Honda Admits the Honda HR-V Rear Window Has a Self-Destruct Function
This potential production error seems to have explosive consequences.
Opening rear glass is objectively cool. Think of the Toyota 4Runner with a surfboard poking out the back and you'll understand what we mean. Spontaneously exploding rear glass is… decidedly less cool. That's what some owners have unfortunately been experiencing with the current-generation of the Honda HR-V compact SUV.
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See, Honda's smallest and most affordable SUV earns a near-perfect five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, but scroll down the same page that details the HR-V's crashworthiness and you'll find 416 user-submitted complaints. (For context, the equivalent page for the Subaru Crosstrek shows just eight complaints.) Of those 416, an overwhelming majority report spontaneous shattering, exploding, and imploding of the HR-V's rear glass.
Drivers reported incidents occurring both while vehicles were parked and while they were driving, accompanied by a loud bang that would distract any driver. There's even a class-action lawsuit pending in Pennsylvania. Honda is aware of the issue and has this to say:
"American Honda has received a limited number of reports of rear-hatch glass breaking on 2023 Honda HR-V vehicles associated with rear defroster use. Our investigation has revealed that during the assembly process for some vehicles, the sealer used to secure the rear glass may come into contact with the heating elements of the defroster, leading to a hot spot and weakening of the glass over time as the defroster is used."
In short, due to improper installation of the rear defroster, glass heats up, glass expands, glass explodes without notice. That's right, a feature as universal and essential as the defroster could result in the catastrophic blowout of your HR-V's rear glass. Honda has yet to announce a recall, which is curious considering the automaker issued a recall for improper seatback frame welding that applied to just 98 examples of the 2023 CR-V. This seems like an equally noteworthy issue.
Honda notes it will initiate a voluntary product update campaign and is working to secure the required replacement parts, stating it estimates the campaign will begin in April or May of 2024, which feels a little late considering Honda issued a dealer communication published by NHTSA acknowledging the problem as early as May 2023. For now, owners who experience the issue can reach out to their dealer or Honda customer service (800-999-1009) to coordinate a potential repair.