Distorted Replacement Rear Window Glass

[shimadog]

Recently my '05 rear window was shattered. Farmers Insurance steered me to their glass vendor, Safelite, for a replacement. My policy did not cover OEM Toyota glass, and I would have had to pay the difference above and beyond my deductable for the Toyota product.

At the time I was assurred that all aftermarket glass, including PPG, were manufactured to the same specifications. After an installation hassle I soon noticed that cars and other objects were distorted when I moved my head. The rear view mirror was not an issue.

I do not recall ever having seen distortions like these in my factory installed glass. Do you see wavy, thin objects in your rear window? Looks like I'll have to go round 2 with Safelite.

Thanks for your comments.

[richard schumacher]

This is why I hate aftermarket glass which is either (1) curved or (2) viewed through a low angle.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by shimadog

...My policy did not cover OEM Toyota glass, and I would have had to pay the difference above and beyond my deductable for the Toyota product.

At the time I was assurred that all aftermarket glass, including PPG, were manufactured to the same specifications. After an installation hassle I soon noticed that cars and other objects were distorted when I moved my head. The rear view mirror was not an issue.

No noticeable distortion with my 2004. MSRP for the correct Toyota rear hatch glass is $434; Champion Toyota (Houston)'s price is $330.
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[kenmce]

Originally Posted by shimadog

After an installation hassle I soon noticed that cars and other objects were distorted when I moved my head.

My factory original glass does not do that. Anything that interferes with your seeing clearly and accurately makes the car less safe.

[dwreed3rd]

Is there any chance that going back to Farmers Insurance and explaining that the glass is sub-par and dangerous. Are there any consumer advocate groups in your area that might help. I can see them balking if it was cosmetic. But you were lied to, if someone representing them assured you there was no difference. You made you decision based on mis-information. I would think you could get someone to listen. They should either replace it with glass trhat is not distorted, at no additional charge to you, or replace it with OEM glass for the difference, no additional labor.
How long have you beem with your insurance company? I think it would be worth trying. Just don't give up too easily. Gool luck.

[shimadog]

It took some arm twisting but Farmers finally greed to replace the distorted piece of c**p PPG unit with a new OEM Toyota piece at no extra charge. Safelite will install it, and I'll offer a hopefully positive update afterward.

[dwreed3rd]

Originally Posted by shimadog

It took some arm twisting but Farmers finally greed to replace the distorted piece of c**p PPG unit with a new OEM Toyota piece at no extra charge. Safelite will install it, and I'll offer a hopefully positive update afterward.

Way to go! If more people would know to do that, The insurance companies, might police things a little better themselves, since it usually costs less to do it right the first time than to do it over.
I'm proud of you. Thanks for updating us.

[shimadog]

Safelite replaced the terribly distorted PPG glass with an OEM Toyota product today. I notice that the very bottom of the clear area is slightly distorted, almost beveled. The installer said he thought that this might be a byproduct of baking the black area to the clear pane. Otherwise, objects in the mirror don't look like the funhouse. Frankly, after three at bats with this replacement I'm almost ready to just accept the job as is. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Patrick Wong]

I'm assuming that the replaced glass is the large piece that the rear wiper sweeps over. Does the distortion affect your ability to see objects behind you or induce any vision problems?

If not, perhaps it would be well to accept the glass and be done with it, especially since (for me, at least) most viewing is done through the small glass below the spoiler.

[shimadog]

Thanks for your support, especially dwreed's. Yesterday the Redwood City California Safelite shop installed a third hatch window, the second "OEM" Toyota unit.

Earlier I visited my Toyota dealer and sat in eight Priuii, both new and used. No new Prius had any distortion. Perhaps one of the used cars had some distortion below the bottom defroster inlay.

The short of it? Even after a thorough pre-installation inspection, the final result was the same as Toyota panel #1!

I give up, and will live with this. It is more of an annoyance than a safety issue. I bet Toyota manufactures replacement glass in a different Japanese factory than new car glass. Thank you.