Is it true that having your car windshield replaced makes it unsafe?

Question

I bought a car that has a chip with spider cracks on the windshield right in my line of vision. So I called up a windshield place and asked about getting it replaced and they said they prefer to do repairs because replacing the windshield makes it unsafe to drive. They said in case of an accident the replaced windshield will pop out and cause the roof of the car to fall in or send the passengers out the window because only the original factory seal prevents this. Please advise if this is indeed the case. I want to make the right decision and get this taken care of immediately.

Answer 1

i used to work in a glass shop and a body shop, i have put many windshields in . and seen some pop out in a collision but 90% of the ones involved in a collision was factory installed windshields they will all pop out in a severe collision, The factory seal is the same as a replacement seal. if it is done properly. all of your glass shops are supposed to meet regualtions on this, not saying all do. I can say it is easier to remove a factory windshield than to remove a replacement. your dealer ships replace them every day, upon arrival, they are sometimes damaged during shipping.so there is no real guarantee it hasnt already been replaced, its safer to drive through a clear view than a busted cracked glass, sounds to me like the shop has doubhts in thier work , some places do not have the staff, the equipment to replace them and do not want the hassle and the job of doing a job that they dont feel comfortble with but they dont want to loose a $ so they want tell you that. so i would strngly recomend going to another shop. ask your dealership, .. just choose the best shop and repairs do not take the cracks away they just stop them from spreading further. if it is in your view it will not pass state inspection for a inspection sticker. just make sure the shop uses factory glass not a generic replacemnt. this could indeed cause the above .. but the proper glass for that car and installed correct . will stay in as good as the original .. i can promise you that... good luck. and just a point of advice if it was the case of this during a collision what risk would u rather take? if you drive with the current spider cracks obstructing your view you are more likely have a accident correct? now if you replace it and its done correctly . are you as likley to have a collision? and most car accidents doesnt cause windshiled damages, and if the passenger is wearing the seat belt will he or she go thru the windshield? and if not wearing glass or no glass the passenger will not be stopped by the glass, in a sever accident. so i would strongly suggest telling this shop where to stick it. and go else where. and one other thing if the collision is sever enuff you think the glass is gonna be strong enough to keep the roof up? you can take the wind shiled out and have same results.... I have heard all excuses of being in the wrong business but these guys sureley is in wrong kind of business. LOL sorry so long of a answer .. hope you make the correct decision. good luck.

Answer 2

What ever you do, go to another repair shop. Must have been some guy walking past on the street that answered the phone. When a windshield is replaced by a reputable shop the adhesive is compatable with that used at the factory. The only time it could lessen the strength would be before the adhesive is fully set. It is like tooth paste when it comes out of the tube, only black. It begins to set up as soon as it is exposed to the air. And yes it is a very important part of the vehicle strength.

Answer 3

Not necessarily true. Yes, when you have a windshield replaced, you'll break the orginal factory seal and that seal will never be the same. However, if you don't get the windshield replaced, you have loss of vision (especially if it's cracked all across the driver's side), run the risk of getting a ticket for having your view obstructed, and the more it cracks, the weaker the glass becomes and you run the risk of more potential damage to your car and to yourself if an accident occurs. The rule is if the crack is under the size of a quarter, fix it; if it's bigger, replace it.

Answer 4

Yes, it is somewhat true. No aftermarket replacement can be of same quality as that of factory installation. As a matter of fact, the windshield is a major body structural component, and some vehicles - like ford vans - actually may collapse without it. Needless to say, water leaks, wind noise, etc. may develop as a result of windshield replacement. That's why it's always better to repair a windshield whenever possible than to replace it. Of course, if it's broken completely or cracked all the way across, there is no choice, and it has to be replaced.

Answer 5

You'll need to call a different windshield repair shop if that is what they are telling. I California if we have a cracked windshield we can get a ticket. The right place will make sure it is safe to drive. I have had mine replaced in the past and had no problems with. A lot of these repair places like to take advantage of women so be careful. Call around.

Answer 6

I never heard of it. I hope that isn't the case because I just had my windshield replaced 2 weeks ago. Either way, driving with a cracked windshield that bounced around when going over bumps and splashed me from underneath during wet conditions can't be safer than having it replaced.

Answer 7

I have had chip repair done and it is still fine after 4 years, but every windshield I have had replaced has leaked. So if they leak I would assume they are not sealed as well as before. Not sure you could ever get a seal as good as the original.

Answer 8

This is the first time I have ever heard of that. I'll bet they would charge more to repair the windshield than what a new one would cost. I would take it somewhere else and have the windshield replaced.

Answer 9

I have never in my life heard that replacing a windshield is unsafe, and I go through a windshield every year here in Arizona. You may want to call another place and ask them. I think it's BS.

Answer 10

if the company is using shoddy workmanship,and sub standard glues in the "fix" then yes,course if anything went wrong id sue the hell out of the shop for criminal negligence. a reputable shop will guarantee their work,use trained employees,and use factory recomended adhesives. if the shop is reputable there wont be anything wrong and it will be as if the car just had the factory install the windshield. ask your insurance company for any local shops that do this service,and to recomend a shop. if your in florida,the insurance carrier foots the bill for the windshield