NHTSA Complaint #11388319 — 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

2006 4RUNNER REAR GLASS EXPLODED/SHATTERED AFTER USING DEFROST - WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DESPITE THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE AND FAULTY DEFROST CONNECTOR. AFTER DROPPING MY 5 YEAR OLD SON OFF FOR SCHOOL ON 1/15/2021, I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN AND HEARD A LOUD CRASH FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND THE BACK GLASS HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND PIECES WERE COMING OFF INTO THE BACK SEAT. NOTHING HAD HIT THE WINDOW FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE - THIS HAPPENED SPONTANEOUSLY. RIGHT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, I HAD THE REAR DEFROST ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES TO CLEAR THE REAR GLASS WHILE DRIVING. THE DEFROST WAS OFF WHEN THE GLASS EXPLODED. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS HAD ENDED ON APRIL 30, 2018.TOYOTA RELEASED A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) AND OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FREE REPLACEMENT FOR VEHICLE OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM STARTING IN 2017 BUT IS SINCE EXPIRED. THE CONNECTOR FOR THE DEFROST LOCATED IN THE REAR GLASS IS FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND CAN SHORT OUT OR OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE GLASS TO SHATTER. BEING THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND THANKFULLY MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WASN'T IN THE BACKSEAT AT THE TIME, AVOIDING INJURY FROM THE GLASS, I DECIDED TO CONTACT TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. A CASE WAS OPENED, HOWEVER, THEY WOULDN'T OFFER ANY COMPENSATION OR ASSISTANCE WITH GETTING THE GLASS REPLACED. WE ARE WITHOUT A VEHICLE UNTIL THIS CAN BE REPAIRED AND I AM NOW FORCED TO PAY FOR IT ON MY OWN SINCE TOYOTA ISN'T AGREEING TO HELP AT ALL.