Windshield Replacement

Anastaceyrose, the same exact thing happened to me this weekend. It looks like a rock hit the outside edge of the windshield, but I usually notice big impacts like that and I don't recall anything of that nature. First thing I noticed the next morning was a 16-inch crack headed right across the glass, and it's still growing. Going in for 5k maintenance soon, in the meantime I'll call Geico and see what my options are.

 

Hello, I'm new to the forum, but this is our 3rd Prius. Our 2016 Prius III developed a small horizontal crack on the windshield starting on the passenger side. I drove back from Austin, TX a week prior to the beginning of the crack. It started very small, but in 3 days had spread to the driver's side. There are no points of impact. Called the local dealer in Phoenix, they recommended their glass installing company, who coordinated the claim with state farm. Has to be OEM, as there are no generic windshields yet. I had read on another forum of the same problem with the windshield here in Arizona, and thought perhaps our extreme heat was a factor. We have a carport in Phoenix, garage in Austin. Windshield was supposed to be delivered and installed today, but they ordered a Prius C windshield. Now waiting on delivery from California as the windshield is on national backorder. This is the noisiest Prius we have owned. Maybe a new windshield will help, but I sincerely believe the windshields are defective. We had a 2006 with over 180k miles that in 10 years of long and short distance driving had a small chip which was repaired, and our 2011 with 88k miles doesn't have any chips or cracks. State farm will pay for OEM if other options are not available.

 

momma com, I'm so sorry to hear about your windshield. It can be very disheartening especially on a new car.

There are a few windshields that have factory defects, but in most cases it is due to some normal occurrence (like impact or severe temperature changes). I recently replaced the windshield on my 2010 Prius and it was only ~$220 from Safelite. It was not fancy or anything but definitely better than the old pitted one. That is less than the deductible for my insurance so I didn't even bother doing a claim.

To protect my new Prius, which has a much more expensive windshield (~$1400 to $1600!) I had Clearplex installed. I am not pushing this product, but it might be something to consider if your car is exposed to lots of rocks, highway drives and heat.

I had it installed for $350 total and it is guaranteed. It is like ClearBra or Xpel, a thick vinyl film. It is optically clear and you have to take care of it (special wax every other week, take care to clean your wiper blades and wash only with mild soap and water and microfiber cloths). But so far it works really well. It protects your windshield from shatters, cracks and pitting. It has a life of ~3 years. But I bet with care I can get more out of it. After it gets scarred up, I will have it replaced and it will look like a new windshield again!
I drive the highway daily to go to work and we have lots of construction trucks, gravel trucks and other heavy vehicles on our roads that destroy windshields.

Here is their site:
Invisible Windshield Protection Films and Screen Protectors - ClearPlex

 

Seems like a solution looking for a problem. Windshield failures have been exceedingly rare for my family.

 

I just had the same thing happen to my 2016 Prius which I purchased 2 months ago. Pebble hit windshield. Started at approx 5" yesterday morning. Expanded to 11 inches vertically/diagonally by yesterday afternoon and by this evening expanded to 16" on the diagonal and then curved back to the right in the horizontal another 16". New windshield don't be available until next week. Insurance is paying for it to be fixed as well as rental car but can't wait to see size by the time it comes in. There is obviously a problem with this model. Has anyone tried to call Toyota or better business bureau to report? Let me know. If not, anyone willing to join in to do so? I've driven the same roads for 27 years, had pebbles hit cars before but never saw cracks expand like this. Probably needs a mass recall!! Will wait to hear what others think.

 

One option:

File a Vehicle Safety Complaint | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

 

Thanks ATHiker. I will. Hope others will do the same; maybe they will be recalled if enough people complain. This is ludicrous.

 

All cars get front windshield cracks, Mercedes has some of the worst cracking. The issue is not with the glass but with all the debris on our roads and highways. In the last few years is gotten so bad, that I see rocks, and tire treads flying in the air on a daily basis driving on the freeways of California.

 

Tracking thread

 

That's why I have full glass coverage with no deductible. It's fairly inexpensive.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

When I had the windshield replaced on my Prius+ (UK equivalent to the US V) there were gaskets (seals) around the edges of the screen, that have to be replaced as they are destroyed when removing the old windshield. I know this because I had to wait three days for them to arrive before they could fit the screen.

 

I don't know where you guys are getting your windshield prices from but AutoNation Toyota is showing pricing for Gen 4 Prius 4 Touring windshield as $465. WINDSHIELD for 2016 Toyota Prius|56101-4E956

You should be able to have your dealership price match or just order direct. (I have no affiliation with them)

 

I thought I was the only one! I've had two pebbles with resultant cracks in the past three months. I drove my Camry for 13 years and only had one.

Anyone know if Toyota is aware of this issue?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Just broke my SECOND windshield on my 2016. I don't tailgate and each break was caused be a very small pebble. My last car was a 2008 Prius, and I think I broke 2 windshields in 8 years. I think these windshields are made of rice paper.

 

I now have 20,495 miles on my 2016 Two. Not so much as a chip on any glass or any paint. Vast majority of miles running the I-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix.

 

William, what is your secret?

I got front-end dings and a windshield chip before I reached 4,000 miles... Just driving around the city.

 

Free insurance for windshield breaks went away a long time ago.

And OP that crack on your windshield could become a major safety issue- get that thing replaced already.

 

No wonder the finance manager kept trying to sell me the windshield and body cover package, but I said no!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

So is the paint!