--- title: "Honda HR-V Rear Windows Are Self-Destructing" description: "Some Honda HR-V Rear windows are shattering in the cold due to a manufacturing defect with its rear defrosters." date: "2024-01-29" modified: "2024-01-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/honda-hr-v-rear-windows-are-self-destructing" categories: - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "honda" - "HR-V" - "suv/crossover" --- # Honda HR-V Rear Windows Are Self-Destructing ![]() *Honda* Letting your car warm up before driving off on a cold winter's morning is a common practice even if it's [sometimes frowned upon](). So you can imagine the frustration for many 2023 [Honda]() HR-V owners who found their rear windows spontaneously shattering after activating the window defroster. There are currently hundreds of such reports from [HR-V]() owners, but it was *[Consumer Reports]()* who brought the issue to national attention when the rear window of their HR-V test car shattered in one of its editors' driveways. Honda claims that the issue is a manufacturing defect, in which the rear defroster's heating element contacts part of the rear glass sealer. “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," Honda said in a statement to *The Drive*. ![]() **Honda** However, a formal recall hasn't been issued. "Honda will be initiating a voluntary product update campaign related to this issue and is working to secure the needed replacement parts as soon as possible. We estimate that this campaign will begin in April or May 2024." In the meantime, Honda is only asking that customers with spontaneous rear glass breakage visit their Honda dealer for a free replacement. However, Honda told *The Drive* that, once the product update campaign is underway, dealers will inspect any HR-V customer's rear glass and replace any defective ones free of charge. According to the customer complaints to the [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ]()(NHTSA), the shattering glass is usually accompanied by a sudden loud bang. Not only is that startling if it happens while driving, but it could potentially be dangerous. While the glass is designed to break into small pieces, rather than large sharp chunks, it can still send bits of glass onto rear passengers or the road, for other cars to run over. Never mind scaring the living hell out of the driver while at potentially high speed. Honda's lack of immediate action could be concerning to current HR-V owners, as they have to wait until April at the earliest to know if their car's rear window is defective. Hopefully, Honda can provide some clarity to customers sooner than April, as two winter months is a long time to drive while worrying about your rear window potentially shattering at any time. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()