Exploding Sunroof - 2019 A200

[Schofe]

Good Afternoon,

Didn't expect my sunroof to explode for no reason this morning. Missed the central barrier by inches as a result and managed to get the car in to Mercedes. Looking through some of the posts looking like I'll have to pay for a design fault. Anybody experienced similar? Thanks in advance.

 

[ajlsl600]

This is a known issue on some models research it a bit find out how others are faring .I would see it as a safety defect ,be interesting to know whats benz try to say cause is ,cept u cant prove It was not a stone ?

 

[Schofe]

This is a known issue on some models research it a bit find out how others are faring .I would see it as a safety defect ,be interesting to know whats benz try to say cause is ,cept u cant prove It was not a stone ?

Thanks will do. No vehicles were in front of me and I wasn't passing under a bridge.

 

[bertb1]

Do you have a dash cam ?
This will prove there was nothing in front


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Schofe]

Do you have a dash cam ?
This will prove there was nothing in front


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Unfortunately not. I'm resigned to paying for it to be honest as I know I've got little chance of proving it and having had a previous issue with Mercedes I know how stubborn they can be . Don't even think my insurance covers it. Scary though but could have been far worse.

 

[Mr Greedy]

I was reading another thread where someone with a similar issue was fobbed off by Mercedes, who state it must have been from a flying stone.
In that case, the driver was parked at a red light at a pedestrian crossing, with no traffic driving either way on the road.

I think they even tried to go down a vehicle standards safety reporting route, but that was rejected because glass spontaneously smashing and showering kids in the back with glass is not considered a 'safety' issue by our vehicle standards agency.

It's a shame we don't have more class action stuff on these sorts of things like there are in the US.

See other post today rolling round on why Mercedes won't can their Keyless Go system, despite know issues of massive thefts of cars. Car companies basically have a large amount of latitude to wriggle and squirm in the UK.

 

[Mr Greedy]

Sorry, the keyless go post was on another forum! Whoops.

But you get the idea and as you've unfortunately experienced, Merc will wriggle

 

[Schofe]

I was reading another thread where someone with a similar issue was fobbed off by Mercedes, who state it must have been from a flying stone.
In that case, the driver was parked at a red light at a pedestrian crossing, with no traffic driving either way on the road.

I think they even tried to go down a vehicle standards safety reporting route, but that was rejected because glass spontaneously smashing and showering kids in the back with glass is not considered a 'safety' issue by our vehicle standards agency.

It's a shame we don't have more class action stuff on these sorts of things like there are in the US.

See other post today rolling round on why Mercedes won't can their Keyless Go system, despite know issues of massive thefts of cars. Car companies basically have a large amount of latitude to wriggle and squirm in the UK.

Thanks. Depends how things go if they really dig in I might just for the sake of it take it legal. Keep you posted. Appreciate the comments.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Buy a Tesla. Par for the course.
Seriously - how cold was the ambient temperature? Just wondering if the external temp was very different from the heated interior. Maybe this was a factor?

 

[Janchee]

Well, for something like glass to instantly shatter ... I would only think a huge amount of either internal OR external stress. Internal stress can come from poor manufacturing techniques and external stress from the incorrect fitment.

It's a guessing game right now, to be honest. Could be a design fault in the car where the frame puts a much higher-load of stress on the glass then what is originally designed.

If you want to take it further, you vs Mercedes will never fly. You need to get a specialist materials engineer to diagnose how it broke. This will cost, and if you're happy with this. TAKE LOADS OF PHOTOS AND DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS.

My old materials lecturer at the University of Lincoln specialised in failure investigations for insurance claims. He was so so good at investigating mechanical failures and loved the lectures. He's done ships, cars, buses, caravans Ahah. You name it.

When his reports were put in front of the manufacturers, things got serious.

 

[Srdl]

Do a Google search for “Mercedes Sunroof Shattering” and it brings up a lot of results from this and other forums. You may have to read through a lot to see if there is any admission of liability by Mercedes.

Your insurance may cover you. I didn’t realise, until I was shopping around last year, that some companies exclude sunroofs from their cover. So I’m with LV who do provide cover.

Good luck and let us know how things go.

 

[Srdl]

Just found this link about a Class Action lawsuit in the US

Mercedes-Benz Exploding Sunroof Lawsuits | Class Action and Recall

Lawsuits claim sunroofs on Mercedes-Benz cars could spontaneously explode and shatter, causing glass to shatter and distract drivers.

www.consumernotice.org

 

[mioba]

Apples ans Pears US law and UK law.
Find UK law.
if the car is 2019 is it still indef warranty. I am sure the foof has not even used 20 times.
Poor design fault or a Friday afternoon build in Stuttgart.

 

[SmartAmg]

Sorry to hear about your exploding Sunroof, but, Welcome anyway.

 

[Srdl]

Apples ans Pears US law and UK law.
Find UK law.
if the car is 2019 is it still indef warranty. I am sure the foof has not even used 20 times.
Poor design fault or a Friday afternoon build in Stuttgart.

I know, but Mercedes will say it has been damaged in some way and OP can’t prove otherwise. I quoted the US case to show that it was a known problem with our cars.

 

[Schofe]

Just found this link about a Class Action lawsuit in the US

Mercedes-Benz Exploding Sunroof Lawsuits | Class Action and Recall

Lawsuits claim sunroofs on Mercedes-Benz cars could spontaneously explode and shatter, causing glass to shatter and distract drivers.

www.consumernotice.org

Much appreciated will have a good look through this.

 

[Blobcat]

Since our search is working again now I've found 2 threads

E-Class Sunroof recall

Another E-Class Sunroof recall

Whilst the above are both E's rather than A's it shows MB are aware of issues on older models and they've done something about it.

 

[bigasotonuk]

I believe the sunroof recall was for all models from 2000 (till a certain date which escapes me) with a sunroof, not just E classes, my CLS was recalled for a check.
There is a site where you can input you're reg no and it will tell you all the recalls and the status of each one.

 

[Schofe]

So just had a conversation with the dealer/garage. The roof is (obviously) classed as glass and therefore Mercedes will not cover it under the warranty. Even though there was no contact by an external item, it's still not covered (car is 15 months old). I even mentioned that how can the glass be fit for purpose - it exploded and caved in? The day previous I had my 4 month old nephew in a car seat in the rear and he would have been showered in various size glass fragments.

What is interesting is the cost they quoted to replace is £1,600.00 and if I put it through the insurance (it is covered with a £500.00 excess) as a "gesture of goodwill" they will pay the excess. For me that's their way of saying if I don't rock the boat they'll reimburse me for any additional costs, albeit my insurance premium will no doubt increase at renewal.

Some would say this is a good offer but given the fact I almost crashed and could have had my infant nephew in the car my gut is saying should I decline and take this further? Taking in to account all of the really useful comments posted already I'm 50/50.

 

[Blobcat]

Glass damage isn't generally an issue with insurance renewals although it's always worth checking with them.

Personally I'd take their offer of paying your insurance excess