2017 Kia Sorento Visibility Problems

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was a loud booming sound coming from the vehicle. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the front panel glass sunroof had shattered inward. The contact stated that there was no impact with the vehicle to cause the failure. The vehicle was later repaired at the local auto body repair shop. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 41,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11702478

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

Mileage

41,000 mi

Panoramic sunroof sunshade has detached on one side and is hanging down, affecting visibility.

NHTSA ID

11697787

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started and running, the air conditioner failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat was moldy, and the sunroof had seized. Additionally, the sunroof headliner fell while changing lanes. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The windshield washer, the sunroof assembly, the reservoir pump, and the front axle seal assembly were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the corporate level and the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

NHTSA ID

11691079

Incident

May 7, 2025

Mileage

61,000 mi

The front half of the panoramic sunroof “exploded” while driving on freeway. Partly cloudy cool day nothing to cause a big circle of glass to blow up. We had the inner lining closed at the time so the shattered glass did not hit us. No warning whatsoever. Did call ins. co. but did not file a report as nobody injured and unknown cause.I do have 2 pictures of it.

NHTSA ID

11505809

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

2nd rear section (non-movable portion) of Panoramic glass shattered while driving. No road debris is possible due to roof rack being on car which would prevent road debris or falling material. It simply shattered like temperature differential shatter.

NHTSA ID

11496238

Incident

Dec 6, 2022

While driving home I heard an extremely loud pop. I was almost home so I didn't pull over to investigate. As I arrive at my house I received a text message. I parked my Sorento and checked my phone. As I sat there which was about 2-3 minutes I heard another extremely loud pop and that is when the glass of my sunroof started shattering. I immediately got out of my car and looked up and noticed my sunroof looked as if it exploded upwards. Luckily I had the sun shade closed or glass would have fallen in the car and on me. I googled sunroofs exploding and found several claims, a class action law suit (in progress) and a TV news investigation regarding Kia sunroof exploding while driving. My car is at the dealership currently and I haven't heard anything yet regarding the cause but from the conversation I had with the service advisor it doesn't seen to be an issue to KIA although there has been hundreds of reports filed. I believe it is a manufacturing defect. I have pictures and video of what appears to be the initial crack (the first loud pop) and the hole it caused (the second loud pop). There is no way an object caused the explosion and if so how can we explain the second pop while I was parked. It is ironic that others have reported the same incident occurring and the photos are very similar in all cases. Something has to be done before a child or adult is seriously injured. I guess the right person/people have yet to be affected by this. It is a serious safety concern. My video would not load but I'm happy to send it as an attachment via email.

NHTSA ID

11426557

Incident

Jul 23, 2021

While driving with the headlights in the "Auto" position, when a turn blinker is used the headlights will randomly turn off for about 10-15 seconds. Not much of an issue during the daytime but certainly a major safety concern at night. This problem can be replicated during the daytime by watch the dash lights switch from "Auto" to "Off" on the driver's dash. Moving the switch from the Auto to On has no effect on the lights. This problem occurs about 30% of the time when using the turn signal.

NHTSA ID

11422794

Incident

Jun 28, 2021

ENGINE BURNS UP OIL VERY QUICKLY WAY BEFORE 3,000 MILES AND THERE ARE NO ALERTS THAT THE OIL IS LOW. STEERING GETS "STUCK" AT TIMES FOR BRIEF AMOUNTS OF TIME AND NEEDS TO BE READJUSTED IN THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS ON STRAIGHT HIGHWAYS AND IN CURVE. WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID

11397865

Incident

Feb 17, 2021

Mileage

69,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE GLASS COVER WAS SHATTERED, BUT DID NOT COMPLETELY COLLAPSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERT OGDEN MISSION MAZDA (956-271-6076, LOCATED AT 2309 E EXPRESSWAY 83, MISSION, TX 78572) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROCK MAY HAVE STRUCK THE SUN ROOF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11166464

Incident

Jan 10, 2019

Mileage

42,000 mi