NHTSA Complaint #10596546 — 2012 KIA OPTIMA

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN. I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP, AS IF SOMEONE POPPED A BALLOON RIGHT NEXT TO MY EAR, AND I WAS SHOWERED WITH GLASS. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. *TR I WASN'T AROUND A BRIDGE OR OVERPASS, AND THERE WEREN'T CARS AROUND ME. I DON'T RECALL SEEING ANYTHING ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OR ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO MY TRIP. IT WAS ABOUT 80-82 DEGREES OUTSIDE WITH CLEAR SKIES. I'VE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH KIA OPTIMAS, HYUNDAI VELOSTERS, AND OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND IS INVESTIGATING. LUCKILY I REMAINED CALM AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CLEAR OFF THE GLASS AND GO TO THE DEALER. THAT SOUND AND SHOWER OF GLASS COULD HAVE EASILY STARTLED SOMEONE ELSE AND POSSIBLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I DO HAVE A PICTURE OF THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO BREAKING AWAY THE ADDITIONAL, BROKEN GLASS. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR IT, SHOULD IT BE NEEDED.