Hyundai Agrees The Shattered Glass On My Ioniq 5 Wasn't Caused By Impact And Is Replacing It

A Hyundai Ioniq 5 owner, Greg Zellner, recently shared a concerning experience on Facebook, where he reported that a piece of his car’s glass seemingly shattered without any apparent cause while driving. The incident, which he posted about in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Forum group, has sparked a lively discussion among other owners, with several sharing similar concerns or experiences.

Here Is The Incident With Greg's Ioniq 5.

Greg posted two images showing shattered glass on his Hyundai Ioniq 5 and described the situation in detail:

"Has anyone had this glass piece just explode on them while driving? Seems like body flex did this. There’s no impact spot and it’s just around the edges. The upper A pillar would creak like there was tension on it every time we would start driving. 4k miles. It did get run through the car wash before I noticed this happened."

What stood out in Greg’s description was his observation of creaking noises from the upper A pillar, which he suspected were linked to the eventual breakage of the glass.

Hyundai's Adequate Response

After reporting the issue to Hyundai, Greg shared an update:

"Update: Hyundai agrees that this wasn’t caused by impact and is replacing it under warranty."

This resolution brought some relief, but it also raised questions about whether similar issues might affect other Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles or other electric vehicles with large glass panels.

Greg’s post quickly garnered attention from other Hyundai Ioniq 5 owners who shared their experiences and insights.

Chris Clarking noted a potentially related issue:

"I’ve been concerned about a distinct pop or snap sound that sounds like it’s coming from the upper drivers side, typically when first starting out. No apparent crack yet that I can see but keeping track. Asked the service writer to make a note in my file when I had the last TSB/Recall done. Said he would but who knows if he did? Will mention again when I take it in for the current recall."

Greg responded, acknowledging the similarity between Chris’s situation and his own:

"That’s exactly what my situation was. I can only assume that was a symptom of this outcome."

Another group member, Alan Buck, offered a more general perspective, suggesting that such incidents aren’t unique to the Ioniq 5:

"This periodically happens on those giant glass panels on every brand of car. Likely was hit by a rock at some point, which created a stress point that eventually lets go with a bang."

While Alan’s comment highlighted a plausible explanation, Greg’s observations of creaking noises and Hyundai’s decision to replace the glass under warranty suggest that his situation may have been more complex than typical road debris damage.

Scott Taylor, another owner, chimed in with a similar concern:

"I’ve been hearing some noise come from my driver side A pillar during the past month. Only 2k miles on mine and was built in March of this year. What month was yours built?"

Greg’s reply indicated that their vehicles may share similarities in build date and symptoms:

"Same here 2023 July. Been doing it since new. Mentioned to dealer but they said they are unsure."

Key Takeaways for Hyundai Ioniq 5 Owners

I think this incident highlights several considerations for Ioniq 5 and EV owners:

1. Large Glass Panels Require Attention: Vehicles like the Ioniq 5, which feature expansive glass surfaces, may be more prone to stress-related issues or damage from external factors such as road debris.
2. Monitor and Report Unusual Noises: As Greg and others have noted, creaking or popping sounds near the A pillar could indicate potential stress in the vehicle’s structure. Reporting these to your dealer and documenting them can be crucial if an issue arises later.
3. Warranty Coverage Matters: Hyundai’s decision to cover the replacement under warranty is a positive outcome for Greg, but it underscores the importance of thoroughly inspecting your vehicle and advocating for warranty coverage if a manufacturer defect is suspected.
4. Proactive Maintenance and Communication: As Chris pointed out, it’s helpful to ask service writers to document unusual noises or concerns during routine maintenance visits. While it’s unclear how consistently these notes are recorded, having a documented history can support warranty claims.

Possible Causes of Car Glass Shatter

While Hyundai hasn’t released a specific explanation, there are several potential causes for such incidents. These things may happen as it, for example, happened to this Tesla Cybertruck owner whose windshield shattered to pieces while washing it with a microfiber cloth.

• Body Flex and Stress Points: Electric vehicles often feature stiff chassis designs due to their heavy battery packs, which can lead to increased body flex in certain areas. This could potentially create stress on large glass panels.
• Manufacturing Defects: Improper installation or inherent flaws in the glass could lead to premature failure.
• Thermal or Physical Stress: Extreme temperature changes, pressure washing, or minor impacts can create microfractures that grow over time, even if no direct impact point is visible.

What This Means for EV Owners

The situation serves as a reminder that new technology and design features, like the Ioniq 5’s panoramic glass, come with unique maintenance and inspection challenges. Owners are encouraged to:

• Regularly inspect glass surfaces for cracks or stress marks.
• Document unusual noises or performance issues promptly.
• Report concerns early to avoid escalated damage.

While Hyundai’s response to Greg’s issue was commendable, it raises broader questions about potential design vulnerabilities in EVs with large glass panels. For Hyundai Ioniq 5 owners and EV enthusiasts, staying vigilant about unusual symptoms and maintaining clear communication with dealers can make a significant difference in resolving such issues.

This incident also underscores the importance of online communities, where sharing experiences like Greg’s can help others identify and address potential problems early.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.