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Ford Focus sunroof shattered problems

28 of the 22,112 owner complaints about the Ford Focus describe sunroof shattered, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
28
worst model year
2012
typical mileage
33,079
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2018
    3
  • 2017
    1
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    1
  • 2013
    4
  • 2012
    8
  • 2010
    3
  • 2009
    3
  • 2006
    1
  • 2005
    1
  • 2002
    1

What owners say

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Body · OK

Issue happened in November 2016. The glass sunroof exploded while driving NE on I-44 just SW of Springfield MO. The reason I am reporting this now, is that I saw a news article about this happening often. Until I saw the news article I thought it was a one of event. We did not witness anything hitting the car/sunroof. I don't expect anything from this report. I just wanted report that a Ford Focus experienced this type of event.

Filed Nov 2, 2024 · VA

I was driving to church on I-95 north bound when my sunroof exploded and shattered on me and inside my car

Filed Apr 21, 2024 · OH

Sunroof Exploded. Empty Road, temp low 40s. No warning. I have owned the car since 2004. Though older car, <120,000 miles.

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · OR

I was driving from Roseburg, OR to Sacramento, CA and about 40 minutes prior to arriving in Sacramento, my sunroof exploded. It even sounded like an explosion. The glass appeared to bow upwards and out with a large hole before ng in the middle, and judging by the small amount of glass being held up by the lower part of the sunroof internal cover thingy, it blew outwards. I can only assume it was associated with an elevation change, but I open my windows for short bursts regularly to cycle in fresh air so I don't think that's it. Differential heating between the glass and the solid object holding it perhaps? If the internal glass holding component is being cooled by the AC and the external glass is being heated by the sun/ambient air - I assume it can cause a compression force on the glass. It was a hot day in SAC, but not over 100 degrees. Perhaps a defect in the glass? Either way, major safety concern. If glass had fallen in eyes or the boom occured in traffic I could easily see a crash happening so someone.

Filed Jun 5, 2023 · CA

I was driving and all of a sudden a loud bang was heard which made me shocked and frightened. I realized after I pulled over that my moonroof had shattered completely. Knowing nothing had fallen on it or was thrown. I called Ford about the issue and they refuse to do anything about it. I also made an insurance claim which has been not addressed.

Filed Apr 29, 2020 · 45,700 miles · AL

As I was driving on the interstate, I heard a loud pop. No other vehicles were around at the time. I opened the sunroof cover and noticed it was shattered. I pulled into the gas station to see that there was a large hole in my sunroof.

Filed Jul 5, 2018 · 4,384 miles · WA

Exploding sunroof - traveling south on I-5 at a speed of 60mph in tacoma today (7/5/2018) in my brand new 6 month old 2018 focus rs and just passed 56th street exit. Suddenly with what sounded like a gun shot, the sunroof exploded and I was covered with glass as the sunroof cover was open. Fortunately I had a hat on otherwise the very small shards might have gotten into my hair, eyes and face. Pulled of the highway and took a couple pictures. The damages from the exploding glass caused additional damages to the roof and wing of the car. This is currently estimated at over $2600 in damages. Not to mention the clean up the the interior car will need. Thank god my kids weren't in the back seat as they would have got the brunt of the glass.

Filed Jun 29, 2018 · Visibility · 14,500 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 ford focus. While the vehicle was idling, the sun roof spontaneously shattered. There were no injuries. The failure occurred without warning. Bob maxey ford inc. (1833 e jefferson ave, detroit, mi) was contacted, but did not assist since the sun roof was not covered by the warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist since the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 14,500.

Filed May 26, 2017 · 52,000 miles · AR

Moon/sunroof shattered while driving- no vehicles, rocks or other obstructions were near

Filed Jan 19, 2017 · Visibility · 56,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the sun roof exploded without any impact. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000. The VIN was not available.

Related recalls

Structure: bodyReported January 24, 2017 · 17 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Risk
Improperly welded apron joints may reduce the front-end structural integrity of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S03.

Recall number 17V052000 · Recall details

Structure: frame and membersReported August 11, 2000 · 276,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." the resultant hic(d) value at one target location ap1, located on the trim panel at the juncture of the a-pillar and roof side rail, may be greater than design intent.
Risk
In the event of a crash, an occupant contacting that location may not be provided the interior impact protection intended.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the left and right side b-pillar and a-pillar trim panels, revise the headliner edge near the tops of the a-pillars to accept the new a-pillar trim panels with their energy absorbing tubes, and install the new a-pillar and the old b-pillar trim panels.

Recall number 00V218000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Focus sunroof shattered

Which Ford Focus years have sunroof shattered problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (8 complaints), 2013 (4 complaints) and 2009 (3 complaints).

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