2014 Kia Cadenza: sunroof shattered

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · AL · 1 injury

I was driving down the highway at 65 mph when suddenly the sunroof exploded in an outward fashion causing me to pull over. I believe there is a defect in the sunroofs of 2011 to 2014 models. I've contacted Kia. They refused to cover it. Nothing hit the windshield. It just spontaneously exploded.

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Visibility · ME

I was driving for about an hour on the highway, and out of nowhere my sunroof exploded.

Filed Jan 2, 2021 · Body · 50,700 miles · TX

My kia cadenza has panoramic sunroof. While I was driving I heard loud bomb explosion noise and the sunroof exploded. I almost lost control but luckily no accident happend.

Filed Sep 20, 2018 · 60,800 miles · CO

While driving on 9/18 northbound on I-25 at 75 MPH outside castle rock. Co, my sunroof exploded. Glass rained down on me. There were no other cars around me at the time and there is no other damage to my car. There is no object in the car that would indicate the sunroof was hit by something.

Filed Feb 22, 2018 · 38,000 miles · TX

Moonroof exploded for no obvious reason whilst driving at highway speeds

Filed Jan 11, 2018 · 17,629 miles · MS

The front glass roof panel/sunroof exploded with no evidence of any outside force or factor. Car is a 2014 kia cadenza purchased used in 2017 with 10,000 miles. Mileage at time of incident was 17,629. No relevant maintenance history associated with the incident. I was driving the vehicle in ridgeland, ms southbound on a frontage road off of I-55 at 6:20 pm cst at a speed of approximately 55 miles per hour in drive as the vehicle has an automatic transmission. It had been an overcast day and at the time of the incident it was not raining and the temperature was near 60 degrees. There were no cars on either side of me nor in front of me for a reasonable distance. As I was driving, there was an extremely loud explosion which sounded as if a gun had been discharged in or near my car. I was extremely startled by the explosion and immediately heard outside noise and felt air coming in from the top of the car. I slowed and engaged my hazards until I could get to a location to inspect the car. I noticed an interesting smell directly after the incident but could not determine where it was coming from and it dissipated. Once I parked the car it was as expected, the front section of the roof glass had a large hole with glass shards and the remainder of the front section of glass was cracked but had not dislodged. The rear glass section appeared to be unharmed. Three work employees as well as my wife witnessed the damage directly after I parked. This was a trip I had made numerous times with no unusual road conditions, traffic or weather in this case.

Filed Jul 28, 2017 · Body · 33,000 miles · VA · 1 injury

Sunroof exploded in a very loud manner. No object hit the sunroof, it just exploded. Vehicle was underway going straight ahead on a highway. No overpass or vehicle directly in front.

Filed Mar 15, 2017 · Visibility · 104,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 kia cadenza. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, the sun roof exploded from the exterior without impact. The were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 14, 2016 · Body · 34,420 miles · TX

While traveling on an interstate - during a rain storm - traveling around 65-70mph - and other vehicles in front of, beside, and behind me - out of nowhere (not big bumps being hit ) there was a sudden boom which sounded like a shotgun going off. This was very alarming and scared the daylights out of me. Luckily I was able to gain composure to notice that my sunroof had exploded as glass continued to come down into the car. I was able to pull over (still in pouring rain) and eventually make it to a bridge where I could shield the rain to see what happened. Once out of the car, it was evident that the sliding sunroof of my panoramic roof had exploded upward. I awaited a tow truck to tow the vehicle to closest dealer (an hour away - in the pouring rain which soaked the interior.) I knew that it had to be some type of defect since the explosion went upward. Upon researching the internet, it appears that this type of defect has happened as far back as 2010. Kia is looking to replace the sunroof under warranty which is probably the same defective sunroof. I do not have any confidence in this car and would not allow my family to be in this car moving forward. It is such an alarming situation and could happen so spontaneously, it is only a matter of time until more devastating accidents could occur. After this experience, I am lucky that it was me driving - not my wife or my kids. It would have been a totally different outcome. Other manufactures have addressed their issue with panoramic roofs, but kia continues to deny they have a problem. Kia should buy back these cars as they are a safety hazard for not only those in the car, but for any motorist around them. These vehicles should be recalled, and if they continue to sell vehicles with this characteristic, they should have to provide a disclaimer to warn buyers.

Filed Jun 18, 2015 · Body · 9,000 miles · TX

I was driving on the hwy and my sunroof spontaneously shattered. I do not think a rock hit it but if it did it should not have shattered. I was told by the dealer that it had happened before but when I arrived to the dealership he then looked and the sunroof and said that it looked as if it had been struck by a rock and that they would have to do an investigation. I then told him that if a rock hit it, it still should not have busted and shattered the way it did. He said it has something to so with cabin pressure. So then if that is the case every time a rock hits it then it will bust and shatter?

Filed Mar 27, 2015 · Visibility · 13,534 miles · MD

While driving down 95 s from columbia I heard a loud pop and then the sun roof cover slid back (it had been closed) and the sunroof glass shattered down on my passenger and my head and into the car. We looked up and we could see the sky. The glass was pointing upward. Not knowing what was happening we both ducked, I closed the sunroof panel cover and kept driving since we were not far from the car dealer (several exits down the highway).