Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

Hello everyone -

First I wanted to say "Hello!". I'm a newbie to this group, having just leased an '07 ML350 - actually picked the car up on Thursday. I am a big believer in the power of these forums, as I have been active on the Corvette Forum (also own an '07 Z06) and that community has been an integral & enjoyable part of my experience with that car.

Anyway, I wonder if any of you have heard of a similar experience. I was driving the new ML on Saturday with my wife & 2 yr old daughter in the car. Driving about 40mph on a relatively normal highway lined with stores and such, no overpasses or anything like that. Suddenly there is an exploding sound - as if a gun went off in my car. We look up and there is a hole in the glass sunroof (shade was in the open position) about 8"x4", but the glass is pushed up as though something jumped out of the car and upwards through the roof. There were some very tiny shards of glass that landed on my wife and I (fortunately not on my daughter), though most of that glass was gone. Nothing from outside had entered into the car.

We pulled over, closed the sunshade and called MB. I had to drive about another 5 miles (very slowly) to get to an event, and as we drove I could hear the glass panel crackling. By the time I arrived at my destination, glass had begun to fall off in larger chunks, gathering above the sunshade. Over the next hour or two more glass came down, some of it falling through the vents in the sunshade onto the seats.You can see a picture of the roof a couple hours after it happened.

My dealer sent a flatbed with a loaner on a 3 hour journey to my location (which i'm certainly very grateful for) and took my car back. I'm still waiting to here back from them. Anyone experience anything or hear about anything similar. I did a search on the forum and read about a very similar incident on a panoramic roof, but nothing else.

Best,
jb


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RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

HOLY ****!

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

Had the same thing happen to my 04 ML350, except it was the rear glass.

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

seen it on the rear glass on the earlier model ml- 163 chasis but not the new ones. never seen a sunroof explode.

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

Finally we dont feel alone. My wife and I were casually driving dow the street when BOOM Crack!!!!!!! what was that? we looked and the sunroof had exploded.nothing hit it and we had not moved it and it was not hot outside. I was in shock I called my insurance company and we had it replace .2000 ML 430

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

Sunroof explodes on 07 ML63 AMG, 15/11/07. Very same driving conditions as jonnyb, how many times does it need to happen to constitute a recall.Obviously mercedes are using cheapest glass supplier to maximise profits.

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

These situations could be because of body movements from the vehicle and internal pressure in the cabin, which creates pressure that causes it to explode. You can make a claim that MB may be using cheap glass, but where do you get to maximize profits? For all you know it could be a design defect... but either way I'm glad you guys are alright and not cut or anything

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

This happened to me almost exactly as johnnyB_NYC described to my GL450. I was at a stop sign not even moving, no trees above me, and POP! At first I thought a tire had blown, then realized it was the sunroof when I heard the wind and then eventually the shards of glass coming down as I moved forward. It looked like, as johnnyB said, something tried to push its way out of the sunroof. you can argue that it's a design flaw.But this is happening to more than onemodel of mercedes as described in this forum. Cheap glass!!! I brought it to the dealer and he wouldn't believe me that it happened spontaneously. He kept saying how something must have hit it. I'm sure that mercedes won't admit to it and i'll have to cover the cost. I'd like to hear if more people are having this problem.

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RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

My fiance works as a master technician for MB and just recently worked on a car that had the same thing happen. It was an 07 ML, not sure the exact model. He couldn't believe that this could just happen from pressure but did some research and found out how many other cars, not only MB, this was happening to. You wont have to "cover the cost" because MB covers the cost. And i guess its CHEAP GLASS that every type of car company uses since its happening everywhere...Although with MB, i believe you get what you pay for, and i can say i love my car (even if i'll have to replace my sunroof someday). Hopefully there is a solution to this before someone gets hurt. 07 ML 350.

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

ipeace, thanks for posting.

by the time i drove to the dealer, there was very little evidence left of the "popped out" sunroof. it was really just my word on the story. i could have been hit by something and lied aboutit. but i didn't.the service agent said he never heard of such a thing. i was pleasantly surprised when mercedes said that they would cover it.

i also have a E320 4matic. i know that mercedes has had it's reliability issues, but i have to agree with you. nothing drives like a mercedes.

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

I just had this exact same thing happen to me with my 2006 CLS500. I was driving down I-10 at about 78 mph. ~50 outside, 70 inside. Sunroof was shut tight. I was talking with my wife on the handsfree, just cruising along. No traffic in front of me, to the side or even behind, and no overpass, etc. I didn't see anything fly at me, bounce, jump, etc.

All of a sudden a large BOOM !! followed by the sound of rushing air and crackling glass. I told my wife I had to hang up and pull over. When I did and got out I saw a large oval hole (~5" x 10") in the center of the sunroof, with the remaining edges pushed up and out, and crackled to the edges, just as described above. Fortuantely I had the sunscreen closed at the time, although little shards started fall through the vents once I stopped. Even worse was that the glass flying off and back scratched the back half of the roof, the trunck and spoiler. I wish I had the foresight to take a picture with the phone![:@]

I called the mercedes dealer, Brumos Motors, and they were very helpful.:) They asked if I could make it to thier location before they closed at 7:00. It was about 5:15 Friday evening, and Iwas a little over an hour away, so told them I could. I found an old jacket on the side of the road, and used it to grab and remove most of the remaining glass pieces so they wouldn't fly off and do further damage. I really wish I took a picture! I drove to Brumos, (boy was that a loud ride) and they had a loaner car waiting for me. I asked them if this happens often, and they commented they had not heard of thisbefore. They need to read this forum!

Anyway, I explained what happened, and it sounds like they will cover the damage under warranty. I was hoping that wouldn't by a problem, but anticipated the worst. I just bought the car less than a month ago under the certified used car program and it had ~15,000 miles. This was my first real trip on an interstate with the car - and one I won't soon forget!!

I'll post back and let you all know the results once the dealer techs take a look at it on Monday. Thanks for the info!

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

05 ML350 same thing, only thing differenthappend in the garage

RE: Exploding glass sunroof on 2 day old ML
 

I wanted to update you all on my '06 cls500. Brumos Motors here in Jacksonville said everything would be covered by Mercedes under warranty. :) It has taken a couple of days to get the sunroof in, and then they will handle the paint, etc. I'm in a loaner, so no big deal.

Freak occurance - but if it was going to happen I'm glad it was in a Mercedes!

Wow, just had this happen on my 2001 CL55. Pop and it appeared that it had been shot out from inside the car. Interesting enough, the shade was closed. Now I get to pay $1750.00 to replace it.

Don't worry, Mercedes Benz officials are very aware of this forum and our daily problems with their creations. I would say that the glass they use is actually too good, overtempered (too hard) and that is why this happenes. Sorry and I just hope that my sunroof won't do that.

Sunroof explosion
 

This same thing happened to us. We have an E Class Mercedes with 37,000 miles, under full warranty. My daughter and I were driving, maybe 15mph at the most. We heard what sounded like a shot gun blast. It was our sunroof!!!! Like the others, the sunroof was blown UP, convex, as though it was blown from the inside out. The glass was intact but in zillions of tiny pieces. We drove to the Mercedes Dealership as it was only a couple of miles away. BUT, THIS IS WHERE THE SIMILARITIES STOP!!!! The dealership would not stand behind it. They said "an acorn" hit it!!!!! Yes, all $1100.00 damage was done by a single acorn, and NOT a warranty issue. They would not give us a loaner, we had to rent a car while they fixed the sunroof. We bought a Mercedes for safety reasons, but if a single acorn can do that much damage...
Had we not been afraid to drive the car, we would have taken it ANYWHERE else but this Mercedes Dealership.

Cl600
 

My car is a 2007 CL600 with 40,000 kms.
Nice day today, and boom, sun roof exploded.
I thought something had been dropped on the car, but after inspecting the damage it appears that the sunroof has exploded out.
Back of car is scratched similar to other posts.
Fortunately, no one hurt and Mercedes is picking up the car tomorrow for repair.
I have found MB to be very outgoing on service and expect this to be remedied under warranty.
Will report back when work is completed.

I just experienced the same thing in my 2009 CLK. I was on a freeway offramp when I heard an explosion that sounded like a gun went off in the car. I pulled over to see if I could tell what just happened and found my sunroof exploded with the safety glass all crackling but still held together. The cracks were buckling outward as if pressured from the inside out. The dealership is saying the factory rep has to come out and make the decision as to whether they will cover the cost of replacement. Every service advisor I've spoken to there claims to never have seen anything like this before, but obviously from this thread I am far from the only one to have this experience.

Oh Fakla, don't let them tell you that....... You need to copy all of these posts, and take it to them. I am still sooooooooo suprised, that Mercedes doesn't even try to answer any of these posts. The dealership here just doesn't care. I wish you the best. Good Luck!!!!

After a bit of a battle, my dealership's service manager did cover the cost of repair on the sunroof. The factory rep initially denied coverage so I had to fight for it, with the help of these reports. He called it a "one -time good will repair". I don't see it as a goodwill repair as much as it seems to happen, but I'll take it. Thanks to all of you for making it known that this problem exists. I hope the corporate suits become aware of what is going on in the trenches.

I am from South Africa.The same thing happened to my 2007 S350 with only 11 000Km still under motor plan. I was driving on the morning of 26.02.10 on a open road no car's or people on the road. Suddenly an explosion! As in all the other cases the sunroof simply exploded. The shade was closed and I could hear glass falling on it and through the vent holes into my car. Luckily I was only 1km from my work. On my arrival I were shocked to see the damage done to my car by pieces of glass that scratched my rear window as well as the roof and the boot. Had my damage only been the sunroof that exploded, but my car was severely damaged as well. It took me 3 hours to vacuum all the tiny pieces of glass from the interior of the car and the shade from outside. Now after 4 weeks Mercedes Benz South Africa(where car is ensured) lets me know that it is not an accident claim so they are not going to take responsibility for the claim. They told me that this is a defect and must be handled by Mercedes Benz South Africa under warranty. The warranty department told me that this is an insurance claim and that they are not going to take responsibility as well. So what now?
:mad: Div van den Berg div@koshcom.co.za South Africa

Sunroof Exploded GL450
 

While driving my GL450 on the highway (60MPH) the sunroof exploded, it sounded like a gunshot....really loud and when I opened the slide it was all cracked and with large a hole (about 8 x 10), like an eruption. At the dealer they said it was impossible :mad: so I had to claim my insurance co.

Sunroof Exploded
 

I just had the exact experience with my 2012 C300 on Feb 12 2014 in Broomfield CO. Shotgun sound that had me checking the seat and then saw the sunroof glass in my rear view mirror sliding down the back windshield onto the trunk. Drove it straight to the dealership where they provided me with a loaner. It appeared that sunroof exploded from the inside out... reminded me of the movie Alien. Service called me the next day to let me know it wasn't a warranty issue and that I should contact my insurance company.:eek:
Couldn't tell if a rock hit it or not. I didn't see anything hit it...

My 2023 GLS 450 sunroof just exploded. No help from the dealer.. I hate to have to join a lawsuit, but don’t think my insurance should pay for their design flaws.

Same Thing happened to me!!!!!
 

I was driving my 2010 GL 450 down the highway and all of a sudden I heard what sounded like an explosion. After I got my bearings back, I realized that my sunroof had been shattered. I figured maybe something had kicked up a rock or large piece of debris that hit. It but I also couldn’t account for that large explosion, which sounded like it happened inside of the car. Good thing I had the shade poured 3/4 of the way closed After I stop the car, I noticed something strange. The hole where the glass was and the glass surrounding it looked as if it was pointing up as opposed to pointing down words. I was extremely perplexed. After doing research and finding this board, I’m realizing it’s exactly the same thing that happened to me.