A rock chipped my windshield a couple of weeks ago, and it's about 10" crack now.

I contact all the dealers nearby, even with OEM glass, they won't replace it themselves. They will have a third party contractor come in to do it. I think any dealer can do it, maybe they all share the same contractor.

For number 3, that's what a local dealer have told me, once the windshield has been replaced the sensors needs to be recalibrated. They charge about $500 for the recalibration and the entire new windshield, install and sensor calibration they quoted me $944.44 + tax. A local third party window-shop quote $530, and they claim that they won't unplug the sensor, thus no need to recalibrate.

The rock was kicked up from a corolla traveling the opposite direction. My dashcam only caught the sound of impact. I doubt that would be enough to make the claim. Still trying to figure out what to do about it.

 

A rock chipped my windshield a couple of weeks ago, and it's about 10" crack now.

I contact all the dealers nearby, even with OEM glass, they won't replace it themselves. They will have a third party contractor come in to do it. I think any dealer can do it, maybe they all share the same contractor.

For number 3, that's what a local dealer have told me, once the windshield has been replaced the sensors needs to be recalibrated. They charge about $500 for the recalibration and the entire new windshield, install and sensor calibration they quoted me $944.44 + tax. A local third party window-shop quote $530, and they claim that they won't unplug the sensor, thus no need to recalibrate.

The rock was kicked up from a corolla traveling the opposite direction. My dashcam only caught the sound of impact. I doubt that would be enough to make the claim. Still trying to figure out what to do about it.

Made some calls today. Local Toyota dealer recommended an auto glass shop that they use for all glass work. The shop said they can recalibrate and if any issues arise the dealer is right around the block.

Insurance should cover it all minus my deductible.

Given my experience thus far with the fragility of the Sienna’s windshield, I may look into a paint protection film-like windshield protection product like Exoshield. Need to do some more research, but if the cost isn’t prohibitive, it may be worth it in order to save me from paying another deductible in the future. We spend a lot of time on the freeway.

Exoshield:

Advanced Windshield Protection Film | ExoShield GT3

ExoShield is the leading windshield protection film, designed to make the windshield 6X stronger to prevent windshield repairs and replacements.

www.getexoshield.com

I miss my old Land Cruiser with its thick windshield. I’m pretty sure it would deflect a low caliber bullet at an off angle.

 

That is bad. Just from a flying rock? Another report that makes me feel like I just bought a really expensive TOY. My Gen 3 had multiple instances of rocks hitting the front windshield (local and highway speed) in my past 11+ years ownership and not a chip, until one stormy afternoon one big tree branch fell on my front hood and shattered my windshield at 35 mph speed. BAAAAAAM!!! Never saw it coming and was shell shocked for a few seconds for not knowing what hit me. It hit me so hard and loud that the car 50+ feet in front of me stopped and check in his/her rearview mirror for a while until I got out of the van. That's what it took to destroy my windshield in my GEN 3.

 

Comes with the territory of being a “Traveler” and “road tripping.”

Nature of the beast just driving, 6th day of ownership, crack. Fortunately it didn’t spread. Got it filled for $45.

 

Comes with the territory of being a “Traveler” and “road tripping.”

Nature of the beast just driving, 6th day of ownership, crack. Fortunately it didn’t spread. Got it filled for $45.
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Yep. I agree. This was chip #2 for me, but it splintered out before I could even exit the highway.

 

Has anyone remounted their OEM DASHCAM after a windshield replacement? The dash camera assembly appears to be mounted to the windshield with custom-cut 3M-style molding tape. I wonder if Toyota sells a remounting kit?

 

Honestly, I would say it was a net positive experience. I was dreading having to figure out how to fit a 3-hour (plus travel) repair appointment into my schedule, not to mention the repair costs into my budget. lack of 4-star service aside, I would go there again if it came to it.

 

I have the same issue with my wife’s 2021 Sienna. The windshield looks like it’s smiling, that’s how big the crack is. Anyone look into Safelite Auto Glass?

 

I’m sure you 2 aren’t smiling back.

As for safelite, you can goto their website and run an estimate. I had a crack and was fortunate enough that it was repairable. A local shop charged me $45, with a warranty. If damage “cracks a smile,” I get a $45 credit towards the replacement. I ran a crack repair quote on safelite. Nearly 4x more.

 

I suppose I should follow up to this thread and my original post to close out my experience.

The windshield was replaced last week by the local Toyota dealer recommended shop that I mentioned previously. It’s a small one bay operation, so it took them all day for the replacement and recalibration procedure at an offsite location. I was told that the tech at this shop is the best guy in my area and I can’t disagree. He did a great job with the install / attention to detail and the factory safety, lane assist, and collision prevention systems all function as they should.

Cost was my insurance deductible. I’m still looking at the ExoShield windshield exterior film and may try it out if the cost isn’t prohibitive. Nearest installer is about an hour away, though.

There is a tint/audio shop across the street and the tech there reinstalled my OEM DashCam with a small 2”x2” square of 3M molding tape. After talking to him, I’m taking the van back to his shop later this week for some tint work to the windshield, side windows, and sunroof.

 

I had my windshield replaced by Safelite. It was at a local tire shop where they rented a stall. While that didn't look very promising, everything turned out perfect. They replaced the windshield and recalibrated everything within 40min.

Tip, you can always adjust the deductible of your coverage down to $250 or even zero, wait couple weeks, and file a claim. Then adjust back. We've paid enough insurance premium of over the years to justify the small workaround.

 

Are there differences between windshields? Besides the heads up display?

 

Not sure. We used my VIN to order it. I haven’t noticed any visual difference between the Platinum and XLE/LE trim windshields and I’ve been in a couple lower trim 4th Gens riding Uber/Lyft. At least in my van, the windshield does not have, nor did it have from the factory, a darker/tinted area in front of the HUD - like some vehicles with similar tech.

On the 3rd Gen, some folks who had to replace windshields got the "Acoustic" ones as a replacement which was only available on selected trims. These offer much better soundproofing than the non-acoustic ones. To identify, the word "Acoustic" was embossed on the windshield along with the manufacturer and other details.

Not sure if all 4th Gen's come with an acoustic windshield, and if they dont, you can get it as a replacement. From what I know, folks worked with the installer and paid the difference between an acoustic & non-acoustic one. Check if it is an option

Interesting.

 

On the 3rd Gen, some folks who had to replace windshields got the "Acoustic" ones as a replacement which was only available on selected trims. These offer much better soundproofing than the non-acoustic ones. To identify, the word "Acoustic" was embossed on the windshield along with the manufacturer and other details.

Not sure if all 4th Gen's come with an acoustic windshield, and if they dont, you can get it as a replacement. From what I know, folks worked with the installer and paid the difference between an acoustic & non-acoustic one. Check if it is an option

 

Got mine replaced and recalibrated by Safelite with no issues. Cost me a deductible of my insurance. They suggested an aftermarket but I chose OEM and it looks like a brand new tbh.

OEM glass is 700
Labor 60
Calibration 450
Recycle Fee 30

+ Tax

 

Which model do you have?

 

I talked to my insurance broker, and got a "no claim" $50 deductible for windshield replacements on my policy. These new cars are getting more and more expensive with gadgets.

 

I got a small chip on my '23 windshield near the wiper arm. I didn't notice it at first because it's in the blackened area. So I filled it with the Rain X kit, which I had no issues with in the past. I got the chips, but it had spidered out in two directions horizontally. I tried to fill those cracks too, but the windshield would not let the resin seep in. So i'm at a crossroad... leave it there and hope it doesn't spread, call someone to try and repair the little cracks and hope they don't spread it in the process, or call safelite. Safelite quoted me $1700+ for OEM glass, labor, calibration, tax. I could find a lot of other uses with $1700...

 

Same as mine. started at the bottom then it became 8 inches, then 16 so I finally replaced it.

 

I used Safelite for my 2023 Camry and they did a really shit 💩 job. The technician pulled out the insulation from the remote start module that’s stuck on the windshield exposing the black and red wires that are inside the insulation. They also damaged the plastic down below the windshield. When I complained to the fat shit 💩 manager of the place, he told me that it was acceptable. I’m afraid to go back to any Safelite Glass place ever again. Finding a really meticulous glass place is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

 

You are searching around for help and figuring out how to get your windshield replaced, please pay attention. I have gone through this multiple times with my family's Toyotas that have the optical safety systems behind the glass. I am also a former insurance company representative and policy salesperson. It was not a proud time in my life, but at least I've got the knowledge...

To start off with, Toyota only warranties their safety systems to operate properly when a windshield replacement is completed with Toyota glass and Toyota calibration.

Toyota has a bulletin that states the need for OEM glass and Toyota software for the calibration. This should be sufficient for any car insurance company to be compelled to cover a complete windshield replacement with a dealership's body shop doing the work.

The cost of a typical windshield with all of the calibration will go over $2,000. If you have full coverage (which means collision and comprehensive in addition to your liability), you would be using your comprehensive coverage to cover glass. Insurance companies that give you "free" glass coverage have caveats galore in their coverage. Many of these companies also have a direct line to Safelite for glass claims. Do not go straight to your glass coverage phone number, contact a representative who does not work for Safelite.

Contact your local Toyota dealership body shop, make sure that they do decent work by checking their ratings and other Toyota body shops nearby and ask them for that service bulletin to be supplied to the insurance company. If the adjuster you speak to acts stupid, ask for a different adjuster or go to a different shop. This is common freaking knowledge and I've seen the bulletin myself and have benefited from its verbiage multiple times.

Also, a little known secret is that comprehensive coverage is a lot cheaper per dollar of coverage than collision. I highly recommend getting the lowest possible deductible for comprehensive. While I was a licensed insurance agent, I learned this trick and it has saved myself and my former customers tons of money. Comprehensive covers acts of God, vandalism, things that run in front of your car and rocks that run into your glass.

I am not exaggerating when I say that the last two times I was at the Toyota Carlsbad body shop, they had a line of cars because of glass repair problems. Safelite is cheap Chinese glass and generic calibration software.

 

You are searching around for help and figuring out how to get your windshield replaced, please pay attention. I have gone through this multiple times with my family's Toyotas that have the optical safety systems behind the glass. I am also a former insurance company representative and policy salesperson. It was not a proud time in my life, but at least I've got the knowledge...

To start off with, Toyota only warranties their safety systems to operate properly when a windshield replacement is completed with Toyota glass and Toyota calibration.

Toyota has a bulletin that states the need for OEM glass and Toyota software for the calibration. This should be sufficient for any car insurance company to be compelled to cover a complete windshield replacement with a dealership's body shop doing the work.

The cost of a typical windshield with all of the calibration will go over $2,000. If you have full coverage (which means collision and comprehensive in addition to your liability), you would be using your comprehensive coverage to cover glass. Insurance companies that give you "free" glass coverage have caveats galore in their coverage. Many of these companies also have a direct line to Safelite for glass claims. Do not go straight to your glass coverage phone number, contact a representative who does not work for Safelite.

Contact your local Toyota dealership body shop, make sure that they do decent work by checking their ratings and other Toyota body shops nearby and ask them for that service bulletin to be supplied to the insurance company. If the adjuster you speak to acts stupid, ask for a different adjuster or go to a different shop. This is common freaking knowledge and I've seen the bulletin myself and have benefited from its verbiage multiple times.

Also, a little known secret is that comprehensive coverage is a lot cheaper per dollar of coverage than collision. I highly recommend getting the lowest possible deductible for comprehensive. While I was a licensed insurance agent, I learned this trick and it has saved myself and my former customers tons of money. Comprehensive covers acts of God, vandalism, things that run in front of your car and rocks that run into your glass.

I am not exaggerating when I say that the last two times I was at the Toyota Carlsbad body shop, they had a line of cars because of glass repair problems. Safelite is cheap Chinese glass and generic calibration software.

So tell us which glass companies that we should use? Safelite sucks. They screwed up the new windshield replacement on my 2023 Camry SE AWD when they gouged the plastic cowl. The fat shit that was manager at the Safelite place where I got my windshield replaced said that the work that they did was acceptable. I wasn’t happy but couldn’t do much about the shit quality work that they did. Thankfully, the windshield got damaged again and I replaced it together with the plastic cowl that the fat shit from Safelite damaged at a privately owned glass shop.

 

I meant which glass installation companies are the best to use that have excellent quality workmanship who will not screw up the windshield install?

 

Nationally? Any national group is going to hire the most generic of laborers.

If you don't go to a dealership body shop, I would just look for the best reputation locally.

Since I don't see where you are in your profile I wouldn't even know where to begin.

 

I got a Pilkington replacement glass. The glass shop owner advised it was the best you can buy.

Wouldn't the moss Magnuson act prevent requiring OEM glass and such unless they can prove the failure was caused by the aftermarket equipment?

 

I got a Pilkington replacement glass. The glass shop owner advised it was the best you can buy.

Wouldn't the moss Magnuson act prevent requiring OEM glass and such unless they can prove the failure was caused by the aftermarket equipment?

It (the Toyota bulletin regarding OEM glass and OEM calibration of safety systems) shouldn't violate the Magnuson Act. It is strictly a warranty of performance, not a permission to use it or not.

They are not saying it will not work, they just will not guarantee a third party product to work with it. Then there's the practicality, cheap replacement glass doesn't necessarily have clean, distortion-free optics.

This is an excerpt of the document, I do not include any of the other text because it contains personal information.