Tesla Model Y windshield crack problems

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · MD

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The windshield glass on my 2025 Tesla Model Y cracked twice. The first windshield was replaced by Tesla in March 2026 after the issue was attributed to stress. The replacement windshield cracked again in September 2026, approximately within six months. The vehicle and windshield are available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A cracked windshield can obstruct the driver's visibility and potentially compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle, creating a safety risk for the driver and passengers. I am concerned about the repeated windshield failures, especially because the second crack occurred shortly after Tesla replaced the original windshield. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Tesla Service inspected the original windshield in March 2026 and replaced it at no cost, identifying the initial crack as stress-related. The second crack occurred in September 2026. Tesla provided an estimate of approximately $1,400 for another replacement. I have not received a definitive technical explanation for the second crack. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes. Tesla Service inspected the vehicle when the first windshield cracked in March 2026 and replaced it due to stress. Tesla Service has also evaluated the second windshield damage and provided a replacement estimate of approximately $1,400. No police inspection has been conducted. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights, dashboard messages, or other vehicle warnings appeared before either windshield cracked. Both incidents involved visible cracks in the windshield without prior warning from the vehicle.

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Body, Visibility · CA

On October 27, 2026, my 2026 Tesla Model Y experienced a serious front hood safety incident. Before the incident, the hood would not fully latch closed and could not be reopened using the touchscreen or Tesla app. The vehicle displayed a hood warning and restricted acceleration. I contacted Tesla Roadside Assistance but was informed that complimentary towing was unavailable because the vehicle was considered drivable. I proceeded toward Tesla for service at a very low speed, approximately 16 mph or less. While traveling downhill on the freeway, the vehicle briefly reached approximately 30 mph. The hood suddenly flew open and struck the windshield, causing extensive cracking and severely compromising visibility. Fortunately, no one was injured. After the incident, the responding police officer observed that the hood could latch closed, although it had been unable to close properly beforehand. The vehicle was delivered to a Tesla-owned Collision Center and has since been disassembled. I have requested preservation of the original components, diagnostic data, and inspection records. The exact cause remains unknown, and Tesla's technical investigation is pending. I am concerned about a possible failure of the primary or secondary hood latch mechanism. This incident created a serious risk of losing visibility and control of the vehicle. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this represents a potential safety defect that could affect other Model Y vehicles.

Filed Jun 14, 2026 · Visibility · CO

This is a safety concern for visibility. How can a brand new, barely used windshield crack like this? There are no rock chips and it has barely been driven to fall as wear and tear on the vehicle. This is not okay and incredibly unexceptional for vehicle standards. This vehicle spends 90% of its time in a garage. I have contacted my insurance company.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Driver assistance, Visibility · GA · crash

I am reporting a safety incident involving my 2025 Tesla Model Y and Full Self-Driving. While driving with Full Self-Driving engaged… latest update, the vehicle steered into an express-lane barrier/bar structure. The impact caused severe windshield damage and apparent body damage near the passenger-side A-pillar / windshield frame / roof rail area. The windshield is heavily cracked across the driver’s side and center area, and the vehicle is not safe to drive. I was able to get home safely and filed an insurance claim. I preserved TeslaCam footage and photos of the damage. The in-vehicle Tesla playback shows Full Self-Driving engaged during the incident. I also copied the TeslaCam files from the vehicle’s USB drive. The exported video file does not appear to show the same Full Self-Driving overlay that appears in the in-vehicle playback. I am reporting this as a potential safety issue involving Tesla Full Self-Driving steering behavior and impact with a fixed roadway/express-lane structure. No injuries occurred, but the vehicle sustained significant windshield damage and possible body/frame-area damage.

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · NV

In under a year I have had to replace my windshield three times due to cracks from debris. The total cost would be greater than $4,000. I, nor my wife and family have ever had to replace a windshield on any previous car we had owned this many times in under one year or even at all. I suspect there is a defect in the build of the windshield or the design of the car that may be causing this.

Filed Feb 22, 2026 · CA

Windshield developed a long crack overnight while parked in an enclosed garage with stable temperatures. No rock impact was observed or heard during driving prior to parking. Upon inspection, a small mark resembling an impact point was found, but it is unclear whether this is an external impact or a stress fracture originating from within the glass. No unusual temperature changes occurred overnight. The crack appeared spontaneously and is disproportionately large. In 15+ years of driving other vehicles, I have never experienced a windshield crack under similar circumstances. This is a widely reported issue among Tesla Model Y owners, with numerous reports of spontaneous windshield cracking with no identifiable external cause. The windshield is a structural safety component critical for passenger airbag deployment and roof crush resistance in rollover accidents. Fragile or defect-prone windshield glass poses an unreasonable safety risk.

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Visibility · PA

We are currently experiencing single-digit temperatures here in Pittsburgh. I placed my vehicle in “defrost” mode, and while it did clear the windshield, it also caused the glass to crack. I contacted Tesla and brought the vehicle in for an assessment, at which point I was informed the damage would not be covered. My car has only 14,000 miles and will be one year old next month. It is essentially brand new and has been meticulously maintained. There were no prior flaws or damage to the windshield. Despite this, Tesla refused coverage for what is a known issue: windshield cracking caused by defrost mode in extreme cold temperatures. This issue is widely documented online. Customer service confirmed that Tesla does not cover glass damage, even when it cracks spontaneously as a result of using defrost mode as intended. The quoted repair cost is $1,500. This experience reflects a lack of accountability and failure to stand behind the product.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Visibility · NY

car has a improperly installed windshield, it got cracked while sitting in a covered parking lot on June24th,2025. the hottest day of season with 100 + degrees temperature,Crack was very small in the middle of windshield size3” x 3” and got bigger waiting for Tesla’s appointment.When i went to Tesla today for replacement of windshield they just gave me the run around and denied to replace under warranty. This is a manufacturing defect as there is nothing else but a crack . Tesla should be fined for big time and ordered to fix it under warranty. There are so many customers who have the same problem.The crack never happened with any outside influence .

Filed May 6, 2025 · Visibility · CA

I have a Tesla Model Y and a Model 3. Both of them 2020 year purchased. The miles on Model Y is 96K and 43K respectively. In Feb 2025, my Model Y windshield had cracked and I had made a Tesla Insurance claim and paid the 500$ deductible and got it replaced. Now, in May 1st week, the same Model Y's windshield is cracked. When I take to Tesla service center, they say that its because of an external impact and so, they can't consider a warranty claim and I have to make another payment for this. That's the first thing. Now, with my Model 3, there is a crack developing on the rear windshield. I understand from Tesla that it has to be replaced too. I had a chat with Safelite auto glass company technician and he said that Tesla's glasses are too thin to accmmodate sensors and thats why this is happening repeatedly.

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · Visibility · CA

The windshield has a huge crack that just appeared out of nowhere. We took it to the shop and they said it wasn’t from a rock. There is no chip in the glass. Apparently a stress fracture. The crack is getting bigger every day and becoming a distraction while driving. Tesla said we are 10,000 miles over our warranty even though the vehicle is only 2 years old. It seems like they used cheap glass as this is common in the Tesla forums and chats.