Windshield Cracks Too Easily (VOTE)!?

Just learn to serpentine faster

 

Has anyone looked into applying some sort of clear protective film on the exterior of the windshield to add some protection? Viable or a pipe dream?

 

Just talked to a glass guy yesterday, he claims no brand is better than the next for glass. Also said the coating is a waste of money.

 

Cheap glass is my vote. I've had many rocks hit my window over the years and much of it has to do with luck. But I've never had small pebbles chip my glass like this. I've counted 5 in less then 2000 miles driven. I'm still breaking in the truck and haven't driven fast yet. I can't even image the damage when a real rock hits me at a high speeds. I'm scared!

 

after having my pro for 11 months,, and 10 months with cracked windshield,from one side to the other... i went to safelite, they did a great job,, 388.00,,, my inspection is next month so i had to get it done,,, nice not to see the giant crack,,lol

 

Two rock chips so far, no cracks.

 

Here in the AZ Ive burned through 2 to 3 windshields a year on all my vehicles. Now i just live with it. If it is not in my field of view or bigger than a dime, I don't care. Some times whe nit spider webs, I see how londg it takes to cross the windshield.

Yep...my life is boring.

 

Just joined the club in the morning. Japanese-rice-juice glass got a chip in it

 

I had to have three rock chips repaired within the first two months of owning the truck. Thankfully I have full glass coverage with no deductible.

 

I have had a 2003, 2010, and now a 2017 Tacoma. Right now I am in a collision center waiting to see if they can repair a major chip on a replacement windshield that is less than 2 wks old. This is the 3rd windshield in just over 60,000 miles.

Had to replace windshields on both my 2003 and 2010, but only once and twice, respectively; and with 200 k and 289 k miles, respectively. The last windshield I replaced in my 2017 would chip and run with the smallest of impacts and had less than 10 K on it.

Something is definitely askew. The collision center tells me that there glass meets all required gov specifications and they've never had complaints before. I don't believe it and will likely seek another vendor next time.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

 

They gravel all of the highways here in the winter, you expect at least 1-2 chips each year and just try to get over when you pass a truck. I keep a $100 deductible on my comprehensive insurance and just plan to have it replaced every couple of years.

 

$1400?!?! Man, I bought the original windshield and had it replaced for around $300 twice already.

 

I’m on my 3rd windshield and low and behold there’s a crack. I never had issues with previous cars... gonna setup insurance claim for lucky #4

 

Ok here’s the facts..you decide : I have a 2 hr work commute on the interstate . I had a 2016 Ram I bought new and drove it 5x a week for 6 mos. not one chip or crack. Then I bought a 2015 toyota Corolla and drove the same commute on interstate for THREE YEARS. Not one crack and no noticeable chips . 6 WEEKS ago I bought a 2017 Tacoma . I have 4 chips in the windshield and this morning got my 2nd crack ! I was about 50 yards behind two semi trucks and two lanes over from them. I heard the “pop” but it really wasn’t that loud but what you see in the photo is the result . Im so mad . I’ve been trying to stay away from the big trucks, especially the dump trucks and dirt/ore haulers . I think they chip & crack windshields from rocks flying off them - not from tires kicking up rocks as some have pointed out . Anyway I never had this problem until I bought the Tacoma .

 

From the past owner of a major glass co. "this is a very common problem of ALL windshields that are glued in, glass is flexible but not where it is glued in there is no give and that's where they crack when struck by a stone". You may notice chips but no cracks further up I have had two windshields in my 2011 both cracked right at the wipers.

 

This new crack is pretty high . About 8 inches from the top. Your point it valid and understood but my experience as noted above kinda proves the Tacoma is more prone to cracks don’t you think ? Every day for 3 years I drove same interstate over 200 mi a day with no cracks and now 2 cracks in less that 6 weeks time on Tacoma ., and btw I’m not even driving it everyday as I did the Corolla

 

No doubt that most car manufacturers use the least expensive glass (as well as other parts), but that's not the reason that newer windshields crack so easily. To lower the vehicle weight for improved gas mileage, all vehicle glass has been getting thinner and thinner. This means that the glass needs to be stronger, which also makes it more brittle and less able to take a rock hit without cracking. Also, the Tacoma windshield is more upright than most of those in other vehicles, meaning the rock hits are more likely to hit at right angle than glancing off.

Our new(ish) 2021 Pro got a rock hit recently up near the rear view mirror. Within a day, the entire passenger side had a massive crack in it. OEM windshield--installed--would have cost $1100, so the insurance company denied the claim. I cancelled that claim and paid abut $600 out-of-pocket for an aftermarket windshield. Se la vie. Now looking at other insurance companies.

 

that sucks dude, and it does seem to make a pretty valid point. nothing we/you can do about it unfortunately.

 

Well even the after market one cracked from a stone hit and #3 knock on wood is still good. Glass is glass they are all the same ever single crack in mine were right at the wipers. Mine is a 2011 I don't know how the 3rd gens are made but my 2011 the bottom of the glass where it's glued in place is pretty high the top is not at the most an inch. The glass guy I knew was commenting on the Mercedes glass he had replaced they all cracked right at the base of the glass.

 

2021 OR reporting in & joining the under 10K miles cracked windshield club. 6k miles.

About a week ago heard a loud pop, from the windshield during a 50 mile commute and thought "Here we go..." Was on the farthest lane to the left, closest to the carpool lane, semi trucks on the very right side on the interstate, when this happened. Although pass many construction sites on the highway. Always avoided tailgating any trucks after reading everyones experience on here. Inspected the windshield upon arriving to the destination, couldn't find a darn thing.

It was a nice cold & frosty morning, windows had condensation, hit the wiper blades, & defroster...And viola! Critters appeared as the morning sunrise light glazed to reveal the damage on the passenger side.

Glass tinted at 80% ceramic. Thought it was only a chip which expanded to hairline crack, upon taking this photo I discovered there were several cracks at the base of the glass near the passenger windshield wipers. Almost seems the tint's warping. Not to mention all the other micro chips. No chip shortage here...



Did install a lightbar, solar panel onto the cab rack on the weekend, and routed the wires through the rubber windshield channel on the driver's side. Could the stress cracks been caused by this?

Thinking of just letting it spread for science & just keep on truckin' until it gets prominent onto the drivers side. Otherwise, it'll be time to give insurance a call.

F in the chat.