Replaced my windshield 3.5 times already. Bad luck or Bad Design/Engineering?

[Maverickman74]

I think y'all just have a lot of crap on your roads. As for the windshield rake theories, I used to drive CJ jeeps with a essentially vertical windshield. Also jeeps are the tall either. On 4 separate jeeps with probably 60,000 miles over 9 years the only time one even cracked is when I laid it against a tree. Also they were fragile as hell, just think flat glass. This was all around Dayton and Springfield Ohio.

Sometimes stuff happens, sometimes often, the occurrences of chaos in the universe would blow your mind.

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[PNWMaverick]

I think y'all just have a lot of crap on your roads. As for the windshield rake theories, I used to drive CJ jeeps with a essentially vertical windshield. Also jeeps are the tall either. On 4 separate jeeps with probably 60,000 miles over 9 years the only time one even cracked is when I laid it against a tree. Also they were fragile as hell, just think flat glass. This was all around Dayton and Springfield Ohio.

Sometimes stuff happens, sometimes often, the occurrences of chaos in the universe would blow your mind.

Dodging exploded tires and tree bark from log trucks are a sport up here.

 

[Gray Goose]

I have never had to replace a windshield in 40+ years of driving. Driven every type of vehicle that doesn't require a CDL. My strategy is stay well behind any large vehicle that will kick up debris. Other drivers are more than willing to cut into that space and take the hit.

 

[Last Truck Ever]

I've been driving a year and a half now, 17,000 miles at least 95% highway driving on the 95 corridor between DC and NJ at about 70mph speeds and not a single issue with the windshield. I am really wondering if people are following traffic super close putting their fairly steep raked windshield at a higher risk for stone damage.

I got a rock chip within days of taking delivery with the closest vehicle a good 10 car lengths ahead second, much bigger crack, a dump truck was coming toward me on a 2 lane road and it dropped a golf ball sized rock that aimed for the windshield. In neither case was there a damned thing I could have done. I have another two or three minor chips from rocks, with less than 1500 miles on the truck and I am NOT a close follower of others.

Previous vehicles I'd get hit by rocks and never had a single chip. This thing chips if you look at it hard

 

[TNFurb]

I think if you’re not following other vehicles too closely then this is mostly bad luck. I had to replace windshield on my Ridgeline and on our Subuaru legacy sedan. Both of which have fairly raked windshields. I don’t think this is unique to Mavericks.

 

[commadorebob]

Most of our window chips happened in or near construction zones. I can't say there is anything about the Maverick that would make its windscreen a rock magnet.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

Most of our window chips happened in or near construction zones. I can't say there is anything about the Maverick that would make its windscreen a rock magnet.

I think it's just a byproduct of having a lot of people who never owned a truck or other vehicle with a steeply raked windshield before having purchased a Maverick. It's just a reflection of the kind of customer Ford is luring into the "truck" world with the Maverick. I highly doubt there is any kind of inherent flaw with the windshield or that it's made of inferior quality glass. Maybe the laminated windshield could possibly be more prone to it since the single layer of glass on either side of the laminate is thinner and cannot absorb as much energy as the thicker non laminated glass but I owned a Honda Element 20 years ago and that thing was a magnet for rock chips with a near upright windshield although I never had any that developed into cracks.

 

[Montana]

Dodging exploded tires and tree bark from log trucks are a sport up here.

This. Also 2 lane rural highways - most rocks being thrown are from oncoming traffic.

There is not a single vehicle I've owned since I moved to Montana that has not had a chip or some sort of deep scratching or even full on crack in the windshield. Not one. Some of which were owned less than a year even, and some even lifted with plenty of clearance. I don't follow close at all and I don't even drive that much anymore, about half as much as the 'average' driver at maybe 8k a year. I used to drive triple that and owned multiple vehicles, two of which were lower and crossover style and got easily 20k a year on them. Some locations just have it bad. But my Maverick already has two spots in the windshield that I wouldn't call chipped, but I would call wounded lol.

 

[Guv]

Have had to replace my windshield 3.5 times in not even two years since owning, from rocks smashing into glass. One of the times required me to have the pillar repainted. The .5 time was having to stop a crack from spreading from a rock that worked, but the crack remained, until another rock hit the glass.

This last time really pissed me off, as saw the hit happen, and the crack spread across the glass, There was a medium size truck in front of me, but not for at least 45 yards.

The way i see it:
1 time bad luck
2 time bad luck/coincidence
3 times starting to think theres some design aerodynamic issues going on
3.5. Enough is enough.

Obviously one of the New Ecoboost issues!

 

[Guv]

We have a lot of debris on our roads here. A lot of horrible people that lift their pavement princess, wheels outside the fenders, but of course, no mud flaps or fender flairs.

I have replaced 2 windshields in my entire life.

What is happening down there in Texas?

I would tell you but I would be banned from this forum.

 

[OneHappyTremor]

Maybe the “next” time you have to replace it, try getting the Lariat spec acoustic windshield to see if this is more resistant to rock chips. I can’t say if the aftermarket has that available, or if it’s a dealer only part?

 

[Bear]

Maybe the “next” time you have to replace it, try getting the Lariat spec acoustic windshield to see if this is more resistant to rock chips. I can’t say if the aftermarket has that available, or if it’s a dealer only part?

I had my windshield cracked by a rogue rock too. I called my insurance company and they provided a preferred windshield place for me. Took it in, asked them if they could upgrade my windshield to the acoustic windshield, they said no problem and there was no additional cost to me!

 

[Deleted member 5352]

(Knock on wood) I've been driving mine for almost two years and haven't had any issues with windshield cracking. I've never had an issue with any of my vehicles miraculously. But like many others have said, it all has to do with following distance. I don't tailgate and keep a comfortable one or two car gap behind most traffic. Sometimes I find myself following close if the car in front of me is driving under the speed limit which is annoying.

PSA, if you can't even drive the speed limit, please get off the road. Also, tailgaters, take a chill pill I'll be meeting you at the next light after you aggressively pass me anyway.

 

[710-oil-614]

Add this to the list of things that makes it the, Maversuck.

The windshield design is awful and Ford used the cheapest, softest, triple-ply charmin glass imaginable...

 

[Connect]

I have had some crazy windshield experiences over the years.... the ones that are most irritating are the ones that you have no idea where the things that hit you came from.... I've had a couple of those.

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