omg window cracked

[Howie411]

Got in my car today and there was a foot long crack in

a z formation from about the passenger side wiper to the end of the window. Car has less than 3k miles on it and its 5 months old surely this cant be normal. The car is kept in a garage at night.

[xmech2k]

Could be a warranty replacement, but look REAL close along the crack for any pits or evidence of impact damage no matter how small. My wife's Hyundai Tuscon windshield cracked in a similar amount of time, and I took it to the dealer for warranty replacement, thinking it was a stress crack from a bad windshield or improper installation. They saw a tiny pit along the crack and wouldn't do it. So much for the amazing Hyundai warranty. Although they probably had something there, I've never had one crack from even bigger impacts. (More stories, but won't go there. Will say it influenced my decision to rule out the Sonata when looking for a sedan...) If it's clean along the crack, I'd push for warranty replacement.

[VonoreTn]

We had a truck go off the left side of the road taking the southern route around St. Louis a month ago in our FFH, and it kicked up stones, and one put a spider impact crack on the front left of the windshield. I wasn't drafting, although in the heavy traffic, I was too close to the truck, both of us being in the far left lane passing slower traffic.

 

We had the plastic infusion fix at a windshield repair shop in Knoxville when we got home, and it made it almost invisible except for 2 small dots that you would never notice. Our insurance paid for it 100%, because it is so much cheaper for them than replacing a windshield. Of course with our $500 deductible, we would have had to pay for the new windshield, so this fix was a free win-win.

 

This obviously has nothing to do with your huge Z crack. That sounds like a structural issue, or a plant mis-assembly, and unless there is some sign of a road impact incident, it should be fully covered by the Ford warranty.

Edited March 14, 2010 by VonoreTn

[Juris]

Cracks happen in the best of times. I would bet it was a stone -- could have been the size of a pea. My general impression is that windshields are not as thick as they used to be. On my last two cars I also had windshields replaced due to road pebble damage that eventually led to longer cracks, especially under the stress of temperature changes.

Edited March 14, 2010 by Juris

[Howie411]

Here is a picture of the crack, I slid my finger over the whole thing and I don't fell any rock chips anywhere near it. The Ford dealership is closed today but I was going to call them tomorrow.

 

 

*edit* ok so upload photos isn't working lets try this:

 

 

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww77/howie411/IMG_0352.jpg

Edited March 14, 2010 by Howie411

[oldschool1962]

Not calling you out on this at all but can you please explain the blemish that appears to start about 4" off the A pillar? Looks like a chip but I'm guessing a flash or ceiling light maybe. Hope it is.

 

Regardless of what the cause.....that really sucks.

[Howie411]

Sorry, ya thats just the flash from the camera, there are no imperfections on that line.

[Howie411]

Sorry, ya thats just the flash from the camera, there are no imperfections on that line.

 

 

Well just got back from the dealership, they said a rock cracked it, there was a chip the size of a pencil point, where the windshield meets the pillar and some how that causes a crack over a foot long. Now I gotta call Geico to come replace my windshield. I'm a bit annoyed, this is my 6th car I've owned and the first time I've ever had a cracked window, and the fact the car only has 2500 miles on it makes me concerned about the quality of the glass let along the car quality at this point.

[lordyourjosh]

Well just got back from the dealership, they said a rock cracked it, there was a chip the size of a pencil point, where the windshield meets the pillar and some how that causes a crack over a foot long. Now I gotta call Geico to come replace my windshield. I'm a bit annoyed, this is my 6th car I've owned and the first time I've ever had a cracked window, and the fact the car only has 2500 miles on it makes me concerned about the quality of the glass let along the car quality at this point.

 

It doesn't take much. I've had two rental cars (Both were not Ford vehicles, and neither were "low end" rental cars) that ended up with cracked windows from stones. I've also had cracks from a small stone chip in my Ranger. In fact, one small hit led to a crack that spread, so I replaced the windshield, only to have it get another stone chip 6 days later (which I had repaired before it spread). Moisture and temperature changes can also really contribute to them spreading.

 

Maybe all of the manufacturers are using thinner glass or something. It's annoying and expensive, but I don't see it being a poor reflection on the quality of the car.

[akirby]

Well just got back from the dealership, they said a rock cracked it, there was a chip the size of a pencil point, where the windshield meets the pillar and some how that causes a crack over a foot long. Now I gotta call Geico to come replace my windshield. I'm a bit annoyed, this is my 6th car I've owned and the first time I've ever had a cracked window, and the fact the car only has 2500 miles on it makes me concerned about the quality of the glass let along the car quality at this point.

 

That's covered under Comprehensive, not Collision. The deductible may be lower.

[Howie411]

My deductible is $250 for both, I've heard windshield replaces run from $200 to $400, so I'm going to try to get a quote from the Safelite guy tomorrow when he comes.

[acdii]

My deductible is $250 for both, I've heard windshield replaces run from $200 to $400, so I'm going to try to get a quote from the Safelite guy tomorrow when he comes.

 

Most insurance companies will replace the windshield under comprehensive and only charge $100 as deductible, some replace them without a deductible.

 

Just to head off blame, this is NOT a warranty problem, Ford, Hyundai, any dealership will not replace a windshield under warranty if there is any impact evidence, no matter how small it is. I can take a screwdriver and tap a side window at just the right spot and shatter it. I don't mean striking the window, I mean tapping it, like tapping a pencil against a desk. A rock hitting at just the right spot, usually along the edge will cause the windshield to crack, no matter how thick the glass is. In fact, if you press lightly from the inside near a stone chip, there is a high probability that you will cause the window to crack. A chip destroys the surface tension of the glass, that is why filling a chip prevents the windshield from cracking, as the filler restores the integrity of the glass. There are do it yourself kits that cost $15 that you can use to repair a chip, and they work just as well as the ones used by glass companies. I used one on an Explorer I had. I had a 1985 Grand Marquis that got hit by a stone, I saw the chip and made the mistake of pressing on the inside by the chip and CRACK, all the way across the windshield. Using a defroster on a cold windshield can cause it to crack if there is a chip in it, same with cranking up the AC on a hot day.

[Speedbump]

Sorry, ya thats just the flash from the camera, there are no imperfections on that line.

 

I have a 2010 Fusion Sport. Saturday night no crack, Sunday mornnig parked in driveway a crack that started in the middle top, down around the rearview mirror and back up (kinda looked like a backwards "J") was there. No impact point either but Ford said it was a rock within 5 minutes somehow. I asked if there was a defect in the glass and right away without having to think about it.... answered no.

 

They were quick to offer a discount. brought the price from around $550, down to around $375. I made sure that they noted that the "customer" stated car was sitting in driveway when this happened, and took pics and video. I expect this is a larger issue that will show up in some legal manner within the next few years if what I read on some customer complaints boards is true.

[georgeny]

Most insurance companies will replace the windshield under comprehensive and only charge $100 as deductible, some replace them without a deductible.

 

 

I have Allstate and replaced a windshield here and there through the years. Daughter has State Farm has had repairs and replacements never charged. On my policy UNDER AUTO COMPREHENSIVE it denotes the deductible. Then next line says FULL GLASS COVERAGE APPLIES, meaning that deductible doesn't apply to the replacement of glass. Do check with your insurance before making a decision. I know my insurance has always even told me whom to call, only thing required was my signature after replacement. Last time my daughter had one replaced I as impressed the guy came right to her house and changed it in the parking space in no time flat. In old days used to have to leave it at glass shop for a day or two.

 

If you don;t have full glass coverage you might inquire of your insurance how much it is. Used to be $2 now appears built right into comprehensive.

 

George in NY

[lolder]

Whether there is a windshield deductible may depend on state laws. In Florida, I have never paid a deductible. I think they repair at your home now because of adhesive characteristics so you don't have to drive it right away.

[akirby]

Whether there is a windshield deductible may depend on state laws. In Florida, I have never paid a deductible. I think they repair at your home now because of adhesive characteristics so you don't have to drive it right away.

 

I've had them repaired at work. I think you can drive them either right away or within a couple of hours.

[NewNole2001]

For some reason, this picture I took today feels relevant to this topic. It's a repair crew repairing the plane that VP Biden flew in to Tallahassee on yesterday. One of the windshield panes cracked on landing, so two Air Force Gulf Streams were flown in to ferry the VP and those deemed important enough to get a seat back to Washington. The plane's windshield was replaced today, and after a 24 hour curing period, will depart for Andrews:

 

[FusionDiffusion]

Cool, thanks for sharing. Our windshields aren't nearly as critical. If it breaks, we don't get sucked out! :blink:

[lolder]

Cracked cockpit windows in jets rarely ever fail completely. The multiple ply windows have transparent electrical coatings that heat them. Failed temperature regulators usually caused cracking. It almost never affects the air worthiness of the plane as the multiple plys create redundant strength. Large birds have caused penetrations. They usually make a loud "bang" when they crack which is the most disconcerting part of the event. I think the windshields on the FFH and maybe other new vehicles are more fragile than older ones.

[RWFFH10]

Two weeks ago my 2010 Fusion Hybrid was hit by a rock kicked up by a car and helped along by very gusty winds while I was going about 60 mph. I saw it coming then it very hard and startled me for a few seconds. The rock left a pretty good size chip and small lengthwise crack underneath about dime size in diameter. I was very surprised after how hard it hit the windshield did not have a huge crack. Fixed it over the weekend with fix-a-winshield ($10 on amazon) and it's practically invisible now.

Edited March 1, 2012 by RWFFH10