Replacement Windshields

My 2014 has had a long horizontal crack, maybe 8" up from the bottom. Took a stone hit right at the bottom edge maybe 3 months after I took delivery, and it was unrepairable because it was already a crack and not just a star. Spread quickly that winter. I've been living with it (and waiting for the day I'll get a ticket for it) ever since.

Eventually I need to replace the stupid thing. Haven't even checked prices, but I've heard that various auto glass can be (even) more fragile than OEM.

What's the wisdom out there? Is it worth insisting on a genuine Toyota replacement part, or just get the cheapest because the damn thing is just going to get cracked again anyway?

 

I had my OEM crack similar to yours when an unseasonable snow storm and cold weather came through. Probably had a stone chip to get it started, but came back from a meal break, started the truck, jumped out to clear the windshield of about 5" of snow, and the crack just spread right in front of me.

My auto insurance covered replacement at a certified windshield replacement place where I know I got a SafeTlite replacement glass. It has held up fine, though it has another chip now. I haven't bothered to get it repaired, though I'm sure it could be.

So, I don't have a specific answer to your question about OEM glass versus after market. Only that there are good aftermarket windshields. And, in my case, the replacement was covered by insurance. I'm in PA, and certainly have a different insurer than you, and a different insurance package. But, I'd check insurance coverage for a replacement windshield before doing anything.

Here in PA we have annual safety and emission inspections that would flunk a crack that big. I think they more or less let any star that can be covered by a dime slide if it isn't in the center of the drivers line of vision.

 

here in Texas a vehicle will fail only if the glass cuts the wiper blade. That would be well beyond where I would replace it. BIL use to have a body shop and was also and adjuster he recommend PPG but said there were several good aftermarket brands out there. The shop that did mine said that some of the China glass actually fits better.

 

Colorado has inspections including emissions, but only in the more populated counties. There are more elk than people in my county, so we don't have any kind of vehicle inspection requirements. I can get away with it until a cop notices and tickets me. In my case, it really is a pretty bad crack. It goes from maybe a foot from the right edge to maybe 18" from the left. It isn't right in front of my eyes, but just below. When the sun is angled just right it reflects a fairly nasty shine right into my eyes. It really should be replaced. (And it's been that bad since January.)

I have Geico, so I should call and figure out what the policy will be. The last time I had to replace a windshield it was totally covered less a $500 deductible. I think the work was like $507.95. I think my comp deductible right now is at least that. And I expect this windshield to be a bit more costly than the last one I paid for.

I've never insisted on a Toyota OEM replacement part, and I've probably replaced 8 or 9 Toyota windshields since my first, a 93 2wd. I'm not hearing much that would change that from this thread, but hoping more folks will chime in!

 

I just went through this on my 2013.
It had the original windshield which was amazing to me since in VT due to wild swings in Temperatures, bitter cold, road salt etc.
I swear every single Toyota truck I've owned has had a cracked windshield one time or another.
So I went through USAA using safelite setting it up online. It was awesome.
The installer was super professional, installed it at work inside (we have a bay) & cautioned me to not drive it for a few hours for set up.
He explained the layering process of the glass and the warranty work (replacement is free if it breaks without a stone).
I guess temp changes can do it and not to snap wiper blades down in bitter cold temps with defrost blasting.
I don't know, I was extremely satisfied using my insurance company and Safelite.
It looks exactly like my OEM.

 

$500 deductible for a windshield replacement?

 

That was my comprehensive deductible. I'm not with that insurance company any more, so hopefully life will be better this time. I'll let TW know how it comes out.

 

I need to replace mine on my 09, nasty chip that spider webbed so its only a matter of time. My quote through Safelite was only $230 for the replacement...

 

Now that is where I want to be; especially in September!! Back on topic, I had my replaced in Fort Collins by Safelite. Good quality glass and service. $300 if I recall due to my higher deductible. Went a little over a year and got a hickey from a gravel truck on I-25. The crack started the first day it got over 100*. Now I have to see if I can add windshield replacement to my insurance and hope they don't want to do an inspection!! Haha

 

Safelite is OK, i've had mixed results with them though. Like anything it depends on the tech doing the work.

I've used three times and I think the average repair was about $300. Call around though, sometimes you might get lucky and another glass shop has one in stock and is willing to sell cheap.

 

Never actually replaced a windshield yet. Though here in AK we gravel our roads and don't use salt in winter. I've been living with a chip in my truck since 400 miles (new) only because it hasn't spider'd yet. Damn near every policy up here includes one windshield a year at a low deductible (mines $50). I was also told that our local glass replacement shops typically offer two costs: usually $500+ if using insurance, and around $300 if paying in cash. Just let them know how you're paying for it in advance.

 

Does going through insurance put a claim on your record? Or does it depend on the policy?

 

Or on the state perhaps. Doesn't here in MA and it is free.

 

Not sure how yours operates. They're automatically included in all our policies up here, or at least I never signed up for anything special, or pay any more for one windshield a year. As far as I'm aware it does not count against your record.

 

I just got off the phone with Geico. I had checked my policy online to see that my comprehensive has a $500 deductible. Tried to find whether the windshield claim would be just a plain comp claim or what, couldn't so I called. Turns out because I have mechanical breakdown (or something like that) on my policy, the windshield will only be subject to a $50 deductible (yay!). I don't think it had anything to do with my state laws or anything other than my specific coverage. But what do I know?

So I'm making an appointment to git er done! Not going to worry about what flavor of glass they put in. If it's just $50 and it gets me through another couple years, good enough.

 

Nice.

 

I have had the opposite experience. In 10 years, I'm on my third windshield. The first was replaced with an OEM glass. I got a chip and it started to run immediately.

I now have an aftermarket glass (not sure of the brand) but I have had several chips now that haven't run at all. Of course I had them filled, but my two Toyota windshields didn't even give me time to get to a place before the cracks started running.

 

These windshields are going to crack regardless. I have a 2012 pre-runner and I have had my windshield repaired twice through insurance (filling the crack) then replaced once after the spider web started to form, which was only 3 days after safelite had did their thing-2x. I had replaced the windshield mid last year and believe it or not, but the windshield had been hit by a rock/something on the freeway literally the day after replacement... Lucky me, the crack is low enough to not interfere with driving. However, the little dime shape crack turned into a whole line crack right across the entire windshield, from driver side to passengers side... I gave up and decided to replace it when it starts to cave in or something, if it doesn't kill me by then lol... Btw: the guy told me that the molding for the windshield needed to be replaced, I couldn't believe if it was true or if this guy is milking my funds... Seems like the windshields for tacos are sensitive or at least the ones I'm getting

 

Been told by a couple glass guys that Pilkington is quality glass.

 

I wonder if California will have those types if indeed the best, but I will ask around.. Do you think windshield qualities are different depending on state? California roadways are the worst at times