Smash-and-Grab Break-Ins Behind the C-Pillar
Break-ins account for nearly every side quarter window I replace on this Acura. Thieves targeting parked vehicles punch out this specific rear triangle because breaking it lets them peek beneath the cargo privacy cover or drop the 60/40 rear seatbacks without setting off interior motion sensors tied to the front doors. Unlike the rear liftgate glass on these vehicles—which gained notoriety in service bulletin TSB 22-014 for spontaneous shattering from defroster grid hot spots—the stationary side quarter glass is structurally stable and only breaks from deliberate physical impact.
When someone shatters this window, tempered pellets drop directly inside the rear quarter trim and down into the lower cargo floor cavities beside the spare tire tray or amplifier module. If someone knocked out your rear side glass to get inside the cargo trunk, I can be at your driveway roughly sixty minutes after you book to get the interior cleaned out and bonded glass set in place.
Hardware Codes and Floating Roof Integration
The side quarter glass is crucial to the styling on this body, forming the dark visual bridge that creates the "floating roof" look behind the rear passenger doors. Regardless of whether an RDX rolled off the Marysville assembly line as a Base model, Technology Package, dark-accented A-Spec, Advance, or orange-stitched PMC Edition, every trim receives factory dark privacy solar glass.
The glass must match the exact side profile and surrounding molding, which varies by trim line. Acura catalogs these parts under specific dealer codes, though several original part numbers have updated over the production cycle:
| Component | Original Part | Superseded Part | NAGS Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Quarter Glass (Passenger) | 73500-TJB-A01 | 73500-TJB-A11 | FQ27725 YPN |
| Left Quarter Glass (Driver) | 73550-TJB-A01 | 73550-TJB-A11 | FQ27726 YPN |
| Right Quarter Glass Seal | 73810-TJB-A01 | — | — |
| Left Quarter Glass Seal | 73860-TJB-A01 | — | — |
Fuyao produces the original factory units for Honda, but aftermarket replacements follow the exact FQ27725 and FQ27726 profiles. Unlike the tailgate backlite, this glass has no heating elements, no wiper mount, and no electronic sensor brackets. However, the factory glass seals—73810-TJB-A01 on the right and 73860-TJB-A01 on the left—are designated as single-use components by Acura. When the glass breaks or gets cut from the frame, those exterior perimeter gaskets deform and must be replaced to prevent cabin wind whistle along the rear roof rail.
Is this glass affected by the rear window shattering defect?
No. Acura Technical Service Bulletin 22-014 addresses spontaneous fracture on the large rear liftgate backlite, caused by localized stress near the defroster elements. The side quarter windows do not carry high-amp defrost grids or wiper assemblies and do not spontaneously shatter from thermal shock.
Can the rubber molding around my broken glass be reused?
No. The quarter glass outer seals (73810-TJB-A01 and 73860-TJB-A01) tear and stretch during glass breakage and removal. Acura specifies them as one-time-use items, and reusing an old seal creates wind noise and water leaks against the composite rear quarter panel.
Does replacing the quarter glass affect my radio reception?
Only if the replacement glass lacks the proper integrated diversity antenna lines embedded into the inner surface. Matching the exact NAGS number ensures the radio frequency harness connects properly behind the cargo garnish trim so AM/FM and satellite signals remain intact.
