So my G70 sunroof exploded on the highway today. #&@!

[JCtx]

I also don't know if they'll cover the cost of a new windshield if it breaks while they're taking it out to replace the sunroof (the service guy said they often break! WTF!)

Why the heck do they need to remove the windshield to replace the moonroof? Makes no sense to me; they should be able to remove it thru the moonroof cavity. But they'll have to strip a lot of your interior for sure, and possibly scuff/scratch your seats, console, dash, etc., so try to protect as much of that as you can. Most dealers are pigs in that regard. What a bummer. Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[tarhoosier]

I just heard back from the service manager at my dealer, who I called this morning. They heard from Genesis that it's been raised to the national level (whatever that means) and assigned a case manager. I'm supposed to hear from them in 3 to 5 days. Don't know yet if they'll cover it, or cover the rental car while it's in the shop. I also don't know if they'll cover the cost of a new windshield if it breaks while they're taking it out to replace the sunroof (the service guy said they often break! WTF!) Hooowee .

There are posts and photos on this site of removal of windshield and headliner in order to replace sunroof. The issue for that person(s) was the cracking/creaking/rattling sound. Dark interior comes in handy in this case. Ivory interior...umm...

 

[joegr]

Yeah, glass is considered a liquid, pretty wild. I think I read somewhere that if you check the thickness of window panes in very of New England houses, you'll find they're thicker at the bottom, because the glass has slowly " cold flowed" over the years.

Another view point on that...

The ‘glass is a liquid’ myth has finally been destroyed

By studying a glob of 20 million-year-old amber, scientists have proven once and for all that glass does not flow.

gizmodo.com

 

[Husky]

Hmmm..... Interesting. Thanks for the interesting post.

 

[tarhoosier]

The "waviness" of old glass (100 years or so) is not flow but manufacturing artifact?
Glass chemistry has advanced dramatically over time.

 

[jfo]

My son's shower door exploded recently. The bathroom was empty at the time when he heard a loud bang as the glass mysteriously shattered. When I searched about this I was surprised to see it is quite common.
It may be unrelated to the cause of your incident, but perhaps there are similar factors at play. Google "exploding shower doors".

 

[jetrep]

I'd love to hear from a glass expert on this subject.

I recall several years ago reading that it was a semi-regular occurrence for the rear window on F-150s to explode in a similar fashion. At least some of the time the defroster was activated. Never again did I use the rear defroster in my truck after reading this in fear of it happening to me.

 

[Genny Guy]

My roof shattered a year and a half ago on my 2015 Genesis. Was raining that night and a rock hit it, was a loud bang. Initial thought was my windshield. Here's the kicker, I had just secured my G70. The next day, I was on the phone with the insurance company adding the new vehicle and I walk out the house to find the sunroof exploded. I asked them to transfer me to Claims at the end of that call . It was 90 degrees, I'm pretty sure the heat got into the crack and expanded.

Anyway, I'm bringing this up because you will want to go over your car and check for scratches from the glass. I'm not sure if Genesis will cover body damage. I went through my insurance and paid my deductible, they replaced roof and repainted the entire car. Not saying this is the route for you, but just really look over the car in detail. You may have more damage than you realize. My trunk, and pillars were toast from the glass. Most of the body damage happened on mine when I drove to work the next day. Would've happened if car was towed also. Similar to your car driving down the freeway. My drive to work is 5 miles

 

[Husky]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've been so disgusted with it I haven't gone into the garage to check it for body/paint damage. I'll do that today. Ugh.

 

[Husky]

I finally got a call last week from my Genesis case manager (it didn't help that their number was identified as Spam by my phone - why wouldn't it be a Genesis #?).
It turns out she was just calling to verify my ID and to hear my story first hand. I get that, but I was really hoping for some more from them after nearly a week.
I still have no idea if they'll cover it, or how long it will take to get the new sunroof (and windshield if it breaks in the process).

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[Husky]

I did some quick Google research. It turns out that Hyundai is the leading manufacturer when it's comes to complaints filed for shattered sunroofs. I imagine Genesis wasn't listed because they're too new and haven't sold nearly as many cars as most other makes. Also, the published data I saw only went up to 2015. I can't help but wonder if Genesis will be just as bad (although the numbers are still pretty low).
I filed a report with the NHTSA last week, and sent them pictures (which neither the dealer or Genesis seemed interested in).

 

[mikemu30]

My son's shower door exploded recently. The bathroom was empty at the time when he heard a loud bang as the glass mysteriously shattered. When I searched about this I was surprised to see it is quite common.
It may be unrelated to the cause of your incident, but perhaps there are similar factors at play. Google "exploding shower doors".

That generally happens to tempered glass when the hinges holding it are too tight.

 

[pulsar]

Don’t know why the glass can’t be replaced by itself so the dealer doesn’t have to tear the inside of the vehical apart? Last time I looked at how mine moved on its track it looked like the glass could be separated from the overall sunroof mechanism if you had the instructions. Would be way cheaper if that is possible vs removing the windshield and half the interior trim to unbolt the whole sunroof. I’ve had sunroofs in every vehical I’ve owned and never had one shatter. My G70 is fhe first full glass width style I’ve had though. I’d just assume have a normal sized sunroof vs the pano style.

 

[Husky]

So after calling my case manager and leaving a number of messages last week asking for an update, I got an email that basically said their team was still thinking about it! I replied that while they're thinking about it, I'm driving a pickup truck instead of my "premium" Genesis. I also pointed out that they have already extended the warranty on the sunroof for a large number of Hyundai vehicles (in response to a class action suit), and that they should do the same for Genesis models. I also still have no idea how long it will take to get the Sunroof, or to have it installed.

 

[Volfy]

Man, that sucks... Hope Genesis comes around and does the right thing.

Anyhow, a few days ago, I came across the article: Pros And Cons Of Cars With Panoramic Sunroofs and was intrigued to read this section:

• Potential Breakages: Glass, while tempered and reinforced, breaks easier than a solid metal roof panel. That's why some OEMs won't let you spec larger wheels with some panoramic sunroofs (we can recall a few global incidents with VW and the Golf GTI). Larger wheels, or anything that can impact the ride quality, meant more shock was prone to being dissipated through the body structure, which in turn had the potential to vibrate and potentially shatter the glass roof. Needless to say, replacing a cracked or shattered sunroof is expensive.

This is very disconcerting. Reaffirms my dislike of two automotive trends: 1. larger and larger sunroofs 2. larger and larger diameter wheels.

 

[Husky]

The Genesis case manager called today to tell me that I should contact my insurance company to get the car fixed. They aren't covering anything. Needless to say I wasn't happy about this. When I pressed her for how they came to this decision, she just kept saying "I don't know how else to tell you that the answer is 'No' ". I asked to file a complaint with someone higher up in Genesis. She said she would, but that the answer would still be no.
Then I called the dealer and spoke with the service manager. He told me to take the car to a body shop! WTF! They can't/won't even fix their own car! No customer loyalty or support whatsoever. I can't imagine BMW telling me this.
I'll be selling my new, unused, EBC Yellow front pads before too long, and possibly my used (20k miles) Euro pads. Time for a different car after this gets fixed.

 

[fourthirteen]

Well that bites. Sorry to hear this.

 

[Husky]

Yeah. For what good it will do me, I just sent a three page letter to the CEO and COO of Genesis America. Who knows if it will even get to them, but I've got nothing to lose but the two hours it took to write.

 

[Husky]

Ugh. The emails came back "undeliverable". Probably got bad addresses online, or they were rejected by a spam filter. Have to hope the snail mail gets through.

 

[Volfy]

That's unfortunate. The only thing I could add is to make sure you have dash cams ON in your car at all times. Not only are they good for accident documentation, in a case like this, the recording might help your case with Genesis. If the front and rear camera show absolutely nothing near your car prior to the glass exploding, it would be next to impossible for Genesis to blame it on rock or debris.

I've had dash cams in all my cars for several years now. Just upgraded one to 4k. I've even bought a set for my motorcycle.