What should you do about a cracked sunroof?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
A cracked sunroof is replaced, not repaired, because sunroof glass is tempered and has no interlayer to hold a resin fill. Cover the opening from the outside with heavy plastic sheeting and painter’s tape, and do not open or close the sunroof until it is replaced. Skyview replaces sunroof and panoramic roof glass on vehicles that already have one.
How to cover a broken sunroof
Cover the sunroof from the outside so the plastic sheds water, and leave the sunroof closed.
- 1
Clean and dry the glass and roof
Wipe the roof around the sunroof so the tape sticks.
- 2
Cut heavy plastic sheeting to size
Cover the whole opening with overlap on all sides.
- 3
Tape from the outside
Press painter’s tape onto the roof, smoothing it down so there are no gaps for water.
- 4
Leave the sunroof closed
Do not open or close it, because moving the cracked pane can shatter it.
Do not open or close a cracked sunroof
Sunroof glass is tempered, so a crack can spread into a full shatter when the pane moves. Leave the sunroof closed and cover it from the outside until the replacement. Skyview replaces sunroof and panoramic roof glass — see our sunroof glass replacement service.
Can a cracked sunroof be repaired?
No. Sunroof glass is tempered, like side and back glass, so it has no plastic interlayer to hold a resin fill. A windshield can be repaired because it is laminated; a sunroof cannot. A crack or chip in a sunroof pane means the glass is replaced, and the new pane is matched to the vehicle.
Is it safe to drive with a cracked sunroof? For a short distance at low speed, yes, if the glass is stable and covered. But tempered glass can shatter suddenly from a crack, especially over bumps or in temperature swings, so the replacement is booked as soon as possible. Cover the opening from the outside to keep water out until then.
Skyview replaces sunroof and panoramic roof glass for vehicles that already have one. If the problem is the sunroof motor, track, or drain rather than the glass, tell us when you call — those are not services Skyview offers, and it does not install aftermarket sunroofs or window tint. See our guide on sunroof versus moonroof.
More questions about a cracked sunroof
Can a cracked sunroof be repaired?
No. Sunroof glass is tempered, so it has no interlayer to hold a resin fill. A crack or chip means the glass is replaced, matched to the vehicle, and the new pane is set in place.
Is it safe to drive with a cracked sunroof?
For a short distance at low speed, yes, if the glass is stable and covered. Tempered glass can shatter suddenly from a crack, so book the replacement soon and cover the opening from the outside until then.
How do I cover a broken sunroof?
Cover it from the outside with heavy plastic sheeting and painter’s tape, pressing the tape onto clean, dry paint. Leave the sunroof closed and do not open or close it, because moving the cracked pane can shatter it.
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