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My back window just shattered as well. I had to cracks or anything and just got the car a few months ago. What did you say to the dealership?
You wont have cracks before tempered breaks... how old is the vehicle?

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This thread predates me, but now that it was bumped I will chime in...

I am an automation and motion specialist (engineer). I work with LOTS of companies in LOTS of industries and assist with both the front end engineering on automating a process as well as back end (make it work) assistance. This gives me a lot of insight to how things are made and why. You can't automate a process you don't understand.... I have three large auto-glass manufacturers as customers.

Automotive glass is tempered. Tempering not only makes the glass harder but also has major safety implications. Unfortunately, Tempering also makes the glass brittle (especially on the edges). The smoothing or grinding of the edges are not just for aesthetics or installation safety (it's actually installed by a robot). It's there to help deflect things that could chip the edge. Tempered glass is always under stress (both compression and tension), so when it's chipped or even nicked that energy can be released and the result is a a total shatter into a bunch of pieces.

Now, understand not every piece of glass in your car is the same, each are made differently. Front windows have a laminated piece of plastic in them. This is there to keep a stone chip from shattering the glass so badly that you can't see out of it and to keep it from falling in on you. Side and rear windows don't normally have this lamination. There are lots of good reasons for this.

The bottom line is that without this lamination, even the smallest of nicks can cause the glass to "explode" or shatter.

It looks to me that the OP's glass was being squeezed from the sides and finally got to the breaking/shattering point. But to some of the others that commented, lots could be going on.... Since it only takes the smallest of nicks to start a chain reaction it is really impossible to know if you were not a victim. It's a long story, but I grew up in a shady area... I know guys that carry spring loaded center punches or broken spark-plug ceramic pieces. Throwing these pieces at a window, or using the center-punch leaves an undetectable source, but will absolutely do this to a window. (I actually carry a center-punch in our cars for the fear of ending up in water and being trapped.) A BB or pellet gun will also do this and oftentimes glance away again being undetectable.

Another possibility is just thermal stress. This is pretty common on old cars. My oldest son's car had this happen to him. He was walking up to it after track practice and he saw his glass suddenly shatter. I wouldn't expect this to be an issue on such a new vehicle, but I can tell you that mfg's of glass are being pushed for harder and harder glass, The shape of the glass also has a big part and opens the opportunity for manufacturing defects.

Anyway... This issue is both common and rare at the same time.... I wouldn't stress it, but know it can happen. If you have little ones in the back you might consider window tent or a second screen to keep any glass from hitting them. While the chances are slim, it's pretty cheap insurance to keep your loved ones safe. NOTE: depending on how the factory glass is tented, it may or may not have film in it for the tent.

Hope this helps.
 

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My old Focus ST was notorious for the sun-roof exploding when people would do exactly what the OP did. Have the windows down on a hot day and then close it and crank up the AC.


I don't think I'll ever need the AC here, though >:D
 

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Thankfully all my glass has been tinted in addition to the factory color. So I hope it would hold the glass together a little bit.


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Back Window Shattering

I have a 2017 Grand Cherokee rental, used the remote starter this morning to warm it up, then started it using the push button when I got in to leave at 530 am. This is when I heard what sounded like ice falling on the vehicle, which was odd because I wasn't parked by anything that would have dropped ice/snow. I got out to look around the vehicle, and noticed the rear window had shattered. I have no explanation for this. We did have light snow yesterday in the area, and the vehicle was covered with a light layer of snow that was frozen.

As for projectiles such as rocks or BB's, it was 530 am, I live in a remote area, the vehicle was not moving. Any explanation for this?
 

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I have a 2017 Grand Cherokee rental, used the remote starter this morning to warm it up, then started it using the push button when I got in to leave at 530 am. This is when I heard what sounded like ice falling on the vehicle, which was odd because I wasn't parked by anything that would have dropped ice/snow. I got out to look around the vehicle, and noticed the rear window had shattered. I have no explanation for this. We did have light snow yesterday in the area, and the vehicle was covered with a light layer of snow that was frozen.

As for projectiles such as rocks or BB's, it was 530 am, I live in a remote area, the vehicle was not moving. Any explanation for this?
Read my post up a few in this thread or and/or see my response in the other thread.

http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/2733201-post10.html
 

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My back window just shattered as well. I had to cracks or anything and just got the car a few months ago. What did you say to the dealership?
I was driving and my back window exploded. See attached pictures.


It was a warm day (about 27c - 81f) and we had been driving around earlier with the windows open and about 10 minutes prior to the glass breaking I rolled up the windows, closed sunroof and turned on a/c. There were no bumps or anyone driving beside us. Also the Trailhawk is only 3 weeks old with 1800km on it. This happened on a Saturday after the dealer was closed so it will be going in first thing Monday morning and I have no idea what the wait time will be to replace. Also I think that some of the glass has scratched some of the paint above the taillights.

I'm thinking this could be thermal shock or a poorly manufactured piece of glass.


Has anyone else come across this issue? or any tips on what to mention to the dealer so it is covered under warranty?


Don't ask why the pictures are upside down - I have rotated and saved, then re uploaded, then rotated and save then re uploaded, repeated a few more times with the pictures in every direction and still look like this. No idea.

Thanks for looking.
Kozhawk
This happened to me today on a highway. Scared the heck out of me as I thought someone took a shot at the window. Thanks for starting this chat.
 

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This happened to me today on a highway. Scared the heck out of me as I thought someone took a shot at the window. Thanks for starting this chat.
that sounds terrifying. in my last car, I could sweat someone took a shot at me from the woods, but I think it was a glancing blow to the front windshield or a-pillar. I micro second later & it would have come right thru the passenger window! it wasn't a stone, I don't think, I've been hit by stones thrown up by trucks many times. I was not following a truck at the time. this was completely different. couldn't find any appreciable marks when I pulled over, so didn't call the police. convinced, despite the devils out there, my guardian angel did their job once again
 

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The rear windshield of my 2014 Grand Cherokee shattered while sitting in my driveway. It was a hot day. No one was near the vehicle. My husband was standing near by and witnessed it just shatter...with no impact.

In October of 2020, the exact thing happened. I left work approximately 6 pm, got in my vehicle, shut the door, and it shattered. I had it replaced chalking it up to a freak accident.

What in the hell!! Of course, Safelite will not cover it under the lifetime warranty. Since it happened previously, they are saying it is something other than glass defect.

This 2014 Grand Cherokee was purchased brand new. There have been no accidents.

Any input????
 

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Welcome from Utah!!! I would definitely say that would be a glass DEFECT. You might have better luck on the WK2 Grand Cherokee forum, as this one is for the smaller KL Cherokee, the Grands baby brother, and they are completely different vehicles. Good luck, and please keep us posted...😎
 

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Might be the equalizing vents are blocked. Pressure can build up and take out the weakest link.

Good picture of one here:


One easy way to tell if it's a venting problem is to simply shut a side door with all other doors and windows closed. If the door is harder to shut, there's a pressure buildup from the vents not working correctly.

It would probably take more than clogged vents (there are two on the KL) to cause enough pressure to have a window spontaneously break, but it could contribute if there's already a small crack or other defect in the window.
 

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This has happened to my Jeep Compass twice now within 6 months. I thought someone smashed it the first time but the second time my neighbor was walking by and heard an explosion and watched it shatter out of nowhere. I don’t see anyone saying there’s a recall on this but I am going to contact Jeep tomorrow. I am not paying to replace this for the second time within 6 months.
 

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Check with your car insurance company, it may be covered.
My insurance company has a Web site where I could file a claim and determine if the crack in my windshield was covered.
Got it replaced for free.
There is probably a glass company that is designated by your insurance company.
Ask them and they will figure it out.
I was surprised how easy it was.
 
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