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[BigRedDog]

Please note that the list is not a full list but rather the vehicles with the most incidents.  It strikes close to home because we have a vehicle on the list and so does our oldest daughter

The article doesn't go into details but maybe some of our auto engineer types can give us more general info (not expecting any trade secrets).  Although the article says they 'explode' I'm assuming they must shatter due to some type of an outside force (body twisting - flexing too much perhaps?)!!!  Another fact the article is quiet on is if these sunroofs (Ford calls ours a 'moon' roof...  is there a difference?)  are all coming from a related source?

Is this by any chance glass that is manufactured here in Monroe County?

As usual on one of these 'stories'...   way more questions than answers

More at:  https://jalopnik.com/here-are-all-the-cars-reported-to-have-exploding-sunroo-1819815183

Vehicles with highest number of incidents:

Hyundai Santa Fe, 37
Nissan Murano, 19
BMW 3 Series, 13
Kia Sorento, 10
Mazda3, 9
Toyota RAV4, 9
Nissan Rogue, 9
Ford Focus, 8
Ford Edge, 6
Hyundai Elantra, 6

[blue2]

Hum, my car not on the list but maybe ill just keep the cover closed..

[BigRedDog]

Yes, our car has a very solid cover for the sun (moon) roof and our daughter has some kind of a mesh that is maybe to cut back on some air noise when the roof is open. 

The numbers on the list are still relatively small so the odds are still probably against anything happening...

but every time you take off you're 'rolling the dice' again

[The Fuzz]

For my commodities, I just have to design and engineer around the packaging space taken up by moon roofs so I am not schooled on this issue.  I can see though that the glass panel mounted to a roof directly exposed to the sun could see some huge differentials between outside surface and inside surface on a hot summer day when the AC is running full blast in the interior.  Now add some torsional twist during that exposure, I could see where it could pop.

[BigRedDog]

For my commodities, I just have to design and engineer around the packaging space taken up by moon roofs so I am not schooled on this issue.  I can see though that the glass panel mounted to a roof directly exposed to the sun could see some huge differentials between outside surface and inside surface on a hot summer day when the AC is running full blast in the interior.  Now add some torsional twist during that exposure, I could see where it could pop.

I'll be looking for more data on these incidents and you've hit the two thoughts I'd have as major contributors.

Where are these incidents happening...   Houston and Phoenix...   extreme heat!

Detroit and Flint...   rough roads and torsional twist are likely!

Had these vehicles been in some kind of prior crash?

Odd looking at the 2 Ford vehicles...   The Focus is the smallest vehicle in the Ford lineup (I guess the Fiesta is smaller but I don't know if they have a moon roof) and the Edge is by far the largest moon roof that I am aware of.  They've built a lot more Focuses over the years but probably a much higher percent of the Edges have moon roofs.  The Focus moon roof would be probably 1/8th or even a 1/10th the square area of an Edge roof but I'm sure at 75 mph over the same road the Edge will ride much smoother...

lots and lots of un answered questions

[BigRedDog]

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/exploding-sunroofs-danger-overhead/

Related article from Consumer Reports!  Their numbers seem to be a little different than the first link I posted.  They also say the incidents don't appear to be geographically centered anywhere in particular.

[BigRedDog]

This article mentions some of the same points the fuzz pointed out and also some other potential issues:

http://www.wheels.ca/news/exploding-sunroofs-what-can-cause-it-and-whos-to-blame/

[The Fuzz]

Interesting theories......thanks for posting.

[BigRedDog]

Interesting theories......thanks for posting.

As often happens in these scenarios this is probably just the tip of the iceberg!

[BigRedDog]

More on the exploding (I think technically they're imploding) sunroofs:

http://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/shattered-sunroofs-prompt-auto-safety-experts-to-push-for-recalls

[The Fuzz]

Something must be up with Glass......I saw a news clip this morning about IKEA glass table tops doing the same thing.

[SidecarFlip]

We have neither.  Never like a sun roof.

[The Fuzz]

I love them, and they create a lot of extra head room at special moments in the front seat!

[SidecarFlip]

I love them, and they create a lot of extra head room at special moments in the front seat!

LIke when you have to raise up to release a fart???

[blue2]

My garage door acts up occasionally..The sunroof comes in handy.  I look up and if i see the rope dangling i know the door is all the way up