Moonroof exploded?

[Amandaann]

Yesterday I was driving down the freeway, maybe 65 MPH when I heard a loud pop. I immediately started looking at my windows for something, my 3 year old in the back seat was terrified and told me something broke the window. Thankfully the next turn out had a CHP officer and I pulled over. I explained to him what happened and we both started checking the car. We didn’t see anything, I thought maybe a bottle I had in my car exploded or something but I couldn’t find anything. The officer asked about a sunroof and I forgot to check so I moved the sunshade back and sure enough the back panel was completely shattered. He looked at it, looked for a rock or anything that may have entered the vehicle and determined it looks like the glass popped out, not in.
I’m almost positive it just randomly exploded, nothing hit it. Has anyone experienced this??? It’s now completely gone, I was on a road trip and still have 6-7 hours left.
I found this article also. Hoping it’s covered under warranty. https://lemberglaw.com/chevrolet-tahoe-sunroof-exploded/

 

[Micahsd]

I've heard of it happening on a few (happy to report it hasn't happened on my '21). If you check out the NHTSA website there has been some reports there of it. I'd encourage you to report it there also as its a bit of a safety hazard in my mind.

Either here or that website it sounded like it might be tough to get GM to cover it under warranty but yet it really should be a warranty/defect type of thing.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

It certainly can and does happen. There was in all probability a defective run in the glass manufacturing process, and the glass was not properly stress relieved at that time.

 

[swathdiver]

Road Hazards will do that.

 

[Pertzbro]

Im an insurance agent, i purposely upgraded myself to full glass coverage (not the typical repair) so i have deductible free glass replacements...

 

[Pertzbro]

I'm also assuming you do not have any aftermarket tint applied? Rumors and myth's that those can cause heat/expansion issues and cause them to crack/break...

 

[mikeyss]

What is the moonroof glass made of, tempered or laminated glass?

 

[DuraYuk]

What is the moonroof glass made of, tempered or laminated glass?

Pretty sure all vehicle glass is tempered except the windshield which is laminated.

 

[mikeyss]

Pretty sure all vehicle glass is tempered except the windshield which is laminated.

Most of the time that's correct, but after 2011 or so, some cars have laminated front door glass too. My 2016 Explorer Sport is set up this way

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Pretty sure all vehicle glass is tempered except the windshield which is laminated.

Yes, all vehicle glass needs to be tempered.

 

[tom3]

Might be acoustic glass up there which is two layers. Can't tell from the pictures but kind of looks like there is still a layer of glass left?

Which Automakers Use Laminated Glass to Reduce the Risk of Exploding Sunroofs?

Consumer Reports says that some, but not all, automakers are now using laminated glass in their panoramic sunroofs, which could reduce the risk of exploding sunroofs.

www.consumerreports.org

 

[Brand0n]

I'm also assuming you do not have any aftermarket tint applied? Rumors and myth's that those can cause heat/expansion issues and cause them to crack/break...

Curious about this too. I’ve read this myth many times but was given a funny look from my tint shop when I asked if they have had any customers experience this. If it’s tempered glass like side windows I don’t know why it would be different?

 

[Amandaann]

Im an insurance agent, i purposely upgraded myself to full glass coverage (not the typical repair) so i have deductible free glass replacements...

Thankful I have full glass coverage with a $50 deductible. Just took it to Chevy this morning, waiting to hear what they say.

 

[Amandaann]

I'm also assuming you do not have any aftermarket tint applied? Rumors and myth's that those can cause heat/expansion issues and cause them to crack/break...

Nope, no tint. All stock, the car only has 5,500 miles on it.

 

[Amandaann]

Might be acoustic glass up there which is two layers. Can't tell from the pictures but kind of looks like there is still a layer of glass left?

Which Automakers Use Laminated Glass to Reduce the Risk of Exploding Sunroofs?

Consumer Reports says that some, but not all, automakers are now using laminated glass in their panoramic sunroofs, which could reduce the risk of exploding sunroofs.

www.consumerreports.org

It’s just one layer, after just closing the door a few of times almost all of it fell out.

 

[hagar]

Did you have one of the side windows down when it happened?

 

[Amandaann]

Did you have one of the side windows down when it happened?

No, all windows up. the AC was up pretty high and it was a warm day. We had already been on the road for about an hour when it happened. Got too hot maybe???

 

[hagar]

No, all windows up. the AC was up pretty high and it was a warm day. We had already been on the road for about an hour when it happened. Got too hot maybe???

Interesting. I have heard of sun/moon roofs blowing out on the highway when people have a window down. It creates a pressure pulse or something that can blow the glass. One of my buddies that owns a glass shop has seen it a few times now. Guess that isn't what happened in your case.

 

[Franco]

Yesterday I was driving down the freeway, maybe 65 MPH when I heard a loud pop. I immediately started looking at my windows for something, my 3 year old in the back seat was terrified and told me something broke the window. Thankfully the next turn out had a CHP officer and I pulled over. I explained to him what happened and we both started checking the car. We didn’t see anything, I thought maybe a bottle I had in my car exploded or something but I couldn’t find anything. The officer asked about a sunroof and I forgot to check so I moved the sunshade back and sure enough the back panel was completely shattered. He looked at it, looked for a rock or anything that may have entered the vehicle and determined it looks like the glass popped out, not in.
I’m almost positive it just randomly exploded, nothing hit it. Has anyone experienced this??? It’s now completely gone, I was on a road trip and still have 6-7 hours left.
I found this article also. Hoping it’s covered under warranty. https://lemberglaw.com/chevrolet-tahoe-sunroof-exploded/

Exact same thing happened to me last year. Fortunately it was covered by warranty. https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/sunroof-exploded.130130/