Spontaneous windshield crack — anyone else?

[bastardsonofelvis]

I’m driving through town the other night, no other vehicles around, temperature in the 20s, and the sound of the windshield cracking scared the cap out of me. Sounded like a rock hitting the windshield — but louder. No impact, though, just a crack. wtf?

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[Dan-O]

Maybe there was a small impact chip at the top edge that happened sometime ago without your knowledge or noticing and the cold temps just made it run??

 

[Dral97]

Wasn't there a thread here some time ago about someone's tailgate glass spontaneous shattering or something? That could have been on a jeep forum, but I thought it was here.

I would agree with above: Probably had a pre-existing chip that decided to spread with cold temps or something.

 

[RustysBronco]

Speaking plainly… these windshields are straight-up garbage. I’ve seen so many crack or shatter this easily, it’s honestly ridiculous. At this point I’m genuinely shocked these windshields aren’t on a recall list, because the failure rate is way beyond normal wear and tear.

 

[userdude]

My neighbors rear windshield on his F-150 blew out as he was walking in his garage door (e.g. nothing happened). It may have been the cold, or that the windshield was under some stress in how it was mounted that finally forced a crack to happen.

 

[jjack50]

Speaking plainly… these windshields are straight-up garbage. I’ve seen so many crack or shatter this easily, it’s honestly ridiculous. At this point I’m genuinely shocked these windshields aren’t on a recall list, because the failure rate is way beyond normal wear and tear.

The failure rate of these windshields is exactly on par with similar windshields on similar vehicles. Upright windshields on SUVs and trucks have always had a higher damage rate than those on cars.

 

[RustysBronco]

The failure rate of these windshields is exactly on par with similar windshields on similar vehicles. Upright windshields on SUVs and trucks have always had a higher damage rate than those on cars.

Do you really consider an owner cracking 2 to 3 windshields on a single truck as normal? A lot of these people are getting this many cracks not even wheeling their trucks. Clearly there's something structural going on here.

 

[Kilo]

I’m driving through town the other night, no other vehicles around, temperature in the 20s, and the sound of the windshield cracking scared the cap out of me. Sounded like a rock hitting the windshield — but louder. No impact, though, just a crack. wtf?

Wow!! I agree with others. Possibly already had a chip that was just waiting to crack. Try Exoshield ultra to the next windshield. I’ve had soooo many rocks hit my windshield now and no single crack or chips. Still on my OEM windshield.

 

[Spiff]

Wow!! I agree with others. Possibly already had a chip that was just waiting to crack. Try Exoshield ultra to the next windshield. I’ve had soooo many rocks hit my windshield now and no single crack or chips. Still on my OEM windshield.

I have Rayno Crystalshield. No damage yet.

 

[GreyZ]

Do you really consider an owner cracking 2 to 3 windshields on a single truck as normal? A lot of these people are getting this many cracks not even wheeling their trucks. Clearly there's something structural going on here.

You ever ask a TJ owner how many windshields they go through in a snowy state??

It all has to do with the impact angle of a rock. Steeper glass drastically increases the impact force. Gets into some pretty basic geometry, but even a slightly steeper windshield has a hugly higher impact force. The only comparable modern vehicles are Wranglers and to some extent FJs and both of those eat winshields too.

 

[bastardsonofelvis]

Yeah I've driven Jeeps and I have an old Scout and they catch a lot of rocks so I'm used to that. This seems different though. I searched with magnification and I can't find any evidence of an impact.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Chip repairs guys cracked mine when trying to repair a nice dime sized bullseye on top edge of glass, S9 it wouldn't cray out haha.

Didn't have to pay.

I will try the film next time. Haven't had a cracked windshield on cars ever.

 

[jjack50]

Yeah I've driven Jeeps and I have an old Scout and they catch a lot of rocks so I'm used to that. This seems different though. I searched with magnification and I can't find any evidence of an impact.

Stress cracks do happen on all types of windshields. Especially with changes of temperature. I’ve lost windshields on TJs, YJs, F250s, F350s, and more. I was sitting in a TJ one day when suddenly the windshield split vertically up the middle. So now I have $100 deductible glass coverage.
My ‘22 Black Diamond got a small bullseye chip in its first year but it didn’t spread. Was the same when I traded it last November.

 

[crzyhawk]

Not my Bronco, but it happened to my Mustang a few years back. I went out to the parking garage after work, hopped in and started it up. I heard it crack right there in the garage before I even moved or it had a chance to warm up. Now, it was cold, about 14 degrees IIRC and I assume that played a role.

 

[Mac92gli]

Mine split right down the middle last summer when I was starting to wash the truck and sprayed cold water on it. Dealer said it happened because there was a tiny chip right on the top edge of the glass. I couldn't see it

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