WARNING 2013 Vipers Built Before 08/12/13 - Defroster Issue

[Malu59RT]

If you have an early build vehicle, be weary of the rear window defroster issue. We have had two local cars (both Launch Editions) shatter within days of each other, and both were checked under TSB 23-019-014 and said to be okay. In both cases, the phone slid forward and hit the defroster button unintentionally. It may be a good idea to pull your defroster fuse until a resolution is found, and save yourself the possible paint damage and cuts on your hand. This would only apply to the early build 2013 cars, 2014+ owners don't need to worry apparently.

[swexlin]

Thanks for the tip. In the year I've owned my car, I've never used mine (never had the need to). Don't know if the first owner ever did.

[viper_eddie]

Thanks for the tip. In the year I've owned my car, I've never used mine (never had the need to). Don't know if the first owner ever did.

If you're feeling adventurous press the button

[lochnessmonster]

If you're feeling adventurous press the button

Yep. It's Friday. I said, "What the heck, I'm gonna get a little crazy today."

[swexlin]

Yep. It's Friday. I said, "What the heck, I'm gonna get a little crazy today."

You got bigger balls than me, LOL! Car goes in next month for PA inspection and service, think I'll have my tech push the button while it's there!

[lochnessmonster]

Haha.... I did have a look at the back glass before I pressed the button, and I did notice that there was the .25mm-1.5mm gap. It also appeared as though the previous owner (Actually the owner of the dealership) had the TSB complied with because there is some beige tape all around the edge of the window. I just figured, I'd rather have it blow up now while it's on warranty. The warranty runs out July 9th, 2016. Maybe not as big a balls as it might seem

[ViperTony]

So, for those of you that experienced this....did dealer replace the glass or did the entire rear hatch have to be replaced?

[mjorgensen]

The problem is that some dealers think that just cramming the "tape" they use to fix it even when the gap is clearly to small prevents this from happening. If the gap is to small the tape will do nothing. Dealers probably just don't want to go through the "hassle" of having to replace the glass, we have one in the shop right now getting a new glass, when it's wrong it's wrong...

[Malu59RT]

The problem is that some dealers think that just cramming the "tape" they use to fix it even when the gap is clearly to small prevents this from happening. If the gap is to small the tape will do nothing. Dealers probably just don't want to go through the "hassle" of having to replace the glass, we have one in the shop right now getting a new glass, when it's wrong it's wrong...

I know mine used a feeler gauge of 2mm, to verify it met the 1.5mm tolerance, and that still didn't matter.

[rlhay2]

Thankful that my VIN is in the 600's.
Good job sharing the info and looking out for others!

[v10tt]

Which gap are you talking about?, can you post a picture?

[steve911]

This is a know problem on some cars for over a year. Its not only a "gap" issue but an adhesive issue. When the glass was installed the bead of sealant used to adhere the glass to the decklid wasn't thick enough. When the glass was installed, the sealant bead compressed allowing window in a small area to come in contact with the decklid. It is not always the edge of the glass. The 6 that I have seen, all made contact UNDER the glass where it is not visible before hand. It becomes plain as day where the scorch mark is after the glass breaks.

CF is very electrically conductive and when the defroster was turned on, it shorted against the carbon decklid and blows up the window. I took a deep breath and hit the switch on my car. Mine was OK. A friend of mine not so lucky. Better to find out conclusively while its under warranty than avoid it.

[Bugman Jeff]

Better to find out conclusively while its under warranty than avoid it.

If I had a Gen V, I'd set up a video camera and push the button. Either it will work just fine, or it'll shatter. If you don't try it now and you car is one of those at risk, it could shatter some time down the road, and probably an an inconvenient time. Best to know for certain while the car is new and under warranty. I'd set up the camera just in case the dealer gives you guff about it you'll be able to prove that it was the defroster that caused it to break.

[mjorgensen]

Details;

[ACRucrazy]

I thought this was well known? There have been several with this issue post about it on the forums. It even happened to an LE at homecoming last year while leaving the hotel for Chelsea Proving Grounds.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

I thought this was well known? There have been several with this issue post about it on the forums. It even happened to an LE at homecoming last year while leaving the hotel for Chelsea Proving Grounds.

EXACTLY! This was covered a couple times, and in depth on Facebook (!) People: THis is NOT a Gen V issue but an "EARLY 2013 ISSUE." The running design change to a slightly smaller defroster grid makes issue impossible on later cars.

Its easy to check with a credit card (or 2) for example: Just run the card back-in between the hatch glass and the CF Hatch surround, to ensure the metal defroster grid is not extremely close (or touching) the CF. CF is a conductor, and so is the wire defroster. They can ARC /Short out and KABLOOIE on the glass.

[Malu59RT]

Yes, this is a known issue, and for those with early build numbers, or buying cars that sat on dealer lots for 1-2 years, they need to be aware. Not to mention, if you had the dealer perform the TSB and check, you are still not in the clear. Two cars that I know of, have documentation showing the glass was checked per the TSB that Mark posted, and they STILL shattered.

[Viper Girl]

So we know what constitutes an early build number? Is 4002xx considered early?

[Malu59RT]

So we know what constitutes an early build number? Is 4002xx considered early?

: This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before August 12, 2013 (MDH
0812XX).

I believe your build date should be on one of the stickers on the car. I would look on mine and report....but....yeah....

[SADVIPER]

Thanks for raising the issue guys. I really get benifits from visiting the forums since the crappy dealer service we recieve in my country.
My vin#1C3ADEAZ6DV400211
Should I be worried? I'll difently test with that guide Mark sent, thanks!

[mjorgensen]

Thanks for raising the issue guys. I really get benifits from visiting the forums since the crappy dealer service we recieve in my country.
My vin#1C3ADEAZ6DV400211
Should I be worried? I'll difently test with that guide Mark sent, thanks!

Yours is not affected

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

The MDH is the key...... early 2013 ONLY. No other worries. If you have a 2013 built on or before August 12, 2013 (MDH
0812XX) on the door, then pull your defroster FUSE til you can get it checked out. Some owners or nosy passengers have inadvertently turned the defroster on by bumping the button

I would like to ask the OP or mods to please CHANGE THE THREAD TITLE here to "2013 Possible Rear Defroster Issue" rather than the inflammatory and confusing header it says now, painting all Gen V? ? THANKS MUCH

[Malu59RT]

The MDH is the key...... early 2013 ONLY. No other worries. If you have a 2013 built on or before August 12, 2013 (MDH
0812XX) on the door, then pull your defroster FUSE til you can get it checked out. Some owners or nosy passengers have inadvertently turned the defroster on by bumping the button

I would like to ask the OP or mods to please CHANGE THE THREAD TITLE here to "2013 Possible Rear Defroster Issue" rather than the inflammatory and confusing header it says now, painting all Gen V? ? THANKS MUCH

I posted this thread because it happened to me on Saturday. I thought to post about it then, but figured I would keep silent until it was resolved, assuming it was a freak incident. Then yesterday a local friend that bought a car I was considering last year, had his back window shatter in an eerily similar way. I felt bad, because I should have warned him, and others. This thread was to serve notice, because I'm sure others had their dealer check before it shattered, which didn't rule it out completely. I ended up cutting my hands in a few places, digging my valuables from the trunk of my car with shattered class all over, before loading it on a wrecker 50 miles from my dealership and completely ruining my weekend.

A moderator could change it to "WARNING 2013 VIPERS BUILT BEFORE AUGUST 12, 2013 DEFROSTER ISSUE" and save some other 2013 owners a headache

[Viper Girl]

For clarity I asked the OP about changing the title, and he has agreed... Thread title changed to clarify year of issue.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Thanks for alerting the appropriate owner base. I assume we had the same event discussion on FaceBk yesterday? Do take me up on the invite there.....