How common is the "exploding" panoramic roof problem?

[Rya]

Hi guys seen an almost perfect w205 but it has a panoramic roof! I know to most that's a good thing but I've read so many reports of them shattering and "exploding" law suits in the US etc it's really put me off!

I'm aware it's not a merc specific problem but it's something I'm not sure I want to risk with my family in the car! What's your views on the problems. Was there ever a fix for it?

Thanks!

 

[bembo449]

never heard of any pan roof on any car shattering

 

[LostKiwi]

Exploding roofs is a first for me too.

 

[V6Matty]

Had a pan roof on the Pug and even in their forums I never heard of them exploding, at a best guess it’s probably in a massively hot place and direct sun, something has expanded beyond what it would do here and the weakest point is the safety glass that shatters, as safety glass shatters it actually doesn’t really cut very well, does get everywhere but that’s just an annoyance.

 

[alexanderfoti]

It does happen. Wg mb had his ml55 one go randomly. I wouldn't eliminate a car because if it though, super super rare.

 

[mancman]

I’ve had 3 Merc’s with pan roof and no trouble at all, it’s one thing I look for in a car.

 

[Alps]

both my mercs had a pana roof, never had a problem, in fact i dont think id buy a MB without one!

 

[sonic]

Mine is 8 years old on problems.

 

[anyweb]

only issue i had with Pano sun roofs was the glide mechanism, which required a special lubricant. But no explosions and three Mercs in with Pano sun roofs.

 

[Capra]

My 2013 roof is still in one piece.

 

[Rya]

Interesting! I do love them I also think they just keep getting bigger too. I've found a link here to a UK one but the majority on line did seem to be US based. Maybe I'm being a little OTT! There's even YouTube videos of CCTV of it happening sat on a driveway!!

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/151057/watchdog-mystery-of-the-shattered-sunroof-on-merc-c-class

The US problems are still present day. It seems Ford has the same issues also!

 

[Capra]

Interesting! I do love them I also think they just keep getting bigger too. I've found a link here to a UK one but the majority on line did seem to be US based. Maybe I'm being a little OTT! There's even YouTube videos of CCTV of it happening sat on a driveway!!

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/151057/watchdog-mystery-of-the-shattered-sunroof-on-merc-c-class

The US problems are still present day. It seems Ford has the same issues also!

Should see the size of the ones fitted to the new Land rover.

 

[fabes]

Another no issue from me (and I have had two, plus full length in a Zafira and now a Qashqai)

Rear windows I have heard of due to the heating elements, but again, super rare
Then there are tyre punctures......

 

[ajlsl600]

Exploding roofs is a first for me too.

must be an optional extra

 

[bembo449]

I think you can safely buy one with no worries about it happening to you , I mean , are you usually really unlucky ?

 

[LostKiwi]

must be an optional extra

James Bond version perhaps. Shatters just before the ejector seat fires

 

[ajlsl600]

James Bond version perhaps. Shatters just before the ejector seat fires

maybe benz "smart electrickery" knows when its about to have a prang and some sensor blows the roof so one can get out ??? prob a black edition option.

 

[S500 Pete]

Hi guys seen an almost perfect w205 but it has a panoramic roof! I know to most that's a good thing but I've read so many reports of them shattering and "exploding" law suits in the US etc it's really put me off!

I'm aware it's not a merc specific problem but it's something I'm not sure I want to risk with my family in the car! What's your views on the problems. Was there ever a fix for it?

Thanks!

I've never herd of a pano roof exploding and had them on my cars for about 15 years now. Maybe it is a problem in some of the U.S where temperatures are more extreme and can change very quickly which might cause the glass roof to expand or contract at a different rate to the surrounding metal roof.

 

[Naraic]

https://jalopnik.com/here-are-all-the-cars-reported-to-have-exploding-sunroo-1819815183

 

[Andy.M]

No Mercedes in that list so buy it!