Exploding glass after ice storm. - Toyota 4Runner Forum

alaskaman · 12-24-2022, 06:48 PM

Found the drivers side rear window shattered inward. This was a replacement window when some nimrod did not like my Alaska plates and busted it.

Here in the PNW we got to 10 degrees with freezing rain. I'm sure you know the feeling all over the country. Temp went from 10 to 42 quickly. I'm thinking that caused it to shatter in a replacement window.

We did not have any temp changes like that up in the Big Land.

Thoughts?

Inv4drZm · 12-24-2022, 11:10 PM

There's a thread or maybe multiple threads on this forum that talk about this phenomenon.

It could be caused by the heating element in the rear glass malfunctioning when it's turned on. This is a somewhat common cause.

If the vehicle was parked and rear defrost off then maybe it was something else.

ArthurKotb · 12-25-2022, 10:53 AM

Sounds like someone else didn't like your Alaskan plates. The left rear window, at least in my 2004, doesn't have any heating element, just the rear hatch window. I've had a windshield on a Camry crack one cold morning when I had the defroster on full to help get rid of ice and snow. I doubt that a car just sitting in the cold would have the glass shatter, especially inward. If all or most of the glass in inside I would say someone hit it with something like a tire tool.

alaskaman · 12-25-2022, 11:21 AM

We have a driveway cam and DW took a look. no activations so the evidence would suggest thus far it was the cold changing to warm quickly. No neighbors really over the holiday. We live at the end of a long gravel road. No bears here either.

Wardbird · 12-26-2022, 02:20 PM

Since this is a rear driver side window and not the back window I would think there are only two options and one of those you seem to have somewhat eliminated. I have a bunch of cameras surrounding my home and sometimes they pick up things and rarely not. The only other option is that the replacement glass installed in that window was defective or they installed tempered and not laminated glass.

alaskaman · 12-26-2022, 03:12 PM

agree about cameras. we basically are pretty isolated. no one turns down our road. I will ask the safelight shop about the laminated glass. nothing was taken out of the car. to bad my deductible is $500 on the 4Runner.

AuSeeker · 12-26-2022, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wardbird

Since this is a rear driver side window and not the back window I would think there are only two options and one of those you seem to have somewhat eliminated. I have a bunch of cameras surrounding my home and sometimes they pick up things and rarely not. The only other option is that the replacement glass installed in that window was defective or they installed tempered and not laminated glass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskaman

agree about cameras. we basically are pretty isolated. no one turns down our road. I will ask the safelight shop about the laminated glass. nothing was taken out of the car. to bad my deductible is $500 on the 4Runner.

I could be wrong but I don't think so...BUT the only glass that's laminated is the windshield, all other glass is just tempered glass.

The windshield is laminated AND tempered for two reasons, so the broken glass doesn't cut you as much in an accident, and to help keep you from being propelled out the front of the vehicle in an accident, all other glass is only tempered to help avoid being cut as badly if broken.

ArthurKotb · 12-27-2022, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskaman

agree about cameras. we basically are pretty isolated. no one turns down our road. I will ask the safelight shop about the laminated glass. nothing was taken out of the car. to bad my deductible is $500 on the 4Runner.

Your comprehensive insurance should cover all your windows unless it was in an accident. Even then it would be collision insurance but the deductible would apply.

MikeinNH67 · 12-28-2022, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inv4drZm

There's a thread or maybe multiple threads on this forum that talk about this phenomenon.

It could be caused by the heating element in the rear glass malfunctioning when it's turned on. This is a somewhat common cause.

If the vehicle was parked and rear defrost off then maybe it was something else.

I think this is for the hatch glass not a side window. I've had a window blow out while driving in a different car years ago. It just went boom and landed on my lap. Odd thing.

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