NHTSA Investigates Spontaneously Shattering Side Windows on Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Corolla Matrix

The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) currently is investigating several complaints that the side windows on the Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Corolla Matrix have shattered spontaneously and/or that the windows make a popping/clicking noise during operation. The vehicles in question were manufactured in 2003 and 2004.

To date, Toyota has received 203 complaints regarding the Pontiac Vibe, and 254 total for the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Corolla Matrix. The suspect vehicles were manufactured by New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. in Fremont, Calif., a joint venture between General Motors Corp. and Toyota.

Officials from Toyota, which is responsible for responding to NHTSA inquiries relating to vehicles manufactured at NUMMI, have advised NHTSA that likely the window regulator bolts in these windows have loosened, causing the sound and/or shattering, and that in some cases, the sidelites is interfering with the door check link.

The investigation originally was opened on September 27, 2007, and the preliminary investigation was closed on February 5. When the preliminary investigation was closed, the issue was upgraded to an Engineering Analysis, which the ODI will continue to investigate.

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