FJ front window cracking problem

[joebarbarian]

Has anyone encountered a cracked front windshield with no apparent reason for the split. the vehicle had no visible damage other than the split in the glass/ no rock damage or any other type.
I heard their was a factory problem with the glass.

 

[PMSteve]

Not yet.... (fingers crossed)

 

[michaelknight]

window crack

Mine started as a small crack that goes clear across the window. To replace it will cost a GRAND or more. That sucks! Michael

 

[three%hero]

Mine cracked yesterday. I haven't contacted insurance yet. I'm keeping my figers crossed that they'll pull through for me...

 

[mjager24]

Cracked window

All,
I have a small rock crack in the middle of the window. As I drove for the next 5 days I noticed a 3 inch strait crack right above the middle front washer blade.
Once you get one crack the window I believe cannot hold up to wind, heat, or anything else. I bleieve it to be a design flaw.
MJager24

 

[FJ BODY RMR]

I have a small vertical crack, maybe 1/4" just beneath the passenger wiper blade, but I am thinking I caught a stone while driving on the interstate. With the vertical windshield I swear that the damn thing is going to bust out when a big bug strikes it at 80mph, lol.

 

[jaowli]

I've had my FJ Cruiser now for three weeks and I already have two rock chips. It saddens me to have these ALREADY less then a month after owning my FJ. Any suggestions? Have they started a recall about this issue? I've been on several forums where owners have been calling for a windshield recall since the introduction of the FJ, but I haven't seen anything yet.

 

[k_os]

I've had my FJ Cruiser now for three weeks and I already have two rock chips. It saddens me to have these ALREADY less then a month after owning my FJ. Any suggestions? Have they started a recall about this issue? I've been on several forums where owners have been calling for a windshield recall since the introduction of the FJ, but I haven't seen anything yet.

There's nothing to recall... a different windshield wont cause aerodynamics to change. 30-45 regular windshield creates an "air bubble" on top of the windshield. Our windshield being almost 90 degrees creates an air suction device right by our windshields. Why do you think your FJs windshield seems to catch every other bug out there? And with your older car/truck you seemed to steer away from every other bug?

I feel like I haven't explained myself enough but it's hard to do so through 0s and 1s so use your imagination and own reasoning a little.

 

[Baldman]

Does anyone know if the Scion Xb (same shaped vehicle and windshield) has this problem? If not, it seems like a product redesign, followed by a recall, should be in the works by Toyota. If not, it is only a matter of time before a class-action suite will occur. It sounds like this may be a major safety issue - a sizable/series of impact(s) imploding the windshield and causing a major accident.

 

[MoCoNative]

What's all this about recalls and such. The FJCruiser was designed to look like an FJ-40. Well the 40 had a flat straight up windshield, and yes it catches lots of bugs and rocks and everything else. It has a vent on the earlier models below the glass to force air in the cab. However, I've driven mine for many years, and 10's of thousands of miles. I've hit alot of bugs, rocks and a few birds. It is very unlikely that normal road debris will come through the windshield and get you.

Large debris will come through any glass windshield regardless of angle, so watch out for flying boards, large rocks, chains all that, it will get you no matter what.

As far as redesign goes, the FJCruiser was built for its distinct shape, and appearance of a 40. So changing the windshield angle will change all of the vehicle, and then you have a 4Runner.

If the process or shape of the glass is truely flawed and is not holding up then you have a case. However, every vehicle I have ever seen, new or old has evetually gotten a rock chip and cracked. Or the glass cracked no for no reason, starting on the edge, due to a nick in the edge of the glass. Heat and cooling usually is what destroys a windshield.

 

[ToyotaDon]

Does anyone know if the Scion Xb (same shaped vehicle and windshield) has this problem? If not, it seems like a product redesign, followed by a recall, should be in the works by Toyota. If not, it is only a matter of time before a class-action suite will occur. It sounds like this may be a major safety issue - a sizable/series of impact(s) imploding the windshield and causing a major accident.

We have seen quite a few XBs with cracked windshields. One had 3 in a row, but a rock chip was always able to be found. The angle is the main factor in catching rocks, bugs, etc.
BTW-Windshields are designed not to implode, ever see a car with spider cracks all over the W/S, usually it's only the outer layer that gets broken.

 

[Baldman]

We have seen quite a few XBs with cracked windshields. One had 3 in a row, but a rock chip was always able to be found. The angle is the main factor in catching rocks, bugs, etc.
BTW-Windshields are designed not to implode, ever see a car with spider cracks all over the W/S, usually it's only the outer layer that gets broken.

No problem with the angle, as I also have a Jeep YJ with a much worse condition for catching anything in its path. Composition and design flaws are my only concern...which really are not a concern until a simple pebble creates a crack. If an object strikes with enough force that portion of the windshield WILL implode - my inlaws recently experienced this when a piece of wood fell off of the truck in front of them and was nearly hurled completely through their windshield. Their vehicle is a mini-van with a very steep angle. I have had no windshield problems thus far, but I like to stay active with any issues involving products I purchase. Cheers!