While driving on vacation approximately five hours away from home with my family, I suddenly heard a loud popping sound followed immediately by increased outside wind noise coming from the panoramic moonroof. Based on the sound, I suspected the moonroof glass had shattered. Because my family was in the vehicle, I intentionally did not open the interior sunshade, as I was concerned that broken glass could fall into the cabin and seriously injure my passengers. After safely pulling over, I inspected the roof from the outside and confirmed that the panoramic moonroof glass had completely shattered. During the drive back, the shattered glass panel completely detached from the vehicle and flew off. Fortunately, it landed in the grass and did not strike another vehicle or person, which could have resulted in a serious accident or injuries. Because this occurred over the weekend, I had no immediate access to repairs. To safely transport my family the five-hour drive back home, I had to temporarily cover the opening with a trash bag and tape to protect the vehicle’s interior and reduce exposure to the elements. After returning home, I contacted the dealership, provided photographs of the damage, and explained the circumstances. I was informed that the failure would not be covered under the vehicle’s warranty and that I would be responsible for the repair costs. I am extremely concerned that the moonroof shattered without any apparent impact from road debris or object. Had the interior sunshade been open at the time, pieces of broken glass could have fallen into the passenger compartment, potentially causing serious injuries to my family, including eye injuries or cuts. Additionally, when the glass panel detached from the vehicle, it could have struck another motorist or pedestrian, creating a significant safety hazard. I believe this incident represents a serious safety concern and request that this matter be thoroughly investigated and reconsidered for warranty coverage.
Chevrolet Traverse sunroof shattered problems
19 of the 5,528 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Traverse describe sunroof shattered, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 19
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical mileage
- 37,000
By model year
- 20251
- 20231
- 20211
- 20202
- 20193
- 20185
- 20172
- 20161
- 20141
- 20131
- 20091
What owners say
While I was driving, the rear sunroof suddenly "exploded". I was shocked as I did not feel any impact, but it sounded like a wrecking ball had hit my car. I don't think I swerved into the other lane or anything like that, but honestly it happened so fast, I'm not sure. My heart was racing, and I felt like I was in danger, but able to pull over fairly soon after. I began to feel unwell as if my blood pressure was elevated, which I'm sure it was. I inspected the outside of the vehicle and didn't see any damage, but then from inside noticed a crackling sound, which was localized to the rear sunroof. I examined it from the top and found it to be cracking in various areas around the perimeter of the glass. The shade on the sunroof was closed, so I don't believe any glass entered the interior of the car. I called my daughter to tell her what had happened and drove the rest of the way home. At this point, I have not had anyone else look at it but am reaching out to the dealership where I bought the car.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving 63 MPH with her son in the front passenger’s side seat, she heard a gunshot-like sound and noticed that the sunroof glass had shattered. The contact stated that the shade guard was closed at the time of the failure; however, while the contact continued driving, the shade guard raised up, allowing broken pieces of glass to fall inside the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road for a moment. The contact stated that she sustained a cut on the right hand. The contact did not seek medical assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was informed that she would be contacted within 72 hours. The dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
On Saturday December 16, 2023, I drove to Best Buy in Beaumont, Texas to pick up my son’s Christmas gift. I am inside for about 30 or so shopping around. When I get back to my car I notice my back moon roof was completely shattered. Only tiny particles of glass fell in my vehicle but I notice the middle of the glass was pushed up a little higher like something happened to it from the inside.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the moonroof had fractured entirely without impact. The moonroof had not completely shattered as of yet but was at risk of doing so due to the extensive cracks. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the moonroof glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
March 30, 2022 I was driving on a highway with no other vehicles nearby and I heard a sudden loud pop. At first I thought is was a tire but no pressure changes on the screen. Few minutes later I heard a plinking noise and realized it was above my head and my sunroof had shattered. Luckily my visor was pulled across so I didn't have glass raining on my head while driving. Brought it into my dealership who sent me to a auto body glass division. The glass was on back order for 10 days and repaired on 4/12/22. I paid my $500 deductible through my car insurance. My vehicle has a front sunroof and a back moonroof that does not open. On May 15, 2023 I was driving on a country road and again there was a sudden pop. Again thought it was a tire but there was a gravel truck about 5 cars ahead of me but my sister was in the front passenger seat and did not see a rock or gravel. Rear moonroof had 2 small cracks on top but luckily again my visor was closed. We had a 30 min ride home so we tried to wrap plastic wrap around and over it but the wind got underneath so the hardware store told us to duct tape it and it worked well for about a week until the roof completely caved in on May 24 th. I called my dealership and the claim was filed for replacement with same glass company but now the part is on back order until mid July!!! I paid $300 for my car insurance and my dealership is keeping it and I traded it in for a new 2023 Chevy Traverse which I paid $19,000 for and hoping the glass will not do this again on my new car. Grateful nobody was hurt but I feel this a safety problem that needs to be reported.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, there was a loud explosion and the sunroof exploded. The contact stated that the sunroof was closed during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the sunroof glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not under recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,213.
Driving down the road and the sunroof exploded outward spontaneously. No other cars on the road, nothing hit the glass. Safety at risk because it was very loud and some of the broken glass fell inside the vehicle.
Driving on freeway all of a sudden sunroof just shattered
Clio that holds the second seat sunroof shade closed broke off.
Related recalls
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked.
- Risk
- A crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's number for this recall is N192268310.
Recall number 19V643000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
- Risk
- If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, and Saturn customer service at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
Recall number 15V415000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Traverse sunroof shattered
Which Chevrolet Traverse years have sunroof shattered problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (5 complaints), 2019 (3 complaints) and 2017 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet Traverse?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history