My 2013 Kia Optima sunroof exploded as I was at a stop, about to turn into work. I experienced a pop and had glass falling on me within seconds. There were no recent rock experiences and the road was completely clear. After dealing with the initial clean up, I drove to an auto glass shop to have it professionally removed. The glass was bowed and left with a large hole, almost like it had just exploded due to pressure or a faulty piece. I almost always have my daughter with me and I’m SO grateful she was not in the vehicle. This could have resulted in injury or even a collision due to the terrifying nature of glass shattering above you. My insurance does not cover comp, however I do work for an insurance agent and he did view the damage. No claim can be filed as the repair and replacement for the damage has to come out of pocket.
2013 Kia Optima: sunroof shattered
18 of the 1,388 complaints about the 2013 Kia Optima describe sunroof shattered.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 23,000
- recalls
- 1
Sunroof shattered by model year
What owners say
My sunroof exploded as I was driving my car down the road. It made a noise that sounded like a gunshot and I pulled into a parking lot and the whole thing was shattered. The sun roof is less than a year and a half old and there was no chips or cracks in it and nothing had fallen on top or damaged it.
My son was driving the vehicle on the freeway. Suddenly and spontaneously, the glass in the sunroof shattered. Fortunately he had the interior shade closed so glass did not spill into the car. He does not believe anything hit the roof, he said he just all of a sudden heard the glass shatter and felt the wind rushing in.
My sunroof exploded while driving on a bridge.
While driving my car, my sunroof exploded and broke for no apparent reason. Nothing hit the sunroof. The sunroof was closed at the time and the cloth shade was back so that we could see the sky while driving. Glass shattered and fell all over me (the driver) and my passenger and all over the back seat of the car.
My four year old daughter and I were in the car and while driving, the sunroof exploded. It was so loud, almost like a gunshot. A small amount of glass entered the car. I was driving straight, southward, near the osceola exit on I 55. There was absolutely no sign or evidence of anything hitting the glass. Weather conditions were clear and the temperature in osceola today was a high of 76 and low of 68 degrees fahrenheit.
The sunroof exploded while driving down the road.
While driving on a 2 lane road with my son and a friend, going about 25 MPH on a clear day at noon, we heard what sounded like a gunshot come from the moon roof causing me to swerve. Once I was able to pull off the road and assess the situation, we found that the moon roof had "exploded" causing the entire thing to crack and remain cracking, causing tiny shards of glass to form. It was immediately undriveable.
While sitting at a stop sign, my sunroof exploded. The roof was open and the weather was sunny and approaching 70*.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the sun roof exploded. The fractured glass penetrated the vehicle interior however, the contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 22,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, he heard a very loud noise and after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the sun roof had exploded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician verified the failure and replaced the sun roof. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 15,369. Updated 06/12/14 updated 07/15/14 ma updated 07/18/2014
The sunroof on my 2013 kia optima exploded out wards raining broken glass down on my heard. The car was not struck by any object and no cars were ahead of me on the road. There was a slight creaking noise and then a violent explosion leaving an up turned crater in the glass roof. The car is currently at the dealer and they deny any knowledge of problems with any sunroofs dispute the recall on similar roofs on other kia and hyundai models.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (CS2312)
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (CS2312)
- Owner notification (CS2312)
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- SC141 - service campaign - application of additional anti-corrosion material
- Dealer principal memo: SC141 - service campaign
- Service manager memo: SC141 - service campaign
- Questions and answers for voluntary service campaign SC141 ? underbody ? additional anti-corrosion treatment
Related recalls
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
- Risk
- A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.
Recall number 22V560000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2013 Kia Optima sunroof shattered
Is sunroof shattered a common problem on the 2013 Kia Optima?
18 of 1,388 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Optima (1%) mention sunroof shattered. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Kia Optima?
There is 1 recall and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2013 Kia Optima
Engine failure 185Stalling 158Check engine light 155Knocking 132Fire or smoke 126Loss of power 63Won't start 51Steering noise 43Warning lights 36Headlights 33Oil consumption 31Airbag light 28Fuel smell 28Pulling 25ABS 23Jerking 23Grinding brakes 17Fuel pump 17Fuel leak 15Hesitation 15Won't shift 15Harsh shifting 13No deployment 12Backup camera 10Misfire 10Shudder 9Steering lock-up 9Adaptive cruise 8Brake failure 8Power steering loss 8Seat belt 7Key fob 6Overheating 6Slipping 5Sudden acceleration 5
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