Wow! Strange huge cracks growing in my windshield.

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Kablooie, Sep 12, 2017.

  1. Kablooie

    Kablooie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2004
    273
    14
    0
    Location:
    La Canada
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    i have a 2016 Prius with about 15,000 miles on it.
    It has the HUD and radar cruise.

    This morning my car had a crack in the windshield that developed while just sitting in the garage overnight.
    It starts from the bottom of the windshield,, shoots up about a foot then arcs to the right about 6 inches.
    While I was at work I parked in the parking structure.
    When I got in to go home there was a second crack growing up from the bottom about a foot to the left of the first one.
    I've contacted my insurance and they will pay any costs over my deductible of $250.
    I've also made an appointment with a local Toyota dealer who says it will be about 3 days to get parts. I live in the LA area and he said there were 5 windshields available. He didn't seem to know much about it though and had to call me back to say I had to buy new mouldings also. I hope the mechanic is more experienced.

    It's really weird to have these huge cracks for no reason. I've read the other posts here and learned it isn't covered by the warranty. It seems to me to clearly be a manufacturer defect though and should be covered by Toyota.
     
    #1 Kablooie, Sep 12, 2017
  2. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2014
    1,243
    1,044
    1
    Location:
    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Unless it is clear that the cracks were caused by something on the car, I have to believe you will be stuck with the cost of a replacement.
     
    #2 KennyGS, Sep 12, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  3. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,493
    2,154
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Many years ago, I was out of the country (NE USA) for about 8 weeks during a particularly harsh winter during which time my Corolla DX Wagon sat outside in the sub-zero temperatures, and when I returned, I was impressed to find my faithful Toyota started first time, however I made what with hindsight was a stupid mistake :eek:, and imagine my surprise when I turned the heater on full blast, and directed the airflow to the windshield. Within 30 seconds two cracks appeared along the bottom of the glass directly above the outlets, and as I watched with that sinking feeling we've all experienced at some time, the two little cracks became one big crack :mad: which eventually stretched across the whole of the windshield! Bummer! :( But my insurance covered it with no loss on the no claims discount! :)
     
    #3 WilDavis, Sep 12, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  4. Kablooie

    Kablooie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2004
    273
    14
    0
    Location:
    La Canada
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
     
    #4 Kablooie, Sep 12, 2017
  5. Kablooie

    Kablooie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2004
    273
    14
    0
    Location:
    La Canada
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    UPDATE:
    I inspected the crack more carefully this morning in the sunlight and found there is a small impact chip low down in the black painted area of the window. It is close to the bottom of the window so I couldn't see it but it wasn't a manufacturing defect.
     
    #5 Kablooie, Sep 12, 2017
    bisco and RCO like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)