Sunroof Recalls: Which Cars Have Detaching or Shattering Glass

A sunroof panel that comes off at highway speed lands on the road, and a sunroof that closes on a hand or a child’s arm is a different hazard: NHTSA’s recall file holds both kinds. Most guides on the subject describe “exploding sunroofs” in general or repair leaks. This guide uses NHTSA’s recall file to show which vehicles have been recalled, what failed, and how many are still unrepaired.

Sunroof recalls: the big picture

We count a recall when NHTSA files it under sun/moon roof assembly or its subject or summary mentions a sunroof or moonroof, so a few recalls that only mention one in passing (a head-impact test, for instance) are included. We leave out a 2010 batch of 111 recalls, 74,013 vehicles in total, for Webasto Hollandia aftermarket sunroofs installed by distributors, whose adhesive bond between glass and frame could debond. Within the rest, 28 concern parts that may detach or loosen, 8 glass that may shatter or break and 14 sunroofs that may close unexpectedly or fail FMVSS 118. Here is who they belong to, for 2014 onward:

“Repaired” weights each campaign’s reported completion rate by its vehicle count; “not yet repaired” is the matching estimate. A vehicle in several campaigns is counted in each. Source: NHTSA recalls file and US DOT completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026; computed by PlainVIN.

Mercedes-Benz dominates both the vehicle count and the number still open, with 34% repaired. The Volkswagen Group, General Motors, Hyundai and BMW report 90% or more.

Mercedes-Benz: three recalls for the same cars

Mercedes’ first large recall (19V918, December 2019) covered 747,928 vehicles from the 2001–2011 model years, saying the bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate so the glass may detach. The remedy is for dealers to inspect the bonding and replace the sliding roof as necessary. Only 27% were reported repaired. A second recall (22V954, December 2022, 131,653 vehicles) covers 2001–2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class and CLS vehicles again, saying the glass panel may not be properly secured, with 34% repaired, and a third (24V874, November 2024, 33,456 vehicles) covers the same families, with 9% reported repaired. Mercedes also filed recalls in March 2021 for 2006–2007 models (21V196, 11,356 vehicles, 53% repaired) and for 2014–2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC and GLE models (21V197, 15,096, 64%), and in December 2023 for panels bonded incorrectly during an earlier repair (23V854, 2,976, 41%).

Source: NHTSA recalls file and US DOT completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026; table compiled by PlainVIN from each campaign’s record. A vehicle can be in more than one Mercedes recall.

For owners of an older Mercedes, the practical point is that an earlier inspection may not settle the question: the 2022 and 2024 recalls were filed for models that were already in the 2019 recall. Ask a dealer to check your VIN against all three.

Other panels, deflectors and trim that detach

• Subaru. The 2011 Outback and Legacy recall (11V467) says the amount and position of adhesive between the glass and the retainer was inadequately applied, so the moonroof glass may come loose; the remedy was additional adhesive or new glass. In May 2026 Subaru recalled 69,663 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles (26V346) whose sliding glass panel may have been improperly bonded to the frame; dealers inspect the glass adhesion and replace it if necessary.
• Ford. The 2025 recall (25V729) says wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, so the deflector may detach and become a road hazard. Only about half were reported repaired. Ford also recalled 323 2025–2026 Maverick trucks in March 2026 for moonroof glass that may not have been bonded correctly (26V157).
• Hyundai. The 2016 Sonata recall (16V726) cites a bonding problem with the sunroof wind deflector on panoramic sunroofs.

Glass that may shatter or break

Complaints of spontaneously shattering sunroofs drew attention years ago, and a 2017 Jalopnik analysis of NHTSA data counted 859 owner complaints since 1995, noting that manufacturers’ own records showed far more cases than NHTSA’s complaint file (Jalopnik, Oct 25, 2017). The recalls we found are small, and mostly repaired: Hyundai’s 2012 Veloster recalls say a panoramic sunroof assembly may have been weakened during factory installation (12V568, 13,500 vehicles; 13V051, 6,071), Volkswagen’s 2012 Audi Q5 recall says the glass is susceptible to breakage in extremely cold temperature conditions (12V299, 13,172 vehicles) and its 2013–2015 Beetle recall says the glass may break over a hard road surface (14V658, 7,062 vehicles, 93% repaired). Together the 8 shattering and breakage recalls cover 45,440 vehicles.

Sunroofs that close without warning

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 118 controls power-operated windows and roof panels, and several recalls say a sunroof may close in a way that does not comply. GM’s 2015 Malibu and Cadillac ATS recalls (15V164, 15V463) say a slide or tilt switch that is not recessed enough may trigger an automatic close, fixed with software or a new trim plate. BMW recalled 14,011 2020–2021 2 Series cars in 2021 (21V091) because an automatic closure may continue after the key is turned off, and 61,221 vehicles in 2022 (22V267). Audi’s 2026 Q3 recall (26V209, 6,077 vehicles) says incorrect software may allow remote closing from a distance that stops the operator seeing the sunroof. Hyundai’s 2024 Santa Fe recall (24V843, 34,964 vehicles) covers a rear sunshade switch that may close the shade unintentionally.

Vehicle descriptions are NHTSA’s own summary wording; “repaired” is the share the manufacturer reports as fixed, and new campaigns start near zero. Source: NHTSA recalls file and US DOT completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Water, wiring and other faults

Audi’s 2017 Q5 recall shows how a sunroof can matter beyond the roof: the drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam around the side head air bag inflator canister, which can corrode and rupture. The remedy is to inspect the inflator and coat or replace it after removing the foam, and 92% are reported repaired. For other inflator recalls see our air bag guide and Takata guide. Volkswagen’s 2018 Tiguan recall (18V467, 45,457 vehicles) is for a panoramic sunroof light bar that may short circuit.

Sunroof recalls in 2025 and 2026

Recent recalls are mostly new-model bonding and software problems:

• 25V729 (October 2025): Ford wind deflectors, 174,853 vehicles.
• 26V097 (February 2026): 178 Range Rovers whose panoramic sunroof side trim may detach.
• 26V157 (March 2026): 323 Ford Maverick trucks, moonroof glass.
• 26V209 (April 2026): 6,077 2026 Audi Q3, remote closing.
• 26V346 (May 2026): 69,663 Subaru Foresters, moonroof glass.

Vehicle descriptions are NHTSA’s own summary wording; “repaired” is the share the manufacturer reports as fixed, and new campaigns start near zero. Source: NHTSA recalls file and US DOT completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

What to do about a sunroof problem

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN decoder. For older Mercedes models check every sunroof recall, not just one.
2. Look and listen. Creaks, rattles, loose trim or a panel that sits unevenly are worth an inspection; recall records name bonding and adhesive faults.
3. Keep hands, children and pets clear when closing the roof, and be careful with remote closing.
4. Report it, even if it is repaired: see our guide to filing a complaint.

For the other visibility recalls see our windshield wiper guide, and for the wider picture our most common car problems guide.

Recall figures are PlainVIN’s analysis of NHTSA’s files and update when we refresh the data. “Reported repaired” is the automaker’s figure. This guide is general information, not mechanical advice for a specific vehicle.