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Hyundai Shattering Panoramic Sunroofs Class Action Overview:
- Who: An Alberta judge certified a Class of Hyundai drivers in a class action lawsuit.
- What: The lawsuit stems from panoramic sunroofs that shatter spontaneously due to an alleged defect.
- Where: The claim was filed in Alberta, Canada.
A class action lawsuit alleging that Hyundai fails to warn drivers about a defect that causes sunroofs in some of its vehicles to spontaneously shatter has been certified by an Alberta judge.
Associate Chief Justice J.D. Rooke certified the class action lawsuit that was filed by Hyundai owner Robert Engen, who alleges that the company has broken state and federal consumer protection laws in regards to the alleged defect in the panoramic sunroofs.
Engen says in the claim that when designing and promoting the panoramic sunroofs, Hyundai failed to meet engineering and manufacturing challenges, resulting in sunroofs being installed that are susceptible to spontaneous shattering.
Hyundai Knew of Panoramic Sunroof Defect
Hyundai knew that the sunroofs were shattering as early as mid-2012, he alleges, but failed to disclose that the sunroofs endanger drivers. He adds that the company either intentionally or negligently made false representations about the sunroofs and provided certain warranties when selling the vehicles – then went on to breach those warranties5.
He alleges that Hyundai breached the Sale of Goods Act and the Consumer Protection Act.
Hyundai argued that it could not have breached either act in relation to the drivers because there is no privity of contract between the company and drivers, the only privity of contract is between the drivers and individual Hyundai authorized dealers. However, Rooke rejected that argument and said the company did act as the seller of the goods to the drivers.
According to the class action lawsuit, there are hundreds of reported instances of the panoramic sunroofs shattering, and there are scientific reasons for the modes of failure.
“This is not an isolated issue which affected Engen, there are hundreds of other reported instances in evidence.”
Rooke also ruled there appeared to be evidence of a common defect across the Class.
This is not the first class action Hyundai has faced over the panoramic sunroofs. In 2019 the company reached a settlement with drivers, whereby Class Members could trade their vehicle in for a Hyundai without a sunroof, and claim an additional $1,000. Those who decided to sell their Hyundai and replace it with a non-Hyundai vehicle, could claim up to $600.
Have you ever driven a Hyundai with a panoramic sunroof? Tell us your experience in the comments section below!
The plaintiff is represented by Gavin Price, Kajal Ervin and Charlotte Stokes.
The Hyundai Panoramic Sunroofs Class Action Lawsuit is Eagan v. Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., Case No. 1601 17138 in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.
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94 thoughts onHyundai Shattering Panoramic Sunroof Class Action Certified by Judge
I have a 6 month old Tucson Preferred with a panoramic sunroof and it has 10,000 km on it. The sunroof just above the driver and passenger seats shattered (more like exploded) spontaneously while driving 110 km on the highway. Luckily, neither me or my passenger were injured, despite having shattered glass rain down upon us, and didn’t cause/create an accident on the highway. I am currently trying to speak to someone at the dealership about warranty coverage, but am not hopeful to have this resolved or covered by Hyundai after reading previous comments.
Same here. My 2017 Santa Fe sunroof just “exploded” today while I was driving. Glass flew everywhere and I got small cuts on my legs and arms (nothing major luckily). I had no idea this was a common occurrence with Hyundai vehicles.
My 2017 Hyundai Elantra panoramic sunroof shattered spontaneously yesterday in front of my house.
The sunroof on my 2021 Sonata just shattered while driving from Calgary to Kelowna. We heard a strange noise halfway through the trip, but didn’t notice until we got to our friend’s place, because we had the cover closed inside the car. Called the dealership where I bought it from, they told me they didn’t know if it would be covered by the warranty, and to go through my insurance.
The “eye brow” piece of glass exploded today. There is a hole in it and no other vehicles near me so no external force. I have a 2022 Santa Fe with less than 2000 miles. The fun begins with Hyundai.
The same happened to our 2020 Santa Fe. We brought it to the dealer/service Center. They assessed it and said that it must have come from a rock hitting it (no way). It was going to cost $640 plus labor to replace the small panel. Also we would have to wait a week or so because they outsource the glass portion to another company. Absolutely no customer service whatsoever. We got it done by a glass company, same day, total $400 parts and labour. I won’t buy another Hyundai ever again.
Now will I!
2016 Sonata, wind deflector fixed under the recall in 2017 & again in 2019. In 6/22 wind deflector detached and sunroof panel blow off the car. Hyundai refuses to fix it do to the car having 85k miles.
Same thing fo our sun roof today on the way home from Alberta. At a nuck ten the gun shot sound was intense.
This just happened to me today. I was doing 70 on the freeway, heard what sounded like a gun shot and my roof shattered. I was able to pull over immediately and exit my car right as the glass started falling inside. How do we go about this?
We have a 2021 Santa Fe Caligraphy. This just happened to us today. My daughter was driving on a highway. She said it sounded like a gunshot when the sun roof exploded
My Panoramic Sunroof exploded yesterday on my 2013 Veloster while driving it on the highway, shattered glass everywhere. Nothing I ever seen before or would have ever expected. Had glass shards embedded on hands, face and scalp, most of the glass ended up in the back seat and outside the vehicle. Hyundai service said this has happened only once before and there is nothing they will do to cover the cost… which is disappointing. Very concerned for all consumers with a sunroof now.
2022 Santa Fe less than 5000 km The “eyebrow” (glass piece between sunroof and wind shield) shattered. It is clearly a stress fracture from the sunroof but we would have to claim through collision insurance not glass as it is part of the roof. Now I am worried that once it is replaced the sunroof will shatter. I don’t think the engineers allowed for heat expansion.
Same here. 2022 Santa Fe less than 1700 miles. The “eye brow” shattered with a hole in it. There was no other vehicle around me. It too sounded like a gun shot. The fun begins with Hyundai.