My defroster cracked my windshield

[CarbonSteel]

There is always the chance you got hit below the wiper and was waiting on heat to spread. Is exact same crack I have but I remember getting a ping low on the window.

Be willing to bet a steak dinner there was an unseen chip or hit and the heat caused it to spread. Happened way too many times to me with various vehicles.

Sponsored

 

[Mastergmac]

Good show me the point of impact from the exterior. You won’t find it. Let’s also ignore the similar experiences from multiple other owners while accusing the person complaining of being a liar.

It was purely in jest.

During COVID, when the one interstate we have in LI was basically ignored for 3 years, I replaced no less than 6 windshields on the Toyota FJ daily driver! All out of pocket! My glass guy truly felt sorry for me and began to discount a few of them! I'm so paranoid about the windshield now, I purchased the 3 layer windshield protective film from Racing Optics before I even got the plates for the JLU.

 

[Deathmatrix]

I have pretty much the same crack. Had some freezing rain, was running the defroster on high, backed out of the driveway and heard it crack.

 

[Caliguy]

My stupid insurance has no separate windshield coverage and uses comprehensive policy. To go from my $500 deductible to no deductible costs me $220/year
Oem glass is $790 to replace. Gorilla glass is $1000. Insurance approved the upgrade and and upgraded my comp coverage to no deductible. So for future broken windshields I’ll get free gorilla glass

 

[imperial4ever]

I gotta disagree, ordinary use of your defroster should never cause the windshield to crack. Huge safety concern here. Now pouring hot water on it sure. But not what the damn thing is designed to do

A gradual heating up of the windshield via defrost or any other method for that matter should never cause it to crack otherwise, we would all be driving around with cracked windshields.

 

[imperial4ever]

A gradual heating up of the windshield via defrost or any other method for that matter should never cause it to crack otherwise, we would all be driving around with cracked windshields.

And what about those "Electra-Clear" windshields with the defroster lines embedded in them? I think they may be susceptible to cracking more.

 

[Caliguy]

Well glass shop said it’s about $700 for oem replacement. Since my deductible is $500 the glass shop got approval for an upgrade to gorilla glass. I still only pay my $500 deductible insurance approved the upgrade and will cover the cost.. $1200 to install gorilla glass.. sheesh. Atleast they had it in stock. Upgrading to no deductible for future cracks for $220/year is a no brainer, plus I get no deductible for other comprehensive claims

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Maybe it's the Jeep's way of getting even for installing a light bar on the hood...

 

[Caliguy]

Maybe it's the Jeep's way of getting even for installing a light bar on the hood...

lol youd think it would be grateful for helping protect against more rock chips

 

[kah.mun.rah]

lol youd think it would be grateful for helping protect against more rock chips

Touché

 

[Murphydog]

FWIW, I am 100% against extended warranties - never buy em for anything....that said with my latest JLUR XR purchase I did buy the 5 year glass one for $500. First time ever. No deductible and OEM glass via Safelite. My insurance deductible is $250, so my gamble was I would go through 3 of em in 5 years.

Only time will tell, but since my first one was demolished at 15,000 miles I feel like it wasn't too bad of a bet.

 

[Opus]

I ended up with a 6 year windshield warranty for OEM replacements when I bought the Jeep. Having had 2 cracked windshields in 5 years on the Renegade and a $500 deductible, I thought it was worth it this time around. With any luck I plan on having the Wrangler longer than 5 years.

Fortunately, I've got a soft top, so I don't have to worry about the defrost cracking the rear window...

 

[mini4mw]

Couldn't you just turn down the heat a little so it's not blasting such a temp difference? If Jeep does take any responsibility one of two things will happen:
1) warning in user manual not to use high heat on frozen windshield
2) when defrost is on, it won't be that hot. Similar to how the steering wheel doesn't get too hot anymore

 

[Caliguy]

So in the hour I waited for my windshield repair all the following is true:

1. glass guy said it’s more likely it was already a tiny chip that with the temp differences flexed it and caused it to crack

2. 2 other wranglers and a gladiator all came in for windshield repair

3. 4 Honda accords came in for windshield repair

4. glass guy says days like this where it’s cold in the morning after a freeze warning issued are busy days for my exact issue.
5. given my insurance premium went up $220/year and I paid a $500 deductible, if I replace a windshield once every 2 years I’d be ahead of breaking even. Any more often than that, I’m way ahead.

5. lastly, paying $500 to upgrade to gorilla glass ($295 option when building a Jeep online) doesn’t seem like I made out too badly at all today

 

[unknownsolo]

An aftermarket windshield is about $250. You should budget at least one per year in a Wrangler anyway since they like to collect rocks (not defrosters).

Since when? Where? Mine just cracked and they want almost $1600 to replace, and re-calibrate the adaptive cruise control unit. Luckily my comprehensive is $100 but I don't want to go through insurance.

Sponsored