2020 Subaru Outback: sunroof shattered

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · CA

[XXX] and I were driving to Sean’s for dinner on Friday night [XXX] when the sunroof glass exploded at approximately [XXX]. [XXX] was driving on the [XXX] . We heard a loud bang and thought we were in an accident. We noticed sounds from the sunroof so I slide the cover open slightly and saw a massive hole so immediately closed it again. We pulled off and used the emergency ramp to examine the damage and take pictures. We think the glass exploded for no reason as we did not see any debris in front of us and were not under an underpass. We did not find any debris or scratches on the car indicating an external object as the culprit. I dropped my car off with Subaru Carlsbad on June 17, 2025 and am waiting for an update. My service advisor was shocked by the occurrence as she had not seen something like this. I pointed out that the glass exploded outwards and asked her to check the cabin pressure vents as we found discussion pointing to those as a potential issue when researching online. We also heard complaints that Subaru has specifically excluded this piece of glass from the warranty so I let my advisor know that I hope / expect this to be covered under warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 30, 2023 · CA

Moonroof without any warning broke out while driving on the freeway. This has happened two times within 6 months. When it breaks there is a very loud bang and glass fly's from the car, possibly hitting following vehicles. Both times we had the inside sun shade closed so the occupants of the car were not showered with glass. Happened on 7/11/22 & 1/28/23. We no longer trust driving the car and will trade it in.

Filed May 6, 2022 · WY

The moon roof glass exploded and shattered while driving the car on a highway under the speed limit. The car is available for inspection though a repair has been initiated. Multiple pictures and a video were taken. If the inside shade cover had not been closed, shattered glass fragments would have cut the driver and passengers possibly impeding the driver’s vision and causing a crash. The problem shattered moon roof was confirmed by the dealer and a repair shop. No one would confirm what caused the moon roof glass to explode.The dealer’s service department and the repair shop inspected the problem. There was no warning. The glass just exploded with a very loud bang like a gun went off inside or near the care.

Filed May 10, 2021 · Body · 16,000 miles · VA

Sunroof glass exploded out while driving on highway at 70 MPH. Happened at 7 a.m. 5/10/2021 in mechanicsville va. Nothing hit the vehicle and it was about 63 degrees outside. I haven't used the sunroof in weeks. It made no since. I googled and saw where this has been reported to have happened to them on their outback and some other vehicles too. I thankfully had the inside cover panel slid forward so none of the glass came down on me. I took the car back home but as I drove slower, the glass kept coming apart. At first it was a square area about 6" x 4" missing when I first stopped and the rest was all shattered like little squares but in place. Then as I drove home at a slower speed on the side roads, it continued falling in onto the headliner slide cover.

Filed Mar 19, 2021 · 11,800 miles · TX

While driving on the highway the sunroof spontaneously shattered. The nearest car in front of me was appeared to be a football field away, in front of me. I never saw anything bouncing in front of me/towards me. It literally sounded like someone shot at the car. The interior shade was closed. Temperature was approx. 75 degrees. Occurred at 7:17pm. There was no sound of anything hitting the glass, it just shattered.