Hyundai Ioniq 5 owner Greg Zellner recently shared a worrying experience on Facebook; He reported that a piece of the car’s window shattered for no apparent reason while driving. The incident he shared about Hyundai Ioniq 5 Forum groupIt sparked a heated debate among other owners, with many sharing similar concerns or experiences.

Here’s The Incident on Greg’s Ioniq 5.

Greg posted two pictures showing the broken windows on his Hyundai Ioniq 5 and described the situation in detail:

“Has anyone had this piece of glass explode while driving? Apparently body flex did this. No point of impact and only around the edges. Every time we started driving it would squeak like there was stress on the upper A pillar. .4k miles from the car wash before I realized it was happening passed.”

What stood out in Greg’s description was that he observed squeaking noises coming from the upper A-pillar, and he suspected this was related to the eventual breakage of the glass.

Hyundai’s Adequate Response

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

“Update: Hyundai admits this was not due to impact and will replace it under warranty.”

This decision provided some relief, but also raised questions about whether similar problems would affect other Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles or other electric vehicles with large glass panels.

Greg’s post quickly caught the attention of others Hyundai Ioniq 5 owners sharing their experiences and insights.

Chris Clarking pointed out a potentially related issue:

“I was concerned about a distinct pop or snap sound that typically sounds like it’s coming from the top drive on startup. There are no obvious cracks yet that I can see but follow. I asked the service representative to note in my file when I had my last TSB/Recall. He said he would, but who knows if he did? I will mention it again when I get it for the current recall”

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

“That was exactly my case. I can only assume it was a symptom of that outcome.”

Another member of the group, Alan Buck, offered a more general perspective, suggesting that such events are not specific to the Ioniq 5:

“This happens periodically with giant glass panels on all makes of cars. They probably got hit by a rock at some point, creating a stress point that eventually exploded in an explosion.”

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

Another owner, Scott Taylor, spoke with similar concern:

“I’ve been hearing some noise coming from the driver’s side A-pillar for the past month. Mine has only 2,000 miles on it and was built in March of this year. What month was yours built?”

Greg’s answer showed that his tools may have similarities in terms of build history and symptoms:

“The same thing in July 2023. I’ve been doing it since new. They mentioned it to the dealer but they said they weren’t sure.”

Key Takeaways for Hyundai Ioniq 5 Owners

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

1. Large Glass Panels Require Attention: Vehicles like the Ioniq 5 with large glass surfaces may be more prone to stress-related problems or damage from external factors such as road debris.
2. Monitor and Report Unusual Noises: As Greg and others have noted, squealing or popping noises near the A-pillar can indicate potential stress in the vehicle’s structure. Reporting and documenting these to your vendor can be crucial if a problem arises later.
3. Warranty Coverage is Important: 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 defending warranty coverage if a manufacturer’s defect is suspected.
4. Proactive Maintenance and Communication: As Chris mentioned, it’s helpful to ask service writers to document any unusual noises or concerns during routine maintenance visits. Although it is unclear how consistently these notes were recorded, having a documented history can support warranty claims.

Possible Causes of Shattered Car Window

Although Hyundai has not released a specific statement, there are several potential reasons for such events. These can happen, for example, as happened to you. This Tesla Cybertruck owner whose windshield shattered while washing it with a microfiber cloth.

• Body Flexibility and Stress Points: Electric vehicles often have rigid chassis designs due to heavy battery packs, which can result in increased body flex in certain areas. This could potentially put stress on the large glass panels.
• Manufacturing Defects: Improper installation or natural defects in the glass can lead to premature failure.
• Thermal or Physical Stress: Extreme temperature changes, pressure washing or minor impacts can cause microcracks that grow over time, even if the direct point of impact is not visible.

What Does This Mean for Electric Vehicle Owners?

It’s a reminder that new technology and design features, like the Ioniq 5’s panoramic glass, present unique maintenance and inspection challenges. Owners are encouraged to:

• Inspect glass surfaces regularly for cracks or stress marks.
• Document any unusual noises or performance issues immediately.
• Report your concerns early to prevent further damage.

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

This incident also underscores the importance of online communities where experiences like Greg’s are shared; here he can help others detect and resolve potential problems early.

Armen Hareyan He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. he founded TorqueNews.com It has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry since 2010. He can be reached at: Torque News Twitter, Facebook, LinkedInAnd youtube. He has over a decade of expertise in the automotive industry and has a particular interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.