Tiny Speckles On Windshield 2021 G80 2.5T AWD Advance Package

[MHT]

When I purchased my 2021 G80 in May I noticed tiny speckles on the windshield that were noticeable under bright sunlight and when the sun was low to the horizon. I notified the service manager but was never able to get the car over when lighting conditions where right for him to see them.

I did everything recommended to clean the windshield of these speckle, but to know avail. I felt that in that I only saw them in bright sunlight conditions I could live with them as I really did not want to have to get a new windshield.

Today the sunlight was very bright and my windshield look like a lighted Christmas Tree. I took the car over to the service manager to see and when he saw the speckles and after testing to see if he could feel anything he said it looks like imperfection in the glass and ordered a new windshield no if and or butts about it. I too felt the issue was in the glass and not something on the glass.

 

[surprisinguy]

I too have a windshield like that - not sure if it was a "sandblast" effect from the previous owner's travels or not. Glad you're able to get it replaced under warranty - I believe it's a $1000 windshield

 

[MHT]

I too have a windshield like that - not sure if it was a "sandblast" effect from the previous owner's travels or not. Glad you're able to get it replaced under warranty - I believe it's a $1000 windshield

Definitely not sandblast or anything close. These specks were in the glass at purchase.
The car was brand new with 10 miles on it.
I informed the service department immediately and had several discussion with them pertaining to the issue.

At that time I felt that it was just going to get brushed off and something that Genesis was going to deny so I just did not press the issue, but today the lighting conditions were just right and I decided to go for it as the issue was becoming annoying and something that you should not see with a new car.

 

[bubbaG80Sport]

Your speckles at brand new purchase is odd/unexpected. It does sound like a defective windshield.

Windshield "speckling" is a common issue, but normally only noticeable after several years (+5) / miles (+50,000). Imagine what your face would look like after 5 years of moving at highway speeds. It is accelerated/exacerbated by regions with gritty air (i.e. the desert, southwest U.S. etc.). The sparkling is most noticeable when the light in the sky is low (e.g. dusk or dawn).

Fortunately or unfortunately, I've gotten cracked windshields late in life of several previous cars which required windshield replacements eliminating the sparkling.

 

[MHT]

Your speckles at brand new purchase is odd/unexpected. It does sound like a defective windshield.

Windshield "speckling" is a common issue, but normally only noticeable after several years (+5) / miles (+50,000). Imagine what your face would look like after 5 years of moving at highway speeds. It is accelerated/exacerbated by regions with gritty air (i.e. the desert, southwest U.S. etc.). The sparkling is most noticeable when the light in the sky is low (e.g. dusk or dawn).

Fortunately or unfortunately, I've gotten cracked windshields late in life of several previous cars which required windshield replacements eliminating the sparkling.

It is odd and unexpected, but owners of other brands that have purchased new cars have reported the sane. I don’t think the quality of this glass is the same as it was in years past,

 

[MHT]

The cost of the OEM windshield is $1,400.00, but will be covered under warranty.

 

[TinsleyC]

This thread has me curious, my 2019 windshield appeared to have tiny spots evenly spread across the windshield since day one, I bought it new. I need to take a closer look. I cannot see the spots most of the time, or when driving. It does look like sand storm blast, though.

Many years ago I bought an Altima that had what looked like a dirty or calcium etched glass, figured I could clean it up and buff it out when I got home. Turned out it was sandblasted & pitted, and had to be replaced.

 

[Andyj]

after a few years it may be hard to tell if the pitting occurred during use or if the windshield was bad to begin with. They all get pitted over time

 

[pulsar]

If these specs are internal to the glass, if you had access to a 10x jewelers loop would be interesting if the specs are FOD or tiny bubbles? Either of which are a manufacturing defects and should not have occurred. Glass maker Genesis uses must be putting out shoddy glass and their QA sucks as well.

 

[TinsleyC]

I have several small chip marks on my glass already, with only 12,700 miles - and little of that is highway - maybe 1,000 miles tops. I never like hearing that SNAP! sound as a rock bounces off the windshield, and I really can't remember that happening. Is there such thing as "soft" glass on a windshield? My G37 had decent glass, so does my current QX50.

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[MHT]

They had my car all morning to replace the windshield. Late this afternoon I found out they could not replace the windshield because a clip that was to come with the windshield was missing. I waited a week for the windshield to come in, three days for the appointment to install and now its looks like several more days to get the part.

 

[TinsleyC]

Seems like a Gen dealer's shop would have another windshield in stock - or at least these clips. Maybe they need to call Safelite...

 

[MHT]

Seems like a Gen dealer's shop would have another windshield in stock - or at least these clips. Maybe they need to call Safelite...

No dealership keeps Windshields nor the clips in stock. I believe I read where the same thing had happened to another poster. I know it all sounds trivial, but they had to removed trim from the car prior to pulling the windshield. It was just by chance that they did not remove the windshield before noticing the new windshield did not have the necessary clip for the install.

I had the dealership to retrieve the car back from the auto class shop and they had to replace the trim that was removed from the car before getting the cart back to me. It appears service removes and reinstalls the trim and the glass company just deals with the glass. I just hate the fact that all this process will have to be done over again. It is always risky when any kind of trim is removed from a car.

I try not to be picky as I know no car is perfect so I have not posted much about what transpired with my car at purchase which adds to my frustration. Let me just say both Genesis and my dealership could have done things a little better to ease my frustrations.

I am not out to berate Genesis nor my dealership as I have seen a whole lot worse.

 

[surprisinguy]

whew

 

[MHT]

My windshield was installed today. It appears that they really did a nice job. A service rep dropped the car off at my house when the car was done. I got a chocolate bar and two tickets for Crews Car Wash My car has yet to see a car wash as I still like to wash my car by hand.
I will not be able to tell how the new windshield will compare to the old windshield until the sunlight conditions are right, I am hopeful and doubtful that I will see any speckles in the glass.

 

[PRock]

My windshield was installed today. It appears that they really did a nice job. A service rep dropped the car off at my house when the car was done. I got a chocolate bar and two tickets for Crews Car Wash My car has yet to see a car wash as I still like to wash my car by hand.
I will not be able to tell how the new windshield will compare to the old windshield until the sunlight conditions are right, I am hopeful and doubtful that I will see any speckles in the glass.

So, how did it work out in the end? Did the new windshield fix the problem? (I'm asking because I have a 2023 gv80 with 180 miles on it and we already have terrible pitting or sparkles like you described. Bummed. This was not expected.)

 

[MHT]

So, how did it work out in the end? Did the new windshield fix the problem? (I'm asking because I have a 2023 gv80 with 180 miles on it and we already have terrible pitting or sparkles like you described. Bummed. This was not expected.)

The new windshield did solve the problem however, I traded for a 2022 shortly after the windshield was replaced as I decided I wanted to upgrade to the Prestige Package. The windshield and paint finish on my 2022 was perfect.

If you cannot feel anything on the glass it is not pitting meaning that nothing hit the glass. The speckles are in the glass which is a defect.
I would approach both the service and general manager and ask that the windshield be replaced. They may try and have the windshield polished which will not be good and a total waste of time.
When the service manger saw the speckles he just immediately said , “ I am ordering a new windshield.

Good luck and feel free to show my post to the service manager. The sooner you act the better off you will be as the few miles you have on the car will be a plus.

 

[MHT]

My 2021 had paint blemish issues at purchase. I was going to back out of the deal , but was convinced the blemishes had been taken care of. When I got the car home the lighting in the garage revealed the paint blemishes were still on the finish of the car. The dealership ended up sending the car out for paint correction. Unfortunately a portion of the front fender had to be repainted which I was not happy about. Under the circumstances I wanted the dealership to replace the car , but that was not happening.
The speckles in the glass was the icing on the cake. I think knowing all that went down at purchase the service manager was not wanting to put up a fight over replacing the windshield.
When I decided to trade the car I do believe the dealership worked with me on the deal as I got in trade what I ask for, but as you know the house always wins