A number of drivers are reporting sudden and violent sunroof explosions in their RAV4 SUVs
July 23, 2025 at 14:36
- Toyota RAV4 panoramic sunroofs have shattered unexpectedly in multiple US complaints.
- One owner claims her sunroof was replaced twice, paying $500 deductibles each time.
- A US judge set the class certification deadline for September 2025 and trial in 2027.
Do you drive a 2021 Toyota RAV4? If so, you might be interested to know that your vehicle is the subject of a lawsuit in the United States. The proposed class action claims the compact SUV’s panoramic sunroof can unexpectedly shatter or explode. The case is currently seeking class certification and a jury trial.
Read: Toyota Sued Over A Recurring 12V Battery Problem That Kills Its EV
The lawsuit was originally filed back in 2023 by two owners of the SUV, Jeffrey Takili and Arecely Gamez. Takili reported that the sunroof on his Toyota RAV4 exploded less than a year after purchase. His insurance company covered the repair, which was carried out by a non-Toyota dealer. However, Takili later withdrew from the lawsuit and is no longer listed as a plaintiff.
Ongoing Claims from Remaining Plaintiff
However, Gamez has continued with the lawsuit. She contends the sunroof of her 2021 Toyota RAV4 exploded just a month after she purchased the SUV. After paying a $500 insurance deductible to replace it, the new sunroof reportedly shattered as well, resulting in a second $500 deductible..
According to the court filing, “Toyota has failed to meet the associated manufacturing challenges because of the propensity of its panoramic roofs to spontaneously shatter.” The complaint adds that the sunroofs can shatter “due to either deficient materials used to make the panoramic roof itself, and/or deficient manufacturing processes, and/or a deficiency in the structure of the Class Vehicles.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received multiple complaints over the years about Toyota RAV4 sunroofs breaking unexpectedly. Some drivers described the sound as similar to a “gunshot”, emphasizing the sudden and startling nature of the failure.
US District Judge Dale A. Drozd has now set a deadline of September 5, 2025, for the plaintiffs to seek class action certification. A tentative trial date has been scheduled for March 23, 2027.
Have you experienced this issue with your RAV4’s sunroof? We’d like to hear from you. Sharing your story with our readers can help show how common the problem is and offer insight for others navigating similar situations.
