Windshield Crack - Not Covered by Warranty

[Blue Lectroid]

There’s a nuance though - if the chip didn’t exist, or had been filled in, would defrost have caused the windshield to crack? My bet is a hard no.

That means that the crack *did* originate with the chip, and the defrost exacerbated it, which is precisely what I’ve been describing the whole time.

@borski I completely agree with your assessment. While the OP has completely discounted the fact that I spent countless hours of my life working with glass as a glass blowing instructor and am therefore speaking based on actual life experience, the reality remains that the chip caused the crack. Period. No chip, no crack. And that is not conjecture...it is physics and fact based on the way glass behaves. Lucid treated the OP appropriately in this situation IMO and IME.

 

[tmilone103]

Sitting in my '24 Pure Thursday morning, turn on the defrost and about 2 minutes later I hear a loud bang. I look over, and there's a massive crack that appeared in the windshield on the passenger side.

I call Lucid Support, they ask me to send pictures but that "a cracked windshield is never under warranty, no matter how it happened". They make an appointment at the service center the next day.

The next day, I bring in the car to the studio. The service manager - who I have zero issue with personally, not blaming him for this - runs a pen down the length of the crack and it catches on the tiniest - like, invisible to the eye - chip and says "yeah, this is what caused it - as soon as you have any chip in the windshield, using the defroster will crack the window. You just got unlucky."

I argued a bit, saying that we lived in Canada and are always going to get little chips here and there on the windshield, and that we, you know, like to run the defroster when it's cold outside. He maintained his position, talking about how he's not a dealership but a Lucid employee, and he can't make any exceptions. Also something about how I should be more careful not to drive behind semis, and how it's not so bad compared to another client who's on his 3rd windshield in 2 years.

Now, I've lived here for most of my life, driving dozens of cars with various levels of chips in their windshields, and never has running the defroster cracked my windshield.

My insurance deductible is $1000, which basically means that I'm going to gamble and maybe have to pay an extra grand every winter for the privilege of using the defroster.

I really like this car, had put up with the lack of AA, drafty windows, sub-par heating, optimistic range estimates, towing due to a software malfunction, and other bugs, but this has soured me on the whole brand. I get that they want to use lighter / cheaper windshields to save weight where possible, but glass this chintzy shouldn't be on a $100k+ car, period. A friend of mine drove my car last week and loved it, and was a potential lead, but I can no longer recommend Lucid to him or anyone who lives in an area where you know, there might be rocks on the road or you ever have to use the defroster...

Unfortunately this is common with electric cars in the winter. I had the same issue with my Tesla Model S and in the middle of winter put the defraust on with a high temp and within 2 minutes cracked windshield. Cost me $1000 also to replace, I think the issue is because the heat is electric the heat comes on instantly where in an ice car its warmed gradually as the engine warms. I make sure when I put defraust on that I do not have the temp too high.

 

[jedwin]

Great suggestion.

I’ll have to (try to) remember that…

 

[Pavlova]

What is this, and what does it do?

Is it visibly perceptible, or change anything vis a vis wiper streaking or defrost?

Exoshield is a protective film that goes outside your windshield. It gives more protection against rocks flying into your windshield. It's clear, but they usually only apply this film up to your sunvisor location of the windshield. Over time, it may leave some streaks on your windshield, but it is only visible from outside, hence it will not affect your vision. I've learned that wiping it with liquid ceramic coating over the Exoshield helps clean up the streaks. The recommended replacement period is 3-4 years.

But most importantly, Exoshield definitely works. They even offer some warranty on it. I think the offer was covering some of your glass replacement.

 

[frank4711]

Since I moved from Florida to Colorado, I have had three windshields replaced within three years! I have Statefarm, and they cover glass in CO with a zero-deductible. At Safelite, you have to ask for OEM glass, which is also covered by Statefarm. The windshield for the BMW X7 was 2.5k including calibrating. So I agree with others: This has nothing to do with Lucid.

 

[A Fischman]

I mean, I’ve cracked the windshield from a rock chip on my Mazda 3 and had it replaced. These things happen. I would not have expected Mazda to cover it.

When Lucid service cracked my rear windshield, they covered it *and* the tint. If it’s their fault, they cover it. But if you hit a rock on the highway? That’s on you.

That said, that doesn’t mean it’s fun or pleasant. It’s definitely not “chintzy” glass. I’ve yet to have a rock break mine, and I’ve heard plenty hit.

Sorry to hear about this. One suggestion as a precautionary is to put a protective film on the windshield. I had Xpel PPF

Try looking into a product called exoshield. I have it on my Air and it has saved me at least 3 times past 2 years on the highway.

Exactly. I have Exoshield on my Air. I had it applied when I took the car in for XPEL PPF. The Exoshield is great.

 

[Drew46]

Not sure what this has to do anything? I am a new owner so my experience is less valid?

Not sure how else to explain this, but the crack didn't originate from an impact. It was cracked by the temperature difference caused by using the defroster in cold weather, end of story. The glass Lucid uses is more brittle than any other car I've ever owned, and even the service manager admitted to this and told me to expect to replace the windshield once a year if I want to continue using the defroster when it's cold.

I get that folks here will mostly be cheerleaders for the brand, but the best way to help Lucid improve is by calling out the actual issues with car that are areas for improvement, not burying our heads in the sand. We are still beta-testers after all.

Actually, it appears that the crack originated from a chip, which originated from impact. The temperature difference itself did not cause the crack, it was the temperature difference applied to a compromised piece of glass.

And it seems you are basing your entire argument of an offhand comment from the service manager about how often this happens. Yet, you are, at the same time, discounting his conclusion as to what caused the crack. How is it that his word is gospel when it supports your position but erroneous when he evaluates the cause of the damage? I might be more swayed with actual statistics on the frequency of windshield replacements for Lucid vs other brands. It is quite possible the issue is with your local roads and the amount of rocks and debris that gets kicked up - despite your individual history.

FWIW, this is why I went with a metal roof.

 

[David Ross]

Sorry to hear about this. One suggestion as a precautionary is to put a protective film on the windshield. I had Xpel PPF

Exactly. I have Exoshield on my Air. I had it applied when I took the car in for XPEL PPF. The Exoshield is great.

I am thinking about putting protective film on my windshield, and I have the glass canopy. I have STEK clear PPF on the car. Should the windshield film extend beyond the face of the windshield onto the roof area somewhat? Is there anyone in the Orlando, Florida area that can be recommended for this kind of work? I have a couple of names from Google searches but was looking for a recommendation based on forum members' experiences. Also, what would be a typical price for an Exoshield installation? Any thoughts on the XPEL product? Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

 

[A Fischman]

I am thinking about putting protective film on my windshield, and I have the glass canopy. Should the film extend beyond the face of the windshield? Is there anyone in the Orlando, Florida area that can be recommended for this kind of work? I have a couple of names from Google searches but was looking for a recommendation based on forum members' experiences. Also, what would be a typical price for an Exoshield installation? Any thoughts on the XPEL product? Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

I have the Exoshield windshield protection. I have the metal roof. The cost of the Exoshield was $650. It really protects the windshield. I also have the XPEL PPF. It is great. I hardly need to wash my car. The dust appears not to adhere to the film.

 

[Batteryman]

I am thinking about putting protective film on my windshield, and I have the glass canopy. Should the film extend beyond the face of the windshield? Is there anyone in the Orlando, Florida area that can be recommended for this kind of work? I have a couple of names from Google searches but was looking for a recommendation based on forum members' experiences. Also, what would be a typical price for an Exoshield installation? Any thoughts on the XPEL product? Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

$900 for exoshield

 

[Hbaeuerle]

And, in case you’re interested, cracked windshields are the most common insurance claim in the USA, according to AAA.

Aside: I’m impressed you’ve gone 30 years without a claim. Consider yourself extremely lucky. Statistically, you are *far* outside the norm.

Hmm. Between my wife and we have been driving for 75+ years and neither of us ever had a windshield crack/broken.. we live in NE US and have a cabin in the woods so drive partially off road..

 

[Blue Lectroid]

Hmm. Between my wife and we have been driving for 75+ years and neither of us ever had a windshield crack/broken.. we live in NE US and have a cabin in the woods so drive partially off road..

Then you are 3rd Standard Deviation lucky!!!

 

[Jimbo1948]

Sitting in my '24 Pure Thursday morning, turn on the defrost and about 2 minutes later I hear a loud bang. I look over, and there's a massive crack that appeared in the windshield on the passenger side.

I call Lucid Support, they ask me to send pictures but that "a cracked windshield is never under warranty, no matter how it happened". They make an appointment at the service center the next day.

The next day, I bring in the car to the studio. The service manager - who I have zero issue with personally, not blaming him for this - runs a pen down the length of the crack and it catches on the tiniest - like, invisible to the eye - chip and says "yeah, this is what caused it - as soon as you have any chip in the windshield, using the defroster will crack the window. You just got unlucky."

I argued a bit, saying that we lived in Canada and are always going to get little chips here and there on the windshield, and that we, you know, like to run the defroster when it's cold outside. He maintained his position, talking about how he's not a dealership but a Lucid employee, and he can't make any exceptions. Also something about how I should be more careful not to drive behind semis, and how it's not so bad compared to another client who's on his 3rd windshield in 2 years.

Now, I've lived here for most of my life, driving dozens of cars with various levels of chips in their windshields, and never has running the defroster cracked my windshield.

My insurance deductible is $1000, which basically means that I'm going to gamble and maybe have to pay an extra grand every winter for the privilege of using the defroster.

I really like this car, had put up with the lack of AA, drafty windows, sub-par heating, optimistic range estimates, towing due to a software malfunction, and other bugs, but this has soured me on the whole brand. I get that they want to use lighter / cheaper windshields to save weight where possible, but glass this chintzy shouldn't be on a $100k+ car, period. A friend of mine drove my car last week and loved it, and was a potential lead, but I can no longer recommend Lucid to him or anyone who lives in an area where you know, there might be rocks on the road or you ever have to use the defroster...

My State Farm policy covers one windshield a year

 

[lucidtouringman]

One of the things I've learned to do in order to avoid chips, is to simply increase the distance I'll travel behind another car, religiously avoid driving behind trucks or construction vehicles and have a 2 car distance setting on my Drive Assist. Taking these simple measures, I've been able to avoid a large amount of chips and rocks in general. Not 100% eliminated obviously, but after getting my windshield repaired a few months ago, I'm happy to see that I don't have any major chips etc on my windshield after these simple driving behavior changes. Hope that helps!

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Hmm. Between my wife and we have been driving for 75+ years and neither of us ever had a windshield crack/broken.. we live in NE US and have a cabin in the woods so drive partially off road..

I can easily help you fix your pathetic windshield chip average. Just move to sunny metro Phoenix, Arizona. We'll get you caught up on your windshield repair/replace claims in no time at all. You do have to leave your garage, but spend about 30 minutes on the 101, and you'll be off to the races!

 

[borski]

One of the things I've learned to do in order to avoid chips, is to simply increase the distance I'll travel behind another car, religiously avoid driving behind trucks or construction vehicles and have a 2 car distance setting on my Drive Assist. Taking these simple measures, I've been able to avoid a large amount of chips and rocks in general. Not 100% eliminated obviously, but after getting my windshield repaired a few months ago, I'm happy to see that I don't have any major chips etc on my windshield after these simple driving behavior changes. Hope that helps!

Same exact mechanisms I use.

 

[David Ross]

Thanks to all who responded. I will be getting the Exoshield coverage installed for $900 at the end of the month. The installer's warranty against discoloration or decreased clarity is only for one year, due in part to the Florida sun. Does anyone have any thoughts on how far, if at all, the Exoshield coverage should be extended onto the glass canopy/glass roof? Thanks

 

[hmp10]

Xpel has released a new soft windshield protection film that is getting very good reviews. The local installer who put PPF on our car and will be doing our Gravity Dream says he has put the windshield film on over 400 cars so far, and people are liking it.

Right now, though, it's only available in 40" width which will not cover the entire length of Lucid glass canopies without a seam. Xpel will be introducing a larger width, but the release date is not yet disclosed.

I'm thinking about putting a single panel of the narrower film on the Gravity temporarily and then replacing it with a full panel when it becomes available.

 

[frank4711]

Same exact mechanisms I use.

OR tailgate as close as possible, then you also don't get rocks on the windshield ;-)

 

[Cosmo Cruz]

Anyone remember when trucks used to have a clear plastic shield mounted on the front of the hood to deflect bugs/rain/etc ?
(I saw this on almost all Canadian trucks in the 1960s-70s, when there used to be bugs; so many bugs you had to stop every few hours to scrape them off)

would that work ? It should only cut the range a few hundred miles per charge.....