Gen4 - How often has your windshield needed replacement?

The original 2016 windscreen was made a little too thin to save weight, these were inclined to crack in a similar way to your pic. This was updated in later 2017 onwards models.
If you had your original screen replaced with a “like for like” 2016 part it would have still had the same issue.

 

Once since new. Same scenario as you, but I did hear the sound of a "rock" hitting the windshield while driving. I searched the visible portion of the windshield, found nothing so I forgot about it. Next morning, my windshield had a large crack emanating from the bottom of the windscreen. Upon further inspection, there was in fact a "chip" in the lower portion of the glass in the black section where everything started. Replaced it with the common "non Toyota" brand glass and it has held up to today. My lane departure was mis-aligned after, so I turned it OFF and don't really miss it.

 

My Prime had about 66k miles on it when I traded it. Still the original windshield. But a friend in Mississippi who drove lots of gravel roads in his 2016 had his replaced three times in his first two years, iirc.

 

My windshield has been hit twice while at 55mph. No cracks. Original since new.

 

Your windshield probably gets hit by rock and chips all the time

 

2016 Prius with 66k miles and no cracks on the original windshield. We drive it cross country once or twice a year.

moto g power ?

 

My 2021 has a couple of rock chips. I tried sealing the first chip but have not got around to trying it on the second chip. I'm not inclined to replace it until one of them cracks. I have the advanced tech package so I assume the cost to replace will be higher than average. Curious what the cost of replacement at an independent shop would be.

 

I may be wrong, but wasn’t there some design change to the original design of the windshield? If I remember correctly, the old style was still available through aftermarket repair places. Have all your replacements been through non-dealer sources? Just curious.

 

I have a Gen 4, and when I was removing the wipers, I subtle caught the edge of the windshield. That sent a crack across the whole pane.

That glass is brittle, but it's the windshield which should be a lot stronger than that.

Where should someone get a replacement that isn't so brittle?

 

I would go through the dealership to be as sure as possible to get the correct one.

 

Our 2017 has 30,000 miles and is original but does have some pitting from road rocks. The 2021 was cracked (on the bottom) when she took out a deer in Nov 21 so it was replaced along with much of of the front end. (Amazing how much damage was done, actually, almost $11,000 to fix it all.)

 

I’ve seen some complaints online about the ‘16 being prone to cracking, and saw one cracked when I was shopping for a 2016 that had 200k on it. The owner claimed it has just cracked a few days after he placed the ad stating the car needed nothing. My guess is he didn’t want to disclose it to potential buyers. My 2016 has 165k on the clock and is apparently still on the original glass (based on the part number and the service records). I do have a rock chip on the passenger side, but it hasn’t spread and a chip or two isn’t unusual at that sort of mileage.