2017 Silverado Rear Window Explodes/Shatters

[BigDog22]

My 2017 Silverado 2500 double cab (17 months old, 9800 miles) had the rear window explode/shatter outward when I closed the driver's door after getting something from inside the cab.  The truck had been sitting unused for over a week in an attached but unheated garage with inside temps in the 30sF.  Have since learned that GM issued a recall Program Bulletin (#14815B) for all 2015 Silverados/Sierras covering exploding rear windows under the same scenario (window explodes when closing a door).  Clearly there are known manufacturing defects with these windows that GM has not solved.  Specifically, there are inclusions/defects within the glass that don't like cold temps and the pressure forces coming from closing the door.

 

Replacement should have been covered by standard warranty (36,000 miles/3 years) but dealer and area Chevy District Mgr for Aftersales (DMA) disallowed claim with zero basis other than saying that "it was probably something the owner did to the window" (no way this window was ever contacted by anything).  Replacement cost at Dealer list price is $800 ($500 window + $300 install).  Escalating this up the so-called Chevy Customer Assistance ladder was a total waste of time, as they only go back to what the DMA said.  

 

This is a very dangerous safety issue.  I would hate to think what would have happened if there had been passengers/pets in the truck or if I had been driving in traffic.  If this happens to you, report it to the National Highway Transport Safety Agency https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/.  This is the only way to get the attention of GM.  Also take lots of photos immediately after it happens.  The tempered glass shatters into very small pieces that fall apart by just looking at them.  Buyer beware when considering GM products.

[Sierra Dan]

Big Dog,  Check this thread:

 

 

[Loco-diablo]

Here in MA, glass is covered (no deductible) under comprehensive insurance.  Does WI insurance cover glass? 

[Jacoby]

While I think its BS they denied your claim I can see why they did it. 

 

File an insurance claim and call it a day

[MaverickZ71]

That sucks, man.  I don't understand why GM owners can't/won't band together on this stuff and do class action lawsuits to get paid back for inept manufacturing, and customer endangerment and inconvenience!  Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and others have been forced to take care of their problems!   At the very least, like you said, everyone needs to post this stuff on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, to try to force a recall.  

[EpicLT]

This is the first one I’ve seen on a solid rear window - every case I had seen before involved a sliding window so I thought I was safe from it. Guess not

[Sierra Dan]

Have you checked with the other 2500 HD owners in that forum?

This is the 1500 K2 section.

[CombsL83]

This happened to my '16 1500 with sliding rear glass. I had started the truck via remote start on a cold day after work which activated the rear defroster. By the time I got to the truck it had shut off already. Started it back up and started to drive home. About 5 minutes later I hear a loud pop and see the glass fracture on one side. Was out of the 3/36k warratnty so I called GM customer service. They reviewed it and called me back a few days later saying they couldn't do anything. Luckily I have full glass coverage on my insurance without a deductible. Still had to wait about 3 weeks for the glass to get shipped. My guess is that starting the rear defroster 2 times in a short span either overheated the glass or caused some sort of malfunction to occur.