no way it was hit by a rock or object because i was the only one (car) on the freeway at that time.   they showed me a mark where an object might have hit (far right corner) but then why there's a huge hole right in the middle of my sunroof? plus the edges of the remain sunroof glass caved upward.   well took my car to the dealer and they said they want to give me a goodwill gesture (because great customer service and satisfaction as a dealer and mfc) they'll have the sunroof replaced and fixed for free.   by the way,,,if you guys are not using your sunroof i strongly suggest you guys to have your sunroof shade closed! those pieces of glasses did some major damage to my roof metal and paint! imagine those sharp glasses flying into your face or eyes! Replies to this message: louiswei (Apr 05, 2007 3:51 am)
#5 of 41 Re: Exploding sunroof [bayarea415] by louiswei Apr 05, 2007 (3:51 am)
Replying to: bayarea415 (Apr 04, 2007 9:08 pm) Do you mind to post some pictures about your exploded sunroof?
#6 of 41 It happened yesterday on my new Avalon by cbrisley Apr 10, 2007 (11:36 am)
My family and I were returning to Cincinnati from Philadephia about two hours out of Philly. About 8:00 am. Cabin Temp 72 - outside temp 26. On the PA turnpike with nearest vehicle about 1/2 mile ahead - No overpass or falling rock zone and not a single scratch anywhere else on the car.   Car is a 2007 Avalon with only 2800 miles at the time.   Suddenly there is an explosion and a very loud wind noise. I felt nothing on the drive train and saw nothing but heard the loud rush of wind over my head. Pulled over and discovered a huge hole in the middle of the sunroof with the remaining glass spidered to the edge. The edges of the glass were all turned upward as if the impact was from inside the vehicle. Able to get to an oasis and buy duct tape and obtain cardboard. Called dealership and they agreed to take a look at it.   Thought it strange but now I am more curious.
#7 of 41 EXPLODING Sunroof by douglas1961 Jun 22, 2007 (10:59 am)
It was on June 4th 2007 when it happened. I was in a 2006 Cadillac STS by myself doing approx. 70 mph with a temperature of 74 degrees outside and an inside temp set at 72 degrees. All windows and sunroof all closed tightly. I was nose to nose with a semi with no other vehicle in front to be seen and all of a sudden an explosion! I flew off of the left side of road and regained control after a couple seconds. I looked all around and saw my sunroof was mostly gone except for the perimeter which was in a million pieces still intact though. I had glass all down my shirt, in my eyes and throughout the entire car. It was such an explosion I had hearing problems for days and found through Stat Care that I had fluid behind my eardrum from the explosion. I continued to my office where I cleaned out my eyes and clothing of glass particles. Then took the car to the dealership where they claim I had to have been hit by a rock...I DON'T see any possible way a rock hit my roof doing 70 mph when NO BODY was in front of me and I am nose to nose with a semi... Can not explain this, but it could of been a terrible accident in the making..??????
#8 of 41 Re: IS250 Sunroof Exploded... [bayarea415] by cworthin Jul 06, 2007 (12:49 pm)
Replying to: bayarea415 (Mar 28, 2007 4:18 pm) We had this happen on our 2000 VW NB while wife driving on hgwy - hot day (over 90) popping sound and sunroof shattered. Dealer tech stated he thought it looked like it exploded outwards - not from external source. We had replaced and now two weeks later while sitting inside house i heard a loud popping sound & went out to find the rear window had shattered - same thing - totally looks like outward pressure caused it. I've taken pic's which show the outward direction & NO penetration holes from external source. Called dealer & they claim never to have been aware of this happening. Glass company states that they have seen examples of shattering due to excesive heat/pressure build up. The interior of car 160+degrees & the glass actually 140 degrees to the touch (used meat thermometer). have been told that there may be a compound issue related to the tinting which contributes to this - am researching this now. Too much of coincidence for there not to be some other explanation. Both hot days - car parked in sun. AC on ads pressure if outside air vent closed & fan on high. The other just pressure building while sitting in hot sun. I wonder if keeping the airvent closed causes extra pressure to build up?
#9 of 41 Not the sunroof, the rear window... by leahlittle1 Jul 12, 2007 (10:35 am)
We got home from work yesterday and the rear window of our 02 VW Passat had exploded from the inside while sitting in the driveway. The shatter-proof glass kept it in place, but it's completely shattered, pushed in an outward direction. Over 100 degrees, and it was parked in the sun. Life.
#10 of 41 Not the sunroof, passenger window by porchie Jul 12, 2007 (4:57 pm)
My sons 01 Dodge Dakota had the passenger side window blow out the other day. He said he heard a loud popping sound and then a 'bam' sort of sound and the window shattered. No one around for as far as he could see. Driving on a road at about 45 mph. He didn't see anyone anywhere. Nothing was found inside the car that would have able to break the window. The glass guy said he had heard of windows just 'exploding' for no apparent reason. It was a very hot day 90+, but this happened in the early evening. Just weird! Luckily no one was hurt.

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