Can a Windshield Shatter on Its Own?

Windshields may shatter upon impact with an object such as a rock. However, car owners may have their windshield shatter due to unseen stress, cracks, or even glass defects in certain vehicles.

Can a Windshield Shatter on its Own?

In some cases, a windshield may shatter seemingly without cause; but there is always a reason.

Sometimes, a windshield may have a small crack or chip which can grow due to extreme temperatures or mechanical stress. If these issues are not repaired, a windshield may shatter – seemingly out of nowhere.

A cracked or chipped windshield is much more common than a shattered one. As consumers worry about what can make a windshield shatter on its own, they may also wonder if a windshield can chip or crack on its own. Sometimes, an occurrence as innocuous as a rock hitting the windshield while driving can cause a chip or a crack in the windshield. 

Happily, a chipped windshield can often be repaired, and does own need to be replaced. However, you should act quickly to ensure that a chip does not turn into a crack. Glass.com explains that windshields are made of two pieces of glass sandwiched together.

A chip can turn into a crack because of pressure or changing temperatures that may occur during the normal use of a vehicle. Reportedly, water can get between these two layers. Low temperatures can cause the water to freeze, and expand.

This expansion can then crack the windshield further. On the flip side of the coin, low temperatures may cause the glass itself to contract, which can also cause more cracks. Dirt can also get into a windshield crack, and can wedge itself between the two layers of glass.

Once there is a crack in a windshield, as opposed to just a chip, then the whole windshield will likely need to be replaced, which may be a more complicated endeavor.

Glass.com explains that it is not safe to drive with a crack or a chipped windshield. Though the crack may be small, it can quickly widen if you hit a bump on the road, or if other factors come into play.

In some cases, windshields may break due to manufacturing errors. For example, if the glass is nicked or chipped during installation, those cracks can grow and cause the glass to shatter. Additionally, failure to properly engineer the glass can also lead to damage and eventual breakage.

Unexplained windshield shatter problems have allegedly been reported for some Subaru vehicles. The plaintiffs in a Subaru class action lawsuit claimed that Outback vehicles are equipped with a windshield that can shatter spontaneously.

The manufacturer has reportedly recalled the affected windshields, noting that the breakage was caused by a heated windshield wiper system. The compound which adheres the heater to the glass allegedly caused damage which can result in larger cracks and eventual windshield shattering.

Although Subaru has extended the windshield warranty for the vehicles, consumers argue that this is not enough. According to the allegations, the vehicles are continuously plagued by the issue even if they have the windshield replaced. In some cases, consumers claim that they were even denied warranty coverage by dealerships – resulting in them covering the windshield expenses out of pocket.

Can Other Glass in a Vehicle Shatter on its Own?

Other glass on vehicles may also be at risk for the same issues which cause windshield shatter problems. Several consumers have filed legal complaints about one type of glass breakage – spontaneous sunroof shattering.

Plaintiffs argue that their sunroofs shatter without a noticeable cause. They theorize that the sunroofs shatter due to the tempered glass used in the vehicles. According to the plaintiffs, this type of glass can spontaneously explode when subjected to even a small amount of force from the wind or movement of the vehicle. Such an unexpected incident, were it to occur on the road, can cause a car accident.

Like with shattered windshields, some consumers claim that they were denied warranty coverage when their sunroof shattered suddenly. This allegedly resulted in significant repairs that had to be paid for out of pocket.

Some manufacturers have agreed to resolve the claims in settlement. For example, in 2019, Hyundai agreed to pay to resolve claims that their panoramic sunroofs are prone to spontaneous shattering.

The settlement resolved claims relating to the following cars: 2011-2016 model year Sonata Hybrid, 2010-2016 model year Tucson, 2012-2016 model year Sonata, 2012-2016 model year Veloster, 2013-2016 Santa Fe, 2013-2016 Santa Fe Sport, 2013-2016 Elantra GT, 2012-2016 model year Azera, and 2015-2016 model year Genesis vehicles.

A variety of awards were available under the Hyundai settlement including a warranty extension, repair reimbursement, up to $600 in cash payments, and a $1,000 trade-in rebate. In order to benefit from the settlement, consumers had to file a claim by July 25, 2019.

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If you own a vehicle that you believe has a safety defect and you are outside of the warranty period or you believe the defect should be covered by the warranty and it’s not, or you or a family member have been injured by a safety related defect, you may qualify to join this vehicle safety defect class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.