2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Visibility Problems

On [XXX], while driving my 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander at approximately 45-50 mph on a gusty, high-wind day, the rear panoramic moonroof/sunroof panel blew out and shattered completely without warning. The failure occurred as I rolled up the vehicle windows during the wind gust. Rapid window closure created a sudden spike in cabin air pressure — a documented pressure differential mechanism — that forced the moonroof glass outward until it shattered. There was no external impact of any kind. The glass, which is not laminated safety glass, scattered throughout the interior with occupants present. Component is available for inspection. This failure is consistent with NHTSA Investigation PE13-035 (Kia Sorento panoramic sunroof spontaneous breakage), in which ODI found glass shattering while in motion to be a safety hazard warranting engineering analysis. The same pressure-based failure mechanism applies here. This is a documented pattern on this specific model. Lemberg Law [XXX] ) analysis of NHTSA complaint data confirms spontaneous sunroof shattering among the top defects on both 2024 and 2025 Grand Highlanders, with Toyota denying warranty claims by alleging "outside influence" — disputed by owners and attorneys alike. No recall currently exists for this component. The rear seat directly below this glass is a primary location for child safety seats. Non-laminated glass shattering over rear occupants — including infants — represents an acute and unacceptable injury risk. I request NHTSA open a formal defect investigation into the panoramic moonroof/sunroof glass on 2024-2025 Toyota Grand Highlanders and evaluate whether a safety recall is warranted. I have photographs and have notified Toyota Motor North America in writing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11739699

Incident

May 16, 2026

The defroster on the vehicle does not work properly. When starting the car and the window is frosting, the drivers side of the front window defrosts normally but the right side does not defrost properly and it lags by 15-20 minutes. You cannot operate the vehicle safely with your entire passenger side frosted over. I reported this to Toyota as well as dealer and they are advising that it is working normally. I have pictures that show that the passenger side does not defrost properly, it was reproduced by the dealer, and Toyota's thermal imaging scan confirms lack of heat on the far side. However, Toyota is standing by that it is working as designed despite their testing showing it isn't working properly.

NHTSA ID

11709124

Incident

Aug 16, 2024

My Toyota Grand Highlander develops severe interior window fogging and condensation, affecting the windshield, front side windows, and occasionally rear windows. This occurs during normal driving, especially in cool or humid conditions. The fogging appears rapidly, and the HVAC/defrost system often fails to clear the windows effectively, even when set to full defrost with outside air intake. Interior moisture buildup is excessive compared to other vehicles I’ve owned, and the issue repeats regularly. This creates a significant visibility hazard, forcing me to adjust climate controls constantly while driving or pull over to clear the glass manually.

NHTSA ID

11704630

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that there was a small crack on the windshield on the driver's side at the top where the windshield meets the frame. The contact stated that the crack had started to expand. The contact recently noticed another crack in the center of the windshield, starting at the bottom. The contact stated that both cracks were approximately 5 inches long and expanding. The contact had not struck a rock or road debris for the windshield to crack. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed and was advised by the dealer that the cracks were the result of small stones being kicked up by other vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact had been experiencing failures of the infotainment screen going black, and the side-view mirror Blind Spot warning lights not functioning as designed. The vehicle had been taken to the same dealer several times, and the dealer resolved the issue. The contact stated that the infotainment screen failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11685012

Incident

Aug 2, 2025

Mileage

40,000 mi

While driving, my panoramic moonroof exploded. There were no rocks or big vehicles on the road, but the panoramic moonroof simply just exploded. This could've been very dangerous and could've caused serious injuries for those inside of the vehicle, especially if the vehicle was moving.

NHTSA ID

11650608

Incident

Mar 25, 2025

I bought this car brand new three weeks ago from a Toyota dealership.and there are all kinds of distortions in the glass on the windshield of the vehicle. There are all kinds of wavy distortions on the glass on the windshield. With the windshield glass, not being clear, it makes me concerned about the safety features not working properly. These distortions makes it difficult to drive the vehicle because it’s not clear and is distracting. The glass is acoustic heated glass made by Pilkington.

NHTSA ID

11631232

Incident

Dec 2, 2024

Our vehicle is less than 2 months old, and it had less than 5,000 miles before highway debris (gravel) chipped and cracked the windshield on two separate occasions. I have never had a chip or crack caused by rocks before, and my previous vehicles have been hit plenty of times. Talking to people that own the Lexus equivalent of my Grand Highlander (Lexus TX), they have similar experiences with what appears to be very weak windshields. I will have to replace the windshield.

NHTSA ID

11603835

Incident

Jul 7, 2024

Rear glass seemed to shatter very easily. Almost no pressure caused this to happen. Caused an 8 week period with no glass. Repair has occurred. Others reporting same issue.

NHTSA ID

11585560

Incident

Feb 27, 2024

I was driving around town and a loud bang, almost as loud as a gunshot. My moonroof had shattered into thousands of pieces.

NHTSA ID

11556687

Incident

Nov 24, 2023

side mirror vibrated badly with out music turn on. with music, shaking likes dancing

NHTSA ID

11556220

Incident

Nov 13, 2023