In reviewing the warrenty on my 2008 SuperCrew I noted that they will replace windshields with stress cracks for 12 months or 12,000 miles. My truck has 3,300 miles and the windshield has cracked. There was no rock impact and no chips or evidence of any impact. Crack starts below the dash in the middle of the windshield, goes up about 2 to 3 inches, turns to the pasenger side, travels about 18 to 24 inches then turns down and goes below the dash line. I have not yet discussed this with the Ford dealership nor my insurance company. Now, finally, the real question. In PA my insurance will pay to have a local windshield place replace the windshield. I assume Ford would replace it either by sending it to a windshield place or in-house. Would I be better off having Ford do it or having the insurance company do it? In other words, do I trust the Ford dealership to do it right or s local windshield place? Yeah, I know it isn't a momentous decision and most likely the odds of getting a crappy or a good job is about the same either way. But which would YOU choose?

 

I would go with the insurance company, probably be easier to deal with

 

I worked in body work for a ton of years and I worked for dealers most of those years and I have never in my life seen a dealer that does the windshield work inhouse. The all call the glass co. and they come and do the work on site. But I think Ford should be paying for it if it is a stress crack so let them take care of it. They'll call the glass co. and have them do it at the dealership in a few hours. If you have your ins. co. do it don't you have a $250. or $500. deductible?

 

Take your truck to the dealership and have them look at it, and hopefully they will take care of it. It would be better doing that than having you insurance company do and then having them raise you rates because of it.

 

Make sure they use the OEM glass, it has the F150 logo right behind the mirror, I think autolite makes them.

 

No, there is no deductible on the windshield. I think that is PA law, but it may just be the insurance co. Had the windshield in my daughter's car replaced a few months ago. She is on my policy and there was no cost. As I see the possible pros & cons, the insurance route means that on a nice day the windshield outfit would come to my house or work and do it while I am doing something else (good luck finding a nice day around here for a couple of months though), the dealer would make me leave the truck for at least a day for me to find my own way to work and back. If done through the dealer then any later issues should be covered by them, especially if any leaks damage other aspects of the truck. Either would give me an OEM windshield with the ford logo behind the mirror. I am sure that somewhere along the line the windshield claim will impact the insurance rates, even though I do not believe that they are allowed to do so in PA. I imagine the quality of workmanship would be the same either way.

I guess in general I will probably have the dealer do it. I'm not in any hurry as the crack is not in the line of sight or anything. Thanks for the input everyone.

 

In FL we have the same law, windshields are free through insurance. Since you have the warranty I would take it to Ford. It may take a little longer and be a hassle (insurance will come to you) but Ford will know about it and insurance won't care. The same glass guy will probably install it either way.

 

TAKE IT TO THE DEALER!!! Because you only have 3300k on your vehicle. If you replace it, what if it happens again? It might be pain in the rear but they'll keep it covered and may even start the warranty over since your hetting new glass.