Exploding back sliding glass / defroster overheating

[GratefulDenglish]

Back sliding window exploded this morning as I was pulling out of my driveway. I remote started the truck about 4mins before heading out this morning. Temp was around 33 degrees. Smelled smoke when entering the truck, but had a neighbor behind us that lost a tree a few weeks ago and thought he may have started a burn pile. Drove to end of drive and then boom. It looks like the contacts on the sliding glass window super heated the glass and melted a hole in the rubber weather stripping. Does anyone know if just the slider can me replaced or is a whole new rear window required?

 

[HSKR R/T]

Damn, that sucks, not sure if they sell just the slider glass due to it being electric sliding with connection to a motor.

 

[Geddyflea]

Like HSKR R/T said, I'm not sure either. The black rubber connector broke off of mine and the dealer replaced the entire back window.

 

[Biggiehorn]

That's pretty scary. I've come across multiple posts both on here and across other platforms where the owner's claim that their rear glass just randomly shattered, but haven't seen anything like that yet. Can't answer your question on the replacement portion either, but I would certainly want to have all of that electrical thoroughly inspected in addition to replacing the glass.

 

[bill-e]

Is that a flag decal on the glass and was it on the inside? If so that is likely the culprit.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Is that a flag decal on the glass and was it on the inside? If so that is likely the culprit.

Highly doubtful

 

[6of36]

I have never heard of a rear defogger itself ever overheating. More than likely, there was a loose connection that arced, and that could cause extreme heat. Also in my experience, even before they were power, The entire window needs replacing. ( I think that glass is put in while assembling the frame, so is only able to be installed or removed with the frame out of the vehicle.)

 

[BackCountryinNJ]

Is that a flag decal on the glass and was it on the inside? If so that is likely the culprit.

I'd say the notorious leaking back window would be a cause long before a flag decal.

 

[GratefulDenglish]

Got the whole rear glass replaced today. I had a 03 that the slider got broken by a guy loading my truck with lumber , so I expected the same on the 5th Gen. The flag decal was on the outside. Had OEM glass put into it. Ins covered 2/3s. Contacts must have arched to one another causing the glass to super heat. The sensor was detached when I got the truck and I bought some electronic welding solder. I guess after a season of use it must have liquified (dripped) and caused the issue. Word to the wise, don’t try that fix if you have the same detachment issue.

 

[Lawman1Bravo]

2021 Ram 1500 Limited . Well mine just did . I remote started it . Temp outside is in the mid 30’s the rear defrost was on and as my wife was putting groceries in the back she seen smoke coming from the back seat and a few seconds later the small back window shattered . So yes it does happen and it’s B. S. only 15,000 miles on it .

 

[1.8t]

2019 RAM here with 52k miles. My defroster shorted this morning and broke my glass. Really starting to get frustrated with all the bs issues of RAM. I lost an effing fuel pump 2 weeks ago and now this garbage.

 

[billygman]

This just happened to me. Made the dealership cover it. Waiting on the window to arrive.

 

[kapinallinen2]

This just happened to me. Made the dealership cover it. Waiting on the window to arrive.

That is where the defroster contact button is located, modern lead free solder deteriorating and causing high resistance and heat.
We all can thank the OSHA for that.
Just my opinion, take it with salt...

 

[FWB61764]

This just happened to me. Made the dealership cover it. Waiting on the window to arrive.

I have the same happen to me two years in a roll almost to the day. It was 10 degrees out I was waiting to pull out of my driveway and BOOM. I look back in the rearview mirror and the drive side rear window was shattered. I contact my insurance company, my last years claim was 2/9/2024 and this year it happened on 2/10/2025. I think Ram needs to fix this. The window is $850.00 to replace.

 

[FWB61764]

2021 Ram 1500 Limited . Well mine just did . I remote started it . Temp outside is in the mid 30’s the rear defrost was on and as my wife was putting groceries in the back she seen smoke coming from the back seat and a few seconds later the small back window shattered . So yes it does happen and it’s B. S. only 15,000 miles on it .

I have the same happen to me two years in a roll almost to the day. It was 10 degrees out I was waiting to pull out of my driveway and BOOM. I look back in the rearview mirror and the drive side rear window was shattered. I contact my insurance company, my last years claim was 2/9/2024 and this year it happened on 2/10/2025. I think Ram needs to fix this. The window is $850.00 to replace.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I have the same happen to me two years in a roll almost to the day. It was 10 degrees out I was waiting to pull out of my driveway and BOOM. I look back in the rearview mirror and the drive side rear window was shattered. I contact my insurance company, my last years claim was 2/9/2024 and this year it happened on 2/10/2025. I think Ram needs to fix this. The window is $850.00 to replace.

You don't need to make the exact same reply to multiple posts. Once is enough.

 

[cerbo]

apparently it doesn t have to on very long either.
That rear window is nothing but a time bomb between this and leaks.
Is that something we should all unplug, LOL?

 

[HSKR R/T]

apparently it doesn t have to on very long either.
That rear window is nothing by a time bomb between this and leaks.
Is that something we should all unplug, LOL?

I've heard of you just remove the rear window all together, the glass will never break, and the window frame will never crack since neither are installed in the truck. Let's just ignore the hundreds of thousands of Rams on the road that have never had the back glass break.

 

[kapinallinen2]

apparently it doesn t have to on very long either.
That rear window is nothing but a time bomb between this and leaks.
Is that something we should all unplug, LOL?

Unplugged mine.

 

[cerbo]

Unplugged mine.

Really, I mean @hskr rt has a point. I permatexed the window because of all the leaks reported for years , and waterproofed the RH. now is this next?