2016 owner here. So my windscreen needed replacing 5 months after purchase -(car was 3.5 years old at this point. No sign of damage one moment, the next it had splintered. Fast forward to now (3 years 3 months after replacement) and windscreen has cracked -(again, appeared from nowhere/no obvious impact to windscreen). I’ve put about 85k miles on the vehicle in that time but interested if anyone else also had frequent replacements? Maybe it’s another early adopter bug? Toyota Prius Slammed With Lawsuit Over Self-Destructing Windshield | Torque News
The original 2016 windscreen was made a little too thin to save weight, these were inclined to crack in a similar way to your pic. This was updated in later 2017 onwards models. If you had your original screen replaced with a “like for like” 2016 part it would have still had the same issue.
Once since new. Same scenario as you, but I did hear the sound of a "rock" hitting the windshield while driving. I searched the visible portion of the windshield, found nothing so I forgot about it. Next morning, my windshield had a large crack emanating from the bottom of the windscreen. Upon further inspection, there was in fact a "chip" in the lower portion of the glass in the black section where everything started. Replaced it with the common "non Toyota" brand glass and it has held up to today. My lane departure was mis-aligned after, so I turned it OFF and don't really miss it.
My Prime had about 66k miles on it when I traded it. Still the original windshield. But a friend in Mississippi who drove lots of gravel roads in his 2016 had his replaced three times in his first two years, iirc.
2016 Prius with 66k miles and no cracks on the original windshield. We drive it cross country once or twice a year. moto g power ?
Well the windscreen has been replaced with a Toyota OEM part by the looks of it. Out of interest when the 4th generation was refreshed in 2019? the back end was extensively refreshed. Were any subtle changes made to the front that could affect aerodynamics/windshield ?
Well this is starting to get bloody annoying now. 6 weeks on after a complete windscreen replacement my new windscreen is again compromised. I don’t drive anywhere ‘exotic’, and I don’t sit behind trucks full of rubble -just normal highway driving at normal speeds. The windscreen will probably need replacing again to pass UK testing law. My insurance company are going to love me. I’m of the opinion that the aerodynamics are scooping up stones and they’re slamming into the windscreen with more force on this vehicle. I’ve literally never had to replace a windscreen before on any other vehicle and I’m on my 3rd, and probably needing a 4th. Seems like I’m not the only one. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Prius/2016/windows_windshield/windshield_cracks_easily.shtml I’ll ask again: does anyone know if any subtle design changes were made to the front of the 4th generation after 2016? It seems specific to 2016’s as far as I can tell. Thanks.
Just been outside and overnight, as if by magic, it’s developed into a full blown crack. Give me a break. 3 new windscreens in 4 years of ownership. All very well saving money on fuel when it then goes out on paying insurance charges. 2016 -the year to avoid…
My 2021 has a couple of rock chips. I tried sealing the first chip but have not got around to trying it on the second chip. I'm not inclined to replace it until one of them cracks. I have the advanced tech package so I assume the cost to replace will be higher than average. Curious what the cost of replacement at an independent shop would be.
I may be wrong, but wasn’t there some design change to the original design of the windshield? If I remember correctly, the old style was still available through aftermarket repair places. Have all your replacements been through non-dealer sources? Just curious.
I honestly don’t know. I can’t find any information about actual design changes to the front of the Gen4. There is some info around the internet that suggests early Gen4 windshield glass was too thin and Toyota quickly corrected that but there’s nothing I know of about redesigns. I’m on my 4th windscreen now. 2 of the replacements have been third party manufacturers and 1 of them was Toyota branded.
I have a Gen 4, and when I was removing the wipers, I subtle caught the edge of the windshield. That sent a crack across the whole pane. That glass is brittle, but it's the windshield which should be a lot stronger than that. Where should someone get a replacement that isn't so brittle?
Our 2017 has 30,000 miles and is original but does have some pitting from road rocks. The 2021 was cracked (on the bottom) when she took out a deer in Nov 21 so it was replaced along with much of of the front end. (Amazing how much damage was done, actually, almost $11,000 to fix it all.)
I’ve seen some complaints online about the ‘16 being prone to cracking, and saw one cracked when I was shopping for a 2016 that had 200k on it. The owner claimed it has just cracked a few days after he placed the ad stating the car needed nothing. My guess is he didn’t want to disclose it to potential buyers. My 2016 has 165k on the clock and is apparently still on the original glass (based on the part number and the service records). I do have a rock chip on the passenger side, but it hasn’t spread and a chip or two isn’t unusual at that sort of mileage.
not sure if this is legitimate, but check it out: Toyota Prius Claims (toyotapriuswindshieldreimbursement.com) Toyota Prius Claims Toyota Prius Slammed With Lawsuit Over Self-Destructing Windshield | Torque News Toyota Prius Slammed With Lawsuit Over Self-Destructing Windshield | Torque News
Had mine replaced twice due to rocks. Had it repaired once between replacements for the same reason. There was no cost to me due to FL insurance rules/regs. I got a post card from Toyota in early March (?) about repaying me for out-of-pocket costs for windshield repairs/replacements. I tossed it. Now if they want to pay me for the paint fade on the roof & spoiler......
