Imploding Driver's Window

[mginsa]

While driving to work this morning, with no cars or trucks closer than about 100' ahead of me on the highway (and no gravel anywhere nearby) the driver's side window suddenly imploded. In less than 1 second the entire window disintegrated and blew inward, showering me with small and not so small pieces of safety glass. Frightning, to say the least!

smart claims they have no record of similar breakage so they will not cover it under warranty.

I've searched this form and found posts about windshields cracking and breaking but no imploding.

Has anyone heard of sudden window breakage?

Michael

[forestacademy]

Chances are their was some unseen damage to the window in the past. It just chose now to implode. That kind of window doesn't do little cracks when the go they GO!!

The older 450's used to have Glass tops that would get little chips on the front edge. Sometime later they would just shatter showering the ocupants with glass. Sometimes Temp changes can be the final trigger.

[John_H]

I'm happy the one and only time I had a window implode like that was after the BMW dealer repaired the window track. Because the car was in their locked shop overnight when the window imploded, there was no pinning it back on me.

I'm sorry it's not covered by Smart. Did you get $0 deductible glass coverage like many of us Smart owners do with our insurance companies? Comprehensive claims don't ding you like collision. I'm happy to know that if I ever experience a similar misfortune that my insurance company will continue to serve me well.

[Agent 99]

I hate to even suggest this but could someone have shot a bb or something at your car?

[cubefx]

Originally Posted by mginsa

While driving to work this morning, with no cars or trucks closer than about 100' ahead of me on the highway (and no gravel anywhere nearby) the driver's side window suddenly imploded. In less than 1 second the entire window disintegrated and blew inward, showering me with small and not so small pieces of safety glass. Frightning, to say the least!

smart claims they have no record of similar breakage so they will not cover it under warranty.

I've searched this form and found posts about windshields cracking and breaking but no imploding.

Has anyone heard of sudden window breakage?

Michael

There is a very good chance that it was small rock or even steel ball bearing ball bounced on the road and hit your car.

Also if someone shot from BB gun, it will have similar effect.


CUBE

[cubefx]

Originally Posted by John_H

Did you get $0 deductible glass coverage like many of us Smart owners do with our insurance companies? Comprehensive claims don't ding you like collision. I'm happy to know that if I ever experience a similar misfortune that my insurance company will continue to serve me well.

At least here in Florida, glass coverage only covers windshield.


CUBE

[jimvw57]

I would double check that, I thought the same thing here and found out otherwise. it also covers headlights since they have an internal bulb, the front housing is considered a windshield.

[rolly]

Tempered glass can be temperamental. I've personally hit an old side window with a large rock and it just bounced off... but, I was installing one of those after market springs on a rear window wiper on my old Mazda MPV. It slipped - and the pointy end of the bent spring hit the edge of the rear window. POW, I was stunned to see the whole rear window shattered into 1/4" pieces. = $1000.00

[SmartDigger]

Originally Posted by Agent 99

I hate to even suggest this but could someone have shot a bb or something at your car?

My first thought also

[fpage77]

I'm going to have to watch my side windows at all times while driving now.