Hundreds of 2023 Honda HR-V owners report their rear window breaking in the cold

A problem with the defroster in HR-Vs can cause the rear window to shatter, and while Honda plans to replace the glass, it isn’t initiating a recall

A manufacturing issue on certain Honda HR-Vs can cause the rear window to spontaneously shatter, which can result in the rear compartment being exposed to the elements and glass debris being spread both inside the vehicle and onto the road behind it.

So far, the issue has not resulted in a recall or an official investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, numerous owners have filed complaints about this problem on the NHTSA website.

Recently on a cold morning, the rear window of a 2023 Honda HR-V tested by Consumer Reports shattered while it was warming up. Now the organization is calling for a recall of the vehicles to “get the word out and maximize the number of owners who get their cars repaired.”

Voluntary recall

While it is not issuing a recall, Honda told Carscoops that it would initiate a voluntary product update campaign to address this issue, which it says is related to a defroster issue. The company is working to obtain replacement parts as quickly as possible and expects to begin replacing the windows in April or May 2024.

“Our research has shown that during the assembly process of some vehicles, the sealant used to secure the rear window can come into contact with the defroster heating elements, which over time can lead to a hot spot and weakening of the glass as the defroster uses,” Honda said in a statement.

Read: Acura RDX owners file lawsuit over spontaneous rear window shattering

While the source of the problem may indicate that the defroster is only an issue for owners in the northern part of the country, complaints are coming from all over. One, filed on Jan. 23, was from a Las Vegas owner who said their glass broke while on the highway. They add that the sound of the break sounded like gunfire, which startled them.

The potential for this problem to make drivers afraid to swerve or swerve is one reason Consumer Reports and the Center for Auto Safety believe Honda’s response should be upgraded to a safety recall.

For now, however, Honda says that owners whose rear window breaks due to defrost can contact their nearest dealer or customer service (800-999-1009) to arrange a possible repair.