Rear Window Replacement—Crack from Hinge

If you look under the trunk lid you will see the distance between the trunk hinge and the window edge on both sides is approximately ¼” gap. From Lucid these are called floating hinges. As a warning do not push on either side to see how close you can get the hinge to the glass as you may crack the edge!

This happened when our car was getting the two-year service at our home. I was outside with our Service person, Mike ,and was talking and tying my shoe with my shoulder leaning on the trunk and I was told not to do this ---sure enough it cracked—took over a month to explain to my insurance company that this is not a typical glass repair—costing over $4,700 plus transport from Akron to Michigan. I had vaguely remembered Mike saying something to me at one point –if I would have seen how close then it would have made more sense to me.

This is upsetting and from my perspective-a design flaw. I understand this has happened to others and was told this happened to an owner in Michigan when it was very windy pushing the trunk to one side when opened. Part of the fix in my case was putting a shim on the edge of the hinge, so I really question the distance during assembly as I never looked.

With this said, Lucid needs to have written communications to all Air owners---maybe warning stickers on the trunk? I am fairly nervous this can happen again!

I did correspond to Lucid Customer Service including pictures showing the hinge rubbing against the window. The final correspondence was rather snarky with no warranty solution:

“Charlie,
I appreciate your perspective but my understanding is that you were advised of the potential for damage based on leaning on the car but subsequently caused the damage. It's unfortunate for sure.
While you can, of course, go to the forums, at this time, we feel that taking your car to a bodyshop and working through your insurance is the best course of action.
Thanks for being part of the Lucid family.
Aaron (He/Him)
Customer Care Specialist
(888) 99-LUCID or (888) 995-8243”

On a positive note, this new window is not distorted as I had accepted the original window as “normal”. Looking through the back window always distorted cars, but the new one does not.

When our car was returned which Lucid covered the return trip, it was received in immaculate condition inside and out. Jason communicated on warranty items that were noticed when he received the car and were fixed-so an excellent experience working with Jason and the driver returning the car.

We really enjoy the Lucid-a special car! We can drive from Akron to Cincinnati to visit family with about 20% battery left and do not have to go to Electrify America charging stations since my son was nice to put a charger at his house—not the expectations Electrify America could charge to 80% in 20 minutes. Besides a late delivery-caused by the transport company which caused us not to be able to take the $7,500 tax incentive, and putting up with some software issues mostly seem related to the key fobs and phones and a learning curve on our side. We are getting close to 30,000 miles—have the upgraded stereo system, glass canopy, and Dream Drive Pro—the newer update for hand free makes it even nicer!

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

OMG, just noticed the same crack on my rear glass.

 

[socktucker]

OMG, just noticed the same crack on my rear glass.

Definitely some issues with the glass. My roof is starting to warp around one of the attachment points like it was tightened down too hard. I believe they warranty the trunk issue too right

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

@socktucker Please explain: " I believe they warranty the trunk issue too right" Are you saying that the crack on the rear glass where it is right next to the hinge is a warranty issue?

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

The break is clearly right next to the hinge. First photo is with trunk open, second one is with it closed.

 

[socktucker]

The break is clearly right next to the hinge. First photo is with trunk open, second one is with it closed.

If the car's own design damaged itself, I would at least ask? I wonder if they updated it, I looked at my 26 and the hinges aren't nearly as close as the ones in the picture.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

If the car's own design damaged itself, I would at least ask? I wonder if they updated it, I looked at my 26 and the hinges aren't nearly as close as the ones in the picture.

I am starting the process of filing a warranty claim now. Just got off the phone with our Denver Lucid approved body shop (we have no SC). The manager said have seen a few rear glass shattering at the hinge, just like mine, that crack for no reason -- and all were 22 or 23s. AND, there was a post here that said after the SC replaced the rear glass, they installed shims to keep the hinge away.

 

[Miami_Lucid_Man]

Wow, that's scary.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

Wow, that's scary.

what's scary is that last week, I thought I MAY have heard the rear window crack while simply driving down the street. I was driving in town, windows down as Denver has record high temps. I heard what could have been glass cracking. Never even guessed it could have been the rear glass shattering, but I assumed it was the normal noise of my bunch of stuff rolling around on the rear seat floor: bike parts, helmets, restoration hardware, returns for HD. On another thread, I read that the new Lucid's have much more room between the hinge and glass.

 

[Akron Lucid]

Besides all what has been written, it was a challenge for my insurance company to understand the claim--kept on referring me back to Safelite to handle the claim but finally I connected with a helpful adjuster at my insurance company who could not believe what was happening, but he handled the claim. Although I have 0 deductible on glass, this was different because three panels needing to be replaced because removing the window requires removal of these plastic panels that are glued then break during disassembly. I have a $1,000 deductible which I paid and the insurance company paid for towing to Michigan on the way up but Lucid covered the trip back to my house because of other warranty work as stated in my initial post. Parts and labor: $5,290.23.
Yes, hinges were shimmed. It was a frustrating time--I was speaking with our service person in my driveway and was leaning against the trunk to tie my shoe--he said don't do that and maybe 10 minutes later he found me outside and said my back window was cracked. I vaguely remember him saying something on a prior visit---but really did not "register" in my mind--if he would have explained why showing the hinge then I would have understood--as I stated-there should be a warning--a sticker and a notice. The service person mentioned a customer in Michigan had her trunk open on a windy day and the rear glass broke and an authorized service center in Mentor Ohio who was trying to help me stated it happened to another customer when their daughter probably leaned on the trunk. Looks like the problem was corrected for the 2026! Many things happen to all of us, and most people are good and I do not mean harm---and as stated--the car is special--but this sure was frustrating and took about two months to get remedied--and still nervous it will happen again and just wrong.

 

[socktucker]

t. I was driving in town, windows down as Denver has record high temps. I heard what could have been glass cracking.

I live in Idaho, and we had record temps too (went from 25 to 61 in a single day) and the glass canopy on my room started to warp and pop up by one of the attachment points

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

It was a frustrating time--I was speaking with our service person in my driveway and was leaning against the trunk to tie my shoe--he said don't do that and maybe 10 minutes later he found me outside and said my back window was cracked

Are you saying your car was parked, trunk lid closed, and you then casually and lightly leaned against the trunk lid for support so you could tie your shoe? And your simple leaning against a closed lid caused $5k in damage?

Sounds like a breach of the warranty of merchantability. car windows are designed to withstand normal, light pressure. If the window shattered solely because you leaned against it, it could be argued that the window was defective, defectively designed, "not fit for the ordinary purpose," or improperly installed, all which would constitute a breach of this warranty. And the fact that Lucid changed the design for new models is evidence it knew this was a defective design. Same could be said with their post repair shimming.

Half seriously: Do 2022-2025 Air owners need to be in fear someone, someday, in a parking lot, might lean on their trunk?

 

[tmichael]

Are you saying your car was parked, trunk lid closed, and you then casually and lightly leaned against the trunk lid for support so you could tie your shoe? And your simple leaning against a closed lid caused $5k in damage?

Sounds like a breach of the warranty of merchantability. car windows are designed to withstand normal, light pressure. If the window shattered solely because you leaned against it, it could be argued that the window was defective, defectively designed, "not fit for the ordinary purpose," or improperly installed, all which would constitute a breach of this warranty. And the fact that Lucid changed the design for new models is evidence it knew this was a defective design. Same could be said with their post repair shimming.

Half seriously: Do 2022-2025 Air owners need to be in fear someone, someday, in a parking lot, might lean on their trunk?

I’m going to take a wild guess - are you a lawyer?

 

[socktucker]

I’m going to take a wild guess - are you a lawyer?

He has to tell us if he is!!

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

Wow, my extended hiatus/vacation from the forum has been longer than I thought. How quickly fame fades - right @borski ? Or was it infamy?

Yes, corporate defense, including representation of manufacturers of high end audio. Including warranty, product liability

 

[tmichael]

Wow, my extended hiatus/vacation from the forum has been longer than I thought. How quickly fame fades - right @borski ? Or was it infamy?

Yes, corporate defense, including representation of manufacturers of high end audio. Including warranty, product liability

Slap 5, @socktucker!!

@Worldwide Beagle, I’m a new guy, so didn’t recognize you - welcome back!!

 

[borski]

How quickly fame fades - right @borski ? Or was it infamy?

Yes

Also, my understanding isn't that he leaned on his closed trunk but that the trunk was open and he leaned against the lid of his open trunk, thus causing the hinges to contact and put pressure on the glass. It still sucks, and I think they should probably write something about it, but it's not like you can just go around leaning on closed Airs and having their glass break, either.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

Yes

Also, my understanding isn't that he leaned on his closed trunk

Still the night owl, I see!!

This Happening with an open trunk lid is a bit more understandable. Boot or bonnet hinges would not be sufficiently robust to eliminate any lateral movement when open.

I am Not sure how mine occurred. Other than my right trunk hinge is 1-2mm from the edge of back glass. I am far too pendantic to ever lean on the finish of any car, let alone a $100k one.

But in 3 years, this is my first Lucid issue. (Ruptured 21 inch tires are a right of passage and don't count )

 

[Tim-in-CA]

I am starting the process of filing a warranty claim now. Just got off the phone with our Denver Lucid approved body shop (we have no SC). The manager said have seen a few rear glass shattering at the hinge, just like mine, that crack for no reason -- and all were 22 or 23s. AND, there was a post here that said after the SC replaced the rear glass, they installed shims to keep the hinge away.

Do you have any details on the shim they installed. Both hinges on mine are pretty close and one is VERY close to the glass. Mobile service was here today and had to replace the wiring harness that goes in the trunk deck lid and he hadn't heard of the shims. Unfortunately, he broke one of the black trim pieces in the trunk which is oddly a very brittle painted fiberglass type material. He said it most likely has to go to the body shop as they need to remove the decklid to replace the trim ... pretty amazing how cars are NOT designed for repairability.

 

[socktucker]

Do you have any details on the shim they installed. Both hinges on mine are pretty close and one is VERY close to the glass. Mobile service was here today and had to replace the wiring harness that goes in the trunk deck lid and he hadn't heard of the shims. Unfortunately, he broke one of the black trim pieces in the trunk which is oddly a very brittle painted fiberglass type material. He said it most likely has to go to the body shop as they need to remove the decklid to replace the trim ... pretty amazing how cars are NOT designed for repairability.

Service broke the hell out of my car twice. Broke the glass roof, rear glass, and that black brake light thing on the trunk housing. They replaced it all but man that was a hassle.