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A Quebec class action lawsuit is targeting Kia over an alleged design flaw that causes the panoramic sunroofs of several Kia models to shatter. The $1 million Canada class action lawsuit alleges that Kia breached its obligation of quality warranty by selling defective vehicles.
The affected Kia vehicles included in the Canada class action lawsuit are:
- 2011-2019 model year Kia Sorento vehicles;
- 2011-2019 model year Kia Optima vehicles;
- 2011-2019 model year Kia Sportage vehicles;
- 2014-2019 model year Kia Soul vehicles; and
- 2014-2019 model year Kia Cadenza vehicles.
The Kia sunroof class action lawsuit is seeking compensatory damages at an amount to be determined at a later date, as well as punitive and/or exemplary damages temporarily assessed at $1 million.
Kia Sunroofs “Spontaneously Shatter”
Plaintiff Marina Roy is leading the Kia sunroof class action lawsuit after encountering several problems with her 2016 Kia Sportage’s panoramic sunroof.
According to the Kia sunroof class action lawsuit filed by Siskinds, Desmeules, the “spontaneous shattering” of the sunroof “puts the safety of drivers and passengers at risk.”
The culprit, according to the Kia sunroof class action lawsuit, is the ceramic paint applied to the glass of the sunroof.
According to Consumer Reports, a shattering sunroof might sound like a freak occurrence, but it is, in fact, not out of the ordinary at all. According to the website, sunroofs have 
significantly expanded in size in recent years, and the number of consumer complaints about them shattering without warning has soared.
Although shattering sunroofs are not as common as a tire blowout on the highway, glass breakage while driving can present a real safety hazard, warns the organization.
A Consumer Reports investigation found that automakers generally do not acknowledge or resolve the issue. The organization underscores that although the experts interviewed during the investigation didn’t agree on the exact cause of the glass breakage, they did agree that the bigger the expanse of glass, the harder to ensure that the glass won’t shatter. This means that panoramic sunroofs may be at a greater risk of breaking.
According to a 2017 report by CTV News, Canada has sunroof complaints dating back almost two decades. According to the report, the sunroof complaints spiked in 2012. In fact, there have been 341 complaints reported in Canada between 2012 and 2017. Transport Canada reported that most of the complaints about sunroof breakage were due to impact, but some may have been manufactured incorrectly.
Kia Vehicles Unfit for Use
The Kia class action lawsuit alleges that the automaker did not respect its obligation of quality warranty. Additionally, the Canada class action lawsuit argues that Kia did not respect its conventional warranty on the vehicles at issue, because the panoramic sunroofs on those vehicles “have major defects that render them unfit for the use for which they were intended.”
The sunroof breakages in the Kia lawsuit are blamed on a design and manufacturing defect as well as a faulty installation. This puts the Kia sunroof issues into Transport Canada’s minority in terms of sunroof shattering complaints.
Aside from the warranty and defect charges, the Kia sunroof class action lawsuit alleges that the automaker made false and misleading representations to consumers by advertising the vehicles subject to the Canada class action lawsuit as being “of exceptional quality and meeting the highest safety standards.”
The Kia sunroof class action lawsuit also alleges that Kia knew about the risks of breakage, especially for panoramic sunroofs, yet did not warn consumers. A list of investigations into the phenomenon is presented by the lawyers leading the class action:
- In 2013, the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated sunroof issues encountered with the 2011 to 2013 Kia Sorento;
- NHTSA initiated a second investigation in 2014, following additional complaints of breakage and injuries related to panoramic sunroofs;
- In December 2012, the Korea Automobile Testing and Research Institute (KATRI) also began an investigation into sunroof breakage incidents regarding other automakers; and
- In 2013, KATRI published the results of its investigation, of which Kia was allegedly notified about, finding that panoramic sunroofs were susceptible to major breakage.
Although Kia was purportedly aware of the risks of sunroof breakage on various models, the automaker only recalled some of their vehicles due to concerns in 2016.
Did your Kia sunroof shatter? Do you think panoramic sunroofs are dangerous? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
The lead plaintiff and Class Members are represented by Karim Diallo of Siskinds, Desmeules.
The Kia Sunroof Class Action Lawsuit is Marina Roy v. KIA Canada inc., et al., Case No. 200-06-000229-198, in the Superior Court of Québec, District of Quebec, Canada.
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25 thoughts onKia Canada Named in Class Action Lawsuit Over Dangerous Sunroofs
My husband and I bought a 2020 Kia Sportage and he was driving when he herd a really load bang. He said it was unbelievable and thought something fell onto of the roof. We took it into the Kia shop here in Calgary, and the manager said that it must have been hit by a rock. When he looked at the 12 x 12 in hole, he said that he couldn’t see any rock inside of it. He told us that it would cost $2,600.00 to replace it and if the metal around the sunroof was damaged, it would cost us $7,000 to fix it. I called around to other shops other than Kia, and they all said that we would have to get the new sunroof ordered from Kia, only. Do you know how I can get our name on the class act lawsuite
This morning I was driving on the highway and my Sunroof spontaneously shattered with my children in the car. Just barely avoiding collision from the gunshot like blast and hailing down glass I called Kia and they told me to, “take my Sorento to a glass shop.” So much for customer service or any inclination of care or safety. They couldn’t care less! Completely uninterested! Now, I am being told by a repair shop it will take a minimum of a week to receive a new sunroof and the cost could be as high as $14,000. Luckily I have insurance but Kia’s apathetic attitude is unmistakably negligent. My last encounter with Kia was deplorable as well but I guess that’s par for the course.
I just got a call from the wife. Sunroof just exploded on her 2020 Sorento. There has been problems with the function of it since the first winter we owned this thing. I assume Kia will tell us to take a hike. Good to know we’re not the only one with this problem.
I just had the panorama roof in my 2020 Kia sportage explode today. Nothing hit it. No other traffic around. Just out of the blue. Loudest and most scary noise ever! Now I’m being told that there are only 3 pieces of glass for it in the entire country. Back ordered 4-6 weeks!!! What the heck am I supposed to do? My entire car, including me, were covered in glass. It happened in Georgia on my way back to Florida.
I’ve been having problems with the sunroof of my Kia Sorento since when I bought it in 2019, and my car now have only 11.000 km and I went to the dealership 6 or 7 times to fix it and nothing have been done. Do I qualify for this class action? I live in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
My wife and I just purchased a 2021 Sportage in Calgary.We traded in our 2014 Sportage because we were worried about the issues with the Theta 2 engine. We use the car to travel through the mountains to visit our daughter in Kelowna, and we don’t want to have any worries. After discovering the problems found with the pano glass. We avoided driving our new car while we researched the ways we could possibly protect it with 3m or some other shield. The replacement glass plus installation is very high. We ended up purchasing an insurance policy for $228.00 per year and are considering the application of an interior tint that would hold glass fragments together in the event of a failure. We will also carry a precut plastic cover, and duct tape to seal the rooftop so we can continue the trip if it were to fail. This is our way of mitigating the problem. We wish we could have got the options and trim package we wanted without the pano roof which is only enjoyed by rear seat passengers. We are annoyed that there is no legislation regarding the use of laminated glass instead of tempered glass for safety reasons
My daughter owns a 2020 Kia Sportage that she purchased May 2019. The panoramic sunroof exploded on Friday Jan 8th, 2021 while driving Hwy 401. The sound was so loud that she thought she was being shot at. Thank God she was not involved in a collision nor harmed at all !
Kia is saying they WILL NOT cover replacement. Can she be a part of this lawsuit ?
My husband and I bought a 2020 Kia Sportage and he was driving when he herd a really load bang. He said it was unbelievable and thought something fell onto of the roof. We took it into the Kia shop here in Calgary, and the manager said that it must have been hit by a rock. When he looked at the 12 x 12 in hole, he said that he couldn’t see any rock inside of it. He told us that it would cost $2,600.00 to replace it and if the metal around the sunroof was damaged, it would cost us $7,000 to fix it. I called around to other shops other than Kia, and they all said that we would have to get the new sunroof ordered from Kia, only. Do you know how I can get our name on the class act lawsuite
I have a 2011 Kia Sorento, and while driving on the highway with my daughter my sunroof exploded. We were so blessed to have had the sunshade closed but it was very. I would like to be part of this class action lawsuit. Please advise how i can join the fight against Kia.
Last night my 2016 Kia Sportage EX Luxury sunroof exploded while on the highway with no one around. I have a 1 year old son who luckily was not in the vehicle at this time. I have photos and would gladly join this class action lawsuit as I no longer feel safe in a vehicle that was sold to me with the guarantee of “highest quality” and “safety”.
I have a 2016 Kia Sportage EX with panorama sunroof. I have not had any issues with it at this time.
I wish to know if I can be entered into the lawsuit. I am in Florida, USA. Will it require joining a suit from USA?
Hi there I own a red 2015 Kia soul, it has a sun roof. It has not shattered yet but my 2 young children are always in the car. How do I take part in the. Class action law suit? Could be a matter of time when it does.