Exploding window again-acttion requested

[coyotedee]

I know there are numerous threads on this topic, and I am not being a crybaby. I read about the others with this problem after the fact. In short, my window (2003 AWD) exploded, glass replaced and then 2 trips to dealer, first regulator (and glass again) was replaced, window stuck again a few days later, brought back to dealer on 7/3--they were not very nice about it. Repair again, this time door link (along with regulator and more glass). Later that day, I needed to put window down, again the window was in a bizarre position and I knew it would get stuck or blow so I got the window closed and left it there (raining in this part of country). Didn't want to deal with the dealer again so I called Pontiac customer service, gave them tboth the bulletin number obtained from this group (thanks!) and offered to give link or printout of newsgroup posts. They were not interested, this group is not authorized and any complaint is heresay. Unless dealer reports fix as a safety problem, it doesn't go into database for alerts. They are going to to contact the dealer and intervene for me (hope I won't be sorry for that). I am asking that anyone who has had this problem, please send in a complaint to NTHSA. http://www.safercar.gov/pages/ODIFAQsRev2.htm (this is the FAQ page, clearly this problem would be of interest), so that there can be a recall or alert. Although my car has high mileage (66K), I do think that this in unexpected and not just wear and tear. Also, from the previous threads, it seems to happen at all mileages. Thanks to all. Dee

[ColonelPanic]

That's horrible! Hate to hear that you've been through it as much as you have. You're not being a crybaby either, at least not to me... You're doing the right thing. But of course, I've been called a crybaby here before because I thought that exploding glass presents a safety hazard. But I still stand by this argument - while this can happen to any of 'em, it just seems alarming, the number of times this has happened to people here... Something's not right somewhere.Fortunately, nobody has been hurt by this.... yet. So I'll second that and say that anyone who has had issues, report it! Too bad I no longer have the car, or I would! Didn't think about it at the time.

[Atomicpunk]

coyotedee, the dealer would'nt be Loughead in Springfield would it?My wife's 2003 Vibe had a problem with the drivers window cocking at an angle, making a big bang, then not going up or down. Took it to dealer and they fixed it under warranty and six days later it did the same thing again. In that six days my wife went shopping and someone left a business card for advertising sticking out of weatherstripping on drivers door. She gets in and puts window down to get the card but it goes into the door with the window. Loughead tried to blame the window screwing up again on the paper 2" x 3.5" business card found in door. I raised hell and we did'nt have to pay.A few days later I notice a dent in driver door made from the inside and Loughead keeps calling asking me to fill out costomer service servey. So I did, I know they did not like it.

[JohnC]

Excellent plan.Quote, originally posted by coyotedee » I am asking that anyone who has had this problem, please send in a complaint to NTHSA. http://www.safercar.gov/pages/ODIFAQsRev2.htm (this is the FAQ page, clearly this problem would be of interest), so that there can be a recall or alert. Although my car has high mileage (66K), I do think that this in unexpected and not just wear and tear. Also, from the previous threads, it seems to happen at all mileages. Thanks to all. Dee

[meistees]

my drivers side window makes all kinds of crazy noises and bangs and pops sometimes and after reading all the talk on here about exploding windows etc. i took it to the dealer they tore the door apart and checked all kinds of stuff and told me nothing was wrong with it turn my stereo down ha! *******s

[lmjcat]

You are lucky it's just a clunk for now. Eventually your window will shatter out if you continue to put it up and down. We had this unfortunate (and frightening) experience with my wife's 2004 Vibe the day we purchased it. We took it back to the dealership and they replaced the window but had no explanation. No amount of printed testimony from this web site could convince them to do any further investigations into the cause without "GM red flagging the problem" so I took off the door panel and looked into it myself. To do this, remove the srcew (behind a small, square cover) by the door lock/handle, and another screw down in the recessed handle where you pull the door shut. Remove the small triangular speaker cover at the lower front corner of the window by pulling it straight towards you (assuming you have one). Then, carefully pull the panel out and up. It's held to the door by re-usable round white plastic rivets.There is a sheet of plastic that has to be pulled away so you can see into the door panel. The glass is glued into two clips on a metal rail. The clips either brake (POOR DESIGN) or the inferior glue does'nt hold the glass in place. I was able to manually pull the window out of the re-glued dealership "fix". When the window comes free from the retaining clip, it can jam within the door panel. Forcing it up or down (especially with electric windows) will cause it to jam and brake or scratch. I used GORILLA brand glue and it seems to be holding very good so far. I live in a region of the U.S. where we experience very high and low climate temps so I need to keep an eye on the bond.I checked the other doors and for some strange reason, their design better. Good luck and hope I have helped.P.S. I copy/pasted this from my response to another Vibe owner.

[coyotedee]

I thank you as well--Pontiac customer service is involved and they assure me that I would receive a refund (no warranty for me) if there is a recall. However, I think that someone would need to get hurt for that to happen and I am not wishing that on anyone. In the process of my many trips to the dealer, I had to rent a car for a night (my choice, they ordered a different window and it was coming the next day, I could have gotten my car back) and very much enjoyed driving a different car, one with throttle response! I will pursue getting another vehicle soon. I am tired of all of this. Overall, the Vibe served me well, but I am appalled at the service-- this was my first American car in ages (post 9/11 guilt) and I gave it a good shot. I know it has a Toyota chassis/engine, but I believe the rest, including the doors are all Pontiac. Oh yes, and the window situation is not quite resolved but at least I am safe for the time being.

[jasonvibe]

the reason the glue in the rail(track) gives up is the flexing of the window. This happens at the glue. I thought there were 2 bolts also holding the window in at the bottom ? Per the manual. Do you think those bolts are just falling out?

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by coyotedee »I know it has a Toyota chassis/engine, but I believe the rest, including the doors are all Pontiac. Oh yes, and the window situation is not quite resolved but at least I am safe for the time being.Pretty sure the window components are Toyota-engineered and sourced; I have heard others here state this problem also impacts the Matrix and Corolla.I can't believe GM refuses to do anything until someone gets hurt. But I can see that happening, the dealer that sold and serviced my Vibe had absolutely no regard for human life or the safety of it. Glad I don't have to deal with that anymore, too bad I couldn't have my window shatter and get hurt while I had the chance so the Vibe owners could finally get something done though. Out of all the trouble the Vibe caused me, the one thing that sent me over the edge were these stupid windows and the inability to fix the problems with them, so the car went bye-bye.

[rjlgrant]

I have just reported the unhappy incident we have had with our 2003 Vibe's window exploding to the NHTSA. Thanks for the tip coyotedee. I am also going to look into reporting this to the BBB, Consumer Reports, and my local news channel. This is ridiculous that GM is not taking any responsibility for an obvious defect with their product. What has to happen before they take action(injury...death?).

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by rjlgrant »I have just reported the unhappy incident we have had with our 2003 Vibe's window exploding to the NHTSA. Thanks for the tip coyotedee. I am also going to look into reporting this to the BBBAn issue with your car is not something the BBB handles.Quote »Consumer ReportsAnyone with half a brain knows not to take anything that corrupt magazine says with any accuracy...Quote »and my local news channel.That's just absurd.Quote »This is ridiculous that GM is not taking any responsibility for an obvious defect with their product. What has to happen before they take action(injury...death?).It's Toyota's issue. Their components and their manufacturing are involved in this incident.

[rjlgrant]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »An issue with your car is not something the BBB handles.Anyone with half a brain knows not to take anything that corrupt magazine says with any accuracy...That's just absurd.It's Toyota's issue. Their components and their manufacturing are involved in this incident.Wow, what a jerk! Do you work for GM ragingfish? I'm just trying to do anything I can to help my situation. Thanks for that helpful "advice".

[joatmon]

There is a history, people have blasted GM here for reliability of parts that Toyota contributed to the mix. Some people have really gone all hellfire at GM over some of the Toyota parts. Me for example, having had a tranny go out, was intiially inclined to fault GM, but it's a Toyota tranny that failed in my Vibe. In my opinion, having a window explode is a safety issue. While the window parts that contribute to the issue may be Toyota parts, it is a Pontiac car, Pontiac has the responsibility to the Pontiac owners to resolve serious safety issues, regardless of who they buy the parts from. I don't know how many cases it takes for the automaker to step up and address the flaw. Anyway, I am not sure BBB will help, the local news station might be interested I suppose. NHTSA is a good one, that's what they do. Has anyone heard of a similar issue among the Matrix owners?

[JohnC]

Thought i would add this link to this old thread in case anyone is searching for a how-to.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=24086

[coyotedee]

Hello rjlgrant-- I did get a copy of your post and read with interest. I traded my Vibe in March (not for a Pontiac or Toyota). However, I did just receive an email from NTHSA requesting records of my incident, so perhaps your complaint was the one necessary for some action. I plan to send them my records. I did not think to take photos. Hopefully, all existing units will be recalled and remedied.

[tribalman]

thank you! i was looking for that! some of my back windows will pop when i lower them. then they kind of slide down sideways. plus if i have the window slightly down (so i can grab a hold of the window) i can wiggle a few of them pretty freely. makes me scared the window will just fall off track while i'm somewhere and someone will just open the door and take my stuff. to possibly fix this issue would i want to tighten the bolt that is attached to the plastic thing holding the window? last picture in the guide that was posted in the link.

[tribalman]

anybody? please, this conserns me. i don't want to have to replace windows.

[rjlgrant]

Upon further research of this problem, I've found that the only time that GM will cover the costs of repair of these window problems is when someone involved has an injury or if they're still covered under warranty. Warranty or not, this is a definite safety issue. Why only pay when someone's hurt, GM? Afraid of a lawsuit? At this point, I feel that anyone who has had this problem SHOULD report it to the NHTSA. Maybe this will force GM to take responsibility. After this incident, I will never buy a GM car again!

[etd]

APGovernment Probes Pontiac Vibe WindowsMonday October 1, 4:08 pm ET Government Investigates Complaints That Pontiac Vibe Driver, Passenger Windows Shattered WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is investigating complaints that the front power windows on the driver and passenger sides of some Pontiac Vibes shattered as they were being raised or lowered.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting on its Web site Monday that it had received 15 complaints about window shattering on 2003-2004 Vibes.Another three complainants said they heard a popping or cracking noise and were concerned the window may shatter, but they did not.NHTSA said the issue could affect more than 120,000 vehicles.General Motors Corp. spokesman Alan Adler said the automaker was cooperating with the investigation.Three consumers who complained said they sustained injuries while cleaning the glass debris out of the front seats.