2016 and 2019 Windshield Vulnerability?

There have been a few discussions and a few people have reported it, not sure if it's more frequent than other cars - mine has been fine, so statistically, difficult to tell.

Did you do a search in PriusChat? [or go to GOOGLE and type something like "google priuschat gen 4 windscreen"] - you'll find some discussions.

 

As commented above, there are numerous threads on Gen4 and Prime on cracked windshield issue. AFAIK, no scientific comparison has been performed and the all the reports are anecdotal at best. I had a crack on my 2017 PRIME 2 weeks after I purchased it. Have not had any issue after replacement with OEM glass since then. That being said, it is probably true that current generation of Toyota OEM windshield is thinner and lighter than previous generations. That must be also true for many other make and models. However, if you look at NHTSA complaints on 2016-2019 PRIUS or PRIUS PRIME, you do find more complaints on "visibility/wiper" category, many of which are windshield crack issue you and I have experienced.
36 "visibility/wiper" complaints out of 113 total complaints for 2016 PRIUS 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS 5 HB FWD | NHTSA
in comparison only 3 "visibility/wiper" complaints out of 100 total complaints for 2016 Camry 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY 4 DR FWD | NHTSA
So, yes, I believe they are more prone to crack compared to some other cars out ther, but maybe not to the extent to be recalled or have NHTSA to start investigation.

 

As we discussed before, that may well be the situation.

I wonder if there might be a positive feedback loop, too: people whose windshields have cracked see the complaints on NHTSA’s website, or discussions about them on PriusChat or elsewhere, and then decide to file their own complaints, when they might otherwise have just shrugged the damage off as bad luck.

 

Was your 2016 a Trim 2 or 2 Eco? If it was the Eco I suspect the heat absorbing glass on Eco and above is the culprit. My Trim 2 has been fine even though we had one situation where we were sure it would break.

 

Yes, that is entirely possible. I certainly did place my complaint at NHTSA site after reading some threads on this subject here at PriusChat. As I said, it is not a scientific conclusion in any way.

BTW, thank you for digging out the old thread with our discussion. I remembered talking about this issue, but that was two years ago. I totally forgot.

 

Mine 2016 5 months of ownership. got the 1st crack 2 weeks after i bought it. Havent had a crack for at least 15 years.
After reading posts here and seeing photos of crack in same spot decided not to change it and now another crack.
I am absolutely convinced this is a very thin windshield as we know so to save weight.

 

Which trim level?......Thanks

 

Profile says Trim Four

 

Trim level 2

 

Please fix your Profile here. It says Four.

 

I know this is a bit unrelated but why would you trade a 2016 Prius for a 2019 Prius, the cars are virtually identical? was it just a difference in trim level? some features that you wanted that you didn't have?
Just kind of curious. I tend to keep my cars for 300,000 miles.
I've never really understood the point of buying one of the most reliable cars on the planet and then not utilizing it to its fullest potential... Basically driving it to the wheels fall off.

interesting about the glass possibly being thinner I wonder if as time goes on as and more data is collected whether or not something might developed out of this.

Wanting you might possibly be able to do is put one of those clear bra materials over the glass. I'm not sure that's legal but as long as it's not tinted I think you could get away with it and that might help protect the surface from chipping.


Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Personal preference. I leased vehicles when I worked - keep them for 3 years, and upgrade. I've had some old cars in the past, but my Gen 4 is 3½ now, I'm just flipping coins as to what to replace it with.