Chipped Windshield - NHTSA complaint

Hauling Pillows · Mar 23, 2019

I have 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, I had it for about 3 months and about 3000 miles, I'm mostly driving on the county back roads and it seams that every time I get on the highway I get rock chip in my windshield. There's 6 of them already. I have never seen or witnessed anything like this before on any other vehicle. I drive speed limit, stay in lane and usually stay 4-5 car lengths behind.
After getting a 'new one' yesterday I decided to put in complaint on the NHTSA web-site, and hopefully get FCA to install and produce a higher quality more durable windshields.
There has to be more RAM owners out there with same issue, so I would like to invite all of you to register on NHTSA and get the ball rolling on this safety issue. Use link below and then clink on 'report safety complaint' in the menu on the left

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/RAM/1500%2520CLASSIC/PU%252FCC/4WD

Ohio5pt7 · Mar 23, 2019

I have 1 on my 18 granted it was basically a boulder lol.

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Random_Walk · Mar 23, 2019

I live off a county road with a 500' gravel driveway. I drive a lot of gravel logging roads for firewood. 9 months so far, and no chips or cracks.

(one fender dent, though... My fault)

Ransom · Mar 23, 2019

Not sure its an FCA issue, get a new windshield about once a year on all my vehicles - Have a Ram, old (79) Dodge, Chevy and Ford. No windshield lasts

Ohio5pt7 · Mar 23, 2019

You also have to remember FCA likely doesn't produce the windshields it's likely a supplier that supplies windshields to every car company

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Hauling Pillows · Mar 23, 2019

Ohio5pt7 said:
You also have to remember FCA likely doesn't produce the windshields it's likely a supplier that supplies windshields to every car company

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Yes, but manufacturer makes it to FCA spec/standard and big MOPAR is etched on it
A lot of times manufactures cut cost by cutting quality, I think their windshield if perfect example of this

22hemi13 · Mar 23, 2019

Zero chips on my last 2 rams. Lived in Texas and now I’m AZ and still going strong......tomorrow I’ll get a rock chip though lmao

MADDOG · Mar 23, 2019

Mine's intact and I didn't have any problem with the glass on my other 4th gen truck.

It may be that you have a defective windshield that slipped through the QC inspections. I don't believe it's a common issue for all Ram trucks.

It's a hard thing for Ram to warranty as they have no control of the random events that lead to a chip or broken windshield. If they were cracking in the frame for no other reason than poor materials or inferior fitment then that would definitely be on Ram to correct.

Jimmy07 · Mar 23, 2019

Hauling Pillows said:
Yes, but manufacturer makes it to FCA spec/standard and big MOPAR is etched on it
A lot of times manufactures cut cost by cutting quality, I think their windshield if perfect example of this

But the manufacturer still has to make it to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Your windshield is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do- chip, not shatter in your face.

Crawgator · Mar 23, 2019

Had my 2017 Rebel about 2 months and got a chip in it. Before I could get the chip repaired it ran up to the middle of the windshield took a hard right all the way to the edge on the passengers side. Had the windshield replaced several months ago..

likes2build · Mar 23, 2019

5K miles on mine driving I40, I10, I17, US 95 and US 93 in AZ and NV and mine is chipped to ****. Either the glass or the angle suck????? Looks like I'll be like Ransom posted above and have it changed like a maintenance item.

huntergreen · Mar 23, 2019

Hauling Pillows said:
Yes, but manufacturer makes it to FCA spec/standard and big MOPAR is etched on it
A lot of times manufactures cut cost by cutting quality, I think their windshield if perfect example of this

Live in North Jersey and haven't had any issues with chips or cracks. With my wrangler, I go through 2 or 3 windshield a year. Goes through comprehensive with 0 dollar deductable. Does not raise your premiums.

Jstmahoney · Mar 23, 2019

I’ve never owned a car that I didn’t have at least 2 replacement windshields. My old ram led 3 I think it had 160k on it when I sold it. Our journey now has several small chips that are not noticeable(and yes now I’ll get a big chip for saying this) has made it to 39k on the original windshield. I got a chip in my 17 Ram about 10 months ago. Had about 5-6k on it(I have 12k now) I had it fixed right away and haven’t had any issues. I did put a big deflector on my Ram. Rumor has it, it will actually deflect objects over the windshield. I don’t know if it actually does I bought it for looks. Also I have a buddy that recommends rain-x, said the rocks glide right off the windshield.

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BWL · Mar 23, 2019

I get a new one every year when summer arrives. They're usually chipped and cracked in a few places by then, but if I changed it every time I got a chip I'd be doing it every other week. Insurance does chip repair with no deductible as long as it isn't directly in front of the driver.

MileHighRam11 · Mar 23, 2019

I have 2 tiny chips in mine; both from trying to avoid semi trucks carrying gravel, dirt, etc. Enough to notice, but doesn't bother me yet...

tap4154 · Mar 23, 2019

No chips yet, after a year (bought it exactly a year ago today). Had a couple hits that I was afraid would do it, but nothing yet (knocking on wood).

JB1 · Mar 23, 2019

No issues here

rotwiler · Mar 23, 2019

My 2013 has no chips, but I work night shift so hardly any cars on road to kick rocks up. My wife goes through windshields one after another on her car.

JSMITH8505 · Mar 24, 2019

The closer you are to the height of other vehicles the more likely something will get thrown into the windshield.
I've not had any issues even after several nearly cross country hauls into North and South Dakota, and into the Colorado Rockies. Maybe being higher up, helps, but I've heard a few things hit the glass and I've found no chips or dings in it.

Maybe a hood edge deflector will help as i've noticed on other vehicles I've had them on, that wind and rain get blown up and over the cab. Maybe small enough rocks will be somewhat deflected, and wont hit with such force.

tidefan1967 · Mar 24, 2019

I have ran bug defectors on my trucks for years. They do help to push the debris a little higher on the windshield to some degree but more than anything they help protect the paint on your hood especially the part that's covered.

Chipped Windshield - NHTSA complaint

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