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Question about cracking windshields

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broken road hazard windshield
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S

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Howdy Smart Fans -

Has anyone experienced problems with brittle windshields? I've had my Smart Passion since April and I'm on my third windshield.

My first two windshields broke on the highway at 70 MPH when struck by very small road debris. (Something so small it couldn't be seen...) Unlike other cars I've had where the windshield had a pit or round scar that could be repaired, both windshields nearly completely shattered.

Perhaps this is my bad luck and the third will be the charm (fingers crossed), but I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this.
 
RussBarnes

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#4 ·
Just my opinion: I have been around cars for almost 50 years, I have owned 75, I several summers in college working at dealerships. Not that those experiences are all inclusive, but I have observed that "to me" foreign car windshilds break much easier than domestic. So I guess when (note: not if) mine breaks, I wasn't going to be surprised.
 
jediknight36

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#5 ·
Sister Betty said:
Howdy Smart Fans -

Has anyone experienced problems with brittle windshields? I've had my Smart Passion since April and I'm on my third windshield.

My first two windshields broke on the highway at 70 MPH when struck by very small road debris. (Something so small it couldn't be seen...) Unlike other cars I've had where the windshield had a pit or round scar that could be repaired, both windshields nearly completely shattered.

Perhaps this is my bad luck and the third will be the charm (fingers crossed), but I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this.
Click to expand...
Is it being covered by insurance? Will this hinder your road trip?
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Yes and No

My insurance covered the first replacement - sort of - if I used their glass replacement firm. Unfortunately, no one but the dealers have windshields, so I have to wrestle with State Farm to get the difference paid.

Smart replaced the second windshield at their cost (which was very kind).
 
M

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#7 ·
Driver's window

While driving to work this morning, with no cars or trucks closer than about 100' ahead of me on the highway (and no gravel anywhere nearby) the driver's window suddenly imploded. In less than 1 second the entire window disintegrated and blew inward, showering me with small and not so small pieces of safety glass.

I drove to the dealer claiming it was defective glass. Long story short, smart says they have no other reports of defective glass so they would not cover it under warranty (I have 8,000 miles on my smartie). I have glass insurance so I'll be out of pocket $200 but here is the kick. If I wanted OEM glass it was $500 and a 3 week wait. If I would accept after-market glass it was $450 and 1-2 day wait. Cheese - which did I go with?

If anyone else has experienced imploding glass please let me know.

Michael
 
J

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#11 · (Edited)
Second Windshield cracked

Less than a month after replacing my original windshield (small chip developed into a 15 inch vertical crack from just under the drivers side wiper) - while driving on the 91 Freeway in Corona, CA - a small piece of debris hit the upper passenger side. By the sound of the impact I didn't think much about it - then noticed a dime size star chip! I freaked! Within five days (after sitting in the sun for an afternoon) a crack has appeared - about 18 inches horizontal across to the mid point of the windshield. My insurance does not cover glass breakage - so it looks like another out of pocket trip to the dealer.

I am beginning to think that smart (MB) may be using a poor quality of glass material in the smart windshields. To save weight? Other reasons?

I have owned many MB's and BMW's in the last 30 years - experienced many debris hits to windshields from mild sounding to startling and have replaced only one windshield due to cracking - on a car with over 140 thousand miles! Never on a car with only 8000 miles on the odometer.

Does anyone else think that the quality of the glass in smart windshields is less than it should be? Sorry to say - but if the windshield cracks a third time - it might be time to rethink owning a smart.
 
S

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#12 ·
That's some horrible luck. I've only had one chip in 20 years, despite following trucks, log trucks, you name it. Maybe you're following closer than I am... may be a necessity in Corona?

I wonder if the shape of the windshield is a factor... any thoughts of whether it'd be more prone to cracking because of that? I'm sure with the tight air seal the car has, slamming the door with hot air is likely to add a lot of pressure, which would enhance any flaw.

For the short term, it might not hurt to get one of those windshield glass repair kits and keep it with you; if you hit road debris, patch it asap... 20-50 bucks is a lot better than a grand.

Windshield Repair Kit Review - Do Those Windshield Repair Kits Work - Can You Repair Your Own Windshield
 
John_H

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#13 ·
The Smart is different than most MBs and BMWs because the glass is such a large surface area so close to the front of the car. I've had a large number of paint chips from rocks in other cars that would have hit the window on the Smart. So geometry has something to do with it.

Rather than cheap glass, it could be the windshield is more structural - taking more skin stress - than other cars you've owned.

I'm sad about your insurance situation. I have $0 deductible on my comprehensive on a policy that does cover glass just because of the troubles others have had with Smart windshields. So far I'm chip-free! ::knocking on wood::
 
jimvw57

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#14 ·
I had a particularly bad summer once, 3 windshields in 2 months. It was on a VW Fox and the windshield costs $600 a pop. no road construction or gravel roads, just rocks hitting the glass. The last one I saw before it hit. Insurance said one more windshield and they were going to total the car... It was like a magnet or something. then it stopped and I went 4 years with no problems. Guess it was my turn.
 
chieftmc

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#16 ·
I picked up a "chip" right in the center of my smart the 2nd week I owned it :mad:

I used one of those windshield repair kits from the auto parts store. It was like $9 with tax. Worked great :D

There is a "tiny" spot that most people would not even notice. It filled the "star" and I haven't had any problems with the repair. It's the same technology used by windshield repair shops ! :p


 
W

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#17 ·
When we took delivery of our 1st cabrio, the dealer noticed a flaw in the windscreen, it wasn't a crack, exactly, but you could see a defect in the interior of the glass when the light hit it in just the correct way. They replaced the windscreen before we took delivery under warranty. Perhaps these windows have an issue with internal stress that is exacerbated by the use of the glass as a structural element of the design.

Regarding MB glass: over the years, it has been my experience that Securit brand glass used in MB's is a bit more flexible than other brands. It seems to pit from sand and grit faster than other brands, but is more resistant to stars and chips. At least that's been my experience.
 
M

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#20 ·
Broken Window

I was on a stretch of highway with no buildings left or right for several hundred yards (I am in Texas) and, as best I can recall, no cars beside me when the window imploded. As I vacuumed the glass out of the car I searched for a BB or similar and found none.

There was no logical explanation for the window imploding...

Michael
 
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