Rear hatch glass shattered suddenly for no reason

[chickdr]

What is the year of your CX-5?

 

[25Hybrid]

What is the year of your CX-5?

I have a 2025 CX50 hybrid 7500 km. Posted in this forum to continue the issue that exists rather than start over in another.

 

[25Hybrid]

Based on my experience with this window in the rear hatch, and evaluating the build/design I come to the conclusion there is insufficient cushioning on the rear hatch of the latest gens of mid size SUV’s. The prior gens had a split system and the ability to lift the window portion independent of the tailgate, and were well cushioned with rubber seals. The latest versions are all single tailgate/window incorporated into 1 module and the window portions do not have a cushioning seal surrounding the framework. Result? Vibration, and solid type of impact around the perimeter of the glass which encourages micro-cracking and eventual failure.

Just my opinion, but the manufacturers can and will, as in my case with Mazda Canada, deny, deny, deny. In fact Mazda CA indicated to me they had never heard of the issue despite it being well documented throughout the internet.

I also registered my issue with the Canada Transportation Safety Board for an investigation of Mazda and other manufactures denial of their being aware this is a problom and the failures that have ocurred. Hopefully they can also pursue my suggestion that they concert with the US DOT.

 

[HyFlyer]

... The prior gens had a split system and the ability to lift the window portion independent of the tailgate, and were well cushioned with rubber seals. The latest versions are all single tailgate/window incorporated into 1 module and the window portions do not have a cushioning seal surrounding the framework. ...

Are you talking about Mazda CX 5's or are you saying SUV's in general? I don't recall the CX5 rear hatch window ever opening independently of the hatch.

 

[25Hybrid]

SUV’s in general.

 

[N7turbo]

Those were basically trucks with a permanent topper and 2-3 rows.

These Crossover Utility Vehicles are just bigger cars.

There are still some "SUV's" on the road, like the Suburban.

 

[chickdr]

It seems to be really random IMHO. I had '19 and '21 CX-5s and drove them for a total of 57k miles. Never had an issue. I see this issue on the forum from time to time, but it doesn't seem to be a rampant problem in the CX-5 anyway (otherwise there wouldn't be such long gaps between posts...). It's just bad luck when it happens to someone.

 

[25Hybrid]

Yes, bad luck until it shatters and injures someone in the back. The window essentially imploded inward and glass shards were scattered to the back of the front seats.

 

[chickdr]

This is something that happens with glass sometimes. It can not be 100% avoided unless they use laminated glass all around (maybe you advocate for this?). If you knock a glass over on a granite countertop it will likely shatter and you may cut your hand on it. Is the manufacturer of the glass responsible if this happens?

 

[N7turbo]

I think this issue is bigger than that. I don't have hard info but I saw reports from other automakers as well.

 

[stickerbush]

This is something that happens with glass sometimes. It can not be 100% avoided unless they use laminated glass all around (maybe you advocate for this?). If you knock a glass over on a granite countertop it will likely shatter and you may cut your hand on it. Is the manufacturer of the glass responsible if this happens?

Modern cars use tempered glass on side and rear windows. When broken these windows break into small rounded pieces than are much less dangerous than broken pieces of regular glass.

 

[25Hybrid]

Well I have no pics anymore, however the glass shards in my car was anything but round, with many sharp slivers.

 

[chickdr]

Modern cars use tempered glass on side and rear windows. When broken these windows break into small rounded pieces than are much less dangerous than broken pieces of regular glass.

Agreed, but it still breaks into pieces and can hit you in the process. Unlike the windshield.

 

[BoomerZoomr]

I had a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo SUV several years ago. I was on the way to work (before dawn) and a flatbed truck passed me going the opposite way… we were both probably going 50-55 mph. Something, like maybe a large nut, must’ve fell off the back of that truck. Whatever it was, it skipped off my hood and hit my front windshield low right in front of my steering wheel. I was blasted in the face with pulverized glass about the consistency of large gritty sand. Miraculously, none went into my eyes, though I did have some in my eyelashes that fell out when I looked down blinking my eyelids. There was glass all the way back to the rear cargo area, and everywhere in between. It left a baseball size hole in the windshield, with just the plastic middle layer left in tact. So that plastic is what prevented the object from passing through, because the inner and outer glass was gone. My point of all this is, we feel safer behind that front windshield than we really are.