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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
April 06/2023 – this morning experience the panoramic sunroof in my 2017 Sante Fe XL explode. As many others have mentioned, it is like a gunshot sound and could have caused much serious results while driving the Stoney Trail on way to work. Luckily the inside screen cover was fully closed so no debris entered the vehicle while driving. Hopefully no shards flew off and impacted other drivers. Doesn’t seem like anyone has had much support on this known issue and common occurrences of shattering of these sunroofs. I love my car but hope it is dealt with in a customer centric manner. Not holding my breath
I also had my 2019 Santa fe do the exact same thing. Driving down highway and I thought a gun went off,then glass falling all in the cover. I’m thankful I had cover closed and didn’t lose control .
Just had mine explode for the second time in 2 years. Trading it in because this is absolutely ridiculous. DO NOT BUY THESE VEHICLES THEY SHOULD BE THROWN IN A LANDFILL!
I have a 22 Tucson. Sunroof shattered while driving on the highway. Heard loud gun shout followed by glass shattering above.
2023 Palisade Spontaneously Shatter on highway on December 21, 2023. There was no overpass or anything around, just a loud bang followed by the sound of glass shattering! Scared me and could have caused an accident. Reported it to NTSB. Hyundai claimed they never heard of these incidents and refused to cover it under warranty. It happened right before the holiday and ruined our travel plans. Buyer Beware!
My smallfront piece and my back piece on my 2017 Santa Fe both shattered spontaneously
I was driving on 2/8/2023 from work. I was on the phone hands free. A gun shot sound exploded in my car. I ended my call. I was scared. I went to a feeder road and a vacant lot. Nothing obvious on my 2020 Santa Fe only two years old. Purchased brand new. I finally stood back and saw the roof. You have to be kidding me. It was shattered. It looked like a boulder hit it. The glass was jagged on the perimeter. The middle was gone.
Went to dealer. Call today. They are saying a rock caused it. The dealer says they are trying one more time. This is tragic.
When they deny me due to their cheap, faulty design and glass, I will exit as a customer. I am a repeat customer for many years. Makes me sick.
Well nothing has been done to fix the defect. My 2022 Tuscon just blew to pieces shattering all over my two kids driving the Coquihalla highway. So far Hyundai Abbotsford has laughed at me and Hyundai Canada told me they do not deal with glass. My vehicle was purchased in May and this happened Boxing Day. I had to drive home two hours with glass everywhere and cancel our trip. Super disappointing in Hyundai and then to google and see it’s very common.
My wife was driving our 2020 Santa Fe on the highway today with her friend in the passenger seat. Big Kaboom heard like a gunshot but she knew it came from the roof . She skillfully guided the car to the nearest exit one Km away. Sure enough the forward Panorama Roof panel had exploded. How do we join this class action law suit?
I own a 2016 santafe with panoramic sunroof. It shattered on the way to work for no apparent reason. It also shattered prior to picking up the car from the dealer upon purchase, but we were told it was from transporting. Now dealing with the nightmare of trying to get hyundai to pay for this $1400 piece of glass/install. Also of note, the technician that repaired the glass states the rail sliders need to be replaced which requires removal of headliner, removal of new glass, replacement of rails, then reassembly costing over $5000. This too, is a known issue by hyundai. Currently I am not to use the sunroof until its completely fixed to avoid further damage. What a disaster.
My Panoramic sunroof in my 2017 Tuson exploded today after
I shut the drivers door. I was shocked by the sound and the hole, luckily my roof shade was closed and no glass entered the car. Drove to Hyundai and got nowhere, they said it was not covered under any warranty because it is glass, the cost would be $1275 plus labour. My insurance is covering it. I am taking it to Apple Auto Glass. I love my car but this leaves a bad taste in my mouth for Hyundai.
Hi Brenda
Just want to tell you that my 2016 Tucson sunroof exploded on 6 December 2022 while driving on the freeway. I’m in South Africa and thus far Hyundai seems very reluctant to take any responsibility. No parts available in South Africa. It needs to be imported.
I have a 2018 and thankfully it didn’t shatter (yet) Friday the sunroof opened then wouldn’t shut and upon inspecting there’s a broken ridged piece of metal right against the back end of the glass I’ve been able to get the piece away from the glass, but unable to shut the sunroof, called Dealership first thing in the am and they couldn’t help, couldn’t provide a loaner and could only get it in next Friday to check out, it’s been raining since Sat have made a temporary roof (sadly have to cover it all for all the mechanisms and use my vehicle for working with animals. It’s been a stressful weekend and unsure what the week ahead holds and hoping my handy work with duck tape & garbage back makes it till Friday :/ last year it was the e motor and that was an over 6 month episode with lots of out of pocket costs for me, and just an apology……. Paid over $50000 for a piece of 💩
Hyundai Shattered Sunroof happened on my 2014 Santa Fe XL. I am just curious that what is there lawsuit about.