2022 Windshield - Bad News and Worse News

[BionicMan]

I've never had a cracked or chipped windshield in well over 20 years on the road, but the windshield on my 2022 G70 picked up 3 chips in three separate incidences over just a 30 mile span on 3 different roads. Each time, it was either just a small stone or piece of rock salt, but when I got home I had 3 defined chips. I called SafeLite, got the repair scheduled, and then looked at the car an hour later only to find that one of them had exploded into a 12" long crack just sitting in the garage where the ambient temperature was within 3 degrees of outside.

I ended up calling SafeLite back and they said no repair could be done and it needed a whole new windshield. To add insult to injury, the vehicle is so new that the glass had to be imported and there was no 3rd party replacement available . . . SIX WEEKS for a new windshield!

I ended up carefully putting packaging tape over the crack, then using Rain-X over the tape to make it nearly invisible, and the crack amazingly didn't expand over those 6 weeks. My takeaway is that we need to be VERY careful with following distance, as the windshield glass is extremely fragile and isn't easily replaced. (at least not at this time) Fortunately, my comprehensive deductible is $0, so insurance took care of it, but the replacement ran them $1,600. I have the Sport Prestige, so recalibrating the HUD and sensors drove up that price. Be careful with that glass, guys!

 

[JCtx]

Yeah, with all the modern electronics, $0 glass deductible is a must, so I added it to all my vehicles a few years ago.

 

[jetrep]

I think I've seen this on every messageboard. A windshield has a chip or crack and suddenly the owner proclaims that the brand must be using "soft" glass. It sounds like you had a long run of good luck then it became your turn to suffer chips and a crack.

 

[EdP]

I ended up calling SafeLite back and they said no repair could be done and it needed a whole new windshield. To add insult to injury, the vehicle is so new that the glass had to be imported and there was no 3rd party replacement available . . . SIX WEEKS for a new windshield!

There is actually a tiny bit of good news there. 3rd party glass often is not as good as the OEM. I've never had an original that was not perfect but I have had replacements that were not.

 

[BionicMan]

I think I've seen this on every messageboard. A windshield has a chip or crack and suddenly the owner proclaims that the brand must be using "soft" glass. It sounds like you had a long run of good luck then it became your turn to suffer chips and a crack.

Read my actual post, "3 chips in three separate incidences over just a 30 mile span on 3 different roads." This wasn't an isolated incident, I had 3 chips on 3 separate roads within a 30 mile span from tiny debris, which forms a clear pattern. I've had MUCH larger and harder objects hit my Ford windshield, Subaru windshield, Kia windshield, Honda windshield, Toyota windshield, and Infiniti windshield with absolutely zero damage. (including 1/4" hail at 45 mph) The glass on the 2022 G70 is very fragile, this is a documented fact, not a hypothesis . . . although it's pretty comical to hear commentary from someone in Nevada that experiences neither hail, nor cinders, nor rock salt while driving. *facepalm*

 

[Abuschauffeur]

On Mohs hardness scale of minerals which ranges from 1 to 10, annealed (windscreen) glass has hardness of 5 - 5.5.
This does not differ much from manufacturer to manufacturer. Glass makers pretty well use the same ingredients and manufacturing process the world over. Glass is made of sand, soda ash and limestone. Sand is pretty much the only ingredient which may differ in quality but it mainly influences the colour of the glass. A higher iron content makes the glass greener.

However there is one manufacturing process that will influence quality and that is how well the glass is annealed after it comes hot off the float line. Poor annealing makes glass hard to cut, it does not break reliably where it is scored. The glass trade calls this “fiery”, it fires off in all directions. Bad annealing may, perceivably, make glass more susceptible to impact damage.

But,

from what I know, the glass Genesis is using is made by reputable glass makers. For example, all the glass in my G80 is identification stamped “Saint-Gobain Sekurit”, one of the world's most reputable glass maker. (founded in France 1665)

Therefore I doubt very much that the quality of the glass is to blame.

“3 chips on 3 separate roads within a 30 miles of each other”
Holy excrement, something is not right here, either you are having a lend of us or you are a very unlucky citizen.

 

[jetrep]

On Mohs hardness scale of minerals which ranges from 1 to 10, annealed (windscreen) glass has hardness of 5 - 5.5.
This does not differ much from manufacturer to manufacturer. Glass makers pretty well use the same ingredients and manufacturing process the world over. Glass is made of sand, soda ash and limestone. Sand is pretty much the only ingredient which may differ in quality but it mainly influences the colour of the glass. A higher iron content makes the glass greener.

However there is one manufacturing process that will influence quality and that is how well the glass is annealed after it comes hot off the float line. Poor annealing makes glass hard to cut, it does not break reliably where it is scored. The glass trade calls this “fiery”, it fires off in all directions. Bad annealing may, perceivably, make glass more susceptible to impact damage.

But,

from what I know, the glass Genesis is using is made by reputable glass makers. For example, all the glass in my G80 is identification stamped “Saint-Gobain Sekurit”, one of the world's most reputable glass maker. (founded in France 1665)

Therefore I doubt very much that the quality of the glass is to blame.

“3 chips on 3 separate roads within a 30 miles of each other”
Holy excrement, something is not right here, either you are having a lend of us or you are a very unlucky citizen.

Thanks for providing a logical reply!

 

[jetrep]

Read my actual post, "3 chips in three separate incidences over just a 30 mile span on 3 different roads." This wasn't an isolated incident, I had 3 chips on 3 separate roads within a 30 mile span from tiny debris, which forms a clear pattern. I've had MUCH larger and harder objects hit my Ford windshield, Subaru windshield, Kia windshield, Honda windshield, Toyota windshield, and Infiniti windshield with absolutely zero damage. (including 1/4" hail at 45 mph) The glass on the 2022 G70 is very fragile, this is a documented fact, not a hypothesis . . . although it's pretty comical to hear commentary from someone in Nevada that experiences neither hail, nor cinders, nor rock salt while driving. *facepalm*

Yes, I live in Nevada now. My car is constantly pelted with rocks. Ever been to Nevada? Lots of rocks.

My G70 has quite a few rock chips. My grill and front bumper are chipped up too. Thanks to rocks...remember?

Up until recently I lived in Chicago/Wisconsin my whole life. I'm quite familiar with salt. I have an S2000 that lived in the Midwest. The windshield is in terrible shape thanks to thousands of little chips. I guess Honda makes bad windshields! (not that Honda makes them). I had an F-150. Glass looked like new when I sold it. Ford makes the best windshields! Or maybe this is related to luck and the windshield being much higher off the ground.

Bottom line is your statements are anecdotal. *facepalm* *facepalm* *facepalm* *facepalm* *facepalm*

 

[Chad86tsi]

On Mohs hardness scale of minerals which ranges from 1 to 10, annealed (windscreen) glass has hardness of 5 - 5.5.
This does not differ much from manufacturer to manufacturer. Glass makers pretty well use the same ingredients and manufacturing process the world over. Glass is made of sand, soda ash and limestone. Sand is pretty much the only ingredient which may differ in quality but it mainly influences the colour of the glass. A higher iron content makes the glass greener.

However there is one manufacturing process that will influence quality and that is how well the glass is annealed after it comes hot off the float line. Poor annealing makes glass hard to cut, it does not break reliably where it is scored. The glass trade calls this “fiery”, it fires off in all directions. Bad annealing may, perceivably, make glass more susceptible to impact damage.

But,

from what I know, the glass Genesis is using is made by reputable glass makers. For example, all the glass in my G80 is identification stamped “Saint-Gobain Sekurit”, one of the world's most reputable glass maker. (founded in France 1665)

Therefore I doubt very much that the quality of the glass is to blame.

“3 chips on 3 separate roads within a 30 miles of each other”
Holy excrement, something is not right here, either you are having a lend of us or you are a very unlucky citizen.

I had read anecdotally that the glass is being made thinner, so same material properties but less cross section = easier to break. I have no source to back this, but physics says it's plausible.

 

[BionicMan]

I'm sorry that you fellas are buttsore over the fact that the windshield is quite fragile on the 2022 G70, but my experience did in fact happen, and the proof is in the pudding as they say. Believe me or don't believe me, I could frankly care less. More than likely, you'll land up in the same position I was in, although I guess that won't bother jetrep, as he's used to driving beat up vehicles. Oh, and here's a fun tip, if you don't tailgate, you won't be constantly pelted by rocks.

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[jetrep]

I'm sorry that you fellas are buttsore over the fact that the windshield is quite fragile on the 2022 G70, but my experience did in fact happen, and the proof is in the pudding as they say. Believe me or don't believe me, I could frankly care less. More than likely, you'll land up in the same position I was in, although I guess that won't bother jetrep, as he's used to driving beat up vehicles. Oh, and here's a fun tip, if you don't tailgate, you won't be constantly pelted by rocks.

The buttsoreness comes from unsophisticated folks whining about things they don't understand. Nobody questioned your experience. It's most certainly valid. It doesn't mean it's a shortcoming in the vehicle. It's called bad luck.

Most of the rock chips in my car are from the previous owner. Suggesting I drive beaters is pretty ignorant. If the glass wasn't so expensive I'd replace it. What you won't see me do is whine like a victim because something outside of Genesis' control happened to my car.

What's next? You get rearended and blame Genesis for being invisible?

I have no stake in defending Genesis in any way. I will happily whine about the rattle in my moonroof.

Please keep your moronic tips to yourself.

 

[BionicMan]

The buttsoreness comes from unsophisticated folks whining about things they don't understand. Nobody questioned your experience. It's most certainly valid. It doesn't mean it's a shortcoming in the vehicle. It's called bad luck.

Most of the rock chips in my car are from the previous owner. Suggesting I drive beaters is pretty ignorant. If the glass wasn't so expensive I'd replace it. What you won't see me do is whine like a victim because something outside of Genesis' control happened to my car.

What's next? You get rearended and blame Genesis for being invisible?

I have no stake in defending Genesis in any way. I will happily whine about the rattle in my moonroof.

Please keep your moronic tips to yourself.

LOL, you should really put some Prep H on that.

 

[jetrep]

LOL, you should really put some Prep H on that.

What can I say...I was getting advice about preventing rock chips from a guy who came on the site to complain about being a rock chip magnet.

 

[BionicMan]

What can I say...I was getting advice about preventing rock chips from a guy who came on the site to complain about being a rock chip magnet.

In well over 20 years of driving I've gotten 3 chips on one windshield, and they all happened in a 30 minute span. On the other hand, you claim that your vehicle is, "constantly being pelted by rocks" and one of your vehicles has "thousands of windshield chips". . . which is due to chronically following too closely. So yeah, I'm in a pretty good position to give you advice on the matter. Take it or leave it, I don't care what your car looks like.

 

[csu87]

i go years without getting a chip then randomly get several within a few months. it happens.

the glass is from the same manufacturer as most hyundai/kia cars and i dont see people complaining about the glass on them. My last car, bmw, i had the windshield replaced 3 times in 3 months 6 years ago due to a run of bad luck. didnt have an issue since. My truck i had a windshield replaced within the 1st month of owning it, then nothing for 3 years, then twice in the last 2 years. the genesis, got a replacement in the 1st year (took about 6-8 weeks for the replacement to come in last summer) and knock on wood, nothing since.

my advice would be to stop following so closely or stop doing whatever you are doing to get pelted by rocks so much.

 

[Chad86tsi]

the glass is from the same manufacturer as most hyundai/kia cars and i dont see people complaining about the glass on them.

Members on the Hyundai Palasade forum are talking about class action lawsuits (good luck LOL) because it's incredibly common on those. Some got a crack on the way home for their initial purchase, and many more before their first 1000 miles. It was on the Palisade forum that I first read glass is getting thinner, making it structurally less durable. This one of several forums where this is common issues discussed : Windshield

 

[jetrep]

In well over 20 years of driving I've gotten 3 chips on one windshield, and they all happened in a 30 minute span. On the other hand, you claim that your vehicle is, "constantly being pelted by rocks" and one of your vehicles has "thousands of windshield chips". . . which is due to chronically following too closely. So yeah, I'm in a pretty good position to give you advice on the matter. Take it or leave it, I don't care what your car looks like.

Once again the expert speaks. Most of the chips in my Honda occurred under previous ownership. Realistically it's pitting but that's nothing more than tiny chips.

Too much advice from a guy who got three chips in 30 minutes.

 

[EdP]

I had read anecdotally that the glass is being made thinner, so same material properties but less cross section = easier to break. I have no source to back this, but physics says it's plausible.

Found nothing on it. While there are standards there is nothing specific that a windshield that is X wide must have a particular thickness.

Plausible? In the day of the 14 oz. pint of ice cream it is possible. I guess you could compare thickness of glass today and glass from 10 years ago to see if there is a trend. With the new mileage standards weight is critical too so if they could save a few ounces on thinner glass I'd think they may do it.

Another post mentions a class action suite. Easy to do but to win you need evidence. Would not be easy, the glass companies will show that gravel chunks are now lager due to global warming.

 

[BionicMan]

Once again the expert speaks. Most of the chips in my Honda occurred under previous ownership. Realistically it's pitting but that's nothing more than tiny chips.

Too much advice from a guy who got three chips in 30 minutes.

3 chips in over 20 years, but hey, you do you, enjoy your battered and beaten used vehicles.

 

[Chad86tsi]

Found nothing on it. While there are standards there is nothing specific that a windshield that is X wide must have a particular thickness.

Plausible? In the day of the 14 oz. pint of ice cream it is possible. I guess you could compare thickness of glass today and glass from 10 years ago to see if there is a trend. With the new mileage standards weight is critical too so if they could save a few ounces on thinner glass I'd think they may do it.

Another post mentions a class action suite. Easy to do but to win you need evidence. Would not be easy, the glass companies will show that gravel chunks are now lager due to global warming.

It is exactly because there is no standard that they can make it thinner and save $$, and as you mention, it reduces vehicle weight which looks good on the vehicle economy standards.

When you have to buy a replacement windshield from them, do they make any profit off that? they may see it as having no down side because they profit either way.

The Palasade may have an aerodynamic flaw, I know I used to drive a service van 20 years ago that never went more than a few months without getting new chips and cracks.

I feel fortunate that when I needed a new windshield for my DH (2015 5.0) several months ago. They got it in 3 days because they were able to use aftermarket. It performed fine with the HUD & driving assist systems.

There are a lot of other brands suffering from this issue, just simple google searched are shocking how common this seems. I've been an avid car guy on the net for 25 years, this is a recent problem from my purview.