Windshield Problems?

So I got up the other day and noticed a small crack in the windshield. Starting from the very bottom on the drivers side and coming up about 3". There was no visible mark or chip where I caught a rock on the freeway or wherever. And when I took it in for 20K maint. to the dealer, I didn't mention anything about it, because I know sure-as-shit Toyota will just say 'We don't know that you didn't catch a rock from the back of a truck, blah blah blah...'
Is this a known prob with our trucks? The only reason I ask is because I know the 4Runners have a known prob with exploding rear windows (Just happened to a friend of mine) ... Apparently something to do with the defroster...
If I have to replace it myself, what kind of $$ will I be looking at? I know it won't be cheap as to the camera and re-aligning it and all that.

 

Not an issue that I've heard of, you probably did catch a rock or something at some point you were not aware of. Could have also taken awhile to propagate into a crack. Windshields are made of laminated glass while the side/back windows are made from tempered glass, decent difference in strength. Comparing a rear window to a windshield is a apple to oranges comparison.

Also any good glass installer can install a new windshield an not affect the camera or calibration, majority of the time calibrations/adjustments are not needed.

Out of pocket cost can vary depending on installer and type of glass. Out of pocket cost for non OEM glass will roughly be around $400-$600. OEM glass would definitely be more. I've gone through two windshields, went with the cheap glass both times an never had any issues with the camera/calibration or the windshield itself. I can't see paying up the extra for OEM glass to have another rock or something kicked up to crack it again at some point.

 

These windscreens seem super soft. Just how it is it guess. Mine has chips everywhere and it's a little over a year old.

 

Tacomas are famous for rock chips and cracks, its the angle of the windshield.

This has been a problem for owners since 2005.

 

Tacoma is not alone this is a problem with every wind shield that is glued in at the bottom. It has no give, glass is amazingly is flexible but not at the bottom where it's glued in right at the wipers, it is very rigid and that is where they crack. I have had two in mine in 10 years.

 

This happened to my windshield last winter. Randomly cracked from the bottom up a few inches. now it spans across my whole windshield and goes up more than halfway on my driver side, lol.

I had no chips that I saw, I'm assuming it's just from cold thermo-stressing it. As it happened while in snow with my defrosters cranked.

 

Toyota seems to use very thin glass to save weight.

 

Just below the wipers, it's very common. I live in Maine it gets damn cold up here if that were the case I would be replacing them all the time. MB and others have the same issues it is not uncommon.

 

No thinner than the replacements.

 

I wouldn't doubt it. And I'm one of those guys who stay 100 yards behind any big-rig, because I've already replaced too many other windshields.
I remember about 10 years ago, catching a rock off a truck with the chip/crack just two days after I had a new windshield put in it. Grrrrrrr....

 

So that makes it OK?

 

You are assuming it's only Tacoma's that have this problem because you own one. It is industry wide, google cracked Ford PU windshields strangely the comments sound just exactly like Tacoma world's comments. It has a lot to do with safety, the fitment of the glass is far stronger than a simple frame one example would be a roll over accident it keeps the roof from caving in another would be keep people inside when the windshield popped out like they did years ago.

 

No shit, I have owned Toyotas since 1998 and never I mean never had a chip or crack on the windshields. I do not live in stone country. just saying.

 

Between 1984 to 2018 I can only recall a few times I had to replace a windshield. With my 2018 Tacoma I'm on windshield number three. My wife does not drive much and she has a 2019 4-Runner that is on windshield number two.

 

That makes a lot of sense and that's exactly where my crack started. I would have blamed the thermal hot-cold-hot-cold as I live in butt-ass cold snow country... But this happened while I was on vaca in So. Cal where it was a consistent low 70's .. lol.
Well, at least from what I've read here, it sounds like an industry wide thing and not a specific vehicle thing.
I guess all we can do is shrug our shoulders and say 'Whatcha gonna do?'...

 

Yeah really. Try bitching to the NHTSA and see how far that gets you. It works and could save your life. I live in the foot hills of Western Maine -20 is not unusual it ain't the defroster!

 

I purchased my 2021 TRD OR in Nov of 2020 and in Dec of 2020 my windshield cracked upward at the very bottom of the winshield when I turned my heater on during a cold morning. I took it into my dealership and they spent 30 min with 5 different people looking for a rock chip and found nothing. They ended up replacing it with OEM windshield under warranty. Service manager said in his 15 years working for Toyota he has only replaced one other windshield under warranty. Happy they did things right for me....

 

My 4 Runner windshield is not even a yr old yet and it needs to be replaced as it looks like someone sand blasted it.... Toyota Glass SUCKS

 

I hear ya ... I'm the guy that goes out and let's the truck warm up in the winter for 15-20 minutes before going anywhere. So I know it's just a gradual warm-up and not hotter than hell air hitting a windshield that's at minus zero.

 

I think you got lucky... I suppose I could have been an asshole and really pressed the issue... But this wasn't a hill I wanted to die on, especially since the dealer has gone above and beyond the call of duty since I first brought it in. They've given me a few 'freebies' and I want to maintain peace with them. Karma and all that...