TSB-0189-17 "Rear Hatch Glass Shattered"
 

Saw this on TIS's "new documents" tab when I logged in this week. Looks like there's an updated rear window glass for those of you who have run into randomly shattering rear hatch glass. So if you run into this issue, there is a superseded part number for the glass.

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There is a Warranty Enhancement Program now for this condition, it's mainly for replacing/reimbursing owners who have had this happen to them.

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I'm not understanding why there's a mention of "Applicable Warranty" in that TIS, a 4 Runner with this issue would be way out of the warranty coverage period regardless of mileage, so why would it even mention a warranty?

Since Toyota recognizes this as a defect hince the newly designed glass, is it possible they may do a Warranty Enhancement in the future as they did with the dashes?

@AuSeeker

It's possible if enough customers complain, push the issue it could become a Warranty Enhancement like the dashboards. I have not heard anything regarding that to be the case though (it'd be up to you the owners to create that momentum). In regards to the warranty period, it's posted on every TSB pretty much; not sure why but I guess it's just a standard thing for Toyota TSBs.

I wouldn't say that the part is "Defective" exactly, keep in mind that this issue is somewhat rare on the forum (I see it pop up maybe a couple times a year or so) and we're a very small subset of owners. Obviously it's been enough of an issue to be escalated to a TSB, but a superseded part does not imply a defect, merely that the new part is improved over the original. These rear glasses have basically been fine for over 10yrs in some cases (mine included), perhaps the superseded part is to address an issue that develops over time outside of the expected life expectancy of the vehicle? I can't say for sure, just trying to point out that a TSB and/or superseded part does not inherently imply a defect in the original part always. :)

I got a letter in the mail about a warranty enhancement program -ZG7 that covers the back glass shattering.

@Slowgoat Thanks for mentioning that, they must have released the ZG7 WEP recently after the TSB as I didn't find any mention of it when I made the thread. Updated the original post with the WEP notice as well.

Basically this is pretty cut and dry, if it shattered on you when using it; then you're covered.

No problem @BlackWorksInc .

Thanks for all you do around here, man.

Thanks for posting this. Wish I read it yesterday though! I was toggling the rear defrost all the way to work this morning in the snow, paranoid that it was gonna blow. :noidea: At least this way I know I'm covered.

So in reading the Warranty lingo....it mentions 9 years? So is this from the TSB or production of the vehicle. In short is my 2006 covered still now, or if it blows until 2018 it is covered by warranty?

Basically all 4th gens fall under the "Primary" warranty coverage until April 30, 2018, regardless of mileage. After that it falls under "Secondary Coverage" which at that point means none of them are covered because the newest 4th gen is already 9yrs old from DOFU (Date of First Use), so what they're really saying is "you have until April 30th, 2018 to ask for reimbursement and/or get replacement of a shattered rear window due to defroster failure; after that you're on your own."

Looks like I need to use that every morning until April now . .

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For some reason I thought this was cold weather use problem, i.e. heating up the rear window in freezing weather, but it is more accurately an electrical problem occurring in warmer or all climates...?

In my search from what others way more detail oriented than myself has said a difference in the resistors are what cause it so its electrical at this point not just cold weather, although you could argue most people use their rear defrost in cold weather? Since this TSB though i have been turning mine on every morning just to be safe.

I had my back hatch explode. When getting it replaced, we found the leads to the defroster burned out. See picture. Other than the glass, is the repair to fix the burnt out parts covered?

You don't have to replace them , it's corrosion build up similar to what happens to battery terminals. Mine looked exactly the same.

You can use Battery Terminal Cleaner, it's like a dissolving foam, just spray inside the connectors and let it soak for a bit. Clean off with duster spray or compressed air and it'll be good as new. All that dark stuff will be gone. Apply dielectric grease before reconnecting. It'll prevent the buildup in the future.

My defroster used to take forever to heat now they work like new again.

the connectors are not weather proof so this will get damaged if water/condensation enters the window well area.

what I would do is find some HD connector to slide on that window heater lug then use some liquid tape and cover that connector so water cannot get to the metal conductors.. also solder the new connector on the wire .

silicone dielectric grease does work great in a sealed connector but this is NOT sealed which is why it is prone to failure in this environment .