Windshield design is bad

There are two ways to help let Toyota know of any issue that comes up on the 2010 Prius (and on Toyotas for that matter) The first is to post here. Toyota Corporate does have people monitoring this and other websites for info just like the windshied issue and opinions. They really do listen. The second is a little more involved.
It requires asking a Technician at the local dealer to file a Dealer Product Report. These are kind of a pain in the rear end for most of us techs since the report asks for a lot of very specific information. I did one the other day for a lady whose Blackberry had an issue pairing to her car. I had to spend 20 minutes in the parts dept. getting part numbers even though I did no repair and replaced nothing. While 20 minutes may seem unimportant, in the world of flat rate, time is money. And like it or not, I go to work for the primary reason that I have bills to pay.

BTW, the lady's problem with her Blackberry was solved by having her update the phone.

 

Add mine to the list of cracked windshield. It just cracked from top to half way down to the middle of the windshield. The dealer quoted ~$1000+.

 

Just today I had a pretty big stone/something thrown at my 8+ year old Nissan Altima windshield. I suspect its got a small chip, but its holding up well. I will inspect it tomorrow. Over the course of the past 8+ years driving experience with this car, I have had several occasions with significant stone like objects thrown at this car's windshield and I am amazed it's withstood them all so well so far. I also know of a friend's Honda Civic many years ago which had a large crack across its windshield, reportedly from a highway stone hit. I suspect based on this that Nissan windshields are just well designed. I am waiting for a new Prius. I hope it is as solidly built as well.

 

Ok so here's an interesting solution.

I've had my 2010 Prius since July 8th and wouldn't ya know it .. I got a stone chip in the upper left hand corner and got a giant crack that went from the top left in an S pattern right across my windshield to the centre. .. .. i hate my life sometimes.

Non the less, i took it to the auto glass place to have them replace it through insurance (gotta love it) and they informed me that the windshield new (as they didn't have an aftermarket option yet available to them) would almost $1,000 to replace if I wasn't simply paying the deductible.

Now I noticed that the edge of the windshield isn't protected with a rubber edging like some windshields have and i asked the guy about it and he informed me that he could replace it with a similar edging as to what they use in the Corolla. He has and so far it's been just fine with no issues. So for anyone else having issues with their windshield I might suggest this as well if you require replacement and then (hopefully) it won't re-occur.

Hope this is helpful

 

I just want to say a word of caution regarding aftermarket automotive glass. The windshield in todays' cars is an integral part of the vehicle's structure and plays a role in crash protection, especially in a roll-over event. Make sure the aftermarket glass you're having installed maintains that same level of crashworthiness. As with everything else in life, there are no free lunches -- you get what you pay for.

 

Agreed. I've had several cars with much larger glass surfaces, as well as having rain sensors an integral part of the front window...and I've never heard of a $900 bill for a car window. Not even close to this. So either this person is being ripped off, there is something very unique and difficult about the replacement, or, because it's so new, the supply, and therefore the cost, is high?