Toyota Highlander sunroof shattered problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Visibility · 210,005 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 MPH on the interstate, there was a loud sound like a gunshot coming from the vehicle. The contact opened the sunshade and became aware that the sunroof glass had shattered. The contact pulled over into a parking lot and performed an online search about the failure. The contact learned that the failure was a known failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 210,005.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · NJ

While traveling east on [XXX] in [XXX] on Monday, XXX, the sunroof of my Toyota Highlander 2019 spontaneously shattered. There were four occupants in the car and we all heard what sounded like a gunshot or explosion. There were a few shards of glass that hit my daughter who was in the front passenger seat in the head and small pieces of glass throughout the car. I did not pull over on highway [XXX] because it is a one lane highway with minimal room on the shoulder. I immediately closed the sunshade and put my hazards on and drove about a quarter mile exited safely, pulled onto a side road, and called the police in [XXX]. There were a few pieces of glass that were flying off of the car and towards the car behind us, however, I believe they stayed back a bit because we did suddenly put our hazards on, and I don’t feel that their cars were impacted by the flying glass. No one in the car was physically injured however we were all shaken up. I did call the police because I wasn’t sure what to do and I had three [XXX] kids in the car with me and I needed to know we were safe where we were pulled over. At that time, I also called my husband and he contacted our insurance company to discuss options for repair and how to get three hours home with the car. We chose not to use roadside assistance. The officer followed us a short distance to ensure the glass was not flying out to cars behind us and we were able to safely drive. We drove to the local Walmart where we taped up the sunroof so that we could drive home. The drive home was about three hours and was very stressful as I was concerned about the sunroof and the safety of the three minors that were in the car with me. There were no warnings of the spontaneous shatter and the sunroof had no issues or malfunctions prior to the incident. In the photos attached there is a link to the YouTube video of the aftermath of the spontaneous shatter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · NC

I was traveling on hwy US1 South about 56-58 mph when I heard what sounded like a gunshot. I immediately slowed down and pulled off the road. As I drove off road on grass/gravel I heard crumbling of glass above on sunroof. The sunroof glass exploded. I called the nonemergency 911 for a police officer to come to the scene. I explained what happened and that there was no rock or large debris. He inspected and suggested I contact my insurance and if they needed a police report it would be in the system.

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · VT

I was driving down the road about 50 miles an hour just south of otter Valley Union, high school and Brandon Vermont when I heard an extremely loud poof/thud sound. It also caused my ears to pop. I pulled over and realized it was the front sunroof that had basically shattered. Now there is a big hole and it’s just getting bigger. I was in a clear area with no overhanging trees. There were no vehicles in front of me or passing me in the opposite direction. I was alone on the road at around 8:30 in the morning.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · ID

driving down the road and the sunroof exploded

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · ID

Sunroof Shattered and it sounded like a shot gun blast. The blast was from the inside out. Weather was a mild 70 degrees.

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Visibility · 8,498 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while she and her husband were driving at 60 MPH, she heard a loud explosion noise from above her head and felt air whipping on top of her head. The contact stated that the sunroof exploded; however, the sunroof shield prevented the glass from entering the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected, but the contact did not find anything wrong at that time. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a rock may have hit the sunroof. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,498.

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · UT

I was driving on a busy road going 50 mph and my sunroof exploded. Nothing hit my vehicle and It wasn’t a hot or cold day. No one was injured because my sunroof cover was luckily closed.

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · NC

The moon roof in my car completely shattered out of no where while I was driving down the road and fell all into my backseat. If my children were in the car, they would have had glass all over them.

Filed Mar 7, 2026 · CO

While driving down the highway I went over a bridge joint and my sunroof suddenly exploded sending glass both into and off the back of the vehicle. I was able to find the moment of the explosion on my rear dashcam (saw the falling glass) and checked the front dashcam for any evidence of an object that would have impacted and did not find any. Neither I or my two passengers saw an object hit. The front dashcam also confirmed rough pavement near the bridge joint that would have caused some vibration in the vehicle.