I did only one search on only one forum (JK Forum) and took the first hit I got:

"While you rarely hear a lot of bad things from Jeep Wrangler owners, one glaring issue seems to keep sticking around. And that issue is the ease with which windshields are cracking. A large number of Jeep Wrangler owners are reporting this problem, which is something you don’t normally expect to see very often. But as we found in the JK Forum, frequent windshield cracking seems to be an issue that many of you are rather familiar with."

So as some have said, maybe it IS the uprightness of the windshield. It certainly isn't just a 4Runner thing.

I would expect Jeep windshields to break often just like many the other parts on the vehicle.

How would you explain the class action by Prius owners about their glass?
Prius glass looks like its at a significantly reduced angle.

The answer would be they are not using glass that has been improperly specked or tested (ie screw up in design) OR they are using lower strength glass to generate revenue.

Certain Toyota Prius vehicles have manufacturing defects and/or design defects that cause their windshields to unexpectedly crack under ordinary driving conditions, a Toyota class action lawsuit alleges.


Toyota Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Prius Windshield Defect | Top Class Actions

Guess we should all just sue Toyota for not using bulletproof glass in the 4Runner.

That's one of the dumbest class action suits I've seen. Wow, who would have thought that a chipped windshield could manifest into a crack, and subsequently a cracked windshield impairs a camera's vision system and also reduces the structural integrity.

There's no such thing as cheaper, weaker glass. All automotive OEMs must meet the exact same requirements for glass composition, and all must carry the same ANSI, ECE, and CCC certification requirements for the opening tempered or laminated. You found a bogus suit to substantiate your ridiculous claim, good job. Also, with the crack in your windshield, you have now put yourself at much greater risk of injury in the event of an accident. Kudos, in my industry we call you a do-nothing. Replace your windshield.

burp. ok then.

Looks like the CH-R has issues as well


CH-R Spontaneous Cracking Windshields | Toyota C-HR Forum

CA Court doc on the Prius windshield. Interesting read.


https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-co...Toyota.CA_.pdf

Sure sounds like it.

I've worked with bullet "proof" (resistant) glass while at Ford. It's not something you want to have as a windshield on a normal daily driver.

Here's the harsh reality since you are so concerned.

Windshield glass thickness has been becoming thinner, first when going from single plate to laminate, and that has been pushed further by CAFE. Glass is dense and therefore heavy. People want to be able to see out of their vehicles, so they have a lot of glass. Thinner glass is inherently weaker, until you change the bulk chemistry via chemical strengthening, there is a correlation to the glass thickness and its strength. Even Gorilla glass or other chem strengthened alternatives require a second ply to provide structure to the laminate construction, so there are still weak points in the system. The angle of incidence also directly correlates to the force applied from an object when impacting the windshield. So, bigger targets and less deflection - wow, physics.

The push for larger openings, and thinner glass has resulted in ignorant consumers to think the glass is defective. No, the glass is performing to its limitations. Fuel efficiency is the name of the game, even at the sacrifice of a $50 piece of glass.

Lightweight Glazing

Thin glass: reducing fuel consumption through weight reduction


Lighter weight glass, less strength, more s'plod'n

Gorilla Glass hybrid window laminate


How Does Advancing Technology and Lighter Glass Impact You?


Wonder if this is available for the 4Runner....probably not since they would have to do roof crush etc. with this glass and re-certify.

Well instead of getting pissed off and start calling people a-holes you should have posted this in the first place.

I doubt the certification tests have anything to do with stone chips and cracking. Toyota should have there own in house tests for this and when they saw these windshields being purchased in large quantities as replacements they should have done a redesign for customer satisfaction.

I'm so pissed off because of the fragile paint, fragile windshield and fragile interior trim I'm questioning whether I would buy another Toyota to be truthful. People paying $50k for one of these things... thats crazy. Not worth it.

I can go on ANY forum and find people ranting about car "insert name/make" has the worst windshields or paint on ANY car EVER. It's been that way since the dawn of automotive forums in the mid-1990s.