NHTSA Complaint #10170827 — 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

2004 VW PASSAT. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN LOUD CRASH AND BREAKING GLASS, SOME OF WHICH FELL INTO THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD JUST SHATTERED. GLASS FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF WAS IN LITTLE PIECES ON TOP OF THE HEADLINER. THE REMAINING RIM OF GLASS IS PRESENT, BOWED SLIGHTLY UPWARD BUT ALSO FULL OF LITTLE CRACKS. WAS IN A REMOTE AREA OF HIGHWAY, NO HOMES, BUSINESSES, OVERPASSES PRESENT. NO TRUCK TRAFFIC ALTHOUGH THERE WAS ONE CAR 300 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. I SAW NOTHING IN THE ROADWAY OR IN THE AIR. WHEN I GOT HOME I CAREFULLY EXAMINED THE ROOF (FINE LAYER OF DUST) AND THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO MARKS. THE PLASTIC SURFACE OF THE TOP OF THE HEADLINER PANEL ALSO HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MARKS ON IT. THIS APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND DOES POSE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AS GLASS FRAGMENTS FELL INTO THE CAR EVEN WITH THE HEADLINER CLOSED. THE DEAL HAS ADVISED I WILL NEED TO BRING THE CAR BACK ON MONDAY FOR THE MANAGER TO EXAMINE ALONG WITH POSSIBLY A REPRESENTATIVE. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. IN BUSIER TRAFFIC OR IF HEADLINER HAD BEEN OPEN THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR PASSENGER INJURY DUE TO FLYING GLASS. *NM