Windshield Chipping 2021 Yukon

[AWCheese]

Am I just unlucky - or does it seem like the windshields on the 2021 Models chip much easier than before? This is maybe my 4th Yukon/Tahoe over the past 20 years. Putting the same mileage on my ride - which isn't much - maybe 12,000 annually. Previous models bounced stones off like armored glass.

Seems to me with the new 2021 - every time a little stone flips up - it catches it on the windshield and chips. I have had this truck now for about 10 months - and already 4 rock chips in the glass. As of a month or two ago - there were no aftermarket replacement glass options out there (hopefully more durable than factory) - so I guess I'll wait through this winter before seeking a new windshield as the GM factory glass is not cheap. I figured maybe to lighten the rig, the glass got a bit thinner.

Anyhow - was curious if anyone else has observed the same issue - or maybe I should just change my username to "Rockcatcher"

 

[Bob2C]

Am I just unlucky - or does it seem like the windshields on the 2021 Models chip much easier than before? This is maybe my 4th Yukon/Tahoe over the past 20 years. Putting the same mileage on my ride - which isn't much - maybe 12,000 annually. Previous models bounced stones off like armored glass.

Seems to me with the new 2021 - every time a little stone flips up - it catches it on the windshield and chips. I have had this truck now for about 10 months - and already 4 rock chips in the glass. As of a month or two ago - there were no aftermarket replacement glass options out there (hopefully more durable than factory) - so I guess I'll wait through this winter before seeking a new windshield as the GM factory glass is not cheap. I figured maybe to lighten the rig, the glass got a bit thinner.

Anyhow - was curious if anyone else has observed the same issue - or maybe I should just change my username to "Rockcatcher"

It’s like that with many new cars from what I read. My wife just got a new Palisade and the same thing is happening. They are making them cheaper I believe. My older cars would take a good hit before they chip but not now.

 

[Yukon2021]

Am I just unlucky - or does it seem like the windshields on the 2021 Models chip much easier than before? This is maybe my 4th Yukon/Tahoe over the past 20 years. Putting the same mileage on my ride - which isn't much - maybe 12,000 annually. Previous models bounced stones off like armored glass.

Seems to me with the new 2021 - every time a little stone flips up - it catches it on the windshield and chips. I have had this truck now for about 10 months - and already 4 rock chips in the glass. As of a month or two ago - there were no aftermarket replacement glass options out there (hopefully more durable than factory) - so I guess I'll wait through this winter before seeking a new windshield as the GM factory glass is not cheap. I figured maybe to lighten the rig, the glass got a bit thinner.

Anyhow - was curious if anyone else has observed the same issue - or maybe I should just change my username to "Rockcatcher"

I’m on my 3rd windshield and have I only had the car 6 months that I bought new. I honestly think it’s the height of the vehicle. I had a Tahoe for 6 years with the original windshield. Sucks for sure as they are $1600 for the original windshield.

 

[corima]

as you said, no aftermarket yet. I have to wait months for GM replacement. Just cost my $250 deductible

 

[DavidRMcDaniel]

Am I just unlucky - or does it seem like the windshields on the 2021 Models chip much easier than before? This is maybe my 4th Yukon/Tahoe over the past 20 years. Putting the same mileage on my ride - which isn't much - maybe 12,000 annually. Previous models bounced stones off like armored glass.

Seems to me with the new 2021 - every time a little stone flips up - it catches it on the windshield and chips. I have had this truck now for about 10 months - and already 4 rock chips in the glass. As of a month or two ago - there were no aftermarket replacement glass options out there (hopefully more durable than factory) - so I guess I'll wait through this winter before seeking a new windshield as the GM factory glass is not cheap. I figured maybe to lighten the rig, the glass got a bit thinner.

Anyhow - was curious if anyone else has observed the same issue - or maybe I should just change my username to "Rockcatcher"

I don't think it is just you. I have a 2021 Yukon Denali that I started driving (new) in February of this year and I am about to put my 3rd windshield in it. Something is wrong here. GM definitely has an issue that needs to be addressed.

 

[DougAMiller]

Agreed, I'm on my 4th windshield in my '21 Escalade. Granted, the first one was going to take out any windshield. A big truck threw up a BIG rock as I met him on the highway, it hit so hard that the inner layer of glass shattered too and left glass shards all over the top of the dash. It wasn't even a month old at the time. Second time I hardly heard the rock hit it was so small, but within a few minutes there was a 6 inch crack that was 10 inches long by the time it was replaced. Third time replaced was because the third windshield had a big scratch in it when they put it in. When I pointed it out they agreed and replaced it. The latest one already has several very small, but visible chips.

My '05 Tahoe still has the original windshield at 217k mi. It's got its battle scars, but there is nothing that the insurance company would pay for a replacement. I would have thought that the newer ones would be more resistant due to the windshield being sloped back more, causing rocks to hit as a shallower angle.

 

[JestersHK]

I'm at 20k miles and I notice even the bugs seem to hit more than our old 2016 tahoe. I have 2 cracks and chips in our glass as well. Main crack is in the black below the vis line. Other crack was a tiny pebble off a truck. We'll see how far they run in the winter...

 

[JestersHK]

Double post...

 

[Pertzbro]

Why couldnt they make a thinner version of the paint protection film like Xpel for the windsheild?

 

[mplunk]

This thread must be bad luck... read it on Thursday and of course Friday a rock cracked mine pretty good. Never had it happen to me in the past.

 

[Bkihum]

This thread must be bad luck... read it on Thursday and of course Friday a rock cracked mine pretty good. Never had it happen to me in the past.

So had a rock From truck that chipped w/shield that will have to be replaced in 2 days with OEM glass. My worry is how they line all the w/shield cameras up with Denali options. Anyone have any feedback on there experience they had With lining setting from previous windshield ?

 

[adventurenali92]

Why couldnt they make a thinner version of the paint protection film like Xpel for the windsheild?

Because it doesn’t bond to glass. It also blocks the sensors in the glass that pick up moisture and run the automatic wipers and then they wouldn’t function correctly. Have a ceramic coating installed by a professional detailer. They make specific ceramic coatings for glass. I always recommend it to my clients when detailing because up here in the mountains the cinders they throw down in winter when it snows are horrendous and they fly everywhere. Had a new windshield put on my 2006 two years ago, put a 5 year coating on it, and it hasn’t had any issues with any chips. I took a good sized pebble about a month after the new windshield got installed and it bounced right off without even a scratch.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

So had a rock From truck that chipped w/shield that will have to be replaced in 2 days with OEM glass. My worry is how they line all the w/shield cameras up with Denali options. Anyone have any feedback on there experience they had With lining setting from previous windshield ?

Not on my Denali, but had one replaced on a 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring that has Lane Keep Assist, Collision Avoidance, Adaptive Cruise, etc, and it was no issue.

 

[Stbentoak]

When windshields get replaced on sophisticated vehicles, they have to do a complete recalibration through the OBD port. If you have the correct software, you just recalibrate the system, take it out for a drive test the systems and confirm they are working and you are good to go, but the software to recalibrate them…it’s pretty expensive and sophisticated.

 

[mplunk]

So had a rock From truck that chipped w/shield that will have to be replaced in 2 days with OEM glass. My worry is how they line all the w/shield cameras up with Denali options. Anyone have any feedback on there experience they had With lining setting from previous windshield ?

Safelite replaced the windshield on my Escalade with an OEM one, and I was worried about the same thing. They did a great job, everything works as before (including supercruise). If you're having a reputable shop do the repair you're fine.

 

[repairman54]

Just a thought, is this the newer acoustic glass that may be softer.

 

[Fast_AT4]

Have taken a few trips from FL to GA in my AT4...yes, chips much easier than any previous vehicles I've owned. Currently have 3 super small chips. Another employee was have his replaced (Safelite) at our site and that tech said having them fill the cracks with their solution might make matters worse (struck me odd). Not a fan of having the glass replaced with non-OEM though.

 

[olyelr]

Not that the glass isnt junk theses days, but i have been driving for 25 years and dont think i have had 4 stones hit my windshield in total. And its happened to you in less than a year?

 

[B-train]

I wonder if the new design with airflow, etc contributes to more of a vacuuming effect, sucking debris up and over more easily?

@olyelr I agree with you. It dwf depends on the roads traveled tjough. I've had a number of windshields replaced for bird hits and some for rocks off gravel trucks. I also note that my 2008 denali windshield shows it definitely has 176k on it with a bunch of little imperfections from years of driving, but none have yielded cracks as stated above.

 

[Bkihum]

Have taken a few trips from FL to GA in my AT4...yes, chips much easier than any previous vehicles I've owned. Currently have 3 super small chips. Another employee was have his replaced (Safelite) at our site and that tech said having them fill the cracks with their solution might make matters worse (struck me odd). Not a fan of having the glass replaced with non-OEM though.

So I had the same issue from rock and went to satellite and had them order a OEM windshield from GM dealer Scheduled to come in next week. Cost more and had to wait but windshields are a very important part of the vehicle .