I have a 2006 Prius with 41K miles. About a year and a half ago I got a stone chip in the middle of the windshield which developed into a major crack requiring that I replace the windshield. Over the past few weeks I have noticed the car making a creaking body flex noise that reminded me of my old Corvette when I had the targa top out. I didn't pay much attention to the noise until today when driving down the highway, I head a snap and noticed that a crack had developed on the right side of the windshield starting inside the molding at the window post running about 3 inches towards the center. After about 30 minutes it was 6 inches long. There was no stone chip or even another vehicle around me. Does anyone know what might have casued this latest crack? Is there anything about body flex on a Prius that causes windshields to crack? Could the problem have been from an improper installation on the last windshield?
Sorry to hear the windshield has cracked again.... It's possible due to improper install, but also is because the last replacement was not a genuine Toyota WShield....which may have less tolerance level.
If the replacement windshield touched the body -anywhere- it can cause it to crack. This applies to any vehicle. I'd take it back to them (the company that replaced the windshield) for resolution. The Prius doesn't have a problem with body flex cracking windshields. Note that in -all- modern cars, the windshield IS part of the body and the body strength. They won't let you drive it until the adhesive has cured when they replace a windshield as it could be dangerous if you got in an accident. The vehicle wouldn't absorb the energy properly and you could suffer worse injuries.
