The Ranger's windshield is garbage

[markal49]

I have an XLT purchased in April of this year. Within weeks and two or three thousand miles I got a stress crack in my windshield. Thankfully, the dealership agreed it was simply stress crack and not caused by a chip and they replaced it under warranty. In addition to that crack, the original windshield created a lot of weird glare when driving toward the sun, like it was really faulty somehow. Ok, new windshield in May courtesy of Ford.

This past weekend, returning from a trip to South Dakota, we got two rock chips in the new windshield. Now, obviously, rock chips happen, it's just bad luck. But I've been road tripping and driving off-pavement for a long time, mostly in Subarus, but also a couple of Hondas. I think before the two chips this weekend, I've had one chipped before, which was eventually replaced on a Subaru Outback.

Bottom line - One stress crack and the windshield replaced, now two rock ships in the new windshield, all in less than 7,000 miles. Is Ford glass sub-standard?

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[SubaruRaptor]

Rock chips happen, also Subaru windshields are notoriously soft in general. Just bad luck is all.

 

[Appleman1le]

you should see how it is in the jeep world. Windshields are a maintenance item like oil changes

 

[HighDesertRanger]

Take a trip south to New Mexico. Half the windshields are cracked lol

 

[Hootbro]

It happens. Just because you got by on other vehicles longer does not reduce the variables that you will get the one piece of material that will chip yours.

Jeep markets a thing called "Gorilla Glass" that is supposed to be more resistant to impact. The problem, is that there is no way to actually determine or measure it in real world conditions. Most Jeepers think it is a scam.

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

It happens. Just because you got by on other vehicles longer does not reduce the variables that you will get the one piece of material that will chip yours.

Jeep markets a thing called "Gorilla Glass" that is supposed to be more resistant to impact. The problem, is that there is no way to actually determine or measure it in real world conditions. Most Jeepers think it is a scam.

I have heard about that glass, it's a coating that goes over the glass like tint does but it is clear and goes on the outside. Very hard to apply it without getting a few bubbles in it. I know a few trucks have it that drive their rigs on dirt/gravel roads.

 

[BriSco]

I used to have a Dodge Dakota that I swore the windshield was a rock magnet sucking them off the road. I had at least six stone chips and three windshield replacements. I never had that problem before or since.

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

One thing that will help is windshield film exoshield. I’ve used it 4 mil and 6 mil windshield film several times in the past and it’s saved the windshield from impacts. Lasts about 2-3 years if taken care of properly.

I’ve taken full impacts from stones and all that happens is it will dent or slightly abrade the film. Once removed upon reinstall, nothing on the DP glass.

 

[fordtrks4ever]

I received a stone chip under 500 miles.
Has happened to every truck I have owed.
I thought it was just my bad luck guess not.

 

[Ranger#5?]

you should see how it is in the jeep world. Windshields are a maintenance item like oil changes

my 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee is still on original glass, though I've taken some hard hits I was sure would at least chip if not Crack it. Maybe I just got a good 1? Probably jinxed it now by mentioning

 

[Ranger#5?]

I have heard about that glass, it's a coating that goes over the glass like tint does but it is clear and goes on the outside. Very hard to apply it without getting a few bubbles in it. I know a few trucks have it that drive their rigs on dirt/gravel roads.

are you sure that is the actual product trade name or a common descriptor? I worked on cell phones at Nokia 2004_2014 and did a stint in the environmental lab where phones are deliberately torture tested to make as robust as possible before going into mass production. Screen breakage on phones was a point of interest in the industry and we did a bunch of testing of Gorilla Glass (real product name) and it held up very well in drop tests, tumble tests, getting hit with weights, hammers, projectiles, etc. and was accepted for use. It was not a coating applied to the glass to my knowledge but a different type of glass.

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

are you sure that is the actual product trade name or a common descriptor? I worked on cell phones at Nokia 2004_2014 and did a stint in the environmental lab where phones are deliberately torture tested to make as robust as possible before going into mass production. Screen breakage on phones was a point of interest in the industry and we did a bunch of testing of Gorilla Glass (real product name) and it held up very well in drop tests, tumble tests, getting hit with weights, hammers, projectiles, etc. and was accepted for use. It was not a coating applied to the glass to my knowledge but a different type of glass.

Might not have been called that(Gorilla Glass) but that was what they were using 15-20 years ago up North.

 

[Landlordy]

Just noticed a tiny chip in my new ranger raptor 2500 miles. I have didn’t hear any kind of impact at all while driving since new. Funny that this post just popped up in my email I noticed it about an hour ago. Would this be considered a stress crack?

 

[Hootbro]

Would this be considered a stress crack?

No. Stress cracks usually start from the frame perimeter and go inwards. There needs to be no signs of impact or chipping.

Your pics look like classic chip damage from debris hitting it.

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