I have had my xb for about 3 months now. My xb was delivered with a chip in the windshield, so a new one was installed at the dealer. Earlier today I now got the 3rd chip in my new windshield. What is going on? I have never had problems with "windshield quality" in my other vehicles for the past 10 years I have been driving. Are these windshields of lower quality or am I just having really bad luck? Is anyone else getting rock chips pretty easily from just passing cars?

I have had my xb for about 3 months now. My xb was delivered with a chip in the windshield, so a new one was installed at the dealer. Earlier today I now got the 3rd chip in my new windshield. What is going on? I have never had problems with "windshield quality" in my other vehicles for the past 10 years I have been driving. Are these windshields of lower quality or am I just having really bad luck? Is anyone else getting rock chips pretty easily from just passing cars?

a lot of people have had chipping issues and such. i have a real tiny chip on mine also. i think it also has to do with the angle the windshield is at.

rocks cant just hit it and bounce over as easy as a more slanted windshield. same with bugs, if you notice the windhsield collects bugs real easy. my other cars ive had never had a problem with bugs, but they were all slanted a lot more

yeah mine had a chip in when i let the dealer!

welcome to the club buddy!

alot of ins companies fix chips for free. cheaper and easier than paying a deductible for a new one. it might be a cheap/free alternative for some people i'm gettin mine done tomorroe probably

In Florida insurance companies are required to replace windshields without it hurting the insurance rate. At least that's the way it was when I lived there about 1.5 years ago.

Welcome to the club There was discusion awhile back that once the "factory" glass was replaced with an aftermarket one, there was an improvement in the durability. Can't do much for the bugs though. That is why the thing holds like 2 Gallons of washer fluid.

yah I just got my whole windshield replaced last week... $371 bucks... dam there expensive


scion619

I don't think it's a windshield quality issue, it's all about the angle. Lots of minivans have similar issues. Ford Aerostars were notorious... My windshield has 3 major chips that haven't spread and too many pits to count. I'm not gonna mess with it until it cracks for real. I got my first major chip 3 weeks after I got it, just about a year ago. It's 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and has never grown. Most cracks like that would've spread in no time, from my past experiences.

The sad part is the front end is at the same angle so the bumper and hood edge get the same treatment. It's not exactly a surprise though. What do you expect when the front of the car is as aerodynamic as the ___ end...

In Florida insurance companies are required to replace windshields without it hurting the insurance rate. At least that's the way it was when I lived there about 1.5 years ago.

they still fix it or replace without charge or rate incease :-)

I'd say that the angle and size of the windshield are both factors, as well as the properties of the glass. The old VW bugs used to get quite a few cracked windshields because the windshields were even more vertical than that of the Scion. However, the VW windshields had only about 1/2 the area of the Scion glass so they only got hit half as often. They also could be replaced for less than $50!

The glass also seems to be a lot softer on its surface then the older stuff. My 18-month old xB hasn't picked up any big chips yet, but whenever I drive into the sun the microscopic surface pits become very apparent. The number of pits is getting to be the same as my 30-year-old VW bus windshield.

It has been observed in other threads that aftermarket auto glass might be better than the Toyota stuff in this regard.

George

just dont let safetouch replace it!

im on to 4 times STILL havent gotten it correct.....chipped my paint last time ALL over the top curve area...

SAFELITE SUX!

I'd say that the angle and size of the windshield are both factors, as well as the properties of the glass. The old VW bugs used to get quite a few cracked windshields because the windshields were even more vertical than that of the Scion. However, the VW windshields had only about 1/2 the area of the Scion glass so they only got hit half as often. They also could be replaced for less than $50!

The glass also seems to be a lot softer on its surface then the older stuff. My 18-month old xB hasn't picked up any big chips yet, but whenever I drive into the sun the microscopic surface pits become very apparent. The number of pits is getting to be the same as my 30-year-old VW bus windshield.

It has been observed in other threads that aftermarket auto glass might be better than the Toyota stuff in this regard.

George
wow when i was looking to replace my 69's windsheild i was getting quotes around the 160 area. not cool. must be nice. lol i prolly couldda done it myself considering i reinstalled the rear window once but oh well god do i miss that car.

wow when i was looking to replace my 69's windsheild i was getting quotes around the 160 area. not cool. must be nice. lol i prolly couldda done it myself considering i reinstalled the rear window once but oh well god do i miss that car.

I was talking parts cost for the glass and seal. $160 isn't bad for a professional installation, as they don't usually have "special VW pricing". The bug windshields aren't hard to do , since they are so small.

yep i had a chip on my box's window. almost made me cry. got it fixed free though so no worries. i agree i think its just the angle of the windshield. sucks but thats life :(

I think it's definantly the angle. All my trucks and vans have always gotten more chip's/cracks in them than my cars. Except for my short stint with a New Beetle back in 98'. That windshield was $620 at lowest bid to replace.............that hurt!

The angle of the window does make it easy for rocks to get it sometimes i think. Just hope you don't have to replace any side windows cause it will take you them about 4 weeks weeks to show up.

The angle of the window does make it easy for rocks to get it sometimes i think. Just hope you don't have to replace any side windows cause it will take you them about 4 weeks weeks to show up.

I'd cut a piece of plexiglas for it while I waited. Hope your car's not down for the wait...

be happy it hit your window and not your paint and dent it LIKE ME!!! i hate truckers

a lot of people have had chipping issues and such. i have a real tiny chip on mine also. i think it also has to do with the angle the windshield is at.

rocks cant just hit it and bounce over as easy as a more slanted windshield. same with bugs, if you notice the windhsield collects bugs real easy. my other cars ive had never had a problem with bugs, but they were all slanted a lot more

I don't know about that . My 82 CJ-7 Jeep had an almost 90 degree windshield. I drove it for 6 years and hardly every got a stone chips. I often wonder if the newer windshields are just weaker.
:?:

I don't know about that . My 82 CJ-7 Jeep had an almost 90 degree windshield. I drove it for 6 years and hardly every got a stone chips. I often wonder if the newer windshields are just weaker.
:?:

The height of the CJ windshield is considerably more than the xB. I find that my VW bus takes considerably fewer pebble hits than the xB, but a lot of pebbles hit the front sheet metal below the windshield.

George

We are of course a course a brick on wheels you know. :lol: Also the winsheilds on our cars are lower than any jeep too. Its just gotta be the design of the angle. I too was one who got the windshield replace the first weekend I had it. :sad:

a lot of people have had chipping issues and such. i have a real tiny chip on mine also. i think it also has to do with the angle the windshield is at.

rocks cant just hit it and bounce over as easy as a more slanted windshield. same with bugs, if you notice the windhsield collects bugs real easy. my other cars ive had never had a problem with bugs, but they were all slanted a lot more

I don't know about that . My 82 CJ-7 Jeep had an almost 90 degree windshield. I drove it for 6 years and hardly every got a stone chips. I often wonder if the newer windshields are just weaker.
:?:

i also have a 97 jeep wrangler and i don't have a single chip in it's windshield.. rocks bounce off, but dont leave a chip. this is one reason i posted the message in the first place because i really question the quality. you would think that they would fix a problem like this and it would go thru extensive tests before manufacturing..

phew! im not alone. i have a mysterious 7 inch crack. it appeared one morning.

yah I just got my whole windshield replaced last week... $371 bucks... dam there expensive


scion619

Yeah 310 here. I didn't think the rubber moulding needed to be replaced or else it would have been cheaper. I should have known. I just don't want to replace it anytime soon (Cross my fingers)

don't follow contruction semi's.

i got a bullseye on my windshield. i think the angle of the windshield has alot to do with it. like someone mentioned above. we are a moving brick wall in some sorts.

I had the same problem with a Golf - it got several chips. Windshiedl angle. None on my xA - very sloped.

I did find that keeping the window clean and treated with Rain-X helps a little. It's like wax to keep rain off, and the rocks slip a little, bite a little less. But it won't cure the problem, depening on how hard the windshield gets whacked, and other factors (like is the windshield clean and slippery, is it a smooth piece of gravel or rough edged, the speed).

I don't know about that . My 82 CJ-7 Jeep had an almost 90 degree windshield. I drove it for 6 years and hardly every got a stone chips. I often wonder if the newer windshields are just weaker.
:?:

The height of the CJ windshield is considerably more than the xB. I find that my VW bus takes considerably fewer pebble hits than the xB, but a lot of pebbles hit the front sheet metal below the windshield.

George
Hmmmm... If it's an aerodynamics issue, do you think a bug deflector would solve the problem?
Anyone here with a bug deflector that is still getting stone chips in the windshield?
:?:

I heard that these two morons who were married were driving one day and they had had a chip in their winshield and it had spread. Too bad they were sooo damn stupid that it fell in on them. :lol:

Well my windshield just cracked after only having the car 2.5 months.

Got my first windshield chip last night from a rock. Luckily it's real low on the glass. It's about 2" above the end of the driver's wiper. Sitting in the driver's seat, it is slightly to the left and above the speedo.

Just got one right now while driving on the highway. My xB is only one week old.

I also got a chip. Tried one of those windshield repair kits from the auto parts store. It actually worked really well. There is just a tiny mark where the chip was.

I have had my xb for about 3 months now. My xb was delivered with a chip in the windshield, so a new one was installed at the dealer. Earlier today I now got the 3rd chip in my new windshield. What is going on? I have never had problems with "windshield quality" in my other vehicles for the past 10 years I have been driving. Are these windshields of lower quality or am I just having really bad luck? Is anyone else getting rock chips pretty easily from just passing cars?

Yep,it chip's pretty easily.I currently have 3 chip's in my winshield 2 at the base of it,1 to my left side half way up.I think it has alot to do with the windshield angle and a lower quality glass then say what's used in a Camry or other Toyota product.I believe alot of people with Scion's have problem's with rock chip's.

04 Scion Xb RS 1.0 #0686 of #2100
17-inch Black Motegi Racing RT-5's with Toyo Proxes All-Season 215/40-ZR17
AEM Cold Air Intake
PrecisionMuffler.com axel-Back
Amsoil Synthetic Lubricant's
The Box is pretty much loaded out.
ScionMikey04

Let's just all try and get along and live in peace.

F.Y.I.

JC Whitney now sells a DYI Clear Paint-protection Film at a fraction of the cost for a professional install. I think with some patience anyone could do an install on the front edge of the hood and bumpers. I will do my xB when it's warmer in the spring.
8)
Here's the info...
"... UV protected--won't yellow over time. Simply clean painted finish, then apply the film. Flexible urethane film can be stretched and molded to fit your vehicle's curves and angles; won't shrink. Film can be repositioned throughout the installation process until adhesive sets. Adhesive removes with product (even after years) and leaves no residue. No special care needed; wash and wax vehicle without damaging film. Includes everything needed for effortless application..."

4" x 6-ft. Roll Clear Paint-protection Film
Price $26
Part# ZX518938A

8" x 6-ft. Roll Clear Paint-protection Film
Price $41
Part# ZX518939R

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/CatalogOrderSearch?sku=WA518938A&storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&searchbtn.x=0&searchbtn.y=0

I also got a chip. Tried one of those windshield repair kits from the auto parts store. It actually worked really well. There is just a tiny mark where the chip was.

Yeah those kits are pretty good. I've used them several times and, while they don't make a perfect fix they have prevented cracks from spreading.

It's _really_ important to fix rock chips ASAP and definitely before _any_ water gets on the chip. If I can't fix the chip immediately I put a little square of electrical tape over the chip to keep water out. If water gets into the crack, you can't get it out!

Also important is to read and follow the instructions exactly. The resins used in these kits are a bit touchy, but if you follow the instructions they work well.

One thing that I never do with any repaired windshield is to spray it with hot water in winter or cold water in summer. The expansion and contraction will really make the cracks run!

George

any xB's out there w/ those rock/bug deflectors on their hood?
will that help also from deflecting rox to the windshield? or is it just for the hood?
anyone.

I have three chips in mine. Wife has about 5 in her TrailBlazer over the same period of time. I don't think it's anything terrible. It just happens.

This past Thursday I was driving home and a huge chunk of ice came off a truck and hit my windshield. It was larger than a softball. Sounded like a shotgun going off, but the windshield just bowed in and back out and it bounced off. I say these are pretty durable windshields that a good five pound chunk of ice would just bounce off.

We've not put a windshield in a Scion yet.....stay out from behind dumptrucks...lol

Having my chip fixed tomorrow at work by a local place that goes mobile. $60 with a warranty that the chip won't spread further. I'll post the results with before and after pics.

I had the chip repaired at one of those Geico authorized shop. The chipped windshield came out looking exactly the same b4 it went in the shop. The chip is still there about the size of the pinky nail but the repair guy told me that the crack won't spread further. I don't know if it will work or not. To make the matter worst, I got the chip when it was raining hard outside :(

same here. kind of bittersweet to know i'm not alone

I had the chip repaired this afternoon. Found someone to come to the house since I was off today. Looks much better now and it was guaranteed to not spread. Cost only $53 and I will be reimbursed by my insurance company.

I'll have pics up tomorrow.

I had under 3000 miles when I got my first rock hit.. it wasn't that big but it did a nice side by side double chip hit. I took it right in within an hour to Novus and had the chips filled in. You can still see them if you get up close. But not much you can do about it. This is what happens when the windshield is straighter and higher up than a sedan.

I'm waiting for more when I start going camping with it. I wouldn't be surprised to see something fly up and chip the back window either...

im going onto my 3rd windshield this week...
the "glass dr." will be installing it as soon as they
get a oem molding..
365 out the door i think

any xB's out there w/ those rock/bug deflectors on their hood?
will that help also from deflecting rox to the windshield? or is it just for the hood?
anyone.

Yeah, what he said.
Do the bug shields help at all?

I think it's newer toyota quality issue as well....My dad has fixed 3 cracks in his sequoia and my aunt has had to replace her s once on her 04 corolla

I definitely think it's a Scion thing. I don't know. I've had my xB for 2 years and have two chips - one huge one, and a smaller, less significant one. But I've never had problems with chipping windshields in any of my other cars, so I don't know what the deal is. All I know is it sucks big time.

Its just the design of the car and the angle of the glass. Scion Corp is more than aware of the problem.

Scion Corp is aware of the problem, eh? You're just full of great factoids!! So, what are they doing about it?

Scion Corp is aware of the problem, eh? You're just full of great factoids!!

Yes, they are. A non-believer eh?

I have attended more than a few focus groups at Scion Corp in SoCal with the designers. I have seen other preliminary designs and have talked w/ Scion Corp management and designers.

Here are a few pics from a couple trips to Scion Corp:

My xB at the lastest Scion Corp open house last month.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/886motorwerx/squirrelatScionCorp103.jpg


Some SE Nor*Cal Scions, from left to right: squirrel's xB, Evildave's xB, Scionsniper's xB, and scionbaby's xB. And Dewmerz' camo xB behind mine.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/886motorwerx/NorCalatScionCorp.jpg

And from a focus group in Sept before my center exit exhaust.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/886motorwerx/ScionCorp.jpg

keep in mind the windshield is more flat than areodynamic, any hits from rocks or flying object is much a harder impack than a regular windshield,guess i got lucky when comes to the windshield i never had that problem...

Scion Corp is aware of the problem, eh? You're just full of great factoids!!

Yes, they are. A non-believer eh?

I have attended more than a few focus groups at Scion Corp in SoCal with the designers. I have seen other preliminary designs and have talked w/ Scion Corp management and designers.

Here are a few pics from a couple trips to Scion Corp:

My xB at the lastest Scion Corp open house last month.

er, ah, hmmmm....you seem to have inadvertently omitted the most important question in hotgirl's post: So, what are they doing about it?

it is super that they are more than aware of the problem. super, i tell you. but did your designer pals say what are they going to do about it? are they just going to change the rake for future models? retro-engineer it for us with stronger glass? anything to compensate for crack-prone windshields?

hey! i was part a focus group for the scion web site! i was! (i don't have any pictures to prove it, tho, and i didn't keep my $75 check stub...damn...i should have known that could have come in handy.)

My windshield got cracked this weekend going to mammoth. It sucks! I called the dealer and they said warranty doesn't cover it. Something has to be done about this. I've owned like 4 cars already and nothing like this has ever happened.

I know I'm jinxing myself, but 6k miles in less than 4 months with several long road trips in there and not so much as a chip. I avoid trucks like the plague though.

has anyone here considered putting a bulletproof laminate on the front?

I have taken a ton of shrapnel since getting the box in sept, and my front glass is now worthless. I can tell that this is going to be a spring ritual for me, but was curious if anyone knows about the laminates available - any optical distortion, stuff like that?

here's the laminates: http://www.acesecuritylaminatesoc.com/400.htm

hey, we ended up getting it replaced through AAA. it was $100 for non-OEM glass. $100 was the deductible. for Toyota glass it would have been like $400. i was bummed at first to not get OEM, but after about 4 seconds of driving w/no more cracked OEM windshield i was completely over it. plus AAA had the glass installer come to my workplace. couldn't have been easier. i guess what i'm trying to say is if you have AAA with a $100 deductible, it's a painless fix (until it cracks again... :nails: )

I got 3 chips in less than 4 months and none after I got the bug/rock shield.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kzhorse/album?.dir=f68a&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

It dont look to bad,But I do have a Camo so it blends in pretty well.


Scott

[quote="kzhorse"]I got 3 chips in less than 4 months and none after I got the bug/rock shield..../quote]

I had deer whistles on my motorcycle for 12 years and never saw a deer. But I don't consider that proof they work.

I doubt that a bug shield across the front of the hood protects the windshield against stones. It creates a updraft that helps lift bugs up so the lighter ones hopefully clear the windshield, but probably can't lift a a stone.

I want a stoneshield ;-)

Guys in Cali. are sooo lucky. We'd never have anything like that anywhere else in the country
24,000 miles with only a few small tiny chips (knock on wood). I too avoid trucks, dump trucks in particular. I love those signs on the back saying they are not responsible for objects (stones) flying off their trucks. Bullcrap they aren't!!!
I also make it a point to leave atleast 5 car lengths between me and the car in front.

I love those signs on the back saying they are not responsible for objects (stones) flying off
their trucks. Bullcrap they aren't!!!

I don't know about Tennessee (or California) but here in Washington State not only is the driver
responsible for damage cause by any of the load leaving their vehicle on the highway, but allowing
it to happen is subject to a moving violation and fine...

(So far I have only one small 'chip' near the top edge of my windshield over the last year, and the
3M paint protection film on the front-facing painted areas has protected the paint from damage
quite nicely.)

what about laminates?

What are laminates?

^^^what are laminates?

has anyone here considered putting a bulletproof laminate on the front?

I have taken a ton of shrapnel since getting the box in sept, and my front glass is now worthless. I can tell that this is going to be a spring ritual for me, but was curious if anyone knows about the laminates available - any optical distortion, stuff like that?

here's the laminates: http://www.acesecuritylaminatesoc.com/400.htm

The windshield is already a laminate - laminated glass is required by federal law.

In the case of the windshield, the plastic layer is placed between two thin layers of glass since ANY
of the plastics scratch and mark much easier than glass does. If the plastic layer were put on the
outside, the wipers would scar it beyond usability in just a few uses.

Trust me, you don't really want a plastic coated windshield... :P

Currently that thin layer of glass on the outside of the windshield - less than an eighth of an inch
thick - is the best, longest lasting, most durable transparent material for the purpose. The only
even marginally better material, at least to prevent scratching, would be synthetic sapphire, but
even though a thin layer of sapphire would be more resistant to scratching and pitting, it will still
shatter in a spectacular manner when hit by a high-speed rock on the freeway.

(A sapphire windshield would also be a bit expensive... :D )

Well just to clear up the bug shield question, no it doesn't prevent cracks on the windshield. I've been rolling a bug shield for over a year to protect my hood since rocks seemed to be attracted to the portion of the hood hangin out front. Yes, the bugs were deflected because they are light and the shield created an updraft, but no not the rocks, too heavy and there have been numerous times i actually see rocks coming straight for the windshield from a trucks tire and it didn't get caught in any updraft but they were coming too fast to dodge.

Anyone, know any good shops that won't scratch your paint and do a good job replacing the windshield in socal area?

Yeah im in the same boat as yall. I got a rock chip the day after i bought my xb. i was ____ed. I went to get it fixed so that it wouldnt spread, but it did. But i realized that using the hot defroster caused it to crack. makes since that the dramatic change in temperature would make it crack. so if you dont want it it to spread i suggest using the defroster on cold or normal setting. since then ive gotten another big chip. also if the sun hits my windshield just right when driving, you can see little pits all of the windshield. i guess thats just something you have to live with when driving an xb

My box isn't even 2 years old and I'm going through my 2nd windshield already. The stock glass cracked last year and the replacement just cracked across from side to side last week. It all started with a chip, and then eventually over time spread. Now I'm going on my 3rd winshield. Kind of sad but it seems for now that's what I'm going to have to put up with untill they come out with stronger glass or some solution which I doubt. Either or I love the box enough to deal with it. I'm NY so I see alot of traffic and run into trucks all the time on the highway :(

Ouch guys! Afraid to post anything else since my car has been an accident, title, and paint issue since only Oct.

i am so mad i have had to replace my second windshield !!!i swear there is a defect here .the windshield start's to crack from the ruber seam .i love my xb gas mileage not what they say but still better then my 4runner .anyway back to the windshield now on my 3rd windshield and not happy the windshield has had no damage or anything like rock's hit it i am the only one who drive's it so i know nothing has hit it .the windshield just start's to break from the ruber seam and goes out from there both have broken in the same area the first from the ruber seam on the driver side and now on the passenger side right in the middle tward the bottom on each side . now how in the world could this happen twice .if anyone else has had this problem let me know because i don't know what to do i swear there is a defect and it's not fair that i have to replace the windshield again and i haven't even had the car a year and i plan on having this car for many year's to come i wonder how many windshield's i will have to put into it ?

So many xB owners are reporting cracks spreading across from chips, and even spreading across sponteneously, I wonder if the body could be flexing and stressing the glass. If so, perhaps the strut bars that stiffen the front of the body would reduce stress on the glass.

Has anybody with a strut bar experienced window cracks?

i am so mad i have had to replace my second windshield !!!i swear there is a defect here .the windshield start's to crack from the ruber seam .i love my xb gas mileage not what they say but still better then my 4runner .anyway back to the windshield now on my 3rd windshield and not happy the windshield has had no damage or anything like rock's hit it i am the only one who drive's it so i know nothing has hit it .the windshield just start's to break from the ruber seam and goes out from there both have broken in the same area the first from the ruber seam on the driver side and now on the passenger side right in the middle tward the bottom on each side . now how in the world could this happen twice .if anyone else has had this problem let me know because i don't know what to do i swear there is a defect and it's not fair that i have to replace the windshield again and i haven't even had the car a year and i plan on having this car for many year's to come i wonder how many windshield's i will have to put into it ?

i have the same problem as you, i.e. windshield cracking from the rubber seam passenger side near the middle. this crack has nothing to do with rocks, everything to do with a design and/or factory installation flaw.

i think if we get a list of people together who have this problem, toyota will have to solve it, etc.

There is no rubber seam in the window. There is a rubber gasket around it. So these cracks are starting at the edge of the window under the gasket on the passenger side?

I've gotten 2 in mine on a year and 4 months....it sucks, but I will live with them until it cracks all the way across.

ONly 1 chip so far in 2 years - luckily Florida requires insurance companies to pay for the windshield at not cost to customers or their premiums, assuming it cracks :)

Add me to the list. I've owned my XB a week and a half. Went into the office and the windshield was fine. Left at 5 and I have the classic L shaped crack. Started at top middle of windshield.

No rocks, trees, squirrels or vandals involved. Just decided to crack. Plain and simple.


i am so mad i have had to replace my second windshield !!!i swear there is a defect here .the windshield start's to crack from the ruber seam .i love my xb gas mileage not what they say but still better then my 4runner .anyway back to the windshield now on my 3rd windshield and not happy the windshield has had no damage or anything like rock's hit it i am the only one who drive's it so i know nothing has hit it .the windshield just start's to break from the ruber seam and goes out from there both have broken in the same area the first from the ruber seam on the driver side and now on the passenger side right in the middle tward the bottom on each side . now how in the world could this happen twice .if anyone else has had this problem let me know because i don't know what to do i swear there is a defect and it's not fair that i have to replace the windshield again and i haven't even had the car a year and i plan on having this car for many year's to come i wonder how many windshield's i will have to put into it ?

i have the same problem as you, i.e. windshield cracking from the rubber seam passenger side near the middle. this crack has nothing to do with rocks, everything to do with a design and/or factory installation flaw.

i think if we get a list of people together who have this problem, toyota will have to solve it, etc.

I guarrantee a small rock hit your windsheild and then the heat/cold difference between when the rock hit and you back out to yoru car caused it to crack.

a friend of mine got a rock on his way to a meet. no crack. about 5 hours later. crack was there.


on another note. my safelite replacement windsheild has taken more rocks hits than my stock one ever did and I have no cracks or chips in the current one . :)

Have literally only driven my car four miles each day to and from work. I do not live in a quarry and drive down the same two lanes every day. I drove the Ford Escort down the same street every day for 16 years and never got a rock, but DID get a golf ball that bounced off it one time.

I'd have noticed a rock/pebble because I'm short and drive with my face up IN the windshield. If I hadn't, my daughter would have. We are "all about " staring out that big old windshield right now. We like it, and have only driven in it a few times, as I only bought the 10 days ago.

No, if you read these posts, the L shaped spontaneous crack that starts mid window at the top is a recurring theme on Scion message boards and some blogs I've found. There is no indention or "strike point". At first I thought it was a long scratch. Starts right at the rim seam. Why it detours and makes an L is beyond me.

I'll give this factory replacement ONE shot. Then I might be emailing you about the industrial strength window replacement you got.

It's a SHAME. I sooooooooooooo love this car. But constant replacements of windsheilds (I've read posts from folks on their third one here) is kinda gonna take the "economy" out of the car. Don't ya think?


I guarrantee a small rock hit your windsheild and then the heat/cold difference between when the rock hit and you back out to yoru car caused it to crack.

a friend of mine got a rock on his way to a meet. no crack. about 5 hours later. crack was there.


on another note. my safelite replacement windsheild has taken more rocks hits than my stock one ever did and I have no cracks or chips in the current one . :)

you don't need an indentatior or strike point.

i'm on 9 out of 10 scion boards and am online all day every day. i have the highest post count on sl as well as another site or two.


none have I read about a mystery crack. it's all from a tiny lil rock that you hear hit but don't see a chip. think it's all good and then a few hours or the next voila crack.

Well gee. Why is it that the thought that a "tiny little pebble" can take out multiple windshields, causing the same L shape like that (including mine) not such a "comforting thought"?

I love driving that car. It makes me HAPPY just to climb into it. But if I get on the third windshield in a year, driving the same four miles (well five if I go to the grocery store) a day I'll have to address it in SOME fashion, with somebody. I mean "sixteen years on the same route with no glass trouble vs - - --

I'll give the replacement window a try and see.




you don't need an indentatior or strike point.

i'm on 9 out of 10 scion boards and am online all day every day. i have the highest post count on sl as well as another site or two.


none have I read about a mystery crack. it's all from a tiny lil rock that you hear hit but don't see a chip. think it's all good and then a few hours or the next voila crack.

yeah try safelite. i've had about 30 or 40 rocks hit the glass none have chipped it or cracked it.

310 for my replacement , sometiems you can fine guys that will do it for as little as 150.00 but you get what you pay for. expect to replace your windsheild several times in next few years !!!

I too am now a victim of chips in my windshield. I have made three round trips from savannah to atlanta with no cracks in the first three weeks and in two days time on two short trips down the bypass I got nailed with two nice chips. I was talking with my girlfriend who manages the toyota rent a car fleet and is the warranty claims administrator for the local toyota/scion/lexus dealer, and she says some cars have stress cracks. they are very rare, so rare that between 3 car divisions that they might replace 4-5 windshields a year under warranty. So, yes a windshield can crack without a hit , but it is very very rare and it has to do with the way the glass is mounted in the car at the factory, but quality control catches it 99.5 % of the time. I will be getting mine repaired first, and try to get a little use out of it. hell, I haven't made my first car payment yet....

i got mine replaced around the same time last year, and from the looks of it, i'm gonna need another window since the chip is directly in my line of sight (especially when it's sunny....and i'm in SoCal)
i did't have this much problem w/ any other car...oh well

I love my xb, and I've been driving it for over two years now. I got my first windshield ding within 30 days, and my second the next year. This morning in the cold weather the one behind my speedometer began cracking as I was driving to work. Now I have a nice 2-foot crack across the bottom of my windshield.

I had a Ford Festiva with a ding I never repaired for 15 years and I lived in Indiana where it got down to -37 and I never had any problems with the ding. I find it very interesting to read about all the windshield problems.

+1 for safelite.

make sure you are present for the install, because removal requires cutting out the old glue holding the windshield in. this cutting results in a lot of scrapes to the paint underneath that MUST BE PRIMERED before the new glass goes up. A buddy of mine had his third shield put up and found lots of rust underneath.

Pay attention to what cherryBox said!!! Some glass folks scrape right down to bare metal and leave it that way behind the edge of the windshield with no protection. Happened to me at Titus-Will Toyota/Scion in Tacoma, WA: http://www.tijil.org/blog/?p=19

Tomas

I too have had trouble with chips in my windshield. I drove 2.5 hours from where I live and I bet within 30 min of the drive, I got a chip. Seemed like after the first there was a second. Haven't had them fixed yet but will if they begin to spread.

The temperature dropped below freezing, here in Northern California. I was on my way to work this morning, with the defroster on 'high', as I crossed the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. No traffic ahead of me. No chips in my windshield, either... Anyway, a small, 2" crack appeared just right-of-center at the very top. It quickly began to run down and to the left. I called the service manager of my dealership, and he ordered the replacement. I still have to go in tomorrow and have mine 'inspected'... It worries me that so many of us have experienced problems. To date, I think my dealer has had my box more than I have... sigh

yeah ive already when to the glass place and had them fix like 10 chips....

Go to the "class action suit" thread and give information to the firm that got reimbursement for Honda Element owners.

im going on my second windsheild in three weeks. lol one just crakced going down the interstate at normal speeds and the other cracked when a softball sized rock flew off a dumptruck a couple of cars up and hit me.

[quote="hotbox05"]I guarrantee a small rock hit your windsheild and then the heat/cold difference between when the rock hit and you back out to yoru car caused it to crack.

Ditto here
I work for a dealer in CA.
I was furious when I got into my car one summer morning and there was a crack coming out from driver side going towards the passenger side starting right at rubber gasket. (turned later and when down
Never heard it or saw it and I guess the hot evening to morning (heat/cold) spread it out

I was positive MY DEALER :come: would replace it for me and
I WAS WRONG. :lalala:

The advisor showed me how to find the point of impact.
Take a tip of a pencil and follow that line, when it sinks in youve found your point of impact.

On mine it was very near the gasket but it was there so I paid 150 for a new one installed within 25 mins! ) of course its not a toyota windshield but from what I hear that looks like the best choice. :clap:
:blah: :blah: :blah:

mine cracked this summer, was chipped by the same crack heads that chipped my paint dinted my quarter and my door, the ******* lawn company at work

... I was positive MY DEALER :come: would replace it for me and I WAS WRONG.... The advisor showed me how to find the point of impact. Take a tip of a pencil and follow that line, when it sinks in youve found your point of impact....
In the settlement of the Element class action suit, dealers were instructed to stop using the ballpoint pen test to deny replacement under warranty, and windshields were replaced up to 60K miles.

It is good that people share their cracked windshield stories here, but it is also important that they seearch out the SL "class action suit" thread, and use the link there to share those stories with the law firn that is collecting information for a similar suit for xBs.

These suits are not very adversarial, and are in the manufacturer's interest as well as ours. Honda and Scion both have an interest in quality and customer care.

In the case of the Element, until the evidence was collected and presented in the lawsuit, Honda was not aware of the full extent of the cracked windshield problem, or that dealers had been using the pen test to deny so many claims. Honda was able to make design and manufacturing changes that stopped the cracks by 2005, and also extended the warranty on windshields to 60K miles. It is too late to fix the xB, but the long warranty would be nice.

If and when my windshield cracks, I would hope there is a settlement in place for xB owners. But it won't happen unless we give the information.

Ok, had my box for a year and a half...I'm on my 4th windshield already...I just had one replaced and exactly one week later rock hit it and I had to get another one...Thank godness i have free windshield replacement...I do worry about the insurance company dropping my though...