The vehicle was parked and turned off for approximately 45 minutes on a residential street along the curb in front of a house when the rear window suddenly shattered. I was inside a nearby house at the time. A landscaper working in the area reported hearing a single loud pop and then my vehicle’s alarm sounding. He stated he was not close to the vehicle and did not see any object strike it. When I inspected the Yukon, the entire rear window had exploded outward and inward, leaving no glass remaining in place. Glass was scattered both inside the cargo area and outside behind the vehicle. The upper liftgate section had also popped open, which is consistent with the sudden pressure release that occurs during spontaneous tempered‑glass failure. There are no impact marks, dents, or paint damage that would indicate a rock strike or external force. Given the circumstances, the debris pattern, and the absence of an impact point, this appears to be a spontaneous failure of the tempered liftgate glass, likely due to internal stress or a manufacturing defect. I am requesting that the dealership inspect the liftgate assembly, confirm the cause, and consider warranty coverage for the glass replacement and any related components.
NHTSA ODI 11749167