Sunroof Exploded!

[NCA Lightning]

I was driving down the highway this morning when I suddenly heard a very loud pop. The sunroof had shattered and a small amount of glass fell on my passenger and me. I didn't see anything make contact with the vehicle, although we were in fast moving traffic on I-15 in downtown SLC. It was about 30 degrees outside and the heat was on inside. I was able to get off at the next exit where I bought a roll of duct tape and trash bags to cover the glass and put a barrier underneath to protect from falling glass. I called my dealer, and they told me they don't do glass and forwarded me to a glass company. The glass company said they don't do sunroofs.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions on where to get this fixed?

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[Henry Ford]

That's a sunroof repair. Dealerships do them all the time. Usually it's because the sliding mechanism has broken but the process is the same. I've done the repair on an older truck. It's an all day job for me which means it's probably a four hour job for a professional, for which they will bill eight.

I'm guessing your dealer didn't understand what you were talking about. There's no reason they couldn't do it. Try another dealership.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Surprised that the dealer doesn't have a relationship with body shop that does glass.

 

[Amps]

If you have full coverage, I'd call the insurance company. Even with a high deductible, insurance will probably be liable for some of the bill.

 

[Ragman]

It should come to dealer as a unit on my ICE F150 it was 4 Alan key bolts - I’d have to look at ours in daylight but not a big deal as others said it’s not really a glass repair more a body panel replacement.

 

[Jamchampnate]

I was driving down the highway this morning when I suddenly heard a very loud pop. The sunroof had shattered and a small amount of glass fell on my passenger and me. I didn't see anything make contact with the vehicle, although we were in fast moving traffic on I-15 in downtown SLC. It was about 30 degrees outside and the heat was on inside. I was able to get off at the next exit where I bought a roll of duct tape and trash bags to cover the glass and put a barrier underneath to protect from falling glass. I called my dealer, and they told me they don't do glass and forwarded me to a glass company. The glass company said they don't do sunroofs.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions on where to get this fixed?

No joke. Also an Utah lightning owner here checking in. Had the EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN. ALSO ON I15 heading south about 10 months ago. No impact at all. Same issue.

Called LHM in Provo (they are close to me) and they ended up having it repaired under warranty through Ford directly. Took about 7 days. Reach out to them!

 

[NCA Lightning]

Great advice! LHM in Salt Lake wasn't much help. My insurance wants a $500 deductible, so Provo seems like a better option. Thanks!

 

[Jamchampnate]

Great advice! LHM in Salt Lake wasn't much help. My insurance wants a $500 deductible, so Provo seems like a better option. Thanks!

Good luck! Make sure it’s clear that something must have been wrong with the sunroof from the factory. No impact. Manufacturing defect. Etc. then they will get ford to send them the replacement.

 

[Henry Ford]

It should come to dealer as a unit on my ICE F150 it was 4 Alan key bolts - I’d have to look at ours in daylight but not a big deal as others said it’s not really a glass repair more a body panel replacement.

You might be right. I was thinking the whole track needs to come out but that probably isn't true. That's like an hour job, maybe not even.

 

[tls]

Why would you involve insurance? The sunroof cracking with no impact should be a warranty issue.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Why would you involve insurance? The sunroof cracking with no impact should be a warranty issue.

Because LAZY service writer

 

[Tom Jensen]

I was driving down the highway this morning when I suddenly heard a very loud pop. The sunroof had shattered and a small amount of glass fell on my passenger and me. I didn't see anything make contact with the vehicle, although we were in fast moving traffic on I-15 in downtown SLC. It was about 30 degrees outside and the heat was on inside. I was able to get off at the next exit where I bought a roll of duct tape and trash bags to cover the glass and put a barrier underneath to protect from falling glass. I called my dealer, and they told me they don't do glass and forwarded me to a glass company. The glass company said they don't do sunroofs.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions on where to get this fixed?

Here is a dated article from Consumer Feports on the general topic. Note that the lede involved a driver also in Utah. Something odd happening in the Beehive State? https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/exploding-sunroofs-danger-overhead/

 

[StevenC56]

I'm pretty sure the headliner will have to come out for the replacement, so not just a 1 hour repair.

 

[Grumpy2]

Glass has a significant expansion with heat and contraction with cold. If it is restrained the stress builds up rapidly. My opinion, it is a design or fabrication issue related to the temperature.

 

[Tom Jensen]

Glass has a significant expansion with heat and contraction with cold. If it is restrained the stress builds up rapidly. My opinion, it is a design or fabrication issue related to the temperature.

My Expedition windshield “exploded” when I turned defrosters on during a very cold morning. The glass guy said it was a common occurrence.

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