Class Action Law suit for windshields in Gladiator and Wranglers

[dos0711]

It’s not just a Jeep thing. My F150 got a chip going down the road and it started running while I was driving. They are lightening everything from the brake rotors to the windshield in search of ways to meet the mandated gas mileage requirements

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[HooliganActual]

It’s not just a Jeep thing. My F150 got a chip going down the road and it started running while I was driving. They are lightening everything from the brake rotors to the windshield in search of ways to meet the mandated gas mileage requirements

I'm with you there. Lightweighting is big deal nowadays and not only for weight reduction but less material equals less expense. Grab a bottle of Aquafina out of the plastic wrapped multi-packs. It is nothing but a "bag of water".

Someone earlier said that if anything current glass manufacturing technology is better than 50 years ago, but I wonder if the windshield thicknesses are the same.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It’s not just a Jeep thing. My F150 got a chip going down the road and it started running while I was driving. They are lightening everything from the brake rotors to the windshield in search of ways to meet the mandated gas mileage requirements

Have you seen the latest EPA CAFE stuff? You think it's bad now, the windshield will need to be made of 0.125" Lexan and the rotors will be disposable and last 500 miles they'll need to be so light and thin. Well, kidding, but the point is - it's going to get far far worse by 2030. GM and Stellantis have been fined many millions this year for not meeting past year's CAFE numbers - over 200 million for Stellantis, over 100 million for GM. GM was going to use their CAFE credits but decided to save those for the future and pay the fine instead. Stellantis likely has no credits. The fines are the result of not meeting CAFE before Stellantis even existed, so they inherited the problem.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

https://readcars.co/2018/06/25/modern-windshields-arent-thinner-so-why-are-they-damaged-so-often/

 

[AstroZombie]

A big amen to that. I recall driving back home one evening after I mounted my steel bumper on this 2022 and not having put the ends on it yet - turned a corner a mile from home and SMACK! Front tire tossed a rock into the air which promptly smacked the hood, chipped the paint, then bounced up against the glass. Luckily no damage and luckily hit the hood first. Otherwise, my own tires would have cost me.

Here's the point to Gorilla Glass IN GENERAL, and since Jeep JL and JT windshields are like sails in the wind, it's even worse: GG will only REDUCE the numbers, reduce the instances, and reduce the likelihood of a chip or crack. It will not, it CAN NOT prevent them. It reduces the changes by roughly 60% (and that's not Jeep talking, that's windshield makers talking)

If you buy GG thinking you won't have cracks or chips, you didn't do your homework - and don't blame the dog.

I also fail to see the windshields diminishing the resale value. Maybe that explains why they are marked up 10K instead of 20K or why most dealers sell easily for MSRP.

Attorneys - check the ads on the low cost OTA TV stations - every other commercial is a "were you stationed at..........." or "does your child have autism? We know the cause and we will get you lots of money" ads.

I know a few danged good and really honest attorneys - and then there's the rest of them.
I question how they came to the conclusion that these are defective? Do they not know that FCA doesn't make windshields? Few auto companies make their own - even Ford sold their glass works a while back if I recall correctly, and now buy from other suppliers.

When i worked for Toyota I was always told the Front windshield and front side glass are built to a certain specification and motor company is required to meet the standard and release "patents" and cannot not have a "monopoly on that specific part (i guess, i am paraphrasing my terminology) that's why the back glass is very expensive in regards to the rest. More company's can make and reproduce frond replacements

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It's a complex situation, especially since in many cases, the car maker doesn't themselves make the windshield. Often it's a dedicated glass company. Even Ford sold their glass works a while back as I recall.
So the auto makers contract with a glass company to make windshields to their specs and nothing less. That's OEM (even if made by a 3rd party FOR the auto maker using auto maker's specs)
OEM windshields are made by the same companies that manufactured your original windshield and will match the original windshields color, thickness, fit and shape.

Then there are OEE - original equipment equivalent windshields.
Those will meet all federal and other standards for various points such as clarity, strength and so on (Usually DOT specs) but there's no permission to use the name, logo, etc. and can be sold cheaper. These may be made by a 3rd party, or by the company that made the original glass in the truck or car when it was built.

Then there's a 3rd situation - Aftermarket Windshields -
manufactured by glass companies that do not have OEM relationships with the auto maker. They manufacture copies of the original windshields without consultation from the original windshield’s or vehicle manufacturers.
The makers of aftermarket windshields are not allowed to create a replica of the original windshield that was in your car or truck.
They may vary in thickness, durability or tint color and UV protection. In some cases, options attached to the windshield may not function properly. Typically, aftermarket windshields are the least expensive options available.

The last two can get a bit fuzzy.

Here's a bit from the web -
The biggest confusion regarding OEE windshields is the assumption that they are all the same. There are many aftermarket manufacturers that create windshields to "equivalent" standards, which doesn't mean that they are all the same quality. Some aftermarket brands are quite high quality -- in fact, some of them may actually create better and more expensive glass. But other aftermarket brands may meet the barest minimum of equivalency standards, and thus will be much cheaper than OEM but not nearly as safe or durable. All OEE windshields have basic safety protection, but you may need a professional to determine which brand creates the best blend of quality and value. In general, a solid OEE windshield can generally be found that meets the quality of an OEM windshield but is significantly less expensive because it doesn't have the manufacturer's branding.

So - the cheaper glass may be just that - in cost and quality, while there may be others that are just as good, maybe even a bit better, but sold cheaper because of the lack of licensing for logos and so on.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

My wife has a 2017 Subaru Outback, and we've replaced her windshield four times already, and she only has 70000 miles on it. My Ford Transit(yuk) work van has 26000 miles and it has been replaced twice.
My 1969 Satellite had 245000 miles on it, and the windshield was fine, other than discoloration around the edges from age. I had to break it out with a hammer during the restoration, and it didn't even chip the first FIVE TIMES I hit it. Maybe it is the quality of glass being produced today.

That’s odd. We’ve got a ‘19 Outback with 50,000 miles. Still on the original windshield.

 

[IslandFalconer]

I’ve had 7 different varieties of jeeps, including a 1940’s jeep that I used on the road. I have replaced windshields on all of them. A flat windscreen is bound to break, it’s par for the course when you drive a Kleenex box on wheels, at least the glass is cheap. Strangely, I haven’t had to replace the Gladiator windshield yet, 2 years in to ownership. It’s no fun, but it is what it is, I doubt a class action will result from the aerodynamic profile of these things. But it seems people want to sue for everything these days. At the end of the day even if there was a class action, you’d be lucky to get $50 meanwhile the lawyers will get rich.

 

[foolthrottle]

My windshield claim was denied because the 12 month warranty had expired, my warranty clearly states 24 months. Failing to accept this determination makes you a pest to be avoided and might indicate mental health issues. Getting this kind of treatment makes me happy to think of some "Better call Saul " type going after them. Nowhere in my paperwork does it say 12 months warranty, it says 24

 

[joeym7]

If that is what it takes them to own up, good to see this...All my windows have internal "bubbles" which at certain angles to the ambient light outside can be seen. Stuff like this should never leave the factory.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It's not going to go anywhere - other than maybe force FCA to tone down their marketing materials which imply some things that even Corning never says.

2018 Grand Cherokee - bubbles in glass, showed dealer, they were shocked, and said they'd order new glass. Less than a week later, windows replaced with new glass.
The bubbles were clearly trapped air as they grew and shrank, came and left, with changes in barometric pressure and ambient temperatures. I chose the day where they were most visible and took it to show them.
Ironically, they actually decreased in size and number over a few months time before I decided to show them. By the time I took it to the dealer, the bubbles were only half as bad as they had been and almost not noticeable on the right side.

This stuff happens to all companies,

But still, people believe it's a Jeep issue, just like Toyota owners believe it's a Toyota only issue, and Hyundai owners believe it's a problem unique to the Korean car maker and so on. When we step out of our little worlds, we see at least a half dozen companies being sued over THEIR glass problems.

 

[Y-Guy]

I replaced my windshield on my 2011 Jeep Wrangler one time. Only had my 2020 Gladiator for 6-months but no issues, took a hit from a rock on Saturday and no chip or ding that I can find. On the other hand I replaced my 2007 F150 twice in my two years of ownership. It really means nothing as its all just anecdotal evidence.

Howevver, IMHO class action lawsuits are completely worthless for the consumer - the lawyers are the ones that get the benefit. I don't participate in any of them, my time is worth more.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

...But still, people believe it's a Jeep issue, just like Toyota owners believe it's a Toyota only issue, and Hyundai owners believe it's a problem unique to the Korean car maker and so on. When we step out of our little worlds, we see at least a half dozen companies being sued over THEIR glass problems.

I'd guess most people don't care what problems other cars have, especially if they are cars they will never own.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'd guess most people don't care what problems other cars have, especially if they are cars they will never own.

Then I guess most people don't care about root causes, solutions and so on.
Only about their own problems which will never be solved because they refuse to look outside of their world.
If other companies are truly having glass issues, then we are looking more at manufacturing issues or specification issues and so on and should not be looking to Jeep for solutions - but the real cause of the systemic issues with windshields.
There's a limited number of companies in the world that actually manufacture windshields. Automakers typically don't make their own. So if multiple companies have issues, isn't it better to look at the source to find the problem instead of blaming one company for problems created elsewhere? Jeep doesn't make the windshields, most other auto companies don't make them. Why not go to the source, not the customer of the product?

There's another certain product out there that I will likely never own, have no reason to, but I care about what happens to it because I believe that product isn't the problem, but is a scapegoat for bigger issues that no one is bothering to look at because it's too easy to blame that one product.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Then I guess most people don't care about root causes, solutions and so on.
Only about their own problems which will never be solved because they refuse to look outside of their world.
If other companies are truly having glass issues, then we are looking more at manufacturing issues or specification issues and so on and should not be looking to Jeep for solutions - but the real cause of the systemic issues with windshields.
There's a limited number of companies in the world that actually manufacture windshields. Automakers typically don't make their own. So if multiple companies have issues, isn't it better to look at the source to find the problem instead of blaming one company for problems created elsewhere? Jeep doesn't make the windshields, most other auto companies don't make them. Why not go to the source, not the customer of the product?

There's another certain product out there that I will likely never own, have no reason to, but I care about what happens to it because I believe that product isn't the problem, but is a scapegoat for bigger issues that no one is bothering to look at because it's too easy to blame that one product.

If they are defective windshields on new cars, the recourse is through the auto manufacturer.

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