cracked windshield in cold weather woes

[lorieinvermont]

My windshield cracked in cold weather with the defroster on, while driving on a deserted highway in the snow. No car to kick up a stone and no stones because the ground was covered with snow. Nothing hit the window, it just cracked. Then I put on the defroster to heat up the car the next morning and the crack grew. Then it did it again. Now the crack is almost the entire length of the windshield. I no longer use my defroster, so it has stopped growing. Maybe this is coincidence. Anyone have a similar experience? Rivian says it is not their responsibility to replace, so I'm going through my insurance, but still...I'm worried it will happen again next winter (I live in Vermont and it gets cold here). Anyone able to get Rivian to pay for replacement?

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[Magicbus]

I had the same experience but I do remember something flying off an oncoming truck a month before and hitting the windshield. The defroster definitely got the crack going. I no longer use it to melt ice, I scrape it and let the cabin heat finish the job.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I've only ever had this happen when there was an existing chip that propagated. It doesn't take a very big chip in my experience.

 

[lorieinvermont]

I had the same experience but I do remember something flying off an oncoming truck a month before and hitting the windshield. The defroster definitely got the crack going. I no longer use it to melt ice, I scrape it and let the cabin heat finish the job.

This is super helpful. I've lived in cold weather for many years and had rocks hit the windshield on other cars but never had to stop using the defroster to keep it from spreading. I guess the glass is more fragile because of all the sensors. Oh well. I'd love to find a way to warn others about this.

 

[Riviot]

This is super helpful. I've lived in cold weather for many years and had rocks hit the windshield on other cars but never had to stop using the defroster to keep it from spreading. I guess the glass is more fragile because of all the sensors. Oh well. I'd love to find a way to warn others about this.

FUYAO!!!

 

[Shaggy]

I just had the same experience with my Tesla Model S. Was defrosting/pre-heating the car for 20 mins and then came out, cleared the snow and it cracked as I went to drive off. I had left a tiny bit of snow on the hood and it flew onto the bottom part of the warm windshield when I pulled forward. It cracked instantly from side to side when/exactly where the snow hit. No evidence of existing stone chip along the crack line so pretty evident that it was due to the change in temp from the snow.

It’s worth mentioning that this is my 6th winter with the car doing exactly what I did here and haven’t had any previous issues. No issues so far in 2 winters with the R1S.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

My windshield cracked in cold weather with the defroster on, while driving on a deserted highway in the snow. No car to kick up a stone and no stones because the ground was covered with snow. Nothing hit the window, it just cracked. Then I put on the defroster to heat up the car the next morning and the crack grew. Then it did it again. Now the crack is almost the entire length of the windshield. I no longer use my defroster, so it has stopped growing. Maybe this is coincidence. Anyone have a similar experience? Rivian says it is not their responsibility to replace, so I'm going through my insurance, but still...I'm worried it will happen again next winter (I live in Vermont and it gets cold here). Anyone able to get Rivian to pay for replacement?

I’ve had it happen in my Teslas. I’d say it’s poor engineering and rushed development, but it happened in my Toyota Sienna too…

Oddly enough my Subarus with their windshield wiper heaters never caused an issue.

 

[gscho002]

so just discovered a 3ft long horizontal crack down near my windshield wipers. impossible to have had something hit there, and no impacts. definitely a stress fracture, sounds similar to teh above. have owned a lot of cars over 40 years, cracked a lot of windows, but never seen or even heard of anything like this. clearly a design flaw if it happens regularly.

i am taking it to the service center. from the above, am i to believe that Rivian does not cover this and has not improved their windshield design? has anyone had them replace it without being charged? it is like a 2K job i think.....

 

[Thedude]

Pretty standard in cold weather across all makes up here in the winter. You get a small stress point and then unevenly heat the glass and the crack propagates.

 

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

There are many posts about cracked windshield, roof glass and the warranty coverage, if any. From what I recall if the SC team can find an “impact point”, it is not covered.

You could call Riv and ask. You will most likely need to drive to an SC for an inspection. Do you want to take the time to deal with that trip?

 

[Magicbus]

<Snip>
i am taking it to the service center. from the above, am i to believe that Rivian does not cover this and has not improved their windshield design? has anyone had them replace it without being charged? it is like a 2K job i think.....

It is a $2k+ job. Check with your insurance company. Mine covered 100%.

 

[hammick]

One of these inexpensive epoxy repair kits is a must in my opinion. I've repaired several small ships on both our R1S and Sierra EV. And I take it with us on our road trips. Need to get chips repaired ASAP especially in the winter. These windshields are too damn expensive to neglect.

https://www.amazon.com/LOMEEN-Windshield-Universal-Scratches-Bulls-Eye/dp/B0G28Q92DC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1G85JBKDCVPGV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UwuhBB5lecUPM-XKzrP2EJJgvsRZFguOlJZeP0KzxtJiEze-MQUgnJY5Ow021D940jZRZ-27IVSc_uDpOTf9FTcJD0rQOk1qJ309c3ShD3faKBjN6Z6wNFjcWN1wENu5KUEQGI7arcEt6JA6ZZeUE4Q6UbyBfH64V5hjJwR529X0FRHxT29CAWxmwq-IDkHepCeAwaJ5TrC5l-x_L4Z4N1lSLs11MRyIpC9aSZReyOVif5S6NyMe5jOpJQLRIPplRiB868iI4SulEGePKAZHR06oROpcl9vZHM50fOV6oSM.zSpBx79Lk8iEWPaP-du4J4SNphCEPALenr_8_FQSpRQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=lomeen+windshield+repair+kit&qid=1767032885&sprefix=lomeen+windsh,aps,353&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[gscho002]

There are many posts about cracked windshield, roof glass and the warranty coverage, if any. From what I recall if the SC team can find an “impact point”, it is not covered.

You could call Riv and ask. You will most likely need to drive to an SC for an inspection. Do you want to take the time to deal with that trip?

so we have a service center 5 miles away. that is the plan tho they cannot see me for a month.

no impact point that i can see and cannot feel the crack on the outside or inside of the window. it is just a single horizontal 4 foot long crack, directly midline, basically right at the level of the dashboard inside. pretty weird.

will report back what happens after my service appointment in late january.

 

[gscho002]

It is a $2k+ job. Check with your insurance company. Mine covered 100%.

i can do that but i'd prefer not to make claims if i am not responsible. and i'm more worried that this is expected and will happen regularly when its cold if we defrost or de-ice using the cabin heat. as seemed to be implied online. that can to be right.

reminds me of the original iPhone that had a screen that broke if you looked at it wrong. now seems to be bulletproof. hope rivian is doing something similar.

 

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

so we have a service center 5 miles away. that is the plan tho they cannot see me for a month.

Ohh even better.

I asked if you wanted to take the time for a trip to an SC, since you noted, “I live in Vermont..”.

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