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GMC Envoy Rear Window Explodes
Hello -
Today, on our way home the rear window of our 2006 GMC Envoy spontaneously exploded into a million pieces. It sounded as if we had been shot - it was a loud explosion. Glass went everywhere in the car, hitting both my husband and I. We were driving on the freeway and going 60 miles an hour. Luckily, neither of us were hurt, but we consider ourselves very lucky.
I have done some searching online and have found others that have had this happen - some say it's due to "drastic climate changes."
We live in Cleveland, and while it IS cold here, it has been for several weeks. It's not as if it's gone from 60 to 20 overnight. Nothing hit our vehicle, the defrost was not on, nor was the back wiper.
This is the second time this has happened - the first being Christmas night last year. So, that makes this twice within one year of each incident that this has occurred.
Does anyone know of any recalls, ect.? Is this is problem anyone else has experienced? Suggestions?
Today, on our way home the rear window of our 2006 GMC Envoy spontaneously exploded into a million pieces. It sounded as if we had been shot - it was a loud explosion. Glass went everywhere in the car, hitting both my husband and I. We were driving on the freeway and going 60 miles an hour. Luckily, neither of us were hurt, but we consider ourselves very lucky.
I have done some searching online and have found others that have had this happen - some say it's due to "drastic climate changes."
We live in Cleveland, and while it IS cold here, it has been for several weeks. It's not as if it's gone from 60 to 20 overnight. Nothing hit our vehicle, the defrost was not on, nor was the back wiper.
This is the second time this has happened - the first being Christmas night last year. So, that makes this twice within one year of each incident that this has occurred.
Does anyone know of any recalls, ect.? Is this is problem anyone else has experienced? Suggestions?
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Comments
First let me say I'm glad you and your husband are safe. Second, this just had this happen to me last night!
I have a 2005 Envoy and went to leave for work this am and found my rear hatch window blown out. When I found the mess this am I thought someone broke into my garage. I hadn't started the truck yet so nothing was on (heat, wiper, etc). It looks like it just exploded! Glass inside and outside the rear so I couldn't tell where the force came from. I guess "exploded" fits it about right.
As I mentioned, I was parked in my garage (all night long) so there wasn't any drastic temp change to blame. I'm at a loss not of of why but apparently this will run me about $1000 to replace!
Ironically I also live in the Cleveland area ... If any others have had this happen, please post. I sounds like a defect in the Envoy's glass.
While insurance WOULD cover the cost of replacing the window (that's what we did the first time we had this happen) - it's not something you should have to do. You are going to have to pay the deductible, which regardless of what yours is, is more than you should have to pay! This IS a defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle.
We had our glass guy look at the damage - the same person we had to the repair the first time this happened. He pointed out two prongs that incorrectly hold the window in place. He is fixing our window as we speak - and he is also contacting GMC in regards to this.
We have contacted GMC and have an active claim with them right now. I HIGHLY recommend you call and also file a complaint with them. Their number is 866-790-5700. They have contacted us twice since we first reported this. We ARE holding GMC responsible - since this happened twice, it's impossible for it to be a coincidence.
After the repairs are made, we will be getting rid of our beloved Envoy. We are expecting our first child this summer, and CANNOT risk having this happen again - ESPECIALLY with a baby in the backseat facing the window that has already blown out twice! Even after the car is repaired, we do not trust it enough to use it to transport our family - and a family vehicle is exactly what we were looking for.
Best of luck to you - let me know if you are able to get anywhere with GMC and what you wind up doing!
We were on a paved two lane highway at a stop sign. No cars were around as it was about 730 in the morning. The temps were around 40 degrees and wiper blades were not being used. The price to replace the rear window is estimated at $795.
Giglio411, If you were planning on working with a GM dealership, we could set up a Customer Assistance Case for you. Please email us more information, including: your name/Edmunds user name and contact information (phone and address, please), the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your preferred dealership.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I did file a complaint with NHTSA.
Deductible is $500, and luckily I found a used glass for $300 so iI did notfile use insurance.
I then installed myself which is how I realized the real problem.
The conclusion below is what I wrote to my local service manager @ the dealership.
Attached are pictures of interference between the left and right inboard radius of the glass and the tailgate steel. The glass needs to be cut lower to clear the steel, or the steel be pushed fwd away from the glass.
Please take note the areas where the glass has rubbed through the paint and started to rust. In this series of pictures the latch is not even engaged yet. There s<img src="eems to be some side to side movement permitted in the hinge design, which leaves the chance that one side of the glass could contact the steel more than the other causing this to create a pressure point bursting the +$800 assembly. This is a faulty interference design, I hope there is a solution available.
At the moment
Attached are pictures of interference between the left and right inboard radius of the glass and the tailgate steel. The glass needs to be cut lower to clear the steel, or the steel be pushed fwd away from the glass.
Please take note the areas where the glass has rubbed through the paint and started to rust. In this series of pictures the latch is not even engaged yet. There seems to be some side to side movement permitted in the hinge design, which leaves the chance that one side of the glass could contact the steel more than the other causing this to create a pressure point bursting the +$800 assembly. This is a faulty interference design, I hope there is a solution available.
I would be curious to know how gm customer service can explain this.
I would not have believed it unless it happened to me.
Just amazing.....
I am so sorry for everyone's misfortune and I understand. Hopefully this wont happen to you again and everyone stays safe!
Hope to hear from you,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
GM will set up a case and act like they're going to do something, but you wont have any luck with them. Eventually they will stop answering your messages and your "case" with them will simply disappear. You will also have to pay or go through your insurance - unless you have another car or plan on driving around with a broken window! GM is in no hurry to send you any type of payment or offer any assistance. Absolute best of luck to you - I am so sorry this happened to you and am glad you are safe and unharmed. One day someone isn't going to be so lucky - and GM just seems totally fine with that and willing to let it happen.
Sarah
GM Customer Service
As I wrote in my previous post, we're hoping to get service requests set up with us through Customer Service for this concern. You can get in touch with us via email to do this; please include your name/Edmunds username, phone/address, the last 8 digits of your vehicle's VIN and current mileage, and involved dealership.
Thanks!
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I came in looking for a repair shop and I google Envoy GMC shattered rear window. to my surprise I find this forum. wow.
Thanks
We look forward to hearing from you,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I have owned many cars in my life (this is first North American car I have owned) but never experienced anything like this. There must be an obvious flaw in the rear screen glass or manufacturing. Will GM assist me in repair of this vehicle? I am going ahead to repair as I need to use the vehicle but hope GM can offer some assistance in the repair costs.
Since there is NO service bulletin, there is no way a dealer or anyone at GM can acknowledge that there is a "known problem" . This releases them from the liability of making any repair at their cost.
They will however reair your window at your cost every time this happens.
They also will not aclnowledge that the breakage may be caused by glass coming into contact with the liftgate steel which is VERY OBVIOUS if you look under the third brake plastic shroud with gate and glass closed.
THE ONLY WAY this will ever get resolved is for a higher authority (NHTSA) to force GM to investigate.
Please help all of us by filing a safety claim at NHTSA's site.
I will applaud GM for at least putting the effort into my claim.
FYI.
The highest level GM customer service reps that average folks can contact, are limited to the same data accessible at the dealerships service dept.. Those of us who have already talked to a dealership will not get any new info from GM's service rep.
Your situation may be specific to other vehicles of the same design.
I would definately suggest searching specifically for your model , so not to be misled by any possibly unrelated claims.
I am to take the car into the dealership for it to be looked at and for them to see what might have caused this. Will be taking it in today. Then GMC will determine if it is to be covered. Not really happy with the response. I was promised that GMC will call me back on Friday after talking with the dealership on what they will do.
Just not sure what they will be able to determine since the whole window is gone. Since there are other issues with this happening feel it should be covered.
Best of luck. Please ask the dealer to inspect the window interference with the liftgate as shown in the pictures i posted. Make sure that it is documented at the dealrship when you inspect the finished assembly. Otherwise they will not cover it when this happens again.
do not hold your breath for GMC to respond. Despite all the marketing telling us how much they have improved, they are only interested in new business and not in helping existing customers who kept them afloat when they were in trouble. I have not had a response to my post about the rear window and it has been nearly three months. I just went ahead ad paid out of my own pocket to replace my rear window. Syed.
I'm sorry to hear about your rear window. Our email address is socialmedia@gm.com (for whatever reason, although I've tried repeatedly to set my profile to public it just isn't sticking - I apologize for the confusion). I cannot guarantee any results up front, but we will be sure to look into this with you!
All the best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Good Luck - I even sent a letter via UPS to the CEO and to the President of North American operations and received the same response back.
I'm sorry if your initial post was missed! Sometimes the tool we use to search for posts doesn't catch everything. I looked back at our original post about your rear window and see that you're in Canada; unfortunately, I can only assist our US drivers. However, if you should ever need Customer Assistance, I would recommend contacting GM of Canada at 800-263-3777 (Hours: M-F 7:30am - 11:30pm, Sat 7:30am - 6:00 EST).
All the best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
My husband was in the house and came out in disbelief when he saw it all. Initially we thought our accident prone 12 year old had done something but realized he wasn't even near it (thankfully) when it occurred. And your choice of the word "explosion" is more fitting than "shattered." My son actually thought he had heard thunder, then lightning had struck our glass. Even our neighbor rushed over to figure out what was going on.
I am TERRIFIED to put my children in this DEFECTIVE VEHICLE even following the repairs after what I've read and am shocked that GMC hasn't done anything. I was always a believer in purchasing American made vehicles but this is making me reconsider.
After reading that this has even happened TWICE!! to you I will not be putting my kids in danger. I had already called Progressive and just have the $500 deductible to pay but that won't resolve my concerns about putting my children in harm's way. I will be their worst mama bear nightmare until they recall this.
-Amy
Kind regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
We're sorry to hear about this incident with the rear window in your Envoy. What are your plans for getting this addressed, or have you already?
Sarah, GM Customer Service
To make matters worse I am handicapped and could do nothing to help with the situation. Store employees came rushing out with to help with brooms, trash bags and duct tape to tape up a tarp we had to ensure that we had a safe journey home.
This really needs to be recalled as this is the SECOND time it has happened with my vehicle. The day I was supposed to pic my Envoy up at the dealership they said I had to wait because the window exploded. They thought at the time it might be the pistons and they replaced those and the windows. I am thinking its NOT the pistons!! This is NOT a fluke and it is very important that the company wakes up before someone gets seriously hurt. My Envoy sustained some minor damage with all the glass...chipped paint mostly but that is fixable. My son isn't. As is he had three of the fingers on one hand all bloodied with the glass everywhere. To top it all off the hatch no longer closes and had to be bungied closed. Thankfully I had these items living in the country, and having to strap my wheelchair in daily. What happens to someone that has no one to help, and no tarp or bungee straps?
Shame on a billion or trillion dollar company that cant ensure its customers safety! I paid a lot of money to have a reliable vehicle. As a handicapped person my vehicle is my legs and if it breaks down I am stranded, I cant get up and walk away from it. The condition my car was left in was certainly not something I can use. Thankfully with the employees help I made it home where it will stay until the dealership figures out where to go from here. UNHAPPY to say the least.
When I arrived home from the initial trip to the dealer for their look at it, I was looking at the door as for some reason ever since the window exploded the door does not close as smooth. I looked closely at the hinges for the tailgate and they have also failed. So not only is the window mounting faulty, so are the hinges. My door seal in the top now has a 1/4" gap between the seal and the door! :mad:
Driving a buddy home last night and rear hatch glass shattered. Is GMC just ignoring this issue still? I plan on calling them tomorrow since today is Jan.1, but just curious if GMC will pony up the bucks to fix this. A thousand dollars to fix this issue is insane. Hey GMC, don't turn all envoy drivers into Ford drivers over this. Fix your mistakes. Reach into those deep pockets and fix this. Please have some sympathy.
Will insurance cover it?
Honestly, I feel insurance should not have to pay for this. This is clearly something GM needs to address. A person should never have to pay to fix a window that simply just shatters due to poor or sloppy engineering. It would be a different story if the window was damaged by debris or what not, and a different story if so many people were not having same issue. I have found posts from as far back as 2004 with people experiencing the same issue. Should people have to plunk down $500+ at any given time for simply deciding to buy an American made vehicle? I decided to leave the VWs that I have depended, with no disappointments, for an American truck. Boy has that cost me plenty already. If GMC gives me the run around on fixing this(which they will!), then I'll fix the window and sell their inferior product. Just a shame. There once was a time when "Made in America" meant quality, guess I such have stuck with the Mexican made German cars.
Many owners let comprehensive + coverage go once a vehicle is a few years old. I don't think liability covers things like this. GM should STEP UP. Is it any wonder there are SO MANY cautious shoppers with huge reservations at the prospects of considering ANY new GM (or Ford for that matter) again..regardless of any new models reviews?? Every time I see 'Sarah' the GM Customer (Lip)Service post, (or any of the others that fill the same position, since the GM CLS turn-over rate is also prevalent) it raises a vein in my forehead.
I try to recall the many many issues just like this whenever I get weak and consider a GM purchase. I wonder if anyone reports such negativity to the new CEO who claims "no more crappy cars"? Sounds good but what about, first, properly handling all the past victims who still have valid claims/issues? Let's take care of them FIRST shall we Ms. Barra?
This is how we celebrated our New Year's Eve - cleaning and vacuuming after our rear window shattered. Very similar to everybody else's story; we had come out of the grocery store, put our groceries in the back, didn't shut our hatch any harder than normal. We stood behind the Envoy talking for about 15-20 seconds, and then the window exploded. Glass on the inside and outside. Even another store patron was stunned as he was walking by when it happened. Again, we were lucky we didn't have our little girls with us; they typically sit in the 3rd row. I'm very thankful for the glass buyback on our insurance policy, so we should only have to pay around $100 for the repairs. Our high yesterday was 3 degrees, with a few colder days in front of us; can't imagine having to roll around w/o a window in that for long term. Thanks Farmers for the glass option on our policy!
Hi,
Last week this exact thing happened to me. I went out to my car and the whole back window was shattered. Orginially my first thought is someone broke it. But a woman came outside to tell me she saw the whole thing. She was walking into her house and heard a BIG bang like a gunshot. And my whole rear window was shattered. I found this forum and got the number for GM and called them....i had already called my insuarance to fix it, because i mean thats what insurance is for. I have a 200.00 DED, but im mad because i shouldnt even have to pay for that. GM said i could have went to my dealer and they would help me. OK fine. but i couldnt wait, i reacted the fasted way to get it done. And that was to go thru the insurance company to get it fixed sooner than later. I am very upset there isnt a recall on this after seeing all these other people dealing with this problem. And it isnt sitting w me right that they are saying it HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE! I am a nervous wreck about it happening again. I have two children and if this happens with them in the car and someone gets hurt i will be livid. If there is anything that i could do, please let me know. Im so concerned about this.
Thank You,
Melissa 1.