Windshield - Too easy to get chips/ cracks.....Any experience

[Rivianstar]

Hello everyone,

I have a First Gen 2024 R1S and have been using it for the last 6 months. I have noticed that, my front wind shield already has 2 chips from what I feel shouldn't have happened. It could be that, both times they were hit at a specific angle and sharp end to it the stones, but never had similar experience of the same in many many years of my driving on the similar roads. Makes me wonder the quality of the wind shield?

I just want to know, whether someone else have experienced similar concern?

Thank you

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[norivian]

Not yet on my Rivian but it seems like it. Same thing as Tesla, mine got chips all over; luckily no cracks/breaks yet.

 

[NY_Rob]

Dozens and dozens of chipped/cracked Rivian windshield posts on the forum over the last couple of years.
No aftermarket brands available (like Corning Gorilla Glass, etc.. ) so you're stuck with the OEM brand. And, from everything I've seen here, don't waste your $$$ on those windshield films, they don't help at all on Rivian glass. Best thing you can do is get decent glass coverage from your insurance broker because it's about $1,600 for a replacement

 

[madgrey]

There are a whole bunch of different factors that influence whether or not your windshield is damaged by a rock but I'm guessing being in the wrong place at the wrong time (luck) is of first order. My family has replaced 3 windshields in 8 or so years. One on my wife's '22 Wrangler (Corning Gorilla glass), one on a 7yo Ford Flex and one on a 6yo Corvette (Zo6 with a reportedly light windshield). All three cars had very light damage before the final rock took them out. My Rivian glass is spotless with more miles than all but the Flex but that don't mean it's better (or worse) than any of the others.

 

[atebit]

Fuyao!

 

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

Like ny_rob noted, many posts about this, PLZ do a search.

And, well another FaQ entry.

Yes, the glass on the front and top of our awesome transporters are a conundrum, IMO.

I had my roof glass replaced and my windshield has a freaking crack, that luckily has not expanded....yet. I've owned Izzy since June of '23.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I had one on my Audi and had my Rivian for longer and more road trips with no chips. Sometimes you're just unlucky.

 

[runningdenver]

Dozens and dozens of chipped/cracked Rivian windshield posts on the forum over the last couple of years.
No aftermarket brands available (like Corning Gorilla glass, etc.. ) so you're stuck with the OEM brand. And, from everything I've seen here, don't waste your $$$ on those windshield films, they don't help at all on Rivian glass. Best thing you can do is get decent glass coverage from your insurance broker because it's about $1,600 for a replacement

I had xpel done on my front windshield and believe it definitely helped with a stone that nailed me on the highway. Small dent, but no cracking, although without the same thing hitting a windshield without xpel, we'd never know for sure...

I think a lot of this is for people coming from more regular 'cars' where the angle of the windshield is less than the Rivian. I came from a jeep wrangler, which is even more 'upright' and closer to 90 degrees, and I used to have to replace that sucker every year. It's the angle of the impact, more than anything else imo. Colorado roads are covered in stones, so it's just a matter of time here. You can get additional insurance for it if you're concerned.

 

[NY_Rob]

We need Project Farm to do a windshield protection film test. The package states 'protects windshields from rock chips, road debris and cracks' .. "We're gonna test that!"

 

[NY_Rob]

Fuyao!

What did the former Fuyao USA exec say (in the documentary "American Factory" which is about the company that makes the windshield and roof glass for Rivian).. "there is no Fuyao without F.U." lol

I guess that "former Fuyao exec" was fortunate he worked for Fuyao here vs China, because at least in this country when you're told "you're being fired" you still get to go home

 

[CrazyOne]

Most cracks seem to be at the bottom of the windshield which is blacked out. Perhaps we can add some kind of protection there.

 

[Atlrivian]

I had driven SUVs for 20+ years prior to getting my R1T and had to replace exactly zero windshields. With my R1T I've filled 3 large star chips in the last 2 years. Been holding out on replacing the glass mainly because it is a huge hassle.

 

[Joules Burn]

Safelight just sealed a quarter sized chip that was hit dead center on my R1S. Some little spider tracks but it's no worse than a bug splat. My low profile vehicles rarely get a stone but high profile vehicles were prone. I went through two windshields on a Jeep Overland. Five windshields on a Land Rover Discovery plus a headliner because one wasn't sealed right.

 

[Luvolbikes]

Until I see evidence that Rivian windshields chip and crack at a higher rate than other vehicles I won't accept it as being true. I commuted on the Interstate to work and back for 15 years. Every vehicle I owned had at least a repair if not a replacement. 2008 Ford f250, 2003 Hyundai elantra, 2013 Chevy Volt. As well as my Jayco motorhome. I was talking to a private repair guy recently. He stated modern cars use much thinner glass than the older cars did and they chip and crack much more readily. To avoid this stay away from commercial trucks and work vehicles on the highways when you can. Large tires with deep wide tread throw big rocks even with flaps. Work trucks hauling equipment and trailers with dirt and rocks are high risk. Also know that if you use your insurance to repair windshields they will raise your rates. My Rivian insurance is amazingly inexpensive but windshield coverage would have added $400 annually. I get my chips repaired for $25 out of my pocket to avoid insurance rate increases. I only used insurance in the past for replacements but windshield coverage was always cheap before Rivian. Now I'll take my chances being uninsured for glass. I no longer use the highways as often since I retired.

 

[iforbes]

If you go on my sample size of one (just like OP) then Rivians never get chips.

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