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

[BeerNuts]

I assume your truck has been through cold weather cycles before and the windshield did not crack.

Unfortunate that it happened but probably not a reason to black ball Ford, and I fully understand why glass issues would not be warranted on a 2023 vehicle. Focus on the positive.

It was the first time I turned on the defrost and went back into the house and that cost me $1,200
No fault of mine and everyone tells me they've never seen it before so yes I'm pissed.
I'll just drive it now and have a story to tell everyone who will listen.

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[Grease Lightning]

If it did break then for sure it's from something that hit it.

That is the part I think most people miss. It is called a shield for a reason. Sure the primary is the wind part, but we have all experienced those rocks that fly out of nowhere and hit your window, good and grill. Sometimes they damage the window and that damage is evident from a chip or crack instantly. Some times, just the impact can cause just a little damage your eye cannot see and weeks or months later you see a crack and wonder why. All it takes is to sealing the glass and it is more susceptible to issues later.

 

[earlyadopt]

Upsetting as it may be it does not make the idea of trading your truck, with the financial hit that inevitably entails, for this specific reason any less insane. And "finely tuned investment"? It's a truck.

Well you can call it what you want. Everyone has a reason for buying the vehicle. I seldon fine two people that buy the same vehicle for the same reason. The fact of the matter is, vehicles are the second largest expenditure a person makes, maybe the largest it you account for the amount of vehicles in a life time. This is a large investment, pleasure, work, utility factor. he may get hit with a large depreciation on it but clearly he is not happy with Ford. If he was dealing with Tesla, he probably would have beaten the Truck to death after he experienced their service and support.

 

[Tony Burgh]

Well you can call it what you want. Everyone has a reason for buying the vehicle. I seldon fine two people that buy the same vehicle for the same reason. The fact of the matter is, vehicles are the second largest expenditure a person makes, maybe the largest it you account for the amount of vehicles in a life time. This is a large investment, pleasure, work, utility factor. he may get hit with a large depreciation on it but clearly he is not happy with Ford. If he was dealing with Tesla, he probably would have beaten the Truck to death after he experienced their service and support.

Act in haste, repent in leisure.

 

[MTcowpoke]

My truck is always outside. We've had lots of snow and subzero temps. The other day I remote started it with piles of snow on the entire truck. When I got in I turned on the wipers and blew a crack across the bottom of the windshield. That being said, I have also done the same thing in two of my Dodge diesels over the years, so not just a Ford thing. Modern windshields are glued in with urethane and become some of the structure so they don't have the ability to give when the sudden cold shrinks them. Those old windshields were held in by a rubber surround that allowed the glass to contract. It's just one of the things that's going to happen to all modern auto glass.

 

[jimfigler]

Zero deductible glass coverage use to be almost given away with comprehensive insurance. its gone up quite from years ago a bit but still worth it.

none of us would be happy if our windshield cracked by just using the defroster. but after a year of use i would never consider that it is fords responsibility to replace it.

 

[Hammick]

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.

Coverage depends on the state. In Missouri I know my past three insurers (Allstate, Progressive and now USAA) do not offer a $0 glass deductible. And Progressive treats windshield repairs as claims (even the chip repairs at Safelite that are zero deductible). I was shocked when I discovered this.

 

[gletob]

My 2013 CR-V did this, albeit in 2018 and after ~90k miles and lots of opportunities for dings. I get your frustration but I also understand the perspective of them not covering this...Have you ever been down the road and heard a rock hit your windshield but not leave a crack? Stuff like that can cause defects in the glass which will be a weak spot.

 

[rdr854]

I’ve had this happen on my Chevy Suburban - even when it was moderately cold, but cold enough to just turn on the heat. Got to watch the crack travel across the bottom of the windshield as I drove down the road.

 

[Henry Ford]

I have a chip in my line of sight. Every time I drive I say a silent prayer, hoping, wishing this will be the day fate finally cracks my windshield so I don't have to suffer the agony of the chip any longer. Alas, my prayers were answered for @BeerNuts.

It should have been me, it should have been me...

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