RX windshield purgatory
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 39
Likes: 8
From: GA
RX windshield purgatory
So, back in April, my wife picked up a rock chip. Decided to go to Safelite and have them repair it. Bad idea, they cracked it. Now it has to be replaced. Safelite isn’t touching my car again, so Lexus ordered me a piece of glass. It’s been over 8 months and still no glass. Numerous calls and visits to dealer…not our fault it’s on back order.
Reached out to the corporate Lexus brand engagement group. They too are useless, no idea when the glass will show, today got another email from Lexus…they had previously said glass would arrive middle of November, now…glass TBD. Sigh…anybody else going through this? Dealer said there’s two hundred on order with none available…. I just thought Lexus was better than this.
Reached out to the corporate Lexus brand engagement group. They too are useless, no idea when the glass will show, today got another email from Lexus…they had previously said glass would arrive middle of November, now…glass TBD. Sigh…anybody else going through this? Dealer said there’s two hundred on order with none available…. I just thought Lexus was better than this.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 195
From: NC/SC
Trying to repair a chipped piece of glass is a losing proposition. I only tried it once and it got worse and had to be replaced within a week.You can only install what your suppliers provide. I’m pretty sure Lexus doesn’t make the glass that goes in them.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 227
From: GA
So, back in April, my wife picked up a rock chip. Decided to go to Safelite and have them repair it. Bad idea, they cracked it. Now it has to be replaced. Safelite isn’t touching my car again, so Lexus ordered me a piece of glass. It’s been over 8 months and still no glass. Numerous calls and visits to dealer…not our fault it’s on back order.
Reached out to the corporate Lexus brand engagement group. They too are useless, no idea when the glass will show, today got another email from Lexus…they had previously said glass would arrive middle of November, now…glass TBD. Sigh…anybody else going through this? Dealer said there’s two hundred on order with none available…. I just thought Lexus was better than this.
Reached out to the corporate Lexus brand engagement group. They too are useless, no idea when the glass will show, today got another email from Lexus…they had previously said glass would arrive middle of November, now…glass TBD. Sigh…anybody else going through this? Dealer said there’s two hundred on order with none available…. I just thought Lexus was better than this.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 747
Likes: 459
From: WV
So, back in April, my wife picked up a rock chip. Decided to go to Safelite and have them repair it. Bad idea, they cracked it. Now it has to be replaced. Safelite isn’t touching my car again, so Lexus ordered me a piece of glass. It’s been over 8 months and still no glass. Numerous calls and visits to dealer…not our fault it’s on back order.
Reached out to the corporate Lexus brand engagement group. They too are useless, no idea when the glass will show, today got another email from Lexus…they had previously said glass would arrive middle of November, now…glass TBD. Sigh…anybody else going through this? Dealer said there’s two hundred on order with none available…. I just thought Lexus was better than this.
Reached out to the corporate Lexus brand engagement group. They too are useless, no idea when the glass will show, today got another email from Lexus…they had previously said glass would arrive middle of November, now…glass TBD. Sigh…anybody else going through this? Dealer said there’s two hundred on order with none available…. I just thought Lexus was better than this.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 160
From: WI
First you implied that Safelite was negligent or incompetent. I doubt they did anything wrong. Glass is finicky and cracks are highly prone to spreading. It is very reasonable to attempt a repair. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. There is no downside to trying. In fact, I always carry a Permatex repair kit in my car and have used it within a few minutes of getting a rock chip. It has the best chance of success if done as soon as possible.
Secondly, I have used aftermarket replacement windshields at least twice when the local glass repair shop has told me that they replacement will be exactly like new. I have never had any problems at all following their recommendations. It would have never dawned on me to take the car to a Lexus dealership for repair. In fact, I doubt my insurance company would even allow that since they have a relationship with the local repair shop which has always done a great job. You probably waited 8 months for nothing,
Secondly, I have used aftermarket replacement windshields at least twice when the local glass repair shop has told me that they replacement will be exactly like new. I have never had any problems at all following their recommendations. It would have never dawned on me to take the car to a Lexus dealership for repair. In fact, I doubt my insurance company would even allow that since they have a relationship with the local repair shop which has always done a great job. You probably waited 8 months for nothing,
Last edited by jrobe; Dec 6, 2024 at 04:55 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 4,288
From: Alberta
Some glass shops have stopped doing crack repair completely there is too much risk given how fragile modern glass is. Even rock chip repair sometimes turns into a crack all it takes is the vacuum pull and fill procedure.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
From: Virginia
I've replaced my RX glass twice, and it seems like it's a magnet for damage. I don't know if it is the angle of the windshield, but it seems like it suffers from more damage than any other car I've owned. I've had a truck for 10 years and never replaced it. I was told by Lexus last summer that I had a 6 month wait on OEM glass, so I went with aftermarket. Just find a small reputable glass shop and get aftermarket, it seems just as good.
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 701
Likes: 280
From: California
There is a risk to repairing windshields. That is clearly explained and documented before the procedure begins. Has nothing to do with Safelite or any other repair company. Some folks are just not lucky.
I have had several windshields repaired over the years without issue. My preferred path before replacing the entire windshield. The only exception I had a rock chip right in the middle of the driver's view just above the HUD display. Had to have the windshield replaced out pure annoyance and distraction.
I have had several windshields repaired over the years without issue. My preferred path before replacing the entire windshield. The only exception I had a rock chip right in the middle of the driver's view just above the HUD display. Had to have the windshield replaced out pure annoyance and distraction.
Last edited by chuckNX; Dec 7, 2024 at 09:19 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 253
Likes: 184
From: Az
When I got a big rock chip in my windshield, my insurance company sent the mobile Safelite guy out to repair it. He told me up front that the repair likely wasn’t going to work but the insurance company basically required him to try fixing it first, then after it didn’t work they would replace the windshield. Sure enough the repair didn’t work, and Safelite scheduled a replacement—and I got another giant rock hit, this time with a big crack, just before the replacement appointment! The timing couldn’t have been more fortuitous.
Anyhow, Safelite replaced the windshield as scheduled, they recalibrated the sensors, and no issues.
Anyhow, Safelite replaced the windshield as scheduled, they recalibrated the sensors, and no issues.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,297
Likes: 1,225
From: IL
Heads Up Display windshields are quite different!
OP didn't specify but the windshield construction for Heads Up Display cars are different (and scarcer and more costly)
Here is a page with the crazy extra details included with certain windshield types. This is in addition to having the various
rain sensors for the wipers, forward facing camera mask and cutouts for the Safety Systems, humidity sensors for the HVAC,
lower edge positioned heating grids for the parked windshield wipers and now the built-on Dash Cam option.
Add that leased cars need to have OEM or equivalent to avoid charges when turning in the car. Makes stocking all the types
needed a real nightmare for the parts supply chain.
Here is a page with the crazy extra details included with certain windshield types. This is in addition to having the various
rain sensors for the wipers, forward facing camera mask and cutouts for the Safety Systems, humidity sensors for the HVAC,
lower edge positioned heating grids for the parked windshield wipers and now the built-on Dash Cam option.
Add that leased cars need to have OEM or equivalent to avoid charges when turning in the car. Makes stocking all the types
needed a real nightmare for the parts supply chain.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 160
From: WI
From my experience. the glass repair companies I have used have had full knowledge of all the different windshield types for all the systems in the cars. They have repaired my windshields so that everything on the car works exactly the same as prior. They wouldn't use an aftermarket windshield if it didn't restore every function in the car.
I would look at windshields as disposable parts of the car just like batteries, tires, windshield wipers, engine oil, air filters, spark plugs, etc.. There is no requirement or even any good reason to insist on only using OEM Lexus products (or expensive Lexus dealerships) for any of these things.
I would look at windshields as disposable parts of the car just like batteries, tires, windshield wipers, engine oil, air filters, spark plugs, etc.. There is no requirement or even any good reason to insist on only using OEM Lexus products (or expensive Lexus dealerships) for any of these things.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 4
From: PA
So, back in April, my wife picked up a rock chip. Decided to go to Safelite and have them repair it. Bad idea, they cracked it. Now it has to be replaced. Safelite isn’t touching my car again, so Lexus ordered me a piece of glass. It’s been over 8 months and still no glass. Numerous calls and visits to dealer…not our fault it’s on back order.
Reached out to the corporate Lexus brand engagement group. They too are useless, no idea when the glass will show, today got another email from Lexus…they had previously said glass would arrive middle of November, now…glass TBD. Sigh…anybody else going through this? Dealer said there’s two hundred on order with none available…. I just thought Lexus was better than this.
Reached out to the corporate Lexus brand engagement group. They too are useless, no idea when the glass will show, today got another email from Lexus…they had previously said glass would arrive middle of November, now…glass TBD. Sigh…anybody else going through this? Dealer said there’s two hundred on order with none available…. I just thought Lexus was better than this.