This past weekend I went tubing in West VA, when I got back from tubing there was a hair line crack running down the right side of my windshield. The crack starts at the top of passenger side of the windshield and runs down the windshield in an S shape. There is no sign of a rock or other debris causing the crack. I'm wondering if this would possibly be covered under our warranty as a manufacturer defect. The only cause that I can think of would be excessive heat since it was hovering around 100 degrees in the mid afternoon.

I have done some research and the best quote I have received for replacing the windshield is $275 installed. Is this a fair price in the event the dealer doesn't come through for me?

 

Yes, that would be a fair price. Mine was almost $350 in install.

 

That's a type "S" windshield! I got mine replaced for that price ($275) as well.

 

doubt it will be covered under warranty but i think you should get full glass coverage on your insurance it only makes your rate go up like $2 a month and if you make a claim its not like an accident your rates wont go up

 

Thanks for the input guys. I'll look into the glass protection and will be talking to my dealer tonight when I get my oil changed (free oil changes for life )

 

After reviewing the warranty it states... and I quote This Warranty Does Not Cover "Broken, chipped, or scratched window glass unless it is due to a defect in material or workmanship" based on this statement it should be covered since it's a defect in the actual glass that caused it to crack. we'll see what they say.

 

if the line runs from the top edge of the windshield, it is manufacturer defect and it should be covered under warranty. My brother element cracked by itself and it took him some times to argue with them to get it replaced at no charge. There was no rock hit sign, and when they pulled up the trimming rubber on the top edge, they determined it was stress force causing the crack. Good luck.

 

Got mine fixed for $130 at a shop.
Very clean job
Where are you located?

 

VA/DC area, know of a good shop?

 

Cracked windshield should be covered by your auto insurance's comprehensive coverage.

 

Only if you have glass coverage.

Good luck getting it fixed under warranty. Next time leave a window open a bit to releave pressure from the heat

 

Cherrydale Glass, Harmon, or Safelite Auto Glass

 

By the way. My friend purchased a TL about 6 mos ago. A few months back we were in Baltimore and were coming back to our cars after a day at the inner harbor. My friend came back only to find that there was a crack in his windshield. A couple days later he took his car to Pohanka out in Chantilly to see if they would cover this under warranty. The folks at Pohanka took his car in so that they could get a closer look at it. They found a small chip from what they think was either hail or a stone which was impossible because the crack was not there when we parked (so maybe it was the heat). Anyways, after much sweet talking with the service advisor, my friend was able to get his windshield replaced under warrant

 

Thanks for the info about your friends experience. I haven't had a chance to go into the dealer yet but will hopefully go in this weekend (Radley Acura).

In response to the previous insurance statement it is covered under my comprehensive plan but my deductible is $500...

 

No probs, just keep in mind that his was a new 05 TL which was only a few months old. Hope all works out for the best......

 

Actually, most comprehensive coverage would include windshield. I know because I'd worked for 2 insurance companies for the past 10 years.

 

Since you have worked for 2 insurance companies in the past 10 years. Don't you have to meet a deductable? Most have a 500 or more deductables so a windshield would not be really covered. Correct?
Let say you take a winshield rider, Is there a deductable for that if your windshield cracks?

 

I have comprehensive coverage on my TL, and I have a seperate deductible for the glass. If I have an accident claim, my deductible is $500. If I have a claim for windshield replacement, its only $100. Insurance policies are all different, break out your policy or talk to your agent and find out what YOUR policy says, its the only way to know for sure what your deductible is going to be, or if they will even cover it. (some policy's don't cover windshield replacement except in accident claims.) Because of chips, I would really like to get mine replaced.... maybe I will go park by the golf course and hope that an errant ball will help me out. Just kidding, with my luck it would hit the body and miss the windshield!!

 

Follow-up from my previous post... I finally went to the dealership today. They found what they think is the cause of the crack, a chip that would be hard to see with a magnifying glass. The final decision on whether or not it's covered under my warranty will come on Friday when the local rep. will be at the dealership.

 

I just got back from the dealership... and the verdict is in. They are replacing the windshield free of charge on Monday!

 

Congrats Bro! Good job

 

Nice