2023 F-150 Lightning Windshield Cracked After Defrost—Ford Won’t Cover It! Help Needed

[BeerNuts]

Hi everyone,
I’m in a bind and could use your advice. Two weeks ago, at -7°C (19°F), I turned on the defrost in my 2023 F-150 Lightning, and within seconds, the windshield cracked. It starts at the bottom along the air vents in a U-shape and runs straight to the top.

I took it to a Ford dealer, who found no chips or prior damage to explain it. But they said the warranty (one year or 20,000 km) is expired, and a replacement costs $1,200 CAD.

I contacted Ford directly, but they refused to help, just saying “be careful with the defrost next time.” ( Stupid me I thought defrost was meant to melt ice and snow ) Even a supervisor gave me the same line—no support, no explanation.
Here’s the issue:

• Cost: I’m a senior on an old-age pension and can’t afford $1,200 CAD (dealer doesn’t do windshields; it’s a glass shop quote).
• Safety: The crack spans 90% of the windshield, making it unsafe to drive, especially in bad weather.

I’m frustrated and stuck—this is a new truck, and a basic feature shouldn’t cause this!
Your Help Needed:

• Has this happened to you? Anyone else with an F-150 Lightning had a windshield crack in cold weather? Is this a known flaw?
• Ford’s response: If you’ve dealt with this, did Ford eventually cover it, or did you pay out of pocket?
• Options:
  • Any tips to convince Ford to cover this as a goodwill gesture, given my finances?
  • Cheaper repair alternatives I should explore?
  • How to prevent this next time—any defrost tricks for extreme cold?

This has been a nightmare, and I’d really appreciate any experiences or suggestions you can share.
Thanks so much,
Dave

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[sotek2345]

Do you have glass coverage on your insurance? That usually takes care of things like this.

 

[BeerNuts]

No, I do not I would have to pay more for it and I think my rates would go up if I were to file a claim. Also, I have a $1,000 deductable.

 

[RickLightning]

Unfortunately, your dealer is 100% correct, your stress crack warranty has expired.

When we bought our Mach-E in 2021, I switched to zero deductible glass coverage. I have replaced the Mach-E windshield twice...

Glass claims don't automatically increase your rates, they are a non-fault claim.

This is not new, it has been like this as long as I can remember. It is unfortunate that you bought an expensive car and cannot afford this repair. That estimate looks low, they have to calibrate the camera also.

 

[Heliian]

No, I do not I would have to pay more for it and I think my rates would go up if I were to file a claim. Also, I have a $1,000 deductable.

Double check your policy, if you're in Canada you most likely have glass coverage worked in that has less of a deductible. Alternatively, go to a national chain glass shop and get a quote.

• I’m a senior on an old-age pension and can’t afford $1,200 CAD (dealer doesn’t do windshields; it’s a glass shop quote).
• Safety: The crack spans 90% of the windshield, making it unsafe to drive, especially in bad weather.

How did you afford the truck? How have you lived this long without ever seeing a cracked windshield?

 

[BeerNuts]

Double check your policy, if you're in Canada you most likely have glass coverage worked in that has less of a deductible. Alternatively, go to a national chain glass shop and get a quote.



How did you afford the truck? How have you lived this long without ever seeing a cracked windshield?

If it was a chip I would have it repaired. I windshield should not crack for no reason. An Ice car worms up slowly whereas EVs don't. That is why it cracked... it's like like pouring hot water on a frozen cup or glass it will break. Ford should know this and have the heater come on less aggressively..

 

[RickLightning]

If it was a chip I would have it repaired. I windshield should not crack for no reason. An Ice car worms up slowly whereas EVs don't. That is why it cracked... it's like like pouring hot water on a frozen cup or glass it will break. Ford should know this and have the heater come on less aggressively..

If this was a thing, Lightning and Mach-E and other EV owners would be all over social media about cracked windshields, and they're not. Windshields crack. That's reality. It wasn't for no reason, it was because in winter they are more brittle and the windshield had a flaw and cracked. That flaw may be invisible to you.

If you don't turn on the defrost, and let the cabin warm the windshield slower, it might be less likely to happen, but it happens.

 

[BeerNuts]

If this was a thing, Lightning and Mach-E and other EV owners would be all over social media about cracked windshields, and they're not. Windshields crack. That's reality. It wasn't for no reason, it was because in winter they are more brittle and the windshield had a flaw and cracked. That flaw may be invisible to you.

If you don't turn on the defrost, and let the cabin warm the windshield slower, it might be less likely to happen, but it happens.

So use your defrost at your own risk after 1 year or 20k?

 

[Duke_239]

If you drive big miles, windshields are a wear item. I'm in the US. The comprehensive section of my I durance covers glass, with a $50 deductible. Using it has never impacted my premium. Don't know about Canada insurance, but I thought the government there did not tolerate crappy insurance.

 

[earlyadopt]

Hi everyone,
I’m in a bind and could use your advice. Two weeks ago, at -7°C (19°F), I turned on the defrost in my 2023 F-150 Lightning, and within seconds, the windshield cracked. It starts at the bottom along the air vents in a U-shape and runs straight to the top.

I took it to a Ford dealer, who found no chips or prior damage to explain it. But they said the warranty (one year or 20,000 km) is expired, and a replacement costs $1,200 CAD.

I contacted Ford directly, but they refused to help, just saying “be careful with the defrost next time.” ( Stupid me I thought defrost was meant to melt ice and snow ) Even a supervisor gave me the same line—no support, no explanation.
Here’s the issue:

• Cost: I’m a senior on an old-age pension and can’t afford $1,200 CAD (dealer doesn’t do windshields; it’s a glass shop quote).
• Safety: The crack spans 90% of the windshield, making it unsafe to drive, especially in bad weather.

I’m frustrated and stuck—this is a new truck, and a basic feature shouldn’t cause this!
Your Help Needed:

• Has this happened to you? Anyone else with an F-150 Lightning had a windshield crack in cold weather? Is this a known flaw?
• Ford’s response: If you’ve dealt with this, did Ford eventually cover it, or did you pay out of pocket?
• Options:
  • Any tips to convince Ford to cover this as a goodwill gesture, given my finances?
  • Cheaper repair alternatives I should explore?
  • How to prevent this next time—any defrost tricks for extreme cold?

This has been a nightmare, and I’d really appreciate any experiences or suggestions you can share.
Thanks so much,
Dave

Just had this happen to me with my MachE, warmed it up, drove to Home Depot and I noticed a hair line crack at the bottom of the windshield moving up. Took my to a glass place and they quoted me $1,400 installed. No impact, no chip. My deductible is high to keeps rates in line so what I save in gas goes out to repairs of another kind. My car is 13 months old, full warranty but I did not pay for the extra high end warranty at time of purchase, just one level down that does not replace windshields. That may have been a mistake since I lease this for another 35 months. Sure hope tis is not an annual event. I feel your pain.

 

[Duke_239]

So use your defrost at your own risk after 1 year or 20k?

Defrost alone is not a common cause of windshield failure. The design of the glass on the lightning is the same as any F150, the best selling vehicle in North America. A systematic defect is very unlikely. Talk to your insurance agent about all the things you are reading about here. As another commenter mentioned, you are an elder, so I expect you to be experienced with such matters.

 

[BeerNuts]

If you drive big miles, windshields are a wear item. I'm in the US. The comprehensive section of my I durance covers glass, with a $50 deductible. Using it has never impacted my premium. Don't know about Canada insurance, but I thought the government there did not tolerate crappy insurance.

I'm point is the Dealers ( I took it to one, but called to others )and Ford could not tell me why it cracked therefore I think it had to be defective or don't use defrost on a cold windshield. If I am the only one with this problem then mine was/is defective. I do hear what you are saying, but I know of cars in the 1940s-1950s with perfect windshields.

 

[earlyadopt]

Defrost alone is not a common cause of windshield failure. The design of the glass on the lightning is the same as any F150, the best selling vehicle in North America. A systematic defect is very unlikely. Talk to your insurance agent about all the things you are reading about here. As another commenter mentioned, you are an elder, so I expect you to be experienced with such matters.

Same thing just happen to me yesterday on my MachE, no chip, windshield was pre-heated for my trip and out of nowhere, a hair line crack started up as I drove. Took it to a glass shop and they could not see any impact either. So his story is not one of falsehood. Preheating the car is a worry since if this is what happens to a winshield warming up, its going to be a pricey next 3 yrs.

 

[BeerNuts]

Just had this happen to me with my MachE, warmed it up, drove to Home Depot and I noticed a hair line crack at the bottom of the windshield moving up. Took my to a glass place and they quoted me $1,400 installed. No impact, no chip. My deductible is high to keeps rates in line so what I save in gas goes out to repairs of another kind. My car is 13 months old, full warranty but I did not pay for the extra high end warranty at time of purchase, just one level down that does not replace windshields. That may have been a mistake since I lease this for another 35 months. Sure hope tis is not an annual event. I feel your pain.

Sorry but I feel better that I am not alone Yes I will know longer be raving about this truck ( yes I love it ) but I will be thinking about trading it in on something other than a Ford.

 

[Duke_239]

Same thing just happen to me yesterday on my MachE, no chip, windshield was pre-heated for my trip and out of nowhere, a hair line crack started up as I drove. Took it to a glass shop and they could not see any impact either. So his story is not one of falsehood. Preheating the car is a worry since if this is what happens to a winshield warming up, its going to be a pricey next 3 yrs.

Sorry that happened to you. What was your cost to replace? What was the insurance treatment? Are you in the US or Canada?

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