mshumack

Good point. Is the OEM glass "that much better" that someone would pay the difference between OEM and aftermarket? I know when it comes to replacment body panels you want OEM, but glass? I suppose the same fitment issues aftermarket panels have applies to glass too. I also realize that the glass does have to meet AGSC safety standards, so maybe this is an area where I would go with the free glass and not pay extra for OEM.

oohpapi44

iTrader: (1)

It's not so much the glass as all glass is government regulated. Believe PPG is the OEM supplier for Lexus. As long as you request OEM spec glass you're up to par. Now installation is a whole different animal altogether. Don't know if the issue is prevalent on the RX as I've only had mine a few months. But on my 2nd Gen GS, wind noise after replacing the windshield has been a big problem. But mostly due to installation, once oem spec glass was used. Cheapest way I've found is to order PPG glass directly and bring it to the body shop that Lexus uses if fixing out of pocket (non-statute state). If repalcing via the statute, really going to be up to your insurance company as to how much they will allocate toward a claim. But it's in their best interest to take care of you so can't see a reputable company cheaping out too much in this area. You don't like the wind noise, then have another 'accident' or have someone declare the windshield unsafe. Not going to be worth investigating every claim for all of their insureds. So do it the best but cheapest route (oem spec) and not worry about it coming back as a defect later on.

The problem is the law allows body shops to inflate claims for almost every incident by adding a replacement windshield onto every bill.

Also big is the glass companies themselves, They go out and solicit people into buying glass from them (glass company is about 50% of the claims value) who don't really need it. Cost the car owning nothing so a lot don't mind.

kxiong20

Further to my earlier posting on Monday, my windshield glass is replaced today. it ends up a chip found at very bottom of glass.
I have $500 deductible, the insurance company agreed to pay for "original" glass and also the dealer arranged it.
After I got the car today, I found the glass is from XYG and missing "Lexus" logo. this is not my understanding of "original", is it OEM glass referring in this forum? or is this good glass? it appears made from Taiwan

thanks

LeoDLion

Nicole, must be the same guy who drove my Lexus when I was ready to take it home for the first time. He hit another Lexus and completely wreck the front. I have to wait another week for a replacement.

oohpapi44

iTrader: (1)

There have been issues with XYG causing the rain sensor to not work. The glass may be oem spec but PPG is the same manufacturer Lexus uses for their glass and what you should insist on if not getting from Lexus directly (with Lexus Logo). You mention dealer arranged so I'm definitely scratching my head on that one and would call to ask why they used XYG instead of PPG or 'Lexus', especially if paying out of pocket.

Check the rain sensing feature if you have it.

kxiong20

thanks oohpapi44,
There was miscommunication between dealer and glass installer, dealer supposed to give installer the original glass and instruction. the trick is that insurance sent work order with XYG part #, the dealer / glass installer should call insurance to correct it, or notifying me before installing it.
Due to Christmas holiday, it is likely being in new year, replacing it with original glass with "Lexus logo". this is lesson and learn for the dealer (told never happen before), so far, dealer is providing good VIP service, including an alternate car last time, and will be next time.. promised..
Plus, I did a research, there is no distortion on this XYG glass, will check snow sensing, no rain...

excelle

I also have this problem with my 2013 RX350 in which the dealer almost had to use a microscope to find a tiny little speck at the base near the drivers side. I am very disappointed in Lexus and this is our 4th Lexus between my husband and I. I even called the customer service in Canada and they would not hear any of it. My 2010 RX350 was hit by pebbles so many time and it never cracked.

I hope Lexus will take time to look into the issue with this many complaints. I should not have to be replacing a windshield already on a brand new 2013 Lexus! I have been an advocate for the Lexus quality in the past but now, I don't think I can continue to tell others to buy this car. Not with the way this was handled.

I am going to go ahead and pay for it now paying a $1000 deductible and my insurance paying the rest of it.

I will not be surprised if there is a recall in the future.

jgr7

iTrader: (1)

Just got a 2014 RX350Fsport and had a small rock hit the windshield and chip it less than 300 miles. Seems like the windshields chip very easy. Had it repaired, still see the small cracks in the sunlight.
Side note you can get OEM replacement for windshields and body parts from your company with a small extra fee to your policy.

oohpapi44

iTrader: (1)

Do you have a stress crack or was the windshield hit by a rock? You don't specify why your windsheld needs replacing. If you have a crack and the dealer finds where it was hit by a rock, then it is not covered and I can't think of any manufacturer who does replace under warranty in that instance. Understand your frustration and why Lexus seems the easy target but doesn't matter how new a piece of glass is when confronted by a rock going at the right speed and angle, it's likely to lose.

Stress fracture doesn't mean a huge dropoff in quality either or a defect from Lexus as all windshields have to meet a minimum standard. Have no idea what that standard is but would have hard to imagine that someone in a lab coat hasn't determined minimum environmental levels to be met.

From a glass website:
The above is environmental and could be excluded from the warranty. It's found in the same sentence that exludes rock chips from warranty repair.
But Lexus is probably aware of the BMW Mini-Cooper stress fracture recall in 2012 as a result of two class action lawsuits it settled out of court. But their problems were more than what's described above in that windshields were breaking when touched or while driving. If it's proven to be a stress crack, Lexus seems to be taking care of the customer..

ArnoldAJ

My 2011 RX350 developed a 5" stress crack overnight in mild conditions (no extreme temperatures). I have a 100k extended service warranty from Lexus, which the dealership refuses to recognize for a spontaneous stress crack. They claim it isn't covered. Why is the failure of a factory-installed part not covered?

User 41924

Wow! Old thread!

ArnoldAJ, are they choosing not to replace it because they don't think it's a stress crack, or because it's not covered in the warranty? If it's a warranty issue, the most you can do (I would think) is make them show you in the warranty paperwork where it excludes the windshield. If they're saying it isn't a stress fracture, take the car to an independent glass shop , or 3 or 4 of them. If there is majority agreement it IS a stress fracture, have them give you a quote indicating the cause, and call Lexus.

If it was a chip, make your insurance pay for an OEM replacement, but I wouldn't let your dealer replace it. They typically farm out the work to an independent shop based on the best deal they can get. I'm pretty confident I can find better installers

ArnoldAJ

Yes, I had the identical experience last month: 5 3/4" crack from right edge of windshield straight toward the center. The crack developed overnight in mild weather (no extreme temperature changes). My dealership (Lindsay Lexus in Alexandria, VA) refuses to recognize this as the failure of a factory-installed component. which it clearly is. Furthermore, the Platinum extended warranty I purchased when I bought my RX 350 (2011) as a certified used vehicle in early 2014 excludes windshield cracks from coverage.

I have been obliged to have the windshield replaced by my local auto glass specialist and at my expense.

Can we find enough similar cases to present a group claim to Lexus USA?

Clutchless

It is a very difficult road and probably impossible to present a group claim, class action suit etc over windshield cracks given the many ways they can be created and what I am sure is the very tiny number of vehicles with this issue. The MINI Coopers had to have had thousands of them with this issue to obtain a recall.

If you do want to complain, the first step is for everyone with this issue to file a complaint with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Click on the File a Complaint link. http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety

Or do what an acquaintance of mine did when that happened to his windshield for no apparent reason and it was long out of warranty. Take a small punch and hammer to the windshield crack so there is evidence of rock impact. Insurance coverage problem solved.

CLBjerken

I just had the same thing happen to me. I was driving yesterday and out of nowhere, I began to hear a little crackling and then BAM the sunroof just blew up. If you look at the damage, it actually exploded upwards, but the company is claiming it was a rock. From the sky?! There was a fresh coat of snow on the ground and there were no other cars on the road.
My theory is that taking it from a heated 70 degrees in my garage to a -2 was the thing that did it. As soon as I got it up to speed, you could hear it becoming a problem. It's not uncommon in Alaska, but the company, after getting snowed on for 6 hours, & after more than a dozen messages, I was finally contacted again. I was already off of work and pulling into the company service department when she called and said they wouldn't do anything. After spending $11000 on an extended warranty program! Even though the car only has 25K miles on it, they said it "normal wear and tear."
Theyre saying it could cost me up to $3000 out of pocket. I'm more worried about my life...

Thank God the slider was shut at least because that glass could have ended up in my eyes or neck! I've never seen this happen-especially not 2 weeks after spending $60,000 on a car and the warranty.
Plus, the previous owner had already replaced the the entire front windshield already.
After this, I will be selling it marching straight back to Volkswagen.

jane3d

I had the same problem happened to me today. I had a straight line crack in the passenger side windshield when I got off the work. My car had no sign of hit anywhere.