NHTSA Complaint #10243966 — 2004 MITSUBISHI GALANT

ON SEPT. 23, 2008, I WAS WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT PRIOR TO GETTING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED. THE SOUND WAS AS IF IT WAS HIT BY A LARGE ROCK OR TIRE IRON. IT SEEMS THE STRESS ON THE GLASS CAME FROM A FAILED WINDOW REGULATOR. DURING THE ATTEMPT TO REPLACE THE WINDOW IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A WINDOW REGULATOR CABLE HAD JUMPED/SLIPPED OFF ITS PLASTIC TRACKING ROLLER. ACCORDING TO THE AUTO GLASS REPAIR TECH, THIS CREATED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE AND STRESS ON THE GLASS CAUSING IT TO SHATTER. HE TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW WINDOW REGULATOR, BEFORE THE WINDOW COULD BE REPLACED. THE ITEM IS NOT REPAIRABLE ACCORDING TO THE TECH AND DEALERSHIP PARTS PERSONNEL. I HATE TO IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT 55 TO 60 MPH WHEN THE WINDOW SHATTERED. IT WAS SUDDEN, SHOCKING, AND COULD HAVE VERY WELL CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE GLASS DID NOT FALL OUT OF PLACE UNTIL THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING. WHEN THE GLASS STARTED FALLING MOST OF IT FELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FALLING GLASS CAUSED SOME SMALL NICKS ON THE DRIVER DOOR. I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO GET GLASS IN MY FACE OR EYES. SOME GLASS DID GET IN MY CLOTHING AND ON MY BODY. I STILL HAVE THE PART FOR INSPECTION. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MITSUBISHI MOTORS YET. WORKERS AT THE SAN BERNARDINO DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE NUMBER OF REPLACEMENT OR IF THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR