it is because of built up pressure between the shade cover and the glass and the lack of pressure from the outside as the car is driving down the freeway..... it is a noted issue on BMWs..... this is the first time ive heard it happen in a MO......

BMW dealers covered this problem...... because it is a design fault.....

easy fix is to just poke a hole in the shade cover so pressure wont build up..... but i wouldnt have thought cloth covers can do this.....thats why you see vents on hard plastic sunroof shades on some cars.....

 

there are many cases but here is one of them...... BMW didnt want to cover it at first but after much arguement the owner won and BMW fixed it "under good will" which just means they dont want to admit they are wrong but they know they are wrong......

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101969&page=2

 

maybe you should change the title to moonroof exploding..... you'll get more attention.....

ps. triple post ftw.... LOLOLOL :2: :2: :2:

 

No issues with my sunroof. benhui86 mentioned something interesting though that it has happened on other vehicles with sunroofs that have a shade cover that can form a seal of sorts. The cloth shade cover the MO has already appears to breathe and unless my model is damaged doesn't really seal around the edges like on my previous vehicles. I'm not sure how that much pressure could build up between the glass and the very soft, breathable, non-sealed, cloth shade cover. That said, my cover is open all the time. I won't start closing my cover again until the warmer temps come back.

 

This should be covered under the glass coverage section of your auto insurance policy.

Tell the adjuster it was a rock. If he doesn't believe you, tell him to ask your service department. Apparently, they'll back up your claim.

 

it is because of built up pressure between the shade cover and the glass and the lack of pressure from the outside as the car is driving down the freeway

What?!? You are kidding, right?

Firstly, the seal between the shade cover and the ceiling panel is not air-tight so it is impossible to sustain a pressure differential with the cabin. Secondly, if pressure were to somehow build up the less-rigid shade would fail before the glass.

The glass most likely was not properly tempered or was installed improperly.

-njjoe

 

I purchased new Murano Dec. 31,2008. While driving on interstate this past week, my sunroof exploded (it sounded like a bomb). Has anyone else had this problem? Service Dept. says it was a rock but I think it shattered from the inside out. Warranty does not cover.

judy-

A rock? On the sunroof?? That would be a very unlikely scenario, unless you happen to be driving under an overpass. A stone kicked up from a car would not break the sunroof glass.

Most likely the glass was improperly tempered or was not correctly installed.

Since your car is only a few weeks old I would contact Nissan Consumer Affairs (800-647-7261) and request that they instruct the dealer to cover the repair under warranty.

-njjoe

 

judy-

A rock? On the sunroof?? That would be a very unlikely scenario, unless you happen to be driving under an overpass. A stone kicked up from a car would not break the sunroof glass.
-njjoe

Not on a MO but on other cars, I have rocks kicked up dent my roof and chip sunroof glass. They get kicked high and come almost straight down. It is possible.

But I agree that it is probably not the culprit in these cases.

 

An update on my 2009 Murano sunroof exploding. It has been a week now and I was getting frustrated. My son encouraged me to contact Nissan. I got the number of the Consumer Affairs Dept. and they were very nice and said I had called the right number. After explaining my situation, they asked me what I wanted Nissan to do--I said it should be covered under warranty and paid for by Nissan NOT my insurance.

Surprise, this morning I received a call from my dealership's service dept. They stated that since they really couldn't determine the cause of the sunroof problem they were going to cover everything under warranty. Wow was I surprised. Now if they will just start working on the vehicle.

 

An update on my 2009 Murano sunroof exploding. It has been a week now and I was getting frustrated. My son encouraged me to contact Nissan. I got the number of the Consumer Affairs Dept. and they were very nice and said I had called the right number. After explaining my situation, they asked me what I wanted Nissan to do--I said it should be covered under warranty and paid for by Nissan NOT my insurance.

Surprise, this morning I received a call from my dealership's service dept. They stated that since they really couldn't determine the cause of the sunroof problem they were going to cover everything under warranty. Wow was I surprised. Now if they will just start working on the vehicle.

That's awesome, but keep in mind dealers are always trying to make a buck off people. My brother who's a mechanic has worked for different dealerships and found a lot of them like to charge you for more when you are in to fix something sighting there is something else wrong with your car.

So the dealer probably saw dollar signs when they saw your moon roof which is why they didn't go to bat for you by contacting Nissan instead.

A.

 

wow! Awesome! Considering now we have a few reports of this happening, this is good news for others as well.

 

Moonroof Glass Exploded

I was driving my 2009 Murano down the Intersate this past weekend and the front moonroof glass exploded shortly after I closed the shade. There were no vehilces around me nor was I under a bridge. The glass exploded outward and the shade help prvevented glass from falling into the vehicle. I took it to the dealer this morning....not sure if they will cover it under warranty.

RLM
Madison, Al

 

RLM and others. It happen to me today Monday, December 20, 2010. I was driving on the freeway and the Moon Roof Glass om my 2009 Murano exploded. I called Nissan USA and they said they have received several phone csalls on this issue. I will be taking the car in the a dealership tomorrow. Will follow up with you later.

CDT
Fontana, CA

 

Yesterday, March 8, 2011 I was driving on the highway in good clear weather conditions (about 45 degrees) when the front sunroof on my 2009 Nissan Murano spontaneously exploded. I was not hit by a rock or any other debris, in fact there were no trucks of any kind in front of me.
I called the dealer who said they've never heard of such a thing, then called the national Nissan number. The woman there was very helpful and will call me back today, however she said she had never heard of this either. In checking around last night I saw this forum with multiple complaints of the same thing... hmm. Any suggestions? I want the dealer to cover the costs of this repair.

aok
Redmond WA

 

aok, Indeed there have been those that have reported here and elsewhere on the internet that their Murano sunroof exploded for no apparent reason. Actually, you see similar reports on other brand/model vehicles also. Do a Google search with the search words "nissan sun roof exploded".

Many report the vehicle manufacturer covered the repairs and many report their automobile insurance glass coverage paid for the repair. Some have to pay themselves.. 8-(

Please report back here and let us know how your situation progresses and who pays for your repair, etc.. Often people post on forums they have an issue and then never return to give the stories ending. The ending though not helpful to the poster is very helpful to others in similar situations down the road.

.

 

It happened to me Monday June 13th, 2011. (Nissan Murano 2009)
I was driving on a highway, with very light traffic, as there was a traffic jam that I had just passed through with one other car. Just past the jam the traffic was very light. 7am in the morning, no bridge or debris on the road. I hear the loudest BANG ever (even ducked my head a little). I look up and see the moonroof in the back had exploded!
I pull off the highway to investigate further and find my moonroof is cracked ONLY along the edges....resembles a fault line. I called one Nissan dealership and they tell me they can get me in next MONDAY! I called a second Nissan dealership and they ask me to come in right away. I drop off my car; an hour later they call me back and say it will not be covered under warranty. I called Nissan Consumer Affairs (which the dealership told me they were going to call also). I am waiting for a reply "by end of business day" the following day. They also asked me what I wanted Nissan to do - I told them that I wanted my waranty to cover it and have Nissan fix it.

 

This is a troublesome post for me...I have just bought an 09 Murano LE with all the options in it....and the exploding sunroof appears to be something that is not an isolated occurrence. There are way too many reports for this to be anything but a stress fracture which I find difficult to accept that it's caused by pressure....it sounds more like the glass has been fitted too tight...possibly a minor flexing in the body and BOOM, it lets go. I am also surprised that Nissan is claiming that they have never heard of this before. Why don't you copy off the entries on this forum and Fax them a copy of it? I would like to see all the folks who had this problem indicate potential commonalities....i.e. What speed were you going? What was the outside temp? What were the weather conditions? Were you running the AC or heater at the time? Were all the windows closed or did you have one slightly open (likely not due to wind noise). There are probably some other relevant issues to add. There has to be a common denominator here...and if we can find it and advise Nissan,they should step up to the plate as a potential safety issue that can cause a crash due to the sudden distraction of the driver. I'd probably think someone shot at me.

 

Exploding sunroof

My sunroof on my 09 Murano completely shattered last night while I was driving on a pretty major route. I thought I was shot at when I heard the loud boom and saw glass flying everywhere. The insurance company said I have to take it to the dealership and the dealership said they don't do glass repairs. I am dropping it off at dealership tomorrow but not feeling confident about getting it repaired. Any suggestions?

 

I'd start by sending a PM to Judy who initially posted her problem in Jan 09 but talked Nissan into covering the failure. I'd ask her what she said, what they said and try to duplicate the process she went thru. Of course since 09, it sounds like this has become a more common failure and Nissan may have pulled in its horns insofar as accepting any resonsibility for this failure. I have a hard time believing that they havent' sent something out to dealerships and service or Tech reps discussing the issue...but acknowledging the problem in writing could weaken their position on the ability to deny any claim. I see Nissan has become more customer friendly on extending the warranty on the CVT transmissions, so you may be seeing a trend towards building a better corporate/customer relationship and credibiity with the potential customer bases out there. When I see all the responses to this issue on this forum, I can't but help wonder how many people have had this happen and don't even know about this forum or have any idea of how frequently this occurs. How many instances of this do you suppose there have been? The fact the movement of the glass particles goes outward would seem to negate any insurance claim of something like a rock dropped from a freeway overpass...and that approach would fall into the realm of insurance fraud....although I'm fairly confident it's been tried.

 

Please consider filing a complaint with NHTSA. Once they get enough complaints of the same problem, they will start an investigation, and, hopefully, it will lead to a recall, so the rest of us MO owners won't need to tackle this problem individually.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/online.cfm

 

Has this only happened on the 09?

 

I have an '07 and have'nt heard of it happening on 1st generation MO's. In summer it reaches 110-120 where I live and it hasn't happened to me.

 

Exploding Sunroof

So, it happened to me today. About 9:30 in the morning driving down the interstate in my '09 Murano SE in Colorado and like others have reported, heard a loud boom and then realized the sunroof/moonroof had exploded. It was not a rock; I was on the open road, no one in front or to the sides. After I pulled over and inspected it was apparent from the bowed out glass and the spray of chips out of my paint along my roof the glass had exploded out. I was about 30 minutes away from the dealer where I bought it so I took it in there and dropped it off with them. Since it is the 4th of July weekend there won't be anyone one in until Tuesday that can make the call if they will fix it at Nissan expense or not. The dealership atleast gave me a loaner car until they get it figured out. The Service Manager did say he has heard of other incidents of this happening so hopefully they will fix it at Nissan expense since it does appear to be a design or materials defect and we won't have to turn it in for our insurance to pay for it.

Any out there hear of Nissan looking into a recall on these yet?

 

Model Years for Exploding Sunroofs???

So is this only happening to 2009 MO's?

 

TopDawg: Whatever happened to your contact with Nissan? Did they fix it at their expense or charge you for it. Since there seems to have been a number of these, Nissan must be aware of this problem....since I have an 09, I'm a bit concerned over this trend. I checked with my local Nissan service rep and he told me he never heard of this happening. It could have been a bad run of glass for a particular year car as it went thru the assemly line.....is this happening to other than the 09?? Every incident I've read about so far has involved the 09 Murano...are they all the LE?

 

Absolutely no point in worrying about it / being concerned about it! It is totally out of your/our control...

Indeed there have been those that have reported here and elsewhere on the internet that their Murano sunroof exploded for no apparent reason. Actually, you see similar reports on other brand/model vehicles also. Do a Google search with the search words "sun roof exploded".

The vehicle manufacturer often covers the repairs and many report their automobile insurance glass coverage paid for the repair. Best bet is to have glass coverage on your vehicle and this will insure you never have out of pocket expense for glass breakage. With the price of windows glass / window glass repair on any vehicle it is extremely foolish not to have window glass coverage as the premium for same is minimal.


.

 

I've found that there's usually a big difference between the "recommended" work they say is needed....if you're a woman as opposed to a man. It seems to be an assumption that women know less than men about mechanical "stuff" and can be talked into having unnecessary work done simply by using magic words like "safety", or "sudden breakdown on the road" or other scare terms.

I always make my wife bring me home the estimate sheets when she takes her car in for service. It seems to be a rule of thumb that dealerships make about 60% of their profits from the service department, not new/used car sales....so some (not all, but close) dealership service managers encourage their reps and mechanics to suggest certain work that isn't really necessary. Case in point. My wife took her 4 Runner into the dealership where she bought it for routine maintenenace....it was under warranty. She came back with a pre-authorization quote of $600 for "essential work" that needed to be done under the warranty. In this case, they talked about needing to maintain the car to keep it within warranty requirements....so she said OK...without question.

I croaked when I saw the pre-authorizaton....went over the pre-authorization sheet, took the warranty and service manual, compared the two, and found that almost 50% of the suggested work was totally unnecessary to maintain a warranty, and in fact didnt need to be done for several thousand miles, or done at all at that point. The Service Manager agreed that the work didn't necessarily have to be done at that time, but that "it might be a good idea" but ended up deleting some of that essential work. The final bill wasn't anywhere near the $600, and miraculously dropped to about $275, and all required warranty work was performed. Women are targets for this sort of tactic.

Here's another issue....oil changes. Where did we suddenly come up with this 3,000 mile schedule? And why? Scare tactics. Who said that the oil in a car that's not raced and used primarily as a day-to-day commute or run around vehicle needs a 3K oil change? Unless you're in Oz where the outback is dusty and dirty or extremely hot (breaks down viscosity), or do a lot of really short trips (couple miles to/from work or just to the store and back), there is really no necessity for a 3K oil change. NOTE***Porsche's recommended oil change schedule in my 02 twin turbo was 15,000 MILES!!!, and that's a high performance vehicle. I couldn't believe it. I did it every 7500...just couldn't bring myself to wait for 15,000...seemed way too long. I (personal opinion) truly believe that a 7500 mile scheduled change is well within reason. I've seen cars run 30,000 miles without an oil change, just adding oil as it needed it. My father in law bragged that he had a 58 Ford that he drove, and drove, and drove..... for 80K miles without an oil change. (NOT RECOMMENDED!!) Again, the dealerships put the OIL CHANGE DUE sticker on your windshield at 3K miles...it gets you back into the service department on an accelerated schedule for oil changes and a shot at you for that "other stuff". For those of you who will fire a shot across my bow, I'd like to see some scientific stats that say something different....again, NOT including the really dirty or dusty roads, HEAVY vehicle usage for towing or commercial work, extremes of hot and cold climates, or routine short to/from trips.

 

...It seems to be a rule of thumb that dealerships make about 60% of their profits from the service department, not new/used car sales....Porsche's recommended oil change schedule in my 02 twin turbo was 15,000 MILES!!!....

Generally, a well run dealership will have the service department pay for all the overhead, and the profit structure then come from the sales. The problem with that now is that the cars are so much better constructed, and have a lesser service requirement, even with warranty work.

I agree with your 7,500 mile oil change interval, however I use Mobil 1 in that thought process. Remember, your Porsche has that 12 quart dry sump system, so a 3k interval would be very expensive. Our local dealer suggests a 10k change, but again, that's to get you back into the service bays! Put another way, BMW's crankcase "sniffer" allows for up to a 22k interval, and that's with a normal sump but with synthetics. Most manufacturers use the 7.5k interval as their recommendation, even with standard dino lubes.