2011 Prius - Windshield triples light source images

Hey F8L could you clarify for me? Your original windshield did not have any issues and neither did your replacement? Do you know for sure that the replacement is aftermarket and not Toyota glass?

Thanks.

 

I never noticed a problem with either windshield in the new car. The replacement windshield is aftermarket by PGW. There was no problem in my 2012 Three either. I'll monitor this closer and report back if I ever notice the issue.

 

It seems like people are just licking their chops when they see something like this. It's amazing at how people have such conceptions and hatred about the Prius. Any mention of a Prius on a public forum or news topic and the conversation quickly devolves to a) how a Hummer is much better for the environment, or b) how a TDI gets better MPG at 80 MPH...

 

I haven't noticed this in my 2012 Prius. I did get LASIK in November so any halos were expected at the time, but as the halos went away without the Prius, so did they while looking out the windshield.

 

Reports such as yours and F8L's are actually encouraging because it means there may be a solution for us. Clearly not every windshield Toyota is using has the problem. Hopefully they can isolate it to a particular plant or something and maybe they'll do a windshield replacement for us when the solution is found.

 

I wonder if there is a connection between these image distortions and a specific area of the glass that this occurs or is worsened? For example, maybe seat height/angle and head height can have an effect. Do the images appear different if you sit lower or higher in your seat?

I notice that if I look through the windshield of our 2013 RDX, the images appear wavy if I move my head up and down or side to side. The glass causes visible distortion.

 

It doesn't matter for me. I see it if I put my ear against the headliner or chin on the dash. I also saw it while sitting in the passenger seat while I drove with the Toyota tech. He saw it too. So unless the car is emitting some hallucinogenic outgassing...

 

Same here.

 

The only problem is the angles don't follow the laws of physics.

 

My 2010 (without the issue) is labeled:

It's right above the VIN#.

What's the number on affected windshields?

 

There's a spreadsheet here tracking information for those affected and those not affected. Could you guys please put your information in there? Welcome to Google Docs

 

Interesting. Some of the affected 2011-2012 windshields have exactly the same part number as my unaffected 2010 one.

 

That makes sense because it's the same windshield. They can change the manufacturing process and input materials, but still have the same part number.

 

Yes, thats because the windshields should have been exactly the same. The body style, shape, etc on the 2010s compared to the 2011+ is exactly the same. There was no change in part number because there was no change in the shape, style, etc. This is a manufacturing or QA fail on AGCs part, period.

 

Since the info on the windshields seems only to vary in the letter after the 10, it must be a production fail in one of the lines that makes the windshields.

 

I'm a new poster in this thread. I have noticed the ghosting problem in my new 2012 PiP. It's like my vision has gone bad. I would not be surprised if this causes people headaches, worsening eyesight, and yes the occasional accident.

Just added my info to the spreadsheet. Welcome to Google Docs

Also filed an NHTSA complaint: File a Vehicle Safety Complaint Form | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

This seems like such a widespread problem, but people need to speak up or there will not be a widespread solution.

 

+1 internets for you sir. Thank you for your contribution!

 

I reported this to the NHTSA also. Your Confirmation Number (ODI Number) is: 10501230. My partner who drove my car for the first time this weekend noticed it much more so than driving in the passengers seat. I was in the passengers seat and I didn't really notice it as bad. It seems worse on the drivers side than the passengers side. So, the issue is not very uniform.

 

Thank you!

 

Wow I made through all 14 pages of this historic thread.

What I was wondering, what happened to the OP? but he had a good idea on Post#17 using a red laser pointer through windshield to the garage wall. I tried this tonite with my 06 and saw an interesting diffraction pattern but no ghost image on the wall. Did see a double image reflected back onto the dash. Made some pics. Thought I saw some double images during night driving, so thought I'd check.

OP said he saw triple image on the garage wall but gave no pics.

This my pic is shown sideways should be rotated 90 degrees
EDIT: Just noticed diffraction pattern also present - not thru the window - so no big deal