Sunroof Exploded Today!

2023 Tundra Platinum with just under 41K miles.

Y'all it's been a week with this Tundra.

Last week, I was quoted $1,100 to replace spark plugs. This week? My rear sunroof glass literally exploded after I closed the door.

Here’s what happened:
I got in to move the truck so contractors could use the driveway. The sunroof was perfectly intact; confirmed on my Ring camera. I parked the truck in front of the house, went inside, and came back out about an hour later. When I opened the door and closed it behind me, I heard a loud bang. I looked around and didn’t see anything… until I stepped out and saw a giant hole in the rear sunroof panel.

Luckily, the sunshade was closed and caught the glass. But this easily could’ve happened while driving–or with my kids in the back seat.

I took it straight to the dealership. They quoted $1,900 to replace it. I asked them to escalate it to Toyota corporate because this isn’t normal. A sunroof shouldn’t just explode–this is a serious safety issue. If it was rock damage that's on me, but this ain't that! I do have the platinum extended warranty and know sunroof isn't covered, but am I wrong for thinking this is an issue Toyota needs to fix and not me?

I’m sharing two videos and the after pic:

1. Video of me moving the truck–sunroof is intact but when the door closes you can absolutely see the rear pane flex; Around the 9 second mark. (The sound is really loud from my garage camera) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u3wktxP2nif9gjEUWjeURImxtJYEUf3_/view?usp=drive_link
   
   
2. Video of me getting back in–you’ll hear the bang as the screen door is almost closed. If you zoom in on the red circle and you can literally see the sunroof blow outward https://www.canva.com/design/DAGm37NITCM/d1dlnlb9ND8jmj6RKSuCiw/watch?utlId=he4ec79d81d
   
   
3. Photo of the aftermath. https://drive.google.com/file/d/16wlxrRXnP3PGSbjyVuIiXs2rZYetUERP/view?usp=drive_link

Note: I know folks on here will catch the shirt difference. It's not different days; I work from home and swapped out the polo since I was going to get a haircut.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

Panoramic sunroof explosions are not uncommon. Many manufactures have this same issue. If the truck is under warranty, maybe you can argue for a replacement. I had to replace the panoramic panel in my wife’s Jeep GC. Cost me $190 for a used panel. 6 screws to remove and replace. Probably have a hard time finding a used panel for these newer models.

 

Search the forum...there has been others with glass issues. Maybe you will find a resolution in that thread.

 

Your link says request access. I can't wait to see this!

 

Can't see the videos, but it's one of the reasons I'm not super sad about getting rid of my '23 with the sunroof. It was a lot car and I never like sunroofs for that reason.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/exploding-panorama-sunroof.157732/

 

Fixed the google drive access issue, my bad!

I did read the other glass thread, one unique difference is I wasn't driving and I have it on video.

 

Just hard to buy that on a 2023 with less than 41K miles. Thanks!

 

While I am in full agreement that Toyota should cover this, have you checked to see if you comprehensive on your car will cover it?

 

Hey! My insurance agent is looking into it. She thinks so.

 

Insurance company will probably blame it on the haircut.....

 

I want to ceramic coat the Panoramic sunroof, but this makes me think the dealership will say that's the cause if it ever explodes.. Please keep us in the loop what ends up happening. I do think this is a faulty sunroof and Toyota should cover the expenses. Keep your receipts incase you end up paying out of pocket and in the future they ask for proof for compensation. Sadly, I see this happening often with recalls etc. I like the openness feeling of the panoramic window, but hate that it's another headache I have to deal with.

 

learning something every day.
Search result: a common issue with tempered glass used in panoramic sunroofs can be the presence of nickel sulfide inclusions, which can cause the glass to shatter. These inclusions, like other contaminants, can be difficult to detect during the manufacturing process. While not every panoramic sunroof will have this issue, it's a potential cause of unexpected shattering.

This "Aussie" addresses the problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufqf1ZNdZuE&t=646s

 

Oh that's an interesting video! Thanks for sharing.

 

I'll share what happens with Toyota. I'm hoping they don't make this hard, but we'll see! I did file a NHTSA complaint too, but doubt that will do much.

 

It happens across all makes

Betsy solution: no pano.

 

I didn't want a pano roof but got stuck with one... good luck trying to find a truck without one if you want a limited or up trim. Every single one had a pano when I was looking. So no its not a 'best solution' unless you are willing to trade down to a lower trim.

 

I had the opposite experience when I purchased my '24.
My Limited WITH pano roof was in the minority. Most of them did not have.

Possibly regional differences or "batch" building by Toyota to blame.

 

Not sunroof, but my side window randomly exploded on the way home this week also. I have dash cams on my truck and can confirm that nothing actually hit it. I probably have a similar issue with nickel sulfide inclusions.

 

Quick Update:

Toyota just denied it when the dealer submitted, but they didn't submit for a glass defect, they said they don't have a code for that. That directed me to call the 800 customer service number to get assistance because there is nothing they can do on their end to waive the cost.

I called customer service and was immediately escalated to tier 2 and the rep said this is a first for him. I offered photos and video but they are calling the dealer on Monday and will call me back Tuesday. Its scheduled to get repaired Monday though, I can't not have the vehicle, have to get to work.

I'm going to push for reimbursement. Makes the argument easier when I have it all on video.

 

On my last 4x4 before I purchased the Tundra, I had a baseball dent the hood of the vehicle. Aluminum hood, so fix was $1200. Didn't know where or when it happened, only noticed it when leaving the house one day. Contacted the insurance company and they covered as a random flying object hitting the hood somewhere. Don't know why the same theory couldn't be applied.

 

Good info, thank you!

 

You must have been holding in a hell of a fart!

Glad to hear you’re getting it fixed. Keep us posted on how Toyota responds. This is wild.

 

The only issue with this imo, is that it somehow puts the blame on the owner and will most likely increase his premium. OP now gets charged more because where he stores his vehicle is a "ufo crash site" and it could happen again. There was a defect with the vehicle glass. No one is really at fault, it happens across all brands. But Toyota should take the hit, not the random person who bought their defective product.