Rear Window Shattered Twice – Possible Thermal Issue?

[Lightning64]

I’m wondering if anyone else with an F-150 Lightning has experienced their rear window shattering for no reason? I’ve now had to replace my rear window twice, and neither time was it struck by anything. Once in late October and now again in early February (colder months).

The first time it happened, I brushed it off, thinking maybe a small crack had formed from some unknown impact and later failed. But now that my replacement window randomly shattered last weekend while I was driving, I have a strong suspicion that this is a thermal issue.

I believe the problem might be related to the automatic preconditioning system. When the vehicle warms up on a cold morning before departure, it seems like the rear window defroster turns on automatically. Then, when I get into the cab and fully start the vehicle, the defroster turns off until I manually reactivate it if needed. This means the rear glass is potentially going through multiple rapid heating and cooling cycles every single morning, which could be causing stress fractures and eventual failure.

For reference, I have an F-150 Lightning Lariat with the power sliding rear window and rear defrost.

Has anyone else had their rear window unexpectedly shatter? I’d love to hear if others have run into this issue.

Can anyone see in the climate control programming if there is a temperature during remote start that the rear defroster automatically turns on as a convenience to try and defrost the rear window before you leave?

Sponsored

 

[TaxmanHog]

Not seen this as a trend on the forum in the 2+ years monitoring issues.

I've frequently used remote climate start to sometimes very warm settings, no problems yet... knocking on wood.

 

[Heliian]

As a Canadian, my truck has done an insurmountable number of precons and defrost cycles and I hit the rear/mirror defrost manually quite a bit with no issues, third winter with it. It was - 25 deg C this morning at home and - 28 when I got to work.

Can't remember any reports of random rear glass breaking here either.

There could be a window frame issue with your particular truck that is causing it, make sure they inspect it closely after fully removing the window.

 

[jimfigler]

This is first I seen it reported.

 

[Grumpy2]

Have you seen the following??

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/another-rear-window-shattered-426302/


https://www.f150forum.com/f38/rear-window-defroster-issue-416927/

Apparently your choices are unplugging the heat near the window, or pulling the fuse.

Sponsored