NHTSA Complaint #11529630 — 2023 MAZDA CX-5

I was driving my new 2023 Mazda CX5 with approximately 1,300 miles in the center lane of a divided highway of the suburbs just north of New York City. I was driving with all windows closed, A/C turned on and the weather was clear, hot and sunny. Without any warning there was a loud and abrupt explosion from within the vehicle. As I looked in my rear view mirror I saw glass blowing in the wind behind me. I suddenly detected wind blowing above my head and realized my sunroof had most likely been the glass I saw behind me. I kept the sunshade closed with one hand until I could safely pull over to look. I did not suspect any road debris to have caused the breaking of the glass and my inspection did not reveal any other damage or possible outside causes. This even appeared to have been spontaneous and without warning. I feel that this incident could have been a lot worse had the sunshade been open, most likely blowing little pieces of glass into my eyes while driving at highway speeds in a center lane. I also fear that this could have been a hazard to my children passengers if they were in the back seat at the time it happened. I notified my Mazda dealership at the earliest possible moment and they asked to inspect it. After inspection, a regional service manager advised that this type of incident has been heard of but only in southern warmer states and typically on hot sunny days when the air conditioning is on inside the vehicle. Apparently the temperature difference coupled with cabin pressure and any sort of defects in the glass can make the glass explode upward. Date/time of incident 6/11/23 @ 5pm est. Date of repair by dealership: 6/15/23