NHTSA complaint #11715169

Owner complaint summary

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The rear windshield (tempered glass) and the integrated rear defroster heating element system. Yes, the vehicle and the shattered glass (contained within the frame/cargo area) are available for immediate inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Luckily, this incident occurred when I entered the vehicle not on a roadway. If it had occurred when I was driving its is quite unsafe. The spontaneous failure occurred with a loud explosion, creating an immediate distraction and startle hazard. The shattering resulted in tempered glass shards entering the cabin and falling onto the exterior roadway. This failure compromises the structural integrity of the vehicle, obstructs rear visibility, and exposes the interior to the elements. Had this occurred at highway speeds or with passengers in the rear seat, the risk of injury from glass spray or a secondary collision due to driver distraction would be significant. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?: No. I contacted Honda of Lynnwood to have the failure confirmed and inspected, but they declined to schedule an appointment. They stated they could not address the issue because it is not classified as a "recall," despite the existence of a Voluntary Production Update for this specific defect. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?: Not yet. The vehicle is currently awaiting inspection. I am seeking this inspection from Honda of Lynnwood as part of the formal claim process, but have been met with resistance from the dealership. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps or electronic messages. The failure was spontaneous.