Honda to Replace Rear Window That Could Shatter on Some HR-Vs
The latest Honda HR-V has a rear defroster issue that sometimes results in shattered windows. In fact, more than 300 customers in the U.S. have filed a complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
What’s Honda going to do about it? Well, a company spokesperson has told Consumer Reports that it will replace rear windows on 2023 HR-Vs beginning in April.
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Apparently, due to a manufacturing defect on those crossovers, the sealer used to secure the rear glass may come in contact with the heating elements of the defroster, creating a “hot spot” over time and weakening the glass. Honda still advises owners to continue using the rear defroster as necessary.
To be clear, this is a “voluntary product update campaign,” as Honda calls it, and not a recall. The safety of occupants is not compromised, the company says. That’s because the window is made of tempered glass and doesn’t break into large and dangerous shards that could pose a risk of direct injury.
But let’s be real: a rear window that suddenly shatters may startle the driver and cause a loss of vehicle control which, at higher speeds or in traffic, could have serious consequences. We’ve seen a ton of recalls for much more trivial stuff than this.
Owners of a 2023 Honda HR-V on this side of the border should contact their local dealer or Honda Canada at 1-888-946-6329 if their rear window glass ever breaks. The good news is that Honda seems to have addressed the issue on the 2024 model that’s now on sale.
