Show us your crack (windshields)

[Shopkeep]

First Post! And this is where I have come to directly. Owning a Jeep Gladiator I know too well the issues of a bluff plate of upright glass, with 4 screens in 12 months. I am hoping ExoShield (https://www.getexoshield.com/installation) will create one for the Grenadier - they're an awesome bit of kit that I now run on the Gladiator until the Ineos comes along. And for the past 8 months I've had some knocks but no chips or scrapes.

That video is of a Gladiator, but they make them for other makes as well. If not them, then hopefully someone comes along with a kit for it. The Exo for the Gladiator is $AUD485 delivered in Australia, but that includes $185 in shipping!

Having experienced how easily the screen cracks not sure I would waste almost $500 until they fix the underlying issue. The current windscreen design is not fit for purpose.

 

[Tom109]

This is the one issue that bothers me.

 

[carlg007]

This is the one issue that bothers me.

I am surprised you only have 1 issue!

 

[carlg007]

This is the one issue that bothers me.

This cracking windshield problem especially with no impact is a 100% design, installation or defective glass issue. This should not happen!

 

[Roach]

Having experienced how easily the screen cracks not sure I would waste almost $500 until they fix the underlying issue. The current windscreen design is not fit for purpose.

Agree but in some places you can get a ticket for driving with a cracked windshield.

 

[Shopkeep]

Agree but in some places you can get a ticket for driving with a cracked windshield.

I meant that I believe the windscreen is so weak it will still crack with a protective film on it. Will be interesting to see if the film helps, I am doubtful.

 

[Roach]

I meant that I believe the windscreen is so weak it will still crack with a protective film on it. Will be interesting to see if the film helps, I am doubtful.

@Shopkeep good point, just makes for a more expensive repair.

 

[Shopkeep]

Approx $2500 for new windscreen in Oz, make sure you tick that box on your insurance policy!

 

[jjncvt]

Anyone else get some noise from the windshield that almost sounds like icy snow is coming down. It's a faint crackling type noise. Not there all the time. Seems to dissipate as the vehicle warms up some? Wondering if this is tension related.

I heard that on my car last night. I was driving home from the train station and the car was sitting outside all day in the cold. It sounded like it was about to break...

 

[Chadd7]

I heard that on my car last night. I was driving home from the train station and the car was sitting outside all day in the cold. It sounded like it was about to break...

I found the source of the noise. It’s not the glass. It’s the LCD screen. Next time you hear it while driving, press down on the monitor somewhere and the sound will go away. I slipped some paperboard behind the screen where it meets the base trim and it seems to have helped. Try it.

 

[Chadd7]

Anyone know how to remove the monitor? I’d love to use some felt tape inside to eliminate noise.

 

[TX Wilderness Seeker]

I didn’t realize how hard it is to take a picture of a crack! Lol.

I had my IG less than 24 hours and this happened. There is no evidence a rock hit it and I did use the defrost that day. I took it over to Mossy in Houston to see if it’s considered warranty since several of us have the same crack type and location. Looks like a stress crack to me.

 

[Chadd7]

I am now officially afraid to use the front defroster. If I need it, I will be sure to keep the temp at 70 as a precaution. This is actually ridiculous for what’s supposed to be a rugged outdoor vehicle.

 

[Chadd7]

My gut says it’s a temperature thing. My heater is way too strong. I used to think Jeeps had the best heat but this is like a furnace. I was hot yesterday driving in 21F set on 70 on the lowest fan mode with the combined foot and center vent mode.

 

[Chadd7]

Stumbled across this Jeep thread: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/my-defroster-cracked-my-windshield.109596/

 

[Chadd7]

Post 59 is most interesting:
I work in the glass industry - it only takes a very small edge flaw to start a glass run when stress (heat differentials, shock, jarring, etc.) are applied. Being that the edges of the windshield on the jeep are unprotected, it subjects them to small rock chips every time you drive. I replaced my windshield from a crack and not two weeks later got a chip on the very edge that once summer hit started to run and now runs through the windshield similar to yours. Next time I replace the windshield I'm going to apply silicone around the outer gap and along the exposed edge in hopes it will eliminate that exposure. Almost all other vehicles have the window installed such that rubber or trim wraps around the edge of the window or protect the edge in some other way... not sure why the jeep is done like it is, but that's what we all bought so it is what it is - I chose to just fix the issue myself rather than wait for Jeep to address it.

—————————————-end post

Do we have exposed edges? Also was helpful to find defroster plugs used to divert air more evenly across the windshield.

 

[MurphyMurph]

Anyone keeping track of how many vehicles have experienced a broken windshield and what country/market they are in? I'd be curious to see a percentage of vehicles sold that have and the total # of windshields replaced due to this issue.

My original pre-order placed on June 5, 2023 was somehow missed by Ineos. When I connected with my dealer in October they were able to push it through, but I was then at the back of the line. Currently looking at a July 2024 delivery. At first I was bummed, but this issue along with a few other random issues that continue to pop up on new deliveries (sticky door handles not allowing the door to latch/lock, ongoing "boot wash" feature, transfer case pin popping out, HVAC inconsistency, etc) makes the waiting much more bearable. Hopefully Ineos addresses these issues for all you first round adopters and corrects whatever the root cause issue is for future builds. I'm not about to lock myself into a $90k vehicle that requires annual windshield replacements at over $1,000 a pop.

 

[Tom109]

Anyone keeping track of how many vehicles have experienced a broken windshield and what country/market they are in? I'd be curious to see a percentage of vehicles sold that have and the total # of windshields replaced due to this issue.

My original pre-order placed on June 5, 2023 was somehow missed by Ineos. When I connected with my dealer in October they were able to push it through, but I was then at the back of the line. Currently looking at a July 2024 delivery. At first I was bummed, but this issue along with a few other random issues that continue to pop up on new deliveries (sticky door handles not allowing the door to latch/lock, ongoing "boot wash" feature, transfer case pin popping out, HVAC inconsistency, etc) makes the waiting much more bearable. Hopefully Ineos addresses these issues for all you first round adopters and corrects whatever the root cause issue is for future builds. I'm not about to lock myself into a $90k vehicle that requires annual windshield replacements at over $1,000 a pop.

Yes, don’t be concerned when you get it. The longer you wait, technically, the better they build them.

 

[coloradosnow]

I didn’t realize how hard it is to take a picture of a crack! Lol.

I had my IG less than 24 hours and this happened. There is no evidence a rock hit it and I did use the defrost that day. I took it over to Mossy in Houston to see if it’s considered warranty since several of us have the same crack type and location. Looks like a stress crack to me.

What was their answer? Mine is almost identical. 1200 miles on car. Owned about 25 days. Driving in snowstorm in Colorado when noticed it. And yes, hard to get a good picture!

 

[TX Wilderness Seeker]

What was their answer? Mine is almost identical. 1200 miles on car. Owned about 25 days. Driving in snowstorm in Colorado when noticed it. And yes, hard to get a good picture!

I am suppose to take it back next week and have the warranty person look at it. It was a 50/50 split between service guys thinking it was stress or something tiny hitting it. It goes all the way down to the bottom of the glass as well