2005 Toyota 4RUNNER visibility problems

Filed Jan 5, 2024 · Visibility · AZ

Rear hatch glass broke during defroster operation. Started to smell a burning smell and then moments later the entire rear hatch glass shattered. Known issue by Toyota. They issued a brief Warranty Enhancement Program (ZG7) in March 2017 thru April 2018 but are refusing to honor current issues.

Filed Nov 1, 2023 · Visibility · IN

The rear window shattered while using the rear window defrost.

Filed Dec 22, 2022 · Visibility · MD

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.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Visibility · 170,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while her brother-in-law was inspecting the vehicle battery, he activated the rear windshield defroster and the rear windshield exploded. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass repair mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the defroster motor and the rear windshield wiring had melted. The auto glass repair mechanic replaced the rear windshield and referred the contact to the dealer for the defroster motor replacement. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Electrical, Visibility · GA

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.

Filed Dec 26, 2021 · Visibility · OR

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

Filed Feb 4, 2021 · Body, Electrical · 180,000 miles · CA

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!

Filed Feb 3, 2021 · Visibility · 151,360 miles · CA

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.

Filed Dec 23, 2019 · Visibility · 170,000 miles · CA

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....

Filed Nov 26, 2019 · Visibility · 213,000 miles · TN

Tl* 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. *bf