In my 30 years of driving I have never had to repair or replace a windshield due to road debris hitting the windshield and cracking it. In the past two weeks both the Tundra and RX 350 been hit with a small stone on the highway resulting in small cracks in their windshields. These are pictures from the Tundra and the RX 350 looks remarkably similar. Neither crack is in the direct LOS of the driver. Can this be fixed or does it automatically mean a new windshield? If it needs a new windshield with all the safety tech is it best to do it at the dealership or 3rd party? I have full glass coverage but if it can be fixed without all the hubbub of replacement, I’m down to spend a few bucks out of pocket.
Options to repair or replace windshield
- Thread starter PWMDMD
- Start date
Usually, your glass coverage will cover a repair like that, Without a deductable. Call insurance, tell them what happened, see if they will recommend a repair service, and let them determine if it is repairable or not.
My wife has two on her Subaru over two years old like that. I used the cheap kit to "fix them". Not sure if that helped or they wouldn't have spread. She's on windshield #3 currently in it's 7 years. We don't have glass coverage and she doesn't have the fancy eyesight stuff on hers so if they spread or crack more it'll be about $300 from past experience.
My Toyota has an the fancy lane keeping stuff so I'd only go to a place that warranties their work on that or that our dealer recommends, personally.
The two replaced windshields, and others in my life on previous cars, with starbursts like that...even using the "fix kits" eventually cracked all the way into line of site. This is the first time I haven't had a starburst turn into a huge crack within a month or two. I'm also wondering if it's something about the aftermarket windshield maybe being made differently.
I don't know. If it's not in line of site you could try various things, but I have a hunch it'll crack soon. But you never know.
My Toyota has an the fancy lane keeping stuff so I'd only go to a place that warranties their work on that or that our dealer recommends, personally.
The two replaced windshields, and others in my life on previous cars, with starbursts like that...even using the "fix kits" eventually cracked all the way into line of site. This is the first time I haven't had a starburst turn into a huge crack within a month or two. I'm also wondering if it's something about the aftermarket windshield maybe being made differently.
I don't know. If it's not in line of site you could try various things, but I have a hunch it'll crack soon. But you never know.
4WD
$50 site donor 2024
We live near gravel pits - had many. They can make about half of that “disappear” - but it’s still going to be in an annoying place …
Most windshields come without the upper tint now - but aftermarket offers progressive tint up top …
Most windshields come without the upper tint now - but aftermarket offers progressive tint up top …
Then take a chance and have the chip repaired...
4WD
$50 site donor 2024
If you consider replacing - see if it’s acoustic glass and make sure they use the same …
Move fast before it spreads. Your insurance will cover that repair without any deductible etc.
4WD
$50 site donor 2024
Yep - our place makes the calls and then hands me the phone once it’s all populated (and I approve this message
)We had a similar crack on our RAV4. Safelight came out and said it was not repairable. Needed a new windshield. The crack spread about 6 inches in a few days. We didn't have glass insurance so it cost us about $800 for a new windshield. We added glass coverage to our insurance.
I prefer to not have factory installed glass replaced if I can avoid it, but have had to have it done on a Wrangler and the Range Rover, which required all sorts of sensor resets, etc. If that were me, I would try one of the better repair kits (3M or Permatex, I prefer 3M) and see if you can live with that. Follow the instructions carefully. I've gotten good enough on a few cars. Worse comes to worse and you are not happy, call your insurance.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Here glass guys charge $50-60 to do a chip repair. First I'd check if your insurance would pay for it. Second I'd pay to have a glass guy repair it. Third I'd try the repair myself. Last resort replacing the windshield if/when the crack runs. There are different grades of aftermarket glass, some is cheap for a reason. Keep OEM as long as possible.
I agree with most comments above. Many insurances cover chip repair with no deductible. Try that first ASAP. I would only try the DIY kits on a beater with no insurance coverage.
Windshield replacement has changed a LOT in the past 5 years. Many name brand glass companies have disappeared, been consolidated, or offshore much of their product. Sensor calibration is now an added annoyance.
Finding good shops with excellent people is extremely difficult. Safelight had a VERY bad reputation among the pro installer websites 6 to 8 years ago. Safelight no longer manufactures their own glass (a good change) and maybe they are no worse than other companies now regarding technician skills. Many dealerships in my area hire in mobile contractors to do windshield work, so expected dealership quality is maybe not there.
On my last windshield replacement, the idiot damaged the paint on and around the glass mounting area......poor removal skills. I took it to one of their other shops and had the skilled guy there correct the problem the best possible. BEWARE! Very tough to get both quality glass AND quality repair people. This is one repair that it pays to be OCD/ANAL about getting it done right.
Windshield replacement has changed a LOT in the past 5 years. Many name brand glass companies have disappeared, been consolidated, or offshore much of their product. Sensor calibration is now an added annoyance.
Finding good shops with excellent people is extremely difficult. Safelight had a VERY bad reputation among the pro installer websites 6 to 8 years ago. Safelight no longer manufactures their own glass (a good change) and maybe they are no worse than other companies now regarding technician skills. Many dealerships in my area hire in mobile contractors to do windshield work, so expected dealership quality is maybe not there.
On my last windshield replacement, the idiot damaged the paint on and around the glass mounting area......poor removal skills. I took it to one of their other shops and had the skilled guy there correct the problem the best possible. BEWARE! Very tough to get both quality glass AND quality repair people. This is one repair that it pays to be OCD/ANAL about getting it done right.
Can't stress enough ASAP. You think you have time to get it repaired, then you wake up one morning and it has suddenly spread into a large crack necessitating an expensive replacement. I've used Safelight for this type of repair several times. Great results.
Repair it quickly.
If you have to replace avoid safelite as aftermarket glass is poor compared to OEM.
If you have to replace avoid safelite as aftermarket glass is poor compared to OEM.
That can be fixed, but repair it quickly.
Highly recommend not filing a claim in order to stay off the radar. Repair should be around $100/ea.
Highly recommend not filing a claim in order to stay off the radar. Repair should be around $100/ea.
I did the one on the focus (similar size, passenger side) pretty good with a walmart rainx kit. Safelite did my CX5 (also similar size, passenger side) and it was pretty noticeable; I dare say could have done better myself with another rainx kit. Insurance covered the repair on the cx5. Since it's not in your LOS and doesn't seem to bother you, I'd say repair it yourself.
