Rear Windshield Exploaded

[TURBOBX]

On the drive to work this am, noticed rear defroster was really not doing any work... total of 5 minutes into my drive I stop for a coffee, and as I leave the drive through I hear the loudest pop/explosion sound. Rear glass completely shattered into a thousand pieces. Fortunately tint has somewhat kept it from going everywhere. Dealer and Chevy chat say I'm S.O.L. Pretty lame because found related complaints online and for a car approx. 5 years off the factory line this should not be happening.

Anyone else hear of this? Found a semi-related thread but feel like smearing a bit today. opcorn:

Thank you Chevy, for also circumnavigating my Catalytic Converter replacement due to a "small rust hole" in my exhaust. I know I'm going to shell out for that repair then the same P0420 code will rear it's head and you'll cover it. Last GM product I buy.

 

[Stew]

That sucks. Sunroofs have been known to do this much more often than back windows but I've heard of it before.

 

[jasunderland]

If you have comprehensive insurance, tell them a baseball went through it...

 

[Italianjoe1]

Yeah if your state is like FL, there is $0 deductible on glass. I had safelite come and put a windshield in my wife's Sonic when it got damaged, they billed insurance, cost me nothing and was done same day. If it happens when the car is parked, it's not even an at fault claim, so it doesn't affect your rates.

 

[Papasonic]

It is true that the comprehensive coverage should fix your glass. I have $50.00 deductible comp. Fire theft vandalism, and glass breakage covered under comp.

 

[TURBOBX]

My comp deductible was $250. Needless to say I've since changed it on my policy after this claim... just really annoying as it seems the defrosters are to blame and others have experienced/noted this.

 

[Vikingsoftpaw]

On the drive to work this am, noticed rear defroster was really not doing any work... total of 5 minutes into my drive I stop for a coffee, and as I leave the drive through I hear the loudest pop/explosion sound. Rear glass completely shattered into a thousand pieces. Fortunately tint has somewhat kept it from going everywhere. Dealer and Chevy chat say I'm S.O.L. Pretty lame because found related complaints online and for a car approx. 5 years off the factory line this should not be happening.

Anyone else hear of this?

Only other time I've seen that happen was years ago. A rear window blew out of my fathers car ('83 Regal). Both passenger and drivers door were closed vigorously and the same time. The dealer paid full cost of replacement.

 

[SuperFudd]

Are you saying you had your rear window tinted?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hello TURBOBX,

We regret to hear of this occurrence and would like to look into this matter further. If this is something you are interested in, please send us a private message with your full contact information, VIN, current mileage, and the involved dealership.

Best,
Netty J.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Seymour Beaver]

Hey Guys this just happened to me too! There was a wicked rainstorm that lasted a couple of days and then the skies cleared, went outside to do some groceries and found my rear window was shattered into a thousand pieces from the sun i'm guessing. The car didnt move for 3 days and nothing hit the window to break it. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[JTee2017]

This has happened on a lot of cars. Equinox and Terrains for GM in particular.

From some articles I have read, it happens because of uneven heating or cooling of the glass during the "tempering" process. Have you ever looked at rear windows of cars with polarized sunglasses on and noticed a checker board like pattern?
That pattern is formed during the tempering process by gas jets heating it up to a certain point and then letting it cool. If the process is altered somehow, it creates uneven stresses in the glass itself and then when conditions are right, it releases the stress by exploding.

So it does sound like a (delayed) glass supplier defect to me.

 

[Llia]

We turned on the front defroster and the windshield broke. Did not shatter but made a loud pop. The glass must be very sensitive to (sudden) temp changes.