2024 Kia Telluride: sunroof shattered

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · MN

Component: VISIBILITY / SUNROOF GLASS Description of the Incident While driving my Kia Telluride, the panoramic moonroof/sunroof suddenly and violently shattered without warning. At the time of the incident, there was no collision, no road debris strike, no overhead object impact, and no other apparent external cause for the failure. I heard an extremely loud explosive sound similar to a gunshot or explosion coming from the roof area of the vehicle. The glass immediately shattered and fragmented across the roof opening. The unexpected failure startled me and created a significant distraction while operating the vehicle. The incident created an immediate safety risk because: The loud explosion caused driver distraction. Shattered glass entered the drivers department pouring down while driving on a highway. Visibility could have been affected by falling glass and roof damage. The sudden event increased the risk of losing control of the vehicle or being involved in a crash. The vehicle had not previously been involved in any accident affecting the roof or glass. The moonroof showed no signs of prior damage before the incident. Based on my experience and my subsequent research, I learned there have been numerous reports from Kia owners alleging spontaneous sunroof shattering incidents in Kia vehicles. A class-action lawsuit was previously filed regarding allegedly defective Kia panoramic sunroofs, and hundreds of complaints were reportedly submitted to the federal safety agency concerning similar incidents. Although litigation outcomes have varied, the pattern of complaints suggests this issue warrants continued review. I am submitting this complaint because spontaneous glass failure in a moving vehicle presents a potentially serious safety hazard to drivers, passengers, and others on the road.

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · VA

On October 21, 2026, the sunroof of my 2024 Kia Telluride suddenly shattered while I was driving at approximately 65 mph. The glass exploded unexpectedly during normal vehicle operation. The sunroof was in the tilted position with the sun shade pulled back completely. The glass shattered on the top of my head as I was driving. My two small children seated in the second row were also present. The cause of the failure is unknown. I took the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership, where personnel photographed the damage, vacuumed some of the broken glass from the vehicle, and applied temporary crash wrap over the damaged sunroof. The service invoice documents that the sunroof exploded while driving. However, no comprehensive safety inspection was performed or documented to my knowledge. Dealership personnel verbally stated that the vehicle was safe to drive with the temporary covering and instructed me not to open the sunshade. However, they would not provide written confirmation that the vehicle was safe to operate. Despite the temporary repair, I continued hearing glass shifting and breaking while driving. I am concerned about additional glass falling, the integrity of the damaged sunroof, and the safety of vehicle occupants. On October 22, 2026, the dealership informed me that Kia had authorized replacement of the sunroof and that the replacement part was expected the following week. I contacted Kia Customer Care, opened a case, and requested alternative transportation because of my ongoing safety concerns. I was repeatedly instructed to wait for a case manager to contact me. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this unexpected panoramic sunroof glass failure as a potential vehicle safety defect, including whether similar incidents have occurred in other Kia Telluride vehicles.

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · TX

I was driving down the highway and heard a loud pop. I looked at my windshield and did not see any cracks. I looked at the back windshield and could see pieces coming down. I didn't know what it was still and could hear air coming from somewhere in my car. I open the screen to my sunroof and there was a hole and shattered glass. There were no large trucks around. There were a couple of cars but they were to the right side of my car, two lanes over. Nothing hit my sunroof. The glass exploded. It was Sept 22nd at 9:30am. I looked it up online and this is a common problem with Kia Tellurides. I contacted Gay Family Kia and they would not replace it. They contacted Kia manufacture and they would not cover it. The maintenance person at Gay Family Kia looked at it and took a picture when he submitted it to Kia. There were no warning signals. I think the heat that is trapped between the glass and screen of the sunroof cause this. There needs to be a protective film on there. I tried to upload a photo but it would not proceed with it. It was a small file and a jpg. It is going to cost abt $900 to replace. I am getting it done Saturday so I don't have an invoice yet.

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Body, Visibility · MO

We were driving on interstate at 70 mph. It was sunny and 45 degrees outside. Suddenly with no warning, our front sunroof glass exploded. The bang was so loud that my ear was ringing hours after. Fortunately no car was following closely so no other vehicle was hit with flying debris. Also, our interior visor was closed so we were not struck by any of the flying glass. We pulled off and removed any loose glass that could fly off and proceeded to the dealership. They were submitting warranty information, etc. and provided a rental while we await the repairs. They did mention they had seen this before in a case where the visor was not closed and glass poured into the cabin and implied that it was a worse case than ours.

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · IN

My sun roof exploded

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · IN

My sun roof exploded

Filed Sep 13, 2025 · Body · CA

While driving on a surface street the sunroof glass shattered all on its own. The glass was in the closed position. No rock or debris was located in the sunshade portion. No one else was around us on the road when it happened. There are numerous complaints about this happening within other forums. The dealer claimed the warranty will not cover broken glass and I was told to file an insurance claim. The estimate to repair the sunroof assembly is $8260.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Visibility · CA

The sunroof spontaneously exploded while I was driving my kids to practice. Luckily we had the sunshade closed, so that prevented us from getting covered in glass. I have found several claims online from other Kia Telluride owners experiencing this same issue. There were no prior issues or warnings.

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · MO

As I was driving to work my sunroof exploded. I was miles away from an overpass and nothing flew out of any vehicle around me. It just randomly exploded. I could hear glass shuffling around on my sunshade. Thankfully the sunshade wasn't open or else I would have been covered in glass. Took it to a dealership and they told me it wasn't covered under any warranty and to tell my insurance it was "due to weather and wind causing the sunroof to bend and flex".

Filed Dec 16, 2024 · TX

Sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving.

Filed Oct 13, 2024 · MS

Sunroof shattered while driving. Nothing struck the glass, we were not around any other vehicles, etc. it just exploded. The slide was closed, so no glass fell in vehicle.

Filed Aug 16, 2024 · WI

I was driving my 2024 KIA Telluride when the sunroof just exploded outward. It was very load and luckily I had the sunroof cover closed so no glass came inside the car. Talked with Wilde KIA in Waukesha and they said this was not covered under the warrantee and there where no recalls or safety bulletins regarding this issue. I looked online and there were numerous people that had experienced the same problem.