The explosion of a sunroof results in shards of glass falling down upon passengers, especially children in the back seat. When the sunroof explodes, it can pose a danger to people inside the vehicle. A panoramic sunroof uses thinner glass to save on weight and also improve the vehicle’s fuel economy. The 2017 lawsuit alleges that Nissan and Infiniti vehicles from model years 2008 to the present with factory-installed sunroofs made of tempered glass have a risk of their sunroofs exploding. Failure Date: 06/09/2020 The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. So to offer a panoramic sunroof, Nissan has resorted to using thinner glass. By Heather Finn. 2003-2007 NISSAN … In the second class-action lawsuit, plaintiff Sherida Johnson was driving a used 2016 Nissan Maxima to work when its panoramic sunroof exploded. The dealership first claimed rocks must have hit the outside of the sunroof, but it did agree to replace the sunroof for free after the plaintiff threatened to tell the media. My 2015 Nissan Altima sunroof exploded, only had my car 8 months. The driver of a 2009 Nissan Rogue complained about driving on the highway and almost crashing because of … Tempering is a process of rapid heating and cooling that strengthens the glass and creates a safer break pattern. Sunroof exploded yesterday. ‘Janelle Horne, et al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., and Nissan Motor Company, LTD’ This expansive piece of glass sounds really nice in marketing and looks great on a test drive, but there's a problem. or Best Offer. Both lawsuits explain that the sunroof is made of tempered glass that includes multiple layers. That's why you should choose genuine and get a 2 year warranty. All of the glass shattered and flew everywhere, some of it hitting another vehicle. “We were driving down the highway when our sunroof exploded. Her husband pulled off the highway and found there was glass in the interior of their SUV. Glass is heavy → large pieces of glass are really heavy → really heavy can affect MPGs → MPGs are king. Drivers should ask the dealer before purchasing a … The moon roof was closed when the failure occurred. Heads up, Nissan owners! While tempered glass breaks into chunks, a broken sunroof can still send a large amount of glass flying into the cabin, causing injuries. The Nissan sunroof class action lawsuit was filed in February 2017, alleging that the glass features in Nissan vehicles have the tendency to shatter without warning. Two class-action lawsuits have been filed against Nissan alleging that panoramic sunroofs have exploded and that Nissan knew about the issue but failed to replace them or reimburse owners for repairs even if the vehicle was still under warranty. Their focus is on safety-related issues. The 2017 lawsuit lists a nationwide concern for the following models with affected panoramic sunroofs: 2008–present Nissan Altima; 2011–present Nissan Juke; 2008–present Nissan Maxima; 2009–present Nissan Murano; 2008–present Nissan Pathfinder; 2008–present Nissan Rogue; and 2008–present Nissan Sentra. Heads up, Nissan owners! Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen each are named in class-action lawsuits regarding sunroofs. Like side and rear windows, sunroof glass is tempered. $153.00. This includes any vehicle since 2008. Your Qashqai deserves the best and you deserve peace of mind. In models dating as far back as 2008, Nissan allegedly installed sunroofs prone to shattering without warning. The lawsuit said that his sister was driving his Mercedes on a relatively normal sunny day at 55 MPH on a … Automakers like to blame sunroof explosions on owners or random rocks (that somehow shatter the glass from inside). What have you tried so far? CBS Denver recently interviewed a woman who experienced a similar exploding sunroof problem while driving her Nissan Murano. I've contacted Nissan Consumer affairs who has denied any liability however there are numerous cases re: similar issues with Nissan sunroofs. Considering cars are more airtight than ever, the pressure is on. A 2017 lawsuit filed in a California court says all 2008–present Nissan and Infiniti models are at risk of their sunroofs exploding because of Nissan's flawed tempering. 2015 NISSAN MURANO FRONT SUN ROOF GLASS PANEL OEM 15 16. The lawsuits allege that this ceramic enamel weakens the structural strength of the sunroof since the glass and paint expand differently. - Answered by a verified Nissan Mechanic. or Best Offer. Whatever the reason, here's a handful of things you can do to make sure it gets the attention it deserves. FAST 'N FREE. My sunroof exploded in front of my eyes. Nissan 350Z. 2003-2007 NISSAN MURANO ROOF RAILS SET LEFT AND RIGHT OEM 154714 (Fits: Nissan Murano) $92.15. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. Nissan 350Z 2003 to 2009; Nissan 370Z. Nissan - Maxima Sunroof Exploded. Took my car to Nissan right after it happened, I was still sitting in glass and cover with glass. While sunroofs will rattle and leak just like any other window, what's truly concerning is reports of them randomly exploding. © Copyright 2021 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. She said she was driving about 70 miles per hour on the highway when she heard a ‘pop,’ followed by a loud crack, and then the sunroof shattered into the car. That Sunroof Isn’t As Safe As You'd Hope. This guide is a step by step instructional to aid the Rogue owner with the removal and installation of a new sunroof. CarComplaints.com is a free site dedicated to uncovering problem trends and informing owners about potential issues with their cars. Failure Date: 06/15/2020 The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Murano. It exploded from the inside out too. Have you got a Nissan Rogue sunroof leak problem? The same impacts can happen to a sunroof. Two People Were Inside This Car When the Sunroof Exploded. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected or diagnosed. The case was scheduled for mediation on April 30th, 2019, but results are unknown. That giant piece of glass above your head may soon be on its way down in a thousand little pieces. The Nissan Qashqai is the perfect blend of stylish design and maximum utility. One of the attorneys we work with may then call or e-mail you to learn more about how your sunroof exploded. Here's one reason they're wrong. No, that's about it. A class action complaint has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Nissan Motor Company, alleging that large glass panoramic sunroofs on some Nissan vehicles have spontaneously shattered. To process this thin glass it is exposed to extreme heat and is then rapidly cooled during the tempering process. There's reason to believe that automakers haven't perfected their tempering process. Nissan allegedly had no answer for why the sunroof exploded. A second plaintiff, Subrina Seenarain, was driving a used 2014 Nissan Maxima when its panoramic sunroof exploded as well. Panoramic sunroofs first appeared in the U.S. in the mid-2000s, but some of them pose a risk of exploding. Sun Roof problem of the 2017 Nissan Murano 1. In a study of the problem, 859 complaints were filed with the U.S. government between 1995 and 2017, and of those, 82 involved Nissan vehicles, according to Consumer Reports. Free shipping. Maybe you're concerned you will soon. I'm waiting for insurance repair Jul 15, 2016 A … $400.50. The contact stated that the sunroof exploded without impact. The sunroof on my 2018 Nissan Maxima exploded while driving @ 70mph on Tuesday. Nothing around to hit it or damage it. Maybe you've experienced this problem. Tempering is a tricky process and particularly difficult on thin glass. Vehicle models with the highest reports of sunroof explosion incidents included Scion tC, Hyundai Veloster, Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano and Ford Explorer. RELATED: Jeep Owners Are Filing a Class-Action Lawsuit for an Expensive Problem. The result? The dealer then wouldn’t cover the cost of replacing the sunroof, even though the car was within the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty period. According to Consumer Reports, Nissan isn’t the only auto manufacturer facing these concerns. Major class action law firms use this data when researching cases. If tempered glass breaks, you get small chunks rather than life-ending shards. Nissan filed a motion to dismiss, saying that broken glass isn’t covered by warranties and therefore broken sunroofs aren’t either. WATCH: An increasing number of drivers has been calling for an investigation into exploding sunroofs, Tony Tighe reports. Glass expert mash meshalum demonstrate what is it looks like when a sunroof shatters. More cars now include a sunroof, and those sunroofs have gotten larger over the years. If not there is going to be a problem. While insurance may cover some of the costs, not all owners were able to have the full amount covered. 2006 2007 NISSAN MURANO OEM FACTORY SUNROOF GLASS PANEL 91210-CB01A FREE SHIP. The vehicle was taken to the local glass repair facility to be … The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the Scion tC, Hyundai Veloster, Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano and Kia Optima received the most reports of exploding sunroofs. Was: $115.19. May 22, 2013 . The Nissan dealership where I purchased the car said that something had to hit it but I know it didn't. Widespread rust that’s often concealed by the interior carpet until it’s too late and the floorboards crumble to reveal gaping holes. "It combusted. I am trying to find out what it will take to replace it. She was driving with her husband and four kids when their sunroof exploded. The judge dismissed some claims in certain states but left others to proceed. [The plaintiff] lays out the case about how the tempered glass is heated and then rapidly cooled, creating an outer layer of compression shrink-wrapped around the middle of the glass that is constantly pressing outwards. A lawsuit alleges that all of Nissan's factory-installed sunroofs (panoramic or otherwise) can explode without warning. The Nissan sunroof class action claims that the defect stems from Nissan’s decision to use thin tempered glass that is weakened by a stage in the manufacturing process. all 2008–present Nissan and Infiniti models are at risk of their sunroofs exploding, imperfections in tempered glass will cause it to shatter under pressure, Heads Up, Nissan Owners! Why Are Nissan Sunroofs Randomly Exploding? Nissan North America Inc. on Tuesday urged a California federal court to throw out a proposed class action over panoramic sunroofs that allegedly shatter due to … Enjoy sophisticated exterior and interior features as well as flexibility when it comes to loading and travelling. According to Car Complaints, Mercedes-Benz was recently sued as part of a class-action lawsuit by a Mercedes-Benz owner whose sunroof exploded. What You Can Do If Your Sunroof Exploded While Driving If your sunroof exploded while driving, shattered for no reason or otherwise blew out, get in touch with us today by filling out the form on this page. The 3rd generation (2002-06) sedan has floorboards that seem particularly susceptible to corrosion. While insurance covered some of the cost, Johnson still had to pay $185. There are 35 brands and 208 models with exploding sunroofs. Was: $445.00. According to the lawsuit, the sunroofs explode because Nissan uses thin glass in factory-standard sunroofs to reduce weight for improved fuel economy. Janelle Horne, the plaintiff in one case, leased an Infiniti QX80, according to Car Complaints. The owner alleged that the sunroof on his 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350 suddenly exploded while his sister was driving it earlier this year. Repairing or replacing one of these sunroofs can cost owners $1,000 to $2,000. 6 comments ... *** was blown out of my front sunroof and the glass that was still in the sunroof was pointed upward. The vehicles involved include the following (with factory-installed panoramic sunroofs): 'My sunroof exploded': Government investigating problem affecting dozens of automakers. I'm sure hoping this is going to be covered under warranty. The glass blew from the inside out. The tempering creates a stronger piece of glass compared to non-tempered glazing, but the glass can explode without warning if the compressed layer is compromised. The problem allegedly originates with the thin, tempered glass installed in sunroofs used … The lawsuits suggest that thinner glass is hard to properly temper. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the US agency with the authority to conduct vehicle defect investigations & force recalls. A Nissan representative said the warranty did not cover the damage, and Seenarain paid more than $1,000 to repair the sunroof. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the sunroof. Most exploding reports are about larger sunroofs, such as Nissan's panoramic sunroof which is an upgrade feature. The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is a pro-consumer organization that researches auto safety issues & often compels the US government to do the right thing through lobbying & lawsuits. All four of these manufacturers were named defendants in cases that allege these panoramic sunroofs exploded spontaneously. Calgary driver Jason Baker is not getting the same help from Nissan Canada. Sun Roof problem of the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder 1. Allegedly exploding sunroofs have been seen in all kinds of vehicles—Volvos, Fords, Lincolns and Nissans among others. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. This procedure, though, creates a strain on the glass that can cause it to break. A sunroof failure while driving is a serious safety concern. And the bigger the roof the higher the "likelihood of contact with an airborne projectile, such as a piece of ice, gravel or other debris," said Transport Canada. Carmakers Under Investigation for Exploding Sunroofs When the sunroof on a Gurnee woman’s car suddenly shattered on the Edens Expressway in December, she called NBC 5 … Other manufacturers, including Ford, Honda, Nissan, and Subaru, are using laminated sunroof glass in some models. It covered owners and lessees in the state of California, so it ended up being included under the second lawsuit. 443 views . Nissan needs to address this problem. Lawsuits accuse Nissan of using a faulty tempering process for their sunroofs since 2008. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the glass moon roof exploded without impact. Unlike windshield glass, which has a protective inner layer, tempered sunroof glass will shatter into tiny - but generally harmless - pieces. These days it's hard to find a car without a sunroof, so it's no surprise that there's more complaints about sunroofs than ever before. Tempered glass is stronger, but it can explode if there is a problem with one of the compressed layers. Two class-action lawsuits have been filed against Nissan alleging that panoramic sunroofs have exploded and that Nissan knew about the issue but failed to replace them or reimburse owners for repairs even if the vehicle was still under warranty. Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Maxima yourself? What's scary is the fact that this car safety issue isn't all that uncommon. Exploding sunroof lawsuit says Nissan's tempering is flawed ∞ A 2017 lawsuit filed in a California court says all 2008–present Nissan and Infiniti models are at risk of their sunroofs exploding because of Nissan's flawed tempering. Exploded Sunroof View. Upgrading a vehicle to include a panoramic sunroof adds roughly $1,000 to the buyer’s price. He was leaving a parking lot at work when his sunroof exploded. In addition, the Nissan sunroofs have ceramic enamel around the edges, which is applied before tempering. Free shipping. The glass explodes with a very loud sound, and startled drivers are at risk of swerving or crashing. When CarComplaints.com asked four top university engineering professors what makes sunroofs explode, they said that imperfections in tempered glass will cause it to shatter under pressure. The sunroof in your vehicle might soon be coming down in a thousand little pieces. Melody Terai, a 2011 Kia Sportage owner from British Columbia, Canada, was one of them, telling CR her sunroof exploded as she merged onto the highway. Equally disturbing is the response vehicle owners get when they bring their broken sunroof to the dealership. 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Mpgs are king same impacts can happen to a sunroof exploded while sister!