Nissan Exploding, Shattering Sunroof Lawsuit

A class action lawsuit is proceeding against Nissan alleging the automaker has “long known” its panoramic sunroofs are prone to unexpected and dangerous shattering that has resulted in injuries, near-miss accidents and costly repairs.

Why Do Sunroofs Explode?

Over the past several decades, automakers have worked to expand the size of the conventional sunroof, but allegations have surfaced that some companies have failed to meet the engineering challenges that come with creating a sunroof that spans nearly the entire roof.  

According to the lawsuit against Nissan, the automaker’s panoramic sunroofs are made from tempered—as opposed to laminated—glass. The tempering process, the suit says, creates an outer layer of compression around the middle layer of glass, which is constantly pushing outward and therefore creating tension. The compressive and tensile layers are supposed to create a stronger piece of glass compared to one that’s not tempered; however, if the compressive layer is compromised, it can cause the entire piece of glass to fail “catastrophically” and “often explosively,” according to the case.  

The shattering sunroof lawsuit also takes issue with Nissan’s alleged use of thinner glass, which can help make the cars lighter and improve fuel efficiency. Thin glass, however, can be very difficult to temper properly, as the compressive layers are also thinner, increasing the chances of the glass becoming compromised and failing, the suit alleges.  

Additionally, the class action lawsuit against Nissan says that ceramic paint is applied to the glass prior to tempering. The paint appears as a “black band” along the edge of the glass and serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. According to the lawsuit, however, ceramic enamels are known “adulterants” in automotive glass tempering and can impair the strength of the glass.

Another challenge with panoramic sunroofs is that the glass must be tightly secured to the vehicle to minimize road and wind noise and prevent rainwater from getting into the cabin. This tight seal puts pressure on the sunroof, however, and may weaken the glass to the point where stress from ordinary driving conditions can cause it to shatter, the Nissan sunroof class action lawsuit alleges. 

What Does the Nissan Sunroof Class Action Lawsuit Say?

The class action lawsuit alleges Nissan has known (or should have known) since 2008 that its panoramic sunroofs had a propensity to explode yet continued to sell and lease cars with this feature without warning drivers and potential customers.     

According to the lawsuit, the actual material cost of a panoramic sunroof is relatively low, but this didn’t stop Nissan from selling the feature as an expensive upgrade. Unfortunately for drivers, it didn’t take long for this “premium” and “luxury” option, offered beginning in at least the 2008 model year, to start causing problems, the case says. Indeed, the class action alleges that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began to receive complaints of Nissan shattering sunroofs as early as 2008.

Some drivers have described the sound of an exploding Nissan sunroof as akin to a gunshot, with the lawsuit stating these incidents can result in near-miss accidents, as well as cuts to occupants, damage to the interior cabin and scratches to the vehicle’s paint.

While Nissan has reportedly blamed the issue on rocks or other roadway objects, the lawsuit alleges that these objects would not have enough force to cause the sunroofs to shatter, let alone shatter outward. Furthermore, some drivers have said their Nissan sunroofs have even exploded while parked.  

The lawsuit claims that because of Nissan’s “inaction and silence,” drivers have unknowingly purchased and leased vehicles with defective sunroofs and continue to drive unsafe vehicles. Furthermore, drivers who bring their cars to the dealer to replace a Nissan sunroof that exploded have not been told that identically defective sunroofs are being installed, the case alleges.

Nissan Exploding Sunroof Recall: 2004 Maxima

More than two decades ago, Nissan recalled certain 2004 Nissan Maxima vehicles equipped with the SkyView roof, the precursor to the panoramic sunroof. According to a notice sent to owners of the recalled vehicles, the tempered sunroof glass may not have been cooled properly, which could create “excessive internal stress” in the glass. The Nissan exploding sunroof recall letter stated that this stress could cause the glass to shatter into “small pebble-like pieces” and acknowledged that vehicle occupants could be injured as a result.   

The lawsuit alleges that Nissan, however, “has done nothing” regarding the “far more predominate problem” of shattering panoramic sunroofs affecting “potentially hundreds of thousands of more Nissan vehicles” despite exploding sunroof recalls from other automakers and recall requests from drivers.  

Panoramic Sunroof Problems: Drivers Post Complaints Online

The following is a sample of complaints posted online and submitted to the NHTSA [sic throughout, emphasis ours]:

Driving on the highway with no cars near me, the sunroof just exploded and showered glass all over me and my passenger. Nothing outside caused this. My body shop guy says that he has had four instances like this, this year. Local Nissan dealer says a near new Maxima just had this happen. What the heck??”
— 2014 Nissan Rogue driver, NICOClub.com

Just had my sunroof spontaneously shatter on my 2014 Nissan Pathfinder while on a road trip with my family. Nothing like being rained on by glass 20 mins after you cross the border and don’t have cell service anymore. In the future I’m going to avoid them. It’s tough though because I like other aspects of higher trim levels on cars and that always brings big sunroofs along with it.”
— _-_happycamper_-_, 2014 Nissan Pathfinder driver, Reddit.com

Driving on the freeway and heard a loud gunshot sounding noise. Pulled over when it was safe. I discovered the sunroof had exploded. Saw a big hole in the sunroof with glass everywhere including inside the space between the sunroof and the roof of the car.”
— 2014 Nissan Maxima driver, NHTSA ID Number 11296832

Moon roof ‘exploded’ while driving on highway. No object hit it. Clearly a defect in the glass or the mounting hardware.”
— 2015 Nissan Murano driver, NHTSA ID Number 10875213

Driving the vehicle with the sunroof open and it made a loud noise sounding like a gun shot. The loud gun shot noise occurred a second time then the glass in the roof just exploded.”
— 2018 Infiniti QX60, NHTSA ID Number 11179766

How Could a Nissan Exploding Sunroof Class Action Help?

If successful, a class action lawsuit could force Nissan to properly disclose and fix the exploding sunroof problem and compensate drivers for repair costs and other losses. 

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