Has anyone had a windshield crack all on its own? When I got in the car this morning there was a 12 inch crack on the passenger side that seemed to have started in the side pillar. I checked the outside and the glass is absolutely smooth -- no sign of impact damage at all. I didn't notice the crack last night coming home from work (though it's possible I just didn't notice it since it was dark) and the car was in the garage all night. The only thing I can think is that yesterday was the first major rainstorm the car has been through. I wouldn't think it to be the case, but perhaps there's something around the edge of the window that expanded from the moisture and caused the window to crack at the weakest point. Has anyone else seen something like this?

 

I heard that during the night, due to temperature difference, a small crack grows and goes all the way thru the windshield. Sorry to hear that, man. Go to the glass repair shop and see if it's repairable. If it is, you don't need to pay a dime, cuz your insurance will cover it (of course no premium increase ).

 

could be very likely, there could have been a very small crack that expanded as the temperature changed. usually this has to be a quick change in temp like washing your car in the sun.

 

That's a new one on me. I had one crack one time from thermal differences (freezing outside and warm defroster air inside), but its genesis was a very small stone chip. Usually there is some type of impact that starts the cracking process.

 

I had a mirror crack in half one time on me from thermal heating and cooling. In fact, the dealership had to rub a crayon over the crack on a piece of paper to look for chip. No chip meant that it cracked from heat and cool and the dealership replaced it, crack meant it came from a chip and the insurance paid for it.

If you don't have a chip, then your dealer should replace it free. I haven't heard of it happening to a windshield before. I suppose you are the first.

Good luck, and I doubt you'll have much trouble getting the dealership to replace it.

 

Wow I learned something new. I never heard of this. Must be very rare.

 

I used to have a Trooper that had the aerodynamics of a shoebox. Stones were always kicking up off the road and chipping the windshield. I've also seen first-hand the effects of thermal expansion and contraction on these chips. I went through like four windshields on that vehicle.

The thermal effect would have made more sense last week when I was touring the national parks of Utah and the car went through temperature changes of more than 40 degrees in a day. But this crack happened after I got home. I don't think the temperature has varied more than ten degrees since I got back. Very strange.

I guess I'll just call the dealer and let them fight it out with my insurance company.

 

Orange doesn't get that cold. It's possibly a stress fracture.

Crack forming in Windshield

 

Inspect your car windshield carefully. If there is no evidence that the stone (or whatever) hit the glass, then it must be car body flex related, or so. Go after Acura. Acura should replace it under warranty, I believe.

 

Last winter my windshield in my old Accord cracked on a very cold night, like single-digit temperatures, after I had been using the defroster on very hot for a while because freezing rain was falling. Got it replaced under my comprehensive coverage and didn't pay a thing. Obviously this was not what happened to you, but insofar as there is no way to tell what caused the incident, it would most likely be considered an "Act of God" that falls under comprehensive coverage (if the dealer doesn't fix it). A lot of the glass shops will now come to your location to replace a windshield--takes under an hour, typically. Your insurance carrier would be able to give you the names of local glass shops.

 

The crack may have been by the edge of the glass an creeped out. I had a small stone dent that quickly grew legs in a few hours in the sun. So yes, the temp changes makes it worse. I thought I had a good deal getting an Acura brand glass. It had a more noticable "wave" when you view it where the glass bends (aberration) than my old one.

 

Interesting thread.... just noticed a 1 foot crack starting from the side....did search... found this thread and another from september.... no chips..... I think this is a dealer issue.... FYI... it's an 04 only2 months old...

 

Others have posted on the little stone chip that enlarges situation - that is quite common. Remember ythat glass physically models as a liquid, and a problem that seems local can become global in a few driving cycles.

The windshield and backlight are stressed elements of the car - and the windshield is also an element of the SRS. If it has a defect in the glass, or was not installed properly so the glass is uniformly supported by the adhesive, one can get the "winkest link in the chain" effect. I have had Corvettes with such little torsional rigidity that when entering an uphill driveway at an angle, I saw the windshield crack from the A-pillar to the mirror!

 

my mystery crack is being repaired on thursday. It appeared friday night from the base on the drivers side. I did not get hit by anything and there is no impact mark. An acura windsheild, I was told would take 10 days minimum so I'm going with the insurance co sub but I checked and they are getting the rubber from acura and the glass has the "acoustic something" so the dealer said it was ok. I suspect an acura problem but I'll let the insurance co pay.

 

getting windshield replaced under warranty as i type....

 

Just wanted to close the circle on this one. I procrastinated quite a while, but finally called about my windshield. They said I had to have the windshield inspected by the service manager before they could authorize a warranty repair. He was a little skeptical at first, claiming he'd never seen one that didn't have at least a small chip that started the crack. But after checking it out he agreed it was a stress crack and couldn't have been nicer about arranging to have it replaced. Took it back in the next day and they took care of it. Obviously I'm not happy about it cracking in the first place, but I'm totally satisfied with the way they addressed the issue.

 

Glad to hear it worked out for you.

 

Congratulations, P47ch. See how procrastinating helped. (Just kidding) I hope the replacement works out well for you. Cheers!

 

My recommendation to everyone is to go with the factory windshield ONLY!
I made the mistake with my last car of going with the insurance company's repair place and my 4-Runner was never the same. Anytime I traveled above 40mph I would hear a hissing air sound coming from the windshield. I had the guys attempt to fix the problem 3 times but the sound never got any better until I traded the car in for my TL.
I'm sure it was a combination of a crappy install and generic non-factory glass that did not fit properly.

 

It is a warranty issue. This is called stress induced crack and it is coming from the inside. It normally happened during window installation. If the rubber gasket is not installed properly, the vibration from the A frame will increase the stress factory on the window. If the window was hit by a rock, the crack should be coming from the outside and not from inside.

Good luck.

 

all depends on what his deductible is.....

 

in most state insurance companys will replace the glass at no charge. this is to prevent peopl from driving with damaged windshields. first a crack can cause blind spots, which can lead to an accident. and in case of an accident it many not protect the occupents as safely otherwise... also some airbags on the passanger side inflate up (as into the winshield) and out. the windshield actually helsp deflect the airbag into position (imagine what a crack might do).... so insurance companys choose to spend a little now, instead of alot later... i know for a fact NC and FL both replace them free (but i have full coverage, so i cant speak if you have the minimum)

 

Depends--many policies do not have a deductible on the comprehensive coverage, which is the most common thing for windshield breaks and the like.

 

I just had the same problem. I didn't drive my car for one day and when I came home I noticed a crack on the passenger side. Now it's grown to halfway across the windshield. I guess I'll go to Acura.