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While driving the family to the movies, the sunroof in the high end car explodes, spraying broken glass all over the driver and the children, giving them superficial cuts and incidentally slicing into the leather seats. While it sounds like a scene from a disaster movie, it is a real life experience of a suburban Mom.

WNCN Investigations in Charlotte, NC reported on August 6, 2015 that Ayesha Farr was frightened when she experienced her 2013 Kia's sunroof shattering. She said, "It was closed. Luckily, that day it was closed. I mean, literally sounded like a gunshot. I was scared because I thought someone was shooting on the highway."

In January 2014 ConsumerEagle.com, a consumer advocate group, reported that consumers were hearing noises like gunshot, following which sunroof glass was "raining down" inside the vehicle. Vehicles sustained damage to their seats, but more importantly, drivers and passengers were often cut by the glass. Since this happened while the vehicles were in motion, it presented a situation where drivers could become distracted and be involved in accidents.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates there have been complaints against at least 20 different automobile manufacturers and that nearly 200 Kia drivers have filed reports that indicated their sunroofs exploded at random, often happening with vehicles travelling at high speeds on highways. NHTSA records date back to 2009. Voluntary recalls were made by Hyundai and Audi on some of their models; however, Kia told vehicle owners when they called about the problem that the shattering was due to "external impacts from rocks or other foreign objects," according to KPRC6 Orlando in July 2015.

What is causing the sunroofs to explode?

Experts believe that because cars are built more air tight than ever before that this could contribute to some of the failures. Also, more and more glass is being manufactured in China and Mexico. The glass is reported to meet the standards, but it is thinner and lighter. WRAL5 in Raleigh/Durham, NC reports that the biggest, and perhaps most important factor is temperature change. Reports of sunroof explosions happened on hot days when the heat was trapped between the sunroof and the closed visor. However, there were some, not as many, sunroofs which shattered on extremely cold days. The common type of glass used in sunroofs is tempered glass. Should there be any flaw in the glass, it could shatter under pressure. Flaws may occur during the manufacturing process or road debris may weaken the glass.

Donald Phillips, an engineer who specializes in automobile glass in accident investigations in New York said, "It is just a matter of design. Anything goes out of adjustment, it's going to blow the roof." Laminated glass is required for vehicle windshields, but it is not often used for sunroofs or side windows. The glass used, tempered glass, can shatter suddenly and break into tiny pieces.

A glass expert, Mark Meshulam, demonstrated, using a slingshot with a mannequin in the driver's seat what it looks like when a sunroof shatters. "The cracks go at over 3,000 miles an hour, so in an absolute instant this glass is completely broken." Mr. Meshulam, along with other experts believe that there is a manufacturing defect.

What is being done to fix the problem?

No one specific brand has been identified, but NHTSA reports there is a common thread in the mystery of the shattering sunroofs. That is that the incidents are occurring in the newer models 2010 and up.

Hyundai has recalled certain Veloster models. Audi recalled A8 and S8's. NHTSA is investigating Kia Sorrentos.

Because of the growing problem, some auto safety experts are asking the NHTSA to create new safety standards for sunroofs. Safety standards that would require sunroofs to be made of laminated glass like windshields, which when hit remain in place to protect the driver.

Where to find out more information about your sunroof?

You can check with your local dealership to find out what kind of glass your car windows have. In addition, check to see whether there have been complaints or recalls on your make and model by going to Safercar.gov.

"If you have been injured by a spontaneously exploding sunroof, contact the personal injury attorneys at Spivey Law to determine your rights," said Fort Myers Defective Products Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers Defective Products Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.