On XXX, while driving my 2024 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige on [XXX] after exiting XXX, traveling west toward [XXX], the panoramic moonroof glass suddenly shattered without warning. It sounded like a gunshot going off very loudly inside the vehicle and badly startled both me and my service dog. The glass had no known prior damage, nothing had been placed on it, and I did not see or hear anything strike it. I pulled over and found the panoramic glass extensively shattered, with thousands of small fragments and areas of glass missing. I saw no evidence of an external impact. I received a superficial cut to my finger from a glass fragment; no medical attention was required. The interior sunshade was closed and prevented the shattered glass above it from falling directly onto me and my service dog. Glass fragments were still found inside the vehicle after the repair was completed. Multiple photographs document the extensive damage. The moonroof was repaired through insurance, but no cause for the sudden glass failure was identified. Kia America opened Case #XXX, escalated the matter for additional review, and requested post-incident photographs and incident details, which I provided. Kia later stated it had completed its review, cited factory-warranty glass coverage and the absence of applicable campaigns, and declined further assistance. I was not provided with a diagnosed cause for the glass failure. This vehicle also has a separate recurring safety concern involving unexpected engine shutdowns while driving or in traffic, including a shutdown at approximately 60 mph the following day, May 10. Those incidents were reported separately to the federal safety agency under Complaint #XXX. I am not asserting that the glass failure and shutdowns have the same cause. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024 Kia Sportage: sunroof shattered
14 of the 75 complaints about the 2024 Kia Sportage describe sunroof shattered.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- recalls
- 1
Sunroof shattered by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the glass panel between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof exploded, causing glass to fall into the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 44,800.
Sunroof exploded while driving. No rocks or anything hit it. Glass is pointing upward.
Sunroof on the vehicle shattered without being struck by projectile or road debris. The area where we were driving had no other cars near us at the time of the incident. There was no sound of something hitting then shattering, it just exploded. Examination of the sunroof did not reveal any points of impact, research done online has shown multiple other Kia Sportage owners with the same issue. Spontaneous shattering of the panoramic sunroof.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded. The contact stated that there was no evidence of an impact on the sunroof glass. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a Collision Center for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the Collision Center, and the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with similar vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline and the manufacturer to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,525.
While highway driving, suddenly and without warning, the panoramic sunroof shattered and exploded. Nothing hit the vehicle. Yes, it is available i took a photo. Yes, the Kia Southern Pines, NC saw the vehicle and damage.
While traveling at approx 65 mph on a clear, debris-free Alaska highway in -5°F temperatures, the panoramic sunroof of my 2024 Kia Sportage spontaneously shattered with an explosive sound. There were no vehicles in the immediate vicinity (nearest car was maybe 50 to 75 ft away) and no observation of flying debris or falling objects from overpasses. The failure appears to be a spontaneous glass breakage (SGB) incident potentially caused by thermal stress or manufacturing defect rather than external impact. Crucially, some of the remaining glass fragments and one large attached piece are displaced and flexed OUTWARD (upward toward the sky). There are also fracture lines in the remaining glass along and parallel to the sides of the vehicle as well as parallel to the front frame of the glass. They do not radiate out from a central point as one would expect from an object strike. This geometry to me indicates internal tension or cabin pressure release, as an external impact from a projectile would have forced the glass inward into the cabin. Additionally, there was very little glass in the vehicle cabin, certainly far less than one would expect given the size of the opening in the sunroof and the amount of glass missing. I have personally previously been in a vehicle whose side window was blown out from a vehicle kicked rock strike and in that case was showered with a lot of glass. Yesterdays catastrophic failure resulted in some glass intrusion into the passenger cabin at highway speeds, creating a severe distraction with sound was loud & sudden enough to potentially cause a loss of vehicle control. I am aware of similar reports regarding the 2023-2024 Sportage (and previous Kia panoramic sunroof class actions) regarding the use of ceramic glazing or assembly stresses that contribute to such failures. I request an investigation into whether the current model's panoramic roof assembly is capable of withstanding extreme thermal differentials and body flex.
The sunroof shattered while driving without any sort of impact.
The component that failed is the sunroof (glass) The sunroof exploded while driving down the street, glass splattered in my head, face, and body. I almost wrecked because it sounded like a gunshot. The component is being inspected by the insurance adjuster and dealership on 10/23/25. There was no warning lamp, message or other symptom of the problem prior to the explosion.
Driving, just left my house and turned on to the road. Sunroof shattered for no apparent reason. Owned vehicle for a year and half, no previous issues. No prior damage. No other vehicle around, clear skies and it shattered. The moving part, not the stationary part.
The panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattered upon entry in to the vehicle and closing the driver door. If the privacy cover closed, my daughter would have been showered with glass. I have tried reaching out to a Kia Dealer directly but have not received a response. I did notify my insurance so there would be a record and I am waiting for an adjuster to come out to look at the vehicle and document it. No warnings.
Panoramic sunroof shattered while driving - there were no rocks or falling objects
Related recalls
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
- Risk
- A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
Recall number 24V025000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2024 Kia Sportage sunroof shattered
Is sunroof shattered a common problem on the 2024 Kia Sportage?
14 of 75 owner complaints about the 2024 Kia Sportage (19%) mention sunroof shattered. The model year with the most reports is 2024.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2024 Kia Sportage?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
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