Defroster cracked my windshield this morning

[rcairflr]

I was told Ford will only replace the windshield if you have 12,000 or less miles. I had something like 14,000 on it when it happened. The windshield is around $1,000, I still have the cracked windshield, lol.

The crack is at the bottom and should not restrict visibility. I wouldn't bother replacing the windshield unless it got much worse

Sponsored

 

[Markubis]

I was told Ford will only replace the windshield if you have 12,000 or less miles. I had something like 14,000 on it when it happened. The windshield is around $1,000, I still have the cracked windshield, lol.

I have 12,461 miles on it. Calling tomorrow to see what they will do.

 

[jpr9954]

On my drive home this morning I had my defroster on set at 67 degrees and low fan speed due to rain and the windows kept fogging up. Half way home I noticed a crack in the lower left side of my windshield that went from the driver's side all the way to the passenger side. Stopped at my local Ford dealer to submit a warranty claim. Waiting to hear back from the dealer. Has this happened to anyone else? My truck is just over 6 months old and has 14,280 miles on it.

Mine started cracking almost exactly like that this week. I had the defroster on to clear ice off the windshield. I didn't scrape but just let the truck warm up. I have less than 7,000 miles on my 2021 Ranger.

When I first noticed it, I didn't see any dings or stars. However, I have found one below the level of the hood and below the wipers. It was not there when I first found the cracking but only showed up a day or so later.

There is no ding or paint scratch where a rock might have hit the hood of the truck first.

Thank you for posting this as I came here to see if I was the only one which I guess I'm not.

 

[JesseS]

Shit! guess I will use the spray on defroster!! Not that I need it much here on the West Coast but we tend to travel a lot. I always turn on the defroster at the same time I start the truck, so the air heats slowly, worst thing is to turn it on after the engine is fully warmed up, that blast of hot air is just asking for trouble in cold weather.

 

[RedDakooter05]

I find it odd how the defroster can do this..

The air coming from the vents is cold, and only gradually- ah screw it, it's ford.

 

[9zero1790]

Ford denied my warranty claim. Windshields Are only covered for 12,000 and I have exactly 14,287 miles on it.

well snap. mines out of warranty now also. i thought the 3 year 36 thing was total truck warranty. I havent even turned on my defroster yet.

 

[evoaire]

Keep an eye out for small chips from rocks. Have them sealed ASAP. If they are sealed quickly, in a few days, I have had good luck preventing them from turning into a long stretching crack. You can buy a $10.00 seal kit from an auto store. The pros use the same technique, only with better tools. Let them do it if you can, otherwise follow the instructions and you’ll be fine. Chips obtained during summer will turn into cracks when turning on defrost for winter.

My wife’s windshield looked like a war zone last year. Some I was able to seal, I missed some, it passed inspection so I was not worried, until a #3 stone hit it, and nearly ended up in the front seat. Nothing to seal, it needed plastic surgery. ?

 

[JDowns]

I wonder if this is not due to a chip on the surface but on an edge. Vibrations over time create a crack along the silicon, then once beyond that it’s free to spread. Just like in tempered glass aquariums. A chip on the edge can go unnoticed until one day it just cracks unexpectedly.

could be an assembly issue where the glass is placed on a rack for example.

I’ll for sure check my edges for any issues.

 

[a6m5]

I just noticed the same crack on my windsheld today. Starts at the left edge & runs almost all the way to the right edge, just past the green decal.

It's under 10,000 miles, there is one spot that looks like it may be rock chip, but I'm very skeptical. Chip is tiny & just barely a surface damage(like 1mm deep?). I don't know anything about glass, but I can't imagine something that looks like a scrape cause the windshield to crack like that. Honestly I think the chip came from the crack, not the other way around.

Either way, what I think doesn't matter. I'll see what my Ford service advisor says & worst case scenario, it's auto insurance deductible for me. Weakest windshield I've ever seen. Disappointing.

 

[MrBirdman330]

Possibly bad seal, I had the same BS when I owned a Toyota Camry. Knew something wasn't right when driving to Los Angeles and back. Sounded like I had the windows cracked and I could feel a draft from where the windshield met the dash. Just after coming back went to work in the morning and there was a crack halfway up on the passenger side. Toyota claimed a ''rock chip'' caused it and gave me a dumb ''Men in Black'' explanation. I was in the Auto Industry and when Safelite removed the windshield they claimed it was sealed, except that you could see where it had pressed into the sealant along the A Pillars but not at the bottom under the cowl. Best guess is that the long drive there and back stressed the windshield enough to crack.

Sponsored