does anyone know what is causing this? is it bad glass or a desing flaw in the suspension/body rigidity that is causing to much stess on the windshield? there obviously is some kind of problem. windshields dont produce two foot cracks when bugs hit them. what kind of solutions could fix this? would a replacment from an aftermarket company fair better? i wonder if subaru will recall the 02 models and fix this on the 03s? any thoughts on this?

BTW, i didnt post this in the galss thread as to not clutter up the problems log wtih questions.

I haven't had any problems with the windshield and I have had so big stones hit it. There has been more damage to the paint on my hood I don't have any chips in the windshield yet. I might just be lucky but then again I try to stay back when following trucks but that never ends up working.

does anyone know what is causing this?

Yeah, rocks and road debris. This is my 7th Subaru. No cracks from chips. Unfortunately, it's the luck of the draw....

All I can advise you is stop tailgating.

I have a new OEM windshield in my WRX, and I hold my breath every time I hear even a gnat hit it. There are far too many WRX windshields breaking for this problem to be considered "normal." In fact, I forsee the day when Subaru announces a recall (or at least a TSB) about the problem—at which time I will ask Subaru to reimburse my insurance deductible and my insurance company.

hmmm i wonder if stonguard makes a coating for the windshield.....

I haven't had a problem with the windshield yet (knock on wood). But it does seem a tad bit on the thin side. I swear that I can see it flex a little in the middle while I'm driving. :eek: Definitly thinner than I am used to.

will it just shatter or just crack cause i wouldnt want it to shatter in my face

Windshields are made up of three different layers. The middle layer is plastic which keeps the glass from shattering all over the driver. It would take a large rock to shatter it and even then you would have to think more about the rock hitting you then glass.

i dont know, ive had a few rocks hit LOUDLY on my windshield, enough to give me a good scare, and i dont have cracks or anything...

It seems the Subaru Disposible Windshield (tm) problem is not new or unique to the WRXs. Check out the comments on this issue on the Outback and Forester forums. Some people are on their third or fourth shields. I think the Subaru windshield fragility is a combination of a more vertical windshield, low hoodlines, and fragile glass.

FWIW: I have an 01 Forester with the cold weather package (heated seats, washers, mirrors, windshield). At 9 months I got a small rock pitched up in an urban construction zone which cracked the windshield. Cost US$700 to replace - thank goodness for zero deductible!! In 19 years of driving this is only the second windshield I've had to replace due to cracking. (The first was a 91 Mitsubishi Eclipse due to body flex.)

My '99RS windshield averaged 1 large ding per winter. None turned to cracks. One was so large, I was waiting for it to crack so I could replace it. It never cracked!!

Our '98 Outback Sport, no cracks after 3 years of ownership. Our '00 Forester, no cracks to date. My '02 WRX no cracks.

Vermont roads are nasty in the winter, too!!

1 week after getting my wrx, I was hit by a good sized rock on the bottom passenger side of the windshield. Heard a loud "pop!" Next day, I noticed a small chip, and a 1/2" crack.

RAN to Trak Auto, and got a "Bullseye" brand chip repair kit. This fixed it nicely, and the crack hasn't grown in 2 weeks of driving through crappy DC roads. Now I keep a spare kit in the glovebox for emergencies :D

Originally posted by TRPsWRX
hmmm i wonder if stonguard makes a coating for the windshield.....
no they do not:(