The rear windshield shattered suddenly without any apparent reason. At first I thought something had smashed onto our car because there was a loud smashing sound as it a sheet of ice fell on the roof of the car, but it was not a snowy or icy day and there was no rock or branch by the car. It was rainy and cold and I had the wipers and defroster on so the only thing I could think of as the problem was the temperature of the glass and defroster caused the glass to shatter. I had all three of my children in the car (all under 6 years of age) in the backseat and I was lucky none of the shattered glass projected into the air on to them. The entire windshield was shattered.

- Rockville, MD, USA

I was driving my 4Runner and the rear glass exploded and shattered. This is a known issue with Toyota and documented in T-SB-0189-17 and warranty enhancement ZG7. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the glass shattering. Toyota refuses to cover the repair costs and the estimate provided by the dealer is $1,200. Photos were taken in my garage when I got home immediately after the explosion occurred.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Rear window shattered moments after using the defroster at a stop light

- Salem, OR, USA

The rear window exploded on it's own with glass shattering everywhere while the defrost function was on. This is a very serious safety issue and design flaw that should be remedied before it happens. Toyota acknowledges the design flaw yet allows this dangerous occurrence to happen with consumers before doing anything about it. They say to bring it in for inspection but nothing that they can see until it has exploded. Toyota customer service representative named ryan informed me today there is nothing Toyota can do for me. They need to reimburse consumers for replacement no matter the time frame because it is a serious safety issue and it is a design flaw!

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

Rear hatch glass exploded while the electric heated defrost system was activated. The electric defrost had been operating for approximately five minutes. The window was in its fully closed position. The vehicle was in motion at approximately 25 miler per hour on a city street. Ambient temperature was 39 degrees and dry.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

This morning Dec-23-2019, raining 60 degree, I was driving on 91 fwy with rear defrost on for rain fog inside. About 15 min after left my home, I hear big pop noise and my rear lift gate glass shattered. I though I had a drive by gun shot, I start searching internet and found there is issue on rear defrost line glass over heat shattered glass. I visited 4 runner owner's forum and I found lot a people experience for same blown rear glass. I called dealership for this issue, and no one recognize it. Further search, ,,,I found warrant enhancement program-ZF7. And this program announce to dealer ship March 2017 with warranty 9 more year extend from a date of purchase?? mine is 2005 and even 9 more year warranty still not covered time of their recognition of this program. I called Toyota and they denying for expire date of it. I believe they should notify to vehicle owner to not use defrost line, ,,,,,, and safety concern, they should extend warranty for glass. I feel lucky I did not have my kid on my back seat....

- Torrance, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While driving 65 mph, the contact heard a crackling sound for a few seconds and the rear hatchback window exploded without warning or an impact occurring. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of cool spring (1875 w mcewen dr, franklin, tn 37067, (615) 656-3240) where the vehicle was repaired. Contact called the manufacturer, but they did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000.

- Nashville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While driving on the highway with the rear defroster activated, the rear window exploded. The vehicle behind the contact's vehicle was showered with glass. There were no injuries. The contact researched the failure and found that the manufacturer issued a short extended warranty for the defective defroster. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 260,000.

- Quincy, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 15 mph, the rear windshield exploded and the glass shattered into pieces without any impact or warning. The contact called rick hendrick Toyota of fayetteville at 910-498-0110 (located at 1969 skibo road, fayetteville, nc 28314) and was informed that the extended warranty for that specific part had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty expired and that nothing could be done. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 154,391.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

While using rear windshield defroster, rear window shattered/exploded. Toyota acknowledges this problem in T-sb-0189-17. However, they have ended their coverage. While they acknowledge a defective window/defroster; they will no longer fix the issue. I believe it is fair to consider exploding windshields as a safety issue.

- Coloraod Springs, CO, USA

On a cold day, activating the rear window defroster causes the glass to shatter from temperature difference. The effects of this can be startling and potential cause the vehicle operator to loose control, especially at highway speeds.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Driving approx 30-40mph on standard highway. Florida, 0700, 70 degrees, clear weather. Heard a loud almost explosion... by the time I got my wits about me I realized my rear window was broken. I had not been hit, there is no evidence of any projectile, and not near opposing traffic for something to be kicked up. Shortly before that, I had on both my front vent defroster to clear the morning windshield fog, and the rear window defroster. I smelled a sort of rubber burning smell; after 2 minutes, I presumed it was my ac unit, so I shut it off to see if the smell would dissipate. I did not shut of the rear defroster. About 60S later is when the spontaneous burst happened. I have since run the front ac and windshield defroster, and no hot rubber odor. I had just run the rear defroster 3 days ago as well, no problem. I have had no problems with the window rolling up and down. I do find several complaints about the same thing online in the 4runner, but do not find any Toyota, or other safety bulletins, formal notices, or liabilities.

- Longwood, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear window shattered. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but the contact was informed that there would be no way of knowing the cause of the shattered window. The vehicle was inspected by an independent window mechanic, who discovered a burned circuit board and faulty cables associated with the defogger system. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 50,000.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA