Cracked at Last: My Year-Long Windshield Luck Finally Runs Out

[jerrisn]

Since the day I picked up my 2023 XLT Hybrid in June of last year, I’ve been bracing myself for the dreaded windshield crack. I’d seen enough posts about how easily the windshields on this model can chip or crack, and although I hadn’t had a single issue in over a year and 25,000 miles, I knew my luck might eventually run out.

That day finally came today.

As my daughter was leaving the house, she paused and asked, “What happened to your windshield?” Confused, I went out to take a look—and there it was: a huge crack. It was impossible to miss from the outside and glaringly obvious from the inside. I was certain it wasn’t there last night when I was out around 8 PM or even at midnight when I parked the car in the garage.

Looking closer, I could see a small chip at the starting point of the crack, but when it happened? No idea. I avoid tailgating trucks, and even though I live in the rust belt, it’s not winter yet, so there’s no salt or gravel on the roads. It’s a bit of a mystery, especially since I’d expect to hear the impact if something big enough had hit the windshield.

Now, I have a cracked windshield that’ll need replacing. Thankfully, I bought a windshield warranty for $400 when I got the car, which covers up to five years of repairs/replacement. While I’m not thrilled to see this crack, I might hold off on the repair for now in hopes that replacement options improve over time. I’ve owned over 15 vehicles, and this is my first cracked windshield—guess it was bound to happen eventually.

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[Shakesbear]

I had a cracked windshield in my Genesis Coupe for a couple of years before I replaced it. Like yours, mine started on the passenger side. As long as it doesn't impede the drivers direct vision, it will pass inspection. Hopefully you banked $400 a year for those 15 years you beat the odds

 

[fossil]

I can see how you might have missed the point of impact.
perfect time to upgrade to acoustic.

 

[ianjay]

This spring I finally had a crack in my 2008 Ranger after a dump truck showered me with rocks (this truck went through a tornado without breaking glass) which is the first windshield I've replaced since 1977. That new windshield has started to crack from below the rubber trim at the left lower corner already and I suspect that the new windshield was likely chipped before installation. The little chips you can't see under weatherstripping are annoying. So after going decades, I'm now about to replace a second windshield.
It sucks, but I don't think Mavericks are any more prone than anything else.

 

[jerrisn]

I had a cracked windshield in my Genesis Coupe for a couple of years before I replaced it. Like yours, mine started on the passenger side. As long as it doesn't impede the drivers direct vision, it will pass inspection. Hopefully you banked $400 a year for those 15 years you beat the odds

I typically don’t buy warranties, but after seeing the frequent complaints and enduring a nearly year-long wait for my vehicle, I decided to take a chance. My insurance has a $1,000 deductible, and even if I paid out of pocket, a new windshield costs $450 according to SafeLite, which I’d prefer to avoid. Additionally, there are extra costs for recalibrating the advanced safety systems after the glass is replaced. Since I’d rather have the dealer handle it, I think the $400 I spent on the warranty will either pay off or at least even out in the end.

 

[MavTime]

I'm not convinced that is an impact, do you remember hearing anything hit it? Notice how it is in the fritted area of the glass, and these always crack from the edge inward. Same thing happened to me, my glass was fine, I oddly have a picture to prove it, and came out to a cracked windshield with what could be an impact point but is smooth glass if you feel it. Do you use any type of sunshield, or was there a big temp variance that day/night(hot day with cold night)? I have another small impact that I can feel and witnessed when it happened, big rock, but it never cracked there.

 

[Optimus]

Rotor damage! Clearly the impact is from a helmeted helicopter duck, as is evident in the photo.

I’m waiting for our first crack too. This windshield is pitting badly.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Since the day I picked up my 2023 XLT Hybrid in June of last year, I’ve been bracing myself for the dreaded windshield crack. I’d seen enough posts about how easily the windshields on this model can chip...

As my daughter was leaving

Looking closer, I could see a small chip at the starting point of the crack, but when it happened? No idea. I avoid tailgating trucks, and even though I live in the rust belt, it’s not winter yet, so there’s no salt or gravel on the roads. It’s a bit of a mystery, especially since I’d expect to hear the impact if something big enough had hit the windshield.

Now, I have a cracked windshield.

Thank you for the pictures.
You can see where something impacted your windshield.
The mystery is when?
Do you think the acoustical glass is any thicker? Will your windshield policy cover that ?

This is nice to know also.
Three states with no deductible windshield replacement if you have comprehensive.

 

[jerrisn]

Thank you for the pictures.
You can see where something impacted your windshield.
The mystery is when?
Do you think the acoustical glass is any thicker? Will your windshield policy cover that ?

This is nice to know also.
Three states with no deductible windshield replacement if you have comprehensive.

I have comprehensive coverage, but I’m not in any of those states. I honestly don’t remember any impact happening. I checked the warranty I purchased, and it covers repair/replacement up to $3k for the 5-year term, including the calibration. I called the dealership, and a factory windshield is $560 plus the cost of calibration, so I should be covered.

 

[jerrisn]

I'm not convinced that is an impact, do you remember hearing anything hit it? Notice how it is in the fritted area of the glass, and these always crack from the edge inward. Same thing happened to me, my glass was fine, I oddly have a picture to prove it, and came out to a cracked windshield with what could be an impact point but is smooth glass if you feel it. Do you use any type of sunshield, or was there a big temp variance that day/night(hot day with cold night)? I have another small impact that I can feel and witnessed when it happened, big rock, but it never cracked there.

I don't recall any specific impact, other than going through a touchless car wash/dry last night. The temperature did drop below freezing, but the wash was around 6 PM and I didn't notice anything at that time. Plus, my car is garaged, and the garage is insulated, including the door. I guess it is possible it froze.

 

[jerrisn]

This spring I finally had a crack in my 2008 Ranger after a dump truck showered me with rocks (this truck went through a tornado without breaking glass) which is the first windshield I've replaced since 1977. That new windshield has started to crack from below the rubber trim at the left lower corner already and I suspect that the new windshield was likely chipped before installation. The little chips you can't see under weatherstripping are annoying. So after going decades, I'm now about to replace a second windshield.
It sucks, but I don't think Mavericks are any more prone than anything else.

Any issues with replacement? Damage or leaking? That is my concern.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I don't recall any specific impact, other than going through a touchless car wash/dry last night. The temperature did drop below freezing, but the wash was around 6 PM and I didn't notice anything at that time. Plus, my car is garaged, and the garage is insulated, including the door. I guess it is possible it froze.

I doubt it. You can see the area of impact clear as day. Remember the impact can happen days before the crack actually appears. You may not have been in the truck when the impact happened.

 

[inthecabin]

FYI I had windshield replacement under warranty. They run a ball point pen down the crack and it will drop into fissure/impact point, if it does no warranty. The service manager said he only sees 2 in 100 that are really stress cracks. Mine had no fissure..

 

[jerrisn]

Rotor damage! Clearly the impact is from a helmeted helicopter duck, as is evident in the photo.

I’m waiting for our first crack too. This windshield is pitting badly.

Looks like Optimus Prime was slacking on the job in the cubby! Guess even Autobots need a day off from stopping Decepticons.

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