Windshield cracked... what are my options?

[Atthelake152]

The windshield camera is different for 25+, so other things would need to be changed along with the windshield (if even possible)

Shoot, there goes that plan if ever need one.

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[PWillette]

Call anyone but Safelite. Read what happened to another member.

I remember this...dude sitting on the open door NOT cool.

 

[Dreamer]

For what it’s worth. Less than 1000 miles on my 2024 bronco and I had a large star crack from a piece of road debris.

I have full glass coverage through my insurance

They use Safelite. They arrange to have the windshield replaced. I confirmed with the auto glass company that an aftermarket windshield would be installed.

I contacted my insurance company and asked that I have OEM windshield installed and they and agreed. No muss no fuss.

Sefelite showed up in my driveway and put a Ford factory windshield on the bronco. All markings as it had from the factory.

that said, if you have glass coverage, ask for a factory windshield to be installed

 

[CalvinT]

I've been waiting for 3 years to break another one so I can answer the question correctly.

It's good that you're a patient man.

 

[BroncoA512021]

So, we just bought the Bronco, haha... and less than two weeks, it has two cracks in the windshield. Somehow, something hit our windshield on the way back from my daughter's sporting event on the highway. Normally this would be a non-issue... I just call Safelite or some other place and get a new windshield.

But this windshield is different. It's got some kind of QR code on it, it says "Bronco - Established 1963" or something on it, etc.

I'm concerned that if I get a new windshield for this car, it will not have any of that stuff. Anyone here had to replace a windshield, and were all the aftermarket ones the same? Or did you have to go to a Ford dealership?


Thanks!

I have almost 90K on my Bronco with the original windshield

 

[Golfsnob]

Had mine replaced a while back with the OEM glass. Had Geico at the time so no "out of pocket cost" but it does show up on a CLUE (comprehensive loss underwriting exchange) report as a claim which will result in higher policy cost. Probably just better off paying the $1,000 or whatever it cost.

 

[Buck N Bronc]

Had to get my rear glass replaced at the dealer under warranty (defrost tab separated from the glass). They sublet glass work and the guy that installed it forgot to put the weatherstrip on the bottom. Dealer had him come to my work to finish the install. Taking it to the dealer does not guarantee it'll be right if they sublet it.

 

[Mac92gli]

Safelite is the glass claims ADMINISTRATOR for many insurance companies. They steer the jobs to themselves by default. You can request they assign the job to another shop if you want. I went to a local guy that all the high end dealerships in my area use. He got me oem glass. The deductible was the same as it would have been if I let Safelite put in aftermarket.

 

[AZMikeL]

1st 2 replacements were OEM glass. 3rd one was aftermarket. 22 with 40k miles. The aftermarket one took a rock without a crack running, and was able to have it filled in as it's not in my direct line of vision.

The near vertical position means that you will replace windshields nearly as much as engine oil unless you live far away from any rocks. Jeep guys suffer from this too.

All of mine have happened on the freeways and highways around Phoenix. Doesn't really matter how close/far you follow the car in front. They just come out of nowhere.

We've had my wife's BMW for over 10 years and it's on the factory windshield still since it's practically horizontal.

 

[NeBlackshirts]

I worked for a glass shop many years ago and now I’m paranoid about glass replacements lol. If memory serves me right the foreign cars needed to have a complete calibration done after glass installed. But the kicker was as long as they never unplugged anything or turned the car on, you could reinstall the glass and install all the cameras and never had to do a recalibration because the car never knew it was unhooked if that makes sense. Also I remember the domestic vehicles were self calibration so you would just drive them so many miles down a highway and the vehicle would learn on its own.

Second part was the huge mark up on glass. Honestly average cost was about $75 and for higher end cars like $125. All of the glass comes from China and the US glass manufacturers are owned by China.

Fuyao Glass, AGC, and Pilkington were the most common we used. Seemed like Pilkington was pretty reliable in quality. But man you gotta make sure they don’t cut corners removing and installing. You’ll get terrible air leaks and water leaks. Also watch out for them scratching the framing removing and cleaning up the adhesive they use.

But overall Jeep and Bronco glass is probably the easiest glass they can do all day. Offer a hand setting it if they are alone, makes a big difference.

 

[NeBlackshirts]

My Bronco is on original glass but has a nasty star chip. The chip was filled and so far is holding up fine. But the second it goes and I replace the glass that same day it’s going to get dropped off and have Exoshield installed.

https://www.getexoshield.com/

I added this asap when my wife bought a 2024 Accord Touring cause of all the tech crap on it didn’t want to deal with glass replacements. Was a solid investment, the car has taken some serious rocks and nothing so far. My wife is a tailgater and I’ve seen when she gets home the stones that left markings on the film but no broken glass. Plus it never messed with any of the cameras which was probably my biggest worry.

 

[23OBX2.7]

I will get the shield next new glass....so fragile.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

I just went and looked at my OEM Safelite replacement, it does say Bronco Est. 1966 on the lower left corner. I don't see a QR code on it.

I still don't care.

My SoundScreen OEM replacement glass has the same text plus a small QR code right here. All it says when I scan it from inside is “02-24-2025 23:16”

 

[Noco]

My neighbor went to Safelite and they replaced his with one that was OEM with the Bronco logo. I’m still on my original 2021 windshield.

 

[Desmolicious]

My Bronco is on original glass but has a nasty star chip. The chip was filled and so far is holding up fine. But the second it goes and I replace the glass that same day it’s going to get dropped off and have Exoshield installed.

https://www.getexoshield.com/

I added this asap when my wife bought a 2024 Accord Touring cause of all the tech crap on it didn’t want to deal with glass replacements. Was a solid investment, the car has taken some serious rocks and nothing so far. My wife is a tailgater and I’ve seen when she gets home the stones that left markings on the film but no broken glass. Plus it never messed with any of the cameras which was probably my biggest worry.

I looked into getting Exoshield windshield protection film. I was quoted $500.
I've watched the install videos and it takes them maybe 30 minutes. So if you take into account the cost of materials, they are charging about $950/hr to do the work.

My deductible to get a new windshield is also $500. So I think I'm going to get a $15 Permatex windshield repair kit (I've used them before and they work great for minor damage) and keep that in the glove box.

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