2017 Sierra Denali rear window EXPLODED!!!

[rah7777777]

After reading all of this, I think i'm just going to unplug mine. 

Never needed it on my old truck (again... Texas) and i'd rather not blow out my back window, especially if my kids are in there and/or its out of warranty.

[piratepenguin]

Mine just exploded this morning while driving. I used the defroster because the side mirrors had ice on them. 2015 SLT. 43k miles. Smelled burning too.

 

 

Edited February 7, 2019 by piratepenguin

[Aaron Ch]

19 minutes ago, piratepenguin said:

Mine just exploded this morning while driving. I used the defroster because the side mirrors had ice on them. 2015 SLT. 43k miles. Smelled burning too.

 

 

What is that black rectangle on the top left corner of the glass?  Mine does not have that (I don't think).

[piratepenguin]

2 minutes ago, Aaron Ch said:

What is that black rectangle on the top left corner of the glass?  Mine does not have that (I don't think).

Rear facing camera. 

[Aaron Ch]

Update to my situation:

 

But first, a summary of my experience: I remote started my truck (2017 Denali HD) about one month ago.  I hopped in the truck and started to reverse.  I noticed smoke coming out of the little black square on the center/sliding window.  I also smelled a burning/short smell.  I turned off the defroster.  For whatever reason, my window did not shatter; perhaps I shut off the defroster in time?

 

I visited the dealership two days ago.  They called GM to discuss the situation.  GM said that they have had multiple warranty claims for the rear glass but they have not been able to determine the root of the issue (not enough data, just shattered windows).  (If I remember correctly), GM suggested to the dealership that they replace the glass.  We decided against that because we don't even know what the problem is and I don't want them cutting stuff out that may OR may not need to be removed.  So, moving forward, I am going to try to reproduce the issue and take video of the black box emitting smoke. 

[Aaron Ch]

3 minutes ago, piratepenguin said:

Rear facing camera. 

Ahh.  Did it get the whole thing on video :P?  I'm still trying to reproduce the smoke issue so I can record it.

Edited February 7, 2019 by Aaron Ch

[piratepenguin]

18 minutes ago, Aaron Ch said:

Ahh.  Did it get the whole thing on video :P?  I'm still trying to reproduce the smoke issue so I can record it.

It captured it, but no smoke. I didn't visibly see smoke.

 

Rear camera happens at about 36 seconds. https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aurj0ClVMpMeg5NloMVafarjpG8C5A

Front camera. https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aurj0ClVMpMeg5NkujU7FmWbjY8hOg

[Aaron Ch]

3 minutes ago, piratepenguin said:

It captured it, but no smoke. I didn't visibly see smoke.

 

Rear camera happens at about 36 seconds. https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aurj0ClVMpMeg5NloMVafarjpG8C5A

Front camera. https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aurj0ClVMpMeg5NkujU7FmWbjY8hOg

Oh damn, you actually did get that on video.  I didn't know you had it running.  Something is really strange to me.  The black square on my truck was smoking but I'm seeing the rear driver window shattering.  I'm wondering if/how they are related.

[piratepenguin]

20 minutes ago, Aaron Ch said:

Oh damn, you actually did get that on video.  I didn't know you had it running.  Something is really strange to me.  The black square on my truck was smoking but I'm seeing the rear driver window shattering.  I'm wondering if/how they are related.

Yeah, thankfully! It is always running while the truck is running.

 

I talked to the dealer and they said while they never saw it themselves they heard of this issue. He's talking to his district manager if they can help me out. I'm 3 years and 1 month of ownership and 43k miles, so just outside of factory warranty. I do have a 3rd party warranty and i'm sure insurance would cover it 0 deductible, but I'd rather ensure OEM glass if possible from the dealer.

[piratepenguin]

[piratepenguin]

[piratepenguin]

Here are a few more pics. The whole outside of the window is falling apart and the lower corner as you can see fully blew out.

[Aaron Ch]

9 minutes ago, piratepenguin said:

Yeah, thankfully! It is always running while the truck is running.

 

I talked to the dealer and they said while they never saw it themselves they heard of this issue. He's talking to his district manager if they can help me out. I'm 3 years and 1 month of ownership and 43k miles, so just outside of factory warranty. I do have a 3rd party warranty and i'm sure insurance would cover it 0 deductible, but I'd rather ensure OEM glass if possible from the dealer.

Yeah, absolutely.  Especially being that it's a known issue, they should good will it.

[rah7777777]

That black box is shorting out and causing a good amount of heat (thats the by product of electrical resistance in itself)

Excessive heat and glass do not mix when the glass doesn't get a chance to warm up at a slow rate.  (much less getting hit with cold air on the exterior of the glass)

 

I performed an accidental experiment much like this a few years ago. took a room temperature casserole dish (glass) and sat it on top of a hot stove burner. After a couple minutes it did exactly what that back glass has done in so many pics above. 

[Aaron Ch]

2 minutes ago, rah7777777 said:

That black box is shorting out and causing a good amount of heat (thats the by product of electrical resistance in itself)

Excessive heat and glass do not mix when the glass doesn't get a chance to warm up at a slow rate.  (much less getting hit with cold air on the exterior of the glass)

 

I performed an accidental experiment much like this a few years ago. took a room temperature casserole dish (glass) and sat it on top of a hot stove burner. After a couple minutes it did exactly what that back glass has done in so many pics above. 

Thank you for that information!  That is very insightful.

 

As a side note, when I visited the dealership two days ago, of course the black box didn't short out.  They said that the glass heated to 120 degrees as intended.  Interesting, I wonder how hot the glass gets when the box is shorting out.