Just wondering if anyone has heard of this or had it happen to them...

My 2003 S-type V8 sunroof exploded from the inside out while driving to work today. I was going along at 80mph with no other cars around and I heard a loud POP and falling glass in the sunroof well. At first I thought it was a rock but then determined that was impossible as there were no other cars around and no overpasses in the vicinity. Also, the sunroof and inside panel was closed. It was 64F outside and 70F inside. AC Fan and radio were off.

When I arrived to work I was shocked to see the glass pushed outward with the center gone and about 2" rectangle border still intact but pointed out towards the sky.

I'm going to try to make the dealer repair it at no cost but I'm guessing they'll claim it was hit by debris even though it obviously broke from the inside with no strike point.

Cheers,
Bal.

 

I was able to take a picture from my phone (Sorry for the bad quality/lighting). As you can see the glass is pushed upward in a bubble

[IMG]local://upfiles/3548/3A639A7AFA2A4761A4DB2B1FB0175A9C.jpg[/IMG]

 

It was one of the little people at the factory they employ to put those bolts in where you cant get your hands into. He must have been forgotten and had to get out unseen.

Seriously though, I have seen it a couple of times. It is very rare and have no explanation. I believe it may be the body contracting slightly and causing it to pop. But that is just a guess.

 

Thanks for the reply FJT. Do you have any idea how much the dealership usually charges for this piece of glass?

 

I don't, but probably not cheap.

 

we had a that problem on the xj's but never seen it on a s type.

 

WOW!

 

The dealer wanted $306.99 + tax for this part. Thankfully I was able to find it on eBay for $115.00 and I do not imagine installation will be too costly.

 

INstall is easy. You could do it your self. 4 20torx screws hold it in. Put it in tilt position, remove the slide pins - they pop out from front toward you, remove screws and replace. Have someone help you to line it up on reinstall.

 

Wow is right!

 

FJT, I was able to do this by myself in 15 minutes. The Torx 20 was a perfect fit and the slide pins came out easily. I've gone through two heavy storms without a leak. I definitely do not consider this a factory flaw as I've read it's happened to many cars (Not just Jaguar). My best guess as to the cause would be the cabin air pressure over time causing the weaknesses in the glass to be prevalant...until BOOM, it explodes. This is a 2003, so the sunroof lasted approx. 6 years. Not bad considering I've heard this happening to 2008 model Mercedes after two weeks ownership.

Cheers,
Bal.

 

Wow, that's ridiculous. Glad you got it fixed though. Good to know it's an easy fix, but sucks that the dealership wouldn't cover it. Then again, we can't expect the dealers to pick up everything, and it doesn't sound like a common problem. I guess it beats 2 weeks like the benz's.