NHTSA Complaint #11640883 — 2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

I was parked at a gas pump, just got done fueling, hung hose up. I quickly ran into the gas station to grab a drink and as temps are 0°F, I remote started my vehicle from check out counter. When I returned to my vehicle the cab was filling with smoke. I sprung into action and quickly but safely drove away from gas pump with very little visibility, due to smoke, I assessed what was going on. Upon further investigating where the fire was coming from, I Could see the smoke was billowing from my rear window. As I Went to check on window heater that turns on automatically with remote start, the windows left panel exploded in my face from the outside of truck. Minor glass cuts, no major injuries. No insurance claims filed, no emergency services called as after I extinguished fire and turned off vehicle smoke seemed to have dissipated enough to safely get home 4 minutes away. As preventive messures I pulled the fuse to the rear window defroster so it is no longer getting power. This is seriously a safety hazard and thankfully I was able to pull away from gas pump. My truck, not so lucky. After looking into the issue when I got home, the US has NOT filed a recall on rear window defrosters for truck years 2014-2019. Canada DOES have a recall for this issue. As it has happened to me in the US in a very scary manor this needs to be addressed. I can’t imagine what would have happened if I was driving with kids in the rear seat. This needs to be taken care of and not at owners expense. Americans buy new vehicles to feel safe and secure. After owning my vehicle I have second thoughts about owning new, especially if a fire happens due to electronics built into the vehicle. I pray we can have this issue resolved to save all the innocent GM truck owners with families and friends who would also like to feel safe in their trucks. With temps this low in New England, I would like to be able to use my window defroster and have safer fields of view in icy/snowy conditions.