Panoramic Ceiling exploded while driving. No one was around me nor was it in bad weather. My entire drive home the glass was falling into the liner and down the side of the car. The glass was dropping down on the liner and could have shattered all over the interior and the passengers had the liner not been closed. It could have also caused you to crash as it sounds like someone shot out a window when it happens. I was able to pull over alongside the road and check out the damages.
Lincoln MKT sunroof shattered problems
39 of the 299 owner complaints about the Lincoln MKT describe sunroof shattered, most of them for the 2014 model year.
- owner complaints
- 39
- worst model year
- 2014
- typical mileage
- 58,000
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Front Sunroof Exploded while driving. No one was around me nor was it bad weather. I had glass flying everywhere off the car and down the side which could have caused the paint to be scratched and or if someone would have been around me, they would have been hit with flying glass. My entire drive home the glass was falling into the liner and down the side of the car. The car has been sitting at the dealership undriveable. You could hear it crackling even after sitting in the garage for a period of time. The glass was dropping down on the liner and could have shattered all over the interior and the passengers had the liner not been closed. It could have also caused you to crash as it sounds like someone shot out a window when it happens. I was able to pull over alongside the road and asses the damages after calming down a bit. The same day I took my car down there someone else in a ford edge had a cracked sunroof There were no prior warnings on the car to let me know of a problem and there was nothing around me at the time it exploded. the car is in perfect condition and taken care of very well. It only has 33,000 miles on it and is always garaged. I have read many articles with those experiencing the same thing with the same car and same window. I also found several posts of suits filed against Ford / Lincoln for this very same issue. The dealership did research it and agreed it is a known problem, but a recall never issued. They did contact Lincoln on my behalf, and they have denied the claim. I have seen many articles where this has happened within the first couple months to a couple years out, but it is always the front sunroof. there is clearly a design problem with the car, and it needs to be addressed. This is a situation where a crash could have been caused, or someone seriously injured inside the car because of a defective design in the sunroof of Lincoln's MKT
Shortly after leaving my home, I pulled onto the local road that takes me to the freeway. At this time I had noticed a pattern on the front panel of my panoramic sunroof which I had initially believed to be ice, as that is not uncommon for the environment I am in. Momentarily after this, I had merged onto the freeway where a cracking sound became prevalent. It was then when I realized there was no ice on my sunroof, it was the glass beginning to shatter. I immediately pulled over, as safety became a very imminent concern. After analyzing the front panel of the panoramic sunroof, I had attempted to take the vehicle off the freeway for further action as there was no major pieces of glass missing at the moment. After pulling off, the glass had suddenly completely broken, causing a very loud sound and a rush of air. It is important to note that there was zero impact made to the glass previous to the incident. This is a known issue from the Ford/Lincoln manufacturer in regards to their panoramic sunroofs that I happened to become a victim of.
4th time in 12 years that the moonroof has broken and the side shields that hold each side in place need to be replaced. This is a recurrent issue at least with me on this vehicle causing my roof to stay open until fixed. Not sure if tis because the roof is so big or if its just faulty equipment/engineering. But I think every three years is a bit much
2014 Lincoln MKT, approx 80,000 miles, excellent condition. For the second time in two years now our factory installed panoramic roof has spontaneously exploded. First incident was January 21, 2020 and the second was July 15, 2022. Both times my husband was driving on the freeway and heard a loud explosion, sounded like gunshots inside the car. Both times the sound startled us so badly that a jerk reaction nearly sent us into the freeway wall. Glass shards raining down into the car. Upon researching I have come to know that several Ford and Lincoln models from 2008-2015ish have had this same exact issue. This glass shattering issue is a serious design flaw from the manufacturer that is going to get someone killed one day. Not only having glass flying off of your car while also raining down on you while you are driving, but the SOUND of the explosion is seriously shocking and terrifying. Also, because the design of the panoramic roofs have been modified it is very difficult for Ford to find replacements for our model. The first time we had to get a rental for over a month because they could only find a used part, which our auto body denied. This time our car has already been in the shop for over a month and our auto body has had TWO defective parts sent to them and Ford is now saying it could be another 60 days or so before finding another one. We are so scared to continue driving this car that once we get it back we are going to have to sell it. I am going to just have to pray that whomever might buy this car will not cause damage to themselves or others when the roof shatters next time. Lincoln/Ford needs to step up and either recall the vehicles with faulty design or come up with a permanent solution rather that just replacing a part they know is dangerous. They need to be held accountable before someone is seriously hurt or dies. (I have included several screen shots of other people reporting the same issue. I have way more than was allowed).
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the panoramic sunroof shattered without incident. The contact initially thought that the failure was linked to his tires; however, upon inspection of his tires, he found no defect. The contact then discovered that his sunroof had shattered into several pieces. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic where he was provided an estimate for the repair. The contact called a dealer to schedule an appointment for a second opinion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and denied ever hearing of such a failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
November 21, 2021, while driving on the HWY at about 65 MPH, the forward panoramic moon roof exploded. Simply exploded. Not hit by anything - no cars or trucks in front of us. Thank goodness, we had the interior part closed, or it would have exploded all over us. This was a very loud explosion! Thank goodness I did not lose control of the car.
Panoramic sunroof shattered and it’s broken in pieces now; No longer just shattered I am on the phone with a George Hilliker from the Newark CarMax now. To my dismay there is nothing that can be done since this is not a mechanical defect. So at this point I am going to definitely cancel the extended CarMax care that I did sign up for him to help offset my cost for my deductible to deal with this damage. I would regret not turning around and returning the car on May 4 just because I heard the sound and had no idea what the consequences of that would turn into. I will also convey this in the survey request that I have received from Carmax. Taking this up any further would only cause me more frustration and money, But at this juncture I will definitely speak with a lawyer to see what my options are that way sinceI am now stuck with this vehicle. Granted had I known it had started breaking the glass on the third I would’ve returned it at any Carmax between Colorado and Delaware.
My 2014 lincoln mkt panoramic roof exploded with no warning while driving. Ford is claiming this is a repair for which I need to pay. I believe this is a dangerous defect that needs to be recalled. There are several documented instances of this happening with the 2014 lincon mkt. I was driving 20mph and turning when the roof exploded
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 lincoln mkt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the panoramic sun roof exploded without impact. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was taken to larry h. Miller ford provo (1995 n. University pkwy, provo, ut 84604, (801) 734-9796) but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Related recalls
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
- Risk
- Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on December 2, 2025.
Recall number 25V827000 · Recall details
Questions about the Lincoln MKT sunroof shattered
Which Lincoln MKT years have sunroof shattered problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2014 (19 complaints), 2015 (8 complaints) and 2010 (5 complaints).
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