Topic: Sunroof ‘explosion’ has SUV owner seeking public warning

[oldcoastie6468]

Sunroof ‘explosion’ has SUV owner seeking public warning
Kia Sorento under investigation in US after 15 complaints
By Mark Harvey, Lisa Mathews, CBC News Posted: Feb 26, 2014 6:00 AM MT Last Updated: Feb 26, 2014 7:24 PM MT

Sunroof 'just exploded' 2:00

Viola Stevens had never heard of a power sunroof shattering until hers did as she was driving 100 km/h on a snowy Alberta highway.

“I had no idea what had happened,” Stevens said. “It was extremely loud. I was in shock. I pulled over, (and) promptly started crying and then realized I was in an SUV convertible and it was snowing and minus 22.”

The sunroof glass in her 2013 Kia Sorento shattered with such force she could have lost control and crashed, Stevens said.

The console and the back seat were showered with shards of glass.

“It was extremely scary. If there were any passengers in the back seat they would have definitely been injured, glass in the eye or what-not.”

She had the vehicle towed to the nearest Kia dealer, Sherwood Kia in Sherwood Park, Alta.

Kia Canada replaced the sunroof under warranty at no charge to Stevens.

Later, Stevens found out that her case was just one of many to affect Kia Sorentos and other models.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/sunroof-explosion-has-suv-owner-seeking-public-warning-1.2550172

[AlanS]

I know the sunroof on the wife's Equinox gets HOT when it sits in the sun for a while. I hate sunroofs to begin with. Just another thing to break or location to leak.

[Libertas]

I think this is probably more of an issue for high profile vehicles like SUVs, my Audi has a sun roof but is low slung and aerodynamic compared to a breadbox-shaped SUV, I think putting a sun roof or moon roof in an SUV is foolish.  Betweeen the temperature differences the glass can experience and rocks and such that can impact it...well heck look at the not-so-great windshield glass we have now...anybody in a northern climate knows if you have a ding in your windshield the warm air of the defroster and the cold air of the outside can conspire to make your cracks spider out even more...and another good impact can really be disasterous.  This isn't anything unusual or mysterious...it's just horsesh*t engineering coupled with ignorant consumers. 

[oldcoastie6468]

We're on our 4th windshield in the Ridgeline. When it gets chipped by a rock, I have it changed immediately. Insurance pays all but about $20.

[Glock32]

Don't you just love those dump trucks on the road that say "Not Responsible For Broken Windshields"?  Uhhh, yeah, you're not responsible for using a public highway and slinging sh*t all over it because your load is not properly secured?  That sign on your truck magically protects you from liability? I wonder though if anyone has ever successfully made them pay for a windshield.  It'd probably be a he-said/she-said deal.

I have a small chip in mine now.  So far it has not spread, but I imagine it will.  I'm just reluctant to have the windshield replaced unless it becomes a bigger problem.

[oldcoastie6468]

Almost EVERY time we go on a driving vacation, we get at least 1 stone thrown at us by trucks and other cars. It's an automatic new windshield each time that happens.

[Libertas]

Don't you just love those dump trucks on the road that say "Not Responsible For Broken Windshields"?  Uhhh, yeah, you're not responsible for using a public highway and slinging sh*t all over it because your load is not properly secured?  That sign on your truck magically protects you from liability? I wonder though if anyone has ever successfully made them pay for a windshield.  It'd probably be a he-said/she-said deal.

I have a small chip in mine now.  So far it has not spread, but I imagine it will.  I'm just reluctant to have the windshield replaced unless it becomes a bigger problem.

Maybe we need some "Not responsible for gun-shot truck tires!" signs on passenger vehicles.   

[Pandora]

Don't you just love those dump trucks on the road that say "Not Responsible For Broken Windshields"?  Uhhh, yeah, you're not responsible for using a public highway and slinging sh*t all over it because your load is not properly secured?  That sign on your truck magically protects you from liability? I wonder though if anyone has ever successfully made them pay for a windshield.  It'd probably be a he-said/she-said deal.

I have a small chip in mine now.  So far it has not spread, but I imagine it will.  I'm just reluctant to have the windshield replaced unless it becomes a bigger problem.

A repair process exists; have that done instead.  Most auto insurance will cover the whole cost; check your policy.  If not, the cost is not prohibitive compared to the hoohah of having it replaced.  And, it works; we've had it done on three vehicles.

[warpmine]

Don't you just love those dump trucks on the road that say "Not Responsible For Broken Windshields"?  Uhhh, yeah, you're not responsible for using a public highway and slinging sh*t all over it because your load is not properly secured?  That sign on your truck magically protects you from liability? I wonder though if anyone has ever successfully made them pay for a windshield.  It'd probably be a he-said/she-said deal.

I have a small chip in mine now.  So far it has not spread, but I imagine it will.  I'm just reluctant to have the windshield replaced unless it becomes a bigger problem.

A repair process exists; have that done instead.  Most auto insurance will cover the whole cost; check your policy.  If not, the cost is not prohibitive compared to the hoohah of having it replaced.  And, it works; we've had it done on three vehicles.

Right. About $65 and it's fixed. If the guy is talented, you'll never see it again. If not so, the epoxy resin fills in and prevents a chip becoming a crack.

I'm personally looking to have it done for my pick up since a tree branch landed at the base of the windshield. It's cracked top to bottom with what appears now as cracked ice over a pond. 

[BigAlSouth]

Cliff Claven told me that 100 kph is equal to 62 mph.

Relax.