Shattered Ultra-View

[turbojimmy]

There are 6 complaints on the NHTSA site now. These are just by people who know to complain to that site. The actual number of events could be a lot higher.

Statistically insignificant or not, I wouldn't want to own one. Why take unnecessary, additional risks? Comparing the risk of something reasonably unavoidable like an accident versus something that is totally avoidable like the purchase of a vehicle with an exploding sunroof doesn't make any sense. Most of us do not have a choice as to whether we take the risk of driving every day. We do, however, have a choice in which vehicle we choose to drive. GM forgets that a lot.

Jim

[GonZ06]

Odd thing I was just on the STS forum, and they have a thread regarding the back window shattering for no reason. The storys sound just like those written here, check out the STS thread.

Mabye its not an SRX problem but a GM problem, if both the SRX and STS are experiencingn the same glass problem.....

[john d]

Originally Posted by john d

Took the pictures Henry05 posted to a window tint shop most of the new car dealers use and that did my rear windows a couple of years ago when my 04 SRX was new.
They recommended a product called Graystone that's a "Premium metal-free window film" with a lifetime warranty made by Johnson Window Film.
Brochure notes it's a (GSN films) whatever that means.
Installed on the inside for $85.00 plus tax for a total of $86.23.
The metal free doesn't add to heat build up.
The metal free shade factor starts at 50% but I really don't notice a darkening effect.
They've seen vandalized unlaminated broken windows that had this film and the glass held to the film rather than shattering into the car.
Sure gives me peace of mind for my passengers, especially my 2 year old granddaughter that's in a cross-belted harnessed car seat.

Check out #28 on this thread:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...t=56438&page=2 (Rear window shattered?)

[georges326]

Hey Guys,

New to forum and wife interested in an srx. Obviouly interested in this subject. Are the Ultra-View shattering problems on the 04 and 05's only and does anyone know if there has been a fix that GM has performed(possibly in secret)?

thanks, George

[Larry05]

I can't remember if I posted this earlier and too lazy to search, but, one of my other cars is an 82 Vette with tempered glass t-tops. I has a cling-type dot matrix liner on them that cuts down on the heat gain. One day, while driving on the Beltway in Houston, an object flew off a truck and hit the driver t-top. It shattered into the proverbial million pieces. But it held together because of the CLING liner - emphasis made on purpose - not a glued or whatever tinting, just a cling liner that you can pull off with ease. Went to Corvettes of Houston for a new top and just had the glass replaced, not the frame. As soon as we pulled the liner off, the glass fell apart. Yet it held in place with the liner on, even when driving at Beltway speeds for at least 15 miles - and I don't drive slow! So, my experience is, the lining would work to add strength to a roof that might shatter at speed - at least long enough to be able to stop the car in a reasonable manner.

[akdj1055]

Just to update you all - a few weeks ago NHTSA concluded at least their first phase of the investigation. They draw no conclusion besides to accept GM's contention that these roofs are failing from outside influences (i.e. stones), even though this is the thickest glass used on the market. You can read the entire NHTSA request for information, and the response from GM by doing a search on their website for their investigation numbered PE05052. It gets a little hard to follow, but it appears there have been 17 confirmed unexplained roof failures with too many injured in these incidents. Why they simply seem to roll over for GM's explanation is hard to understand. There have been no design changes for '06 and NHTSA expects these incidents to continue as well. It appears the next part of their investigation goes to engineering analysis - whatever that entails.

It also appears most were repaired under warranty except for mine. That's Cadillac customer service at its best.

Sorry to hear there's another member of the shattered roof club. Hopefully Cadillac took care of you better than me.

[AJxtcman]

Originally Posted by akdj1055

Just to update you all - a few weeks ago NHTSA concluded at least their first phase of the investigation. They draw no conclusion besides to accept GM's contention that these roofs are failing from outside influences (i.e. stones), even though this is the thickest glass used on the market. You can read the entire NHTSA request for information, and the response from GM by doing a search on their website for their investigation numbered PE05052. It gets a little hard to follow, but it appears there have been 17 confirmed unexplained roof failures with too many injured in these incidents. Why they simply seem to roll over for GM's explanation is hard to understand. There have been no design changes for '06 and NHTSA expects these incidents to continue as well. It appears the next part of their investigation goes to engineering analysis - whatever that entails.

It also appears most were repaired under warranty except for mine. That's Cadillac customer service at its best.

Sorry to hear there's another member of the shattered roof club. Hopefully Cadillac took care of you better than me.

.
.
.
I sent you some PM's.
If this is the truck I think it was than it was #1.
I looked at the roof top and saw some marks on the top of the metal. Yes it could have been from the glass. It looked as if it was broke by a foreign object.
We all know it does not matter how it broke!
It broke. That is the bottom line and you are not happy.
I hope that you did not loose a penny.
If you did you should contact GM with your case #
We have a product that is put on window glass to keep the glass from shattering from bullets.
This product could have helped you.
If you didn't jump up and down and turn red. just maybe someone would have called you back and sent a check.
I am not saying you were wrong at all.
I think it could have been handled different by everybody as I look back at it now.
From the way I see it you were #1 and that was a part of the problem

[mjk]

This is some scary stuff. I truly hope that it's caused by some foreign object hitting the roof and not just faulty glass/design.

It doesn’t seem that GM is concerned about it if they now will offer the ultraview on 08 CTS models.

[GMJim]

I was following a semi last winter, as sheets of ice blew off the top, and landed on the ultraview. I figured if it was gunna go, that would be the time.
It didn't, and I was glad.

[AJxtcman]

Originally Posted by mjk

This is some scary stuff. I truly hope that it's caused by some foreign object hitting the roof and not just faulty glass/design.

It doesn’t seem that GM is concerned about it if they now will offer the ultraview on 08 CTS models.

GM is all over this still