NHTSA Complaint #10927496 — 2013 LEXUS GS HYBRID

I WAS DRIVING A 2013 LEXUS GS450 HYBRID ON THE 15 FREEWAY AT 50-55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT OR TIRE FAILURE IN THE CABIN AREA. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, EXITED AND VEHICLE AND FOUND THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED, LEAVING AN APPROXIMATE ONE FOOT BY SIX INCH PIECE MISSING FROM THE FRONT CENTER. THE REMAINDER HAD FRACTURED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES AND WE COULD HEAR THE GLASS CONTINUING TO CRACK. BEING AN INSURANCE AGENT BY TRADE I IMMEDIATELY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER DAMAGE AND FOUND NONE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE SURROUNDING AREA INDICATED NO FOREIGN OBJECTS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. A CLOSER EXAMINATION FOUND THE GLASS HAD AN OUTWARD BEND (TOWARD THE SKY AND AWAY FROM THE CABIN) IN THE EXPLODED AREA, INDICATING THE FORCE CAUSING THE DAMAGE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE SUNROOF HOUSING. THE SUNROOF SCREEN WAS FORTUNATELY CLOSED IT WAS AN APPROXIMATELY 70 DEGREE DAY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY EXTREME TEMPERATURES. THERE WERE NO POTHOLES OR FLYING DEBRIS. THERE WAS NO BRIDGES OR PASSING TRUCKS THAT COULD HAVE KICKED UP AN ITEM THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS.