Cracked Windshield Club

[TXJeepScientist]

Be glad ya'll don't have the Tesla X. The windshield could cost as much as $2300 to replace and you have to deal with availability issues.

Sponsored

 

[binfordtools]

I but I am sure the bean counters threw that out the window.

Yes, SO much, yes!!

Wranglers have had glass issues for years. My 1999 TJ, all my JK's (3), and - my JL, have all had glass replacements. The problem is, there is no right answer. FCA could have better glass as a standard feature, but that would cost more. You or I may be willing to pay extra, but many will not and instead piss and moan about the cost of the vehicle. So, FCA like every other OEM chooses glass that meets design requirements for noise, safety, crash, quality and of course - cost.

I have just come to accept that I will be buying glass at least once per year for my Wrangler! It sucks, but so does driving a minivan so this is by far the lesser of the two evils.

 

[bbuck7777]

Just had mine replaced last week in Abq using technaglass at the jiffy lube off Menaul. They have the acoustic without the jeep in the corner. After some wheeling and dealing with the corporate office in Utah and military discount, I made it out under 400 installed.

Thanks, Mo! Just scheduled with USAA for one with logo under claim. It's a bummer. I don't know if we were in dust devil or just the front but man the damage is extensive.

 

[Means2212]

Well joined the club this morning with 159 miles and 3 days on my Jeep . Anyone done any kind of protective film or something. Tbh I’m not even sure when I got a chip or anything. Just looked like my windshield was wet and when the wiper went across I got a sad face when I realized I would be spending money. I may be broke if this happens every week or so lol

 

[viper88]

Well not sure this qualifies for this tread, but had a NM storm front come through and within two minutes and two blocks the damage is done. Hundreds of little chips in windshield! Man this is crazy how it doesn't take anything to chip or crack! Piant has some tiny hits, but not like windshield. Headlights (LED) took some hits also. I guess I'll be getting it replaced. Wife's 2019 CR-V took a direct hit dead center in her windshield and made a big scratch, but no crack. I think the size of rock would have gone through the JL.

Looks like you drove through a sand blaster? You sure that is actually pitting in your glass? You sure it's not dirt or duct particles? How do your headlights and paint look?

 

[JeepCares]

Hello,
If anyone is having issues with what they believe their defrost starting a crack in their windshield, we would like to hear more. Please send us a private message with more details and pictures if you have them. We hope to hear from you soon.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Levi8than]

Hello,
If anyone is having issues with what they believe their defrost starting a crack in their windshield, we would like to hear more. Please send us a private message with more details and pictures if you have them. We hope to hear from you soon.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

I have no idea how I'd know. Spider-ed broken glass changes direction sporadically and each direction change looks like it might be a chip point.
My biggest issue is how many different issues I'm seeing. Yeah, so far the drivetrain seems solid, which is good. But so many little things add up.
So far on my JL alone, I've got:

1. Uconnect 8.4 touch screen
* back up camera not coming up when in reverse
* rebooting randomly while driving
* not turning on at all sometimes in very cold weather
* screen not responding to button pushes
* android auto randomly disconnecting.
But I can't repro any of this while in the dealer's repair bay, so they tell me there's nothing they can do.
I do have videos of multiple events, though.
2. Cracked windshield (There's a little divot, so I assume it was a rock hit, but it must have been one tiny rock because it didn't make any noise when it hit the windshield, just immediately cracked outward.
(Maybe I'm lucky it finally broke. There has been a whistle somewhere around the edge of the windshield since day one that I have not been able to find and seal. Hopefully the new windshield will be seated properly and eliminate the noise.)
3. Rear lift window defroster cable detached.
4. Rear lift window rubber boot first squeaky, now falling out
5. LED headlight pockets collecting snow and shadowing the light beam during heavy snow fall.
* This one is pretty dangerous. Yeah I can get out and clear off the snow every 5 minutes, but with other vehicles having such reduced visibility this is not safe.

If it were just one issue, I'd consider myself unlucky. But all these little issues on such an expensive vehicle really add up. And it looks like I'm not alone. No steering issues, though. I guess I dodged that bullet.

 

[bbuck7777]

Looks like you drove through a sand blaster? You sure that is actually pitting in your glass? You sure it's not dirt or duct particles? How do your headlights and paint look?

Assume you mean dust or dirt? Nope, it is chunks of glass removed. Washed several times and doesn't come off. LED headlights and fog lights took hits too, but maybe the plastic gave a little versus being solid. The paint in A pillar and grill took some small hits. Also, the rear driver roll down took two hits to chip glass also. Don't think I will have it replaced. Night or driving into sun is very distracting. Hey the STEEL bummper looks fine!

 

[JeepCares]

I have no idea how I'd know. Spider-ed broken glass changes direction sporadically and each direction change looks like it might be a chip point.
My biggest issue is how many different issues I'm seeing. Yeah, so far the drivetrain seems solid, which is good. But so many little things add up.
So far on my JL alone, I've got:

1. Uconnect 8.4 touch screen
* back up camera not coming up when in reverse
* rebooting randomly while driving
* not turning on at all sometimes in very cold weather
* screen not responding to button pushes
* android auto randomly disconnecting.
But I can't repro any of this while in the dealer's repair bay, so they tell me there's nothing they can do.
I do have videos of multiple events, though.
2. Cracked windshield (There's a little divot, so I assume it was a rock hit, but it must have been one tiny rock because it didn't make any noise when it hit the windshield, just immediately cracked outward.
(Maybe I'm lucky it finally broke. There has been a whistle somewhere around the edge of the windshield since day one that I have not been able to find and seal. Hopefully the new windshield will be seated properly and eliminate the noise.)
3. Rear lift window defroster cable detached.
4. Rear lift window rubber boot first squeaky, now falling out
5. LED headlight pockets collecting snow and shadowing the light beam during heavy snow fall.
* This one is pretty dangerous. Yeah I can get out and clear off the snow every 5 minutes, but with other vehicles having such reduced visibility this is not safe.

If it were just one issue, I'd consider myself unlucky. But all these little issues on such an expensive vehicle really add up. And it looks like I'm not alone. No steering issues, though. I guess I dodged that bullet.

Hi Levi8than,
We are sorry to hear that you have been experiencing these concerns. If you would like additional assistance, please send us a private message!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Levi8than]

Hi Levi8than,
We are sorry to hear that you have been experiencing these concerns. If you would like additional assistance, please send us a private message!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Thanks! message sent.

 

[CalsJLUR]

Another one bites the dust. 14000 miles and the first trip to Colorado did the stock window in. Dealer is saying that the Gorrilla Glass will be available middle of April. Not sure if this will happen (will keep my fingers crossed) or if it does, not sure I can wait. The crack is right in the sight line! Dang Box on Wheels.

 

[efitzger]

Hi JeepCares,

I sent you a PM last night regarding my windshield that literally cracked in my driveway lot while my defroster was running (23 degrees outside/ zero chips or rock dings on it). I was letting my windshield defrost yesterday evening (it was perfect with no chips/scratches/cracks while parked in front of my house) and as the window defrosted I could hear a crack as well as see the windshield literally split about a two foot long crack horizontally, with the origin at the very base of the windshield. This, almost certainly, is a manufacturing, installation/ glass issue as there are zero indications of any sort of chipping/ starring/ etc and the Jeep has very low miles on it. I've had rock chips/ starbursts before on other vehicles (all small and simply repaired), but never watched a pristine new windshield literally split in front of my eyes as the defroster runs!

What steps are needed for Jeep to remedy this? It seems as though this windshield is quite prone to cracking both with small rocks as well as spontaneously (my case).

Thanks in advance,
Erik

 

[WillDo559]

Just fixed last month.. and I'm back in the club!

 

[Sparty007]

Hello,
If anyone is having issues with what they believe their defrost starting a crack in their windshield, we would like to hear more. Please send us a private message with more details and pictures if you have them. We hope to hear from you soon.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

The crack on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL started on a cold day when the front defrost was blowing on the windshield. The crack started at the bottom of the windshield and has now moved all the way across.

 

[efitzger]

The crack on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL started on a cold day when the front defrost was blowing on the windshield. The crack started at the bottom of the windshield and has now moved all the way across.

Couple more pics of mine...exact same scenario as yours. And the crack pretty much starts where the defroster melts the snow/ice first...JeepCares PM'd me saying they would work out a resolution - I assume that means a full warranty replacement windshield at no cost, as it should since this thing literally split in two in front of me as I sat there with the defroster on!

I made a hi-def video of mine as well (.mov) that really clearly shows there is zero chipping/cracking/pitting/starbursts anywhere along the length of the crack - more proof it was a material failure.

Sponsored