Thousands of U.S. drivers have lodged complaints with auto-safety regulators regarding the unexpected explosion or shattering of vehicle sunroofs, often occurring while the vehicles are in motion. This year, nearly 500 incidents have been reported, indicating a potential record high for such complaints in 2026.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has acknowledged investigating sunroof breakages and continues to monitor the situation. However, the agency stated it has not yet identified any verified crashes or serious injuries directly caused by shattering sunroofs. According to NHTSA, factors unrelated to safety defects, such as road debris, are frequently identified as causes for the glass failures, making it challenging to establish a pervasive defect.
Reports from drivers describe harrowing experiences, including sudden, loud noises akin to gunshots before the glass ruptures. Incidents have involved vehicles from multiple manufacturers, with a Wall Street Journal analysis of federal safety data revealing reports linked to 17 different automakers and over 200 models in the past three years. Nearly one in five complaints involved vehicles from the 2025 or 2026 model years, with incidents occurring at a rate of approximately one per day.
Experts suggest that a variety of factors could contribute to sunroof failures. These include minor impacts from road debris that may go unnoticed by drivers, as well as extreme heat and rapid temperature fluctuations that can cause the glass to expand and fracture. In some instances, design or manufacturing flaws may also be contributing factors.
Despite the frequency of complaints, sunroof failures have rarely led to vehicle recalls. The NHTSA allows automakers to use either tempered or laminated glass for sunroofs. Tempered glass is designed to break into small, pebble-like pieces, a common choice among manufacturers. Laminated glass, conversely, is designed to stay intact on a plastic layer when broken.
Past investigations into similar issues have not resulted in findings of widespread defects. In 2013, the NHTSA opened an investigation into Kia Sorento SUVs after numerous reports of shattering sunroofs. This investigation eventually expanded to include more than a dozen other automakers and accumulated over 4,000 reports of sunroof fractures. However, the NHTSA concluded in 2021 that there was insufficient evidence to determine a safety-related defect, attributing the failures to potential impacts from small road debris causing imperceptible damage.
Models frequently cited in recent complaints include Toyota's RAV4, Hyundai's Palisade, Kia's Telluride, and Honda's CR-V. Honda has stated it has not observed a significant trend in CR-V glass complaints attributable to a vehicle defect, noting the large number of CR-Vs sold and the prevalence of moonroofs as standard equipment. Hyundai has also indicated that its studies have not revealed inherent defects, with confirmed damage typically resulting from impacts with foreign objects. Kia has pointed to the NHTSA's previous investigation, which concluded no safety-related defect existed for its vehicles.
NHTSA continues to track the issue and encourages vehicle owners to report any safety concerns. While breaking sunroofs can be startling and costly, reports of injuries have so far been limited to minor scratches sustained during glass removal. The agency reiterated its commitment to monitoring the situation and taking action if a safety-related defect is identified.