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Old 1st November 2017, 17:59   #1
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Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs

In the recent past, cases that have reported car sunroofs exploding have increased. Consumer Reports (CR) has now compiled the statistics regarding such incidences across the different automobile manufacturers.

Over the years, the sunroofs have kept on increasing in size. The largest ones being the panoramic sunroofs that cover a majority of a car's roof. The number of cases reported for exploding sunroofs is low as compared to other incidences like tyre bursts, etc. CR has noted that these instances are not just random occurrences and have been happening across the US in all conditions - summer, winter, day, night, on highways, in cities, while driving, when parked etc.

Based on the data of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), CR has found at least 208 models of vehicles across 35 brands over the last 20+ years in the US to have reported shattered sunroofs. The data since 1995 reveals that there have been over 859 reported cases of the same. Shockingly, over 71% of those have happened after 2011. Most of the reports mention that the sunroof just randomly shattered due to no particular reason. Thankfully, the only minor injuries like glass cuts have been reported.
Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs-cr3.jpg

Complaints from owners of brands like Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Nissan and Toyota feature more in the NHTSA than other car brands. While the Scion tC, Hyundai Veloster, Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano, and Kia Optima complaints are higher, the Sorento is the only car currently under investigation by NHTSA. CR has also tracked down more cases of unreported incidents of sunroofs breaking. Kia has revealed that while only 43 Sorento owners have reported to NHTSA, Kia knows of at least 156 such cases. Kia Optima owners have filed 25 cases with the authorities, however, Kia reported a total of 173 shattered sunroofs in the Optima. Ford has reported 88 events in their Edge model, but regulators have only 8 official complaints.
Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs-cr1.jpg
Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs-cr2.jpg

NHTSA requested data from 13 companies out of which only 5 have responded so far. There has been a lack of transparency regarding this matter. South Korean authorities, during their investigation of Kia and Hyundai, found that the application of a layer darker than the rest of the glass would make the sunroof weaker and more prone to shattering. This darker area is used to hide the mechanical elements on the sides of the sunroof. Hyundai recalled their Veloster model along with Nissan for their Maxima - resulting is no further complaints. However, the Cadillac SRX and the Scion tC cases were closed with no defect found - it's no surprise that those two models are in the top 10 complaints list.

However, there are manufacturers that have been issuing recalls without waiting for prodding by authorities. Volkswagen and Audi have recalled the 2012 Q5, the 2013 - 2014 A8 and S8, and the 2013 - 2015 VW Beetle. Going forward, CR has met with experts who recommend usage of laminated glass in the sunroofs. Some of the other guidelines for owners include - checking if the car is equipped with a laminated glass sunroof, warranty coverage of it, insurance coverage of sunroof shattering and checking for warning signs - most users who experienced their sunroofs shattering reported hearing pop sounds before the incident.

Source - Consumer Reports

Link to Team-BHP News

Last edited by blackwasp : 1st November 2017 at 18:03.
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Old 1st November 2017, 19:03   #2
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re: Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs

Isn't the word "SHATTERING" more appropriate than "EXPLODING"?

But automotive glass shattering is not new - there have been reports of windshield shattering on its own for a long time. So what's new is that sunroofs are getting bigger (Eg: panoramic) and also perhaps more prevalent in cars.

There is even a wiki article on this topic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponta...glass_breakage

Also, do a Google search for "windshield shattering on its own"
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Old 2nd November 2017, 09:44   #3
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Re: Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs

Quote:
Originally Posted by blackwasp View Post
Most of the reports mention that the sunroof just randomly shattered due to no particular reason. Thankfully, the only minor injuries like glass cuts have been reported.
Damn, that could be unnerving! More than glass cuts, I'm wondering how many accidents shattering sunroofs have caused as the unexpected sound could make the driver slam on the brakes (reflex action) or just lose concentration.
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Old 3rd November 2017, 08:53   #4
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Re: Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs

This news is especially eye opening (and ominous) for the Indian buyer, as we seem to have an affinity for sunroofs - Honda WRV being a case in point.

But what I don't understand is how the report is inconclusive on the reason for shattering. Did they not do enough research?
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Old 3rd November 2017, 10:40   #5
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Re: Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs

Also, a warning. No kids riding around with the head out of the sunroof. My son a Neurosurgeon ran into one, where a young girl was doing it, and managed to hit a barrier. She was in hospital for a month and a half and her voice returned only after another month. The surgery itself was over four hours.
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Old 3rd November 2017, 11:56   #6
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Re: Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs

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Originally Posted by sgiitk View Post
Also, a warning. No kids riding around with the head out of the sunroof. My son a Neurosurgeon ran into one, where a young girl was doing it, and managed to hit a barrier. She was in hospital for a month and a half and her voice returned only after another month. The surgery itself was over four hours.
+ And the number of people (children mostly) get injured/die due to kite Manja threads while riding head out through sunroof. :-(
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Old 4th November 2017, 09:33   #7
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Re: Consumer Reports writes on shattering sunroofs

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Originally Posted by Vizay View Post
+ And the number of people (children mostly) get injured/die due to kite Manja threads while riding head out through sunroof. :-(
Agreed. Basically no heads outside the sun roof.

Now some more info on the mishap. He had just returned home (Gurugram) from Vasant Kunj, and was eating some fruit. So he skipped all of that when he got a SOS call from the hospital. Being Friday evening the drive was a nightmare, over an hour and a half, as against the normal half an hour. Fortunately, ho got the MRI on his mobile and ordered the other prep work done. The family was panicking but then there is not much you can do on the road. It was a Farmhouse Crowd so they were trying to get others to call up, not rational imho. After the surgery he spent another hour and a half pacifying the family. All family and friends had collected by then. The fact that some of them were a bit under the influence also did not help.

Fortunately, the girl is on the mend hopefully to a full recovery.

Last edited by sgiitk : 4th November 2017 at 09:35.
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Old 10th April 2019, 00:01   #8
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Hyundai sunroof shatters

Just saw this article on sunroof shattering in a Hyundai car. Nissan, BMW and Ford has the next three highest number of registered complaints about shattered glass as per source in Canada.

Scary for me as I have a large panoramic sunroof in my Endeavour.

What can be the reason?

Quote:
A Toronto driver is looking for answers about why the sunroof of his vehicle seemingly shattered without warning. Sean O'Shea reports.

Mark Barsoum is warning fellow Hyundai owners with sunroofs about the possibility the glass above their heads may suddenly shatter into pieces while driving.

It happened to him — and he offers pictures and video to prove it.

“It sounded like a gunshot, an explosion — I was showered in glass,” Barsoum told Global News, describing what happened to him on the way to work on Highway 427 in Toronto last week.

“It looks like someone dropped a bowling ball on my car,” he said.


Full article: https://globalnews.ca/news/5144164/d...-shatters/amp/

Last edited by roby_dk : 10th April 2019 at 00:02.
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Old 10th April 2019, 00:25   #9
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Re: Hyundai sunroof shatters

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Last edited by GTO : 10th April 2019 at 08:54.
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