[Maaks]

My wife RAV got "stoned" from incoming traffic ~3wk ago. As result there was guide big "chip" on windshield.

I did choose original Toyota windshield. Good that I had full insurance with class coverage - replacement calculation was >1400€

 

[tapor]

The quality of the installation is far more important than the actual glass. A lot of glass shops cause extensive collateral damage when they remove the old windshield, finding a decent installer is the hardest part.

I live in the broken windshield capital of Canada, the average life expectancy of my windshields is about 9-12 months. Longest I had one last was about 18 months. The windshield in my new 2023 lasted 4 months.

I wouldn't bother with an OEM windshield, they're very hard to source and expensive. And it is only going to get broken again. The insurance premium here to cover the windshield is about $500 a year and no insurance company will pay for OEM glass. Most people remove the windshield from their insurance coverage.

The price you were quoted is a bit high for my location. When you have to choose OEM glass or aftermarket glass for the repair of your car? I last paid $330CDN for the glass and $170CDN for the calibration.

If FYG is the brand they’re quoting, that’s a reputable aftermarket manufacturer and commonly used in professional shops. For most Toyotas, aftermarket glass performs just as well in terms of safety, clarity, and durability. The critical part is making sure the recalibration is done properly, since that ensures your safety systems keep working as intended. Toyota OEM glass mainly gives you the factory logo and the guarantee it’s identical to what came with the car, but functionally there’s usually no difference once calibrated. Unless you strongly prefer OEM for peace of mind or resale, the FYG option should be perfectly fine and far more cost-effective.

 

[tapor]

The quality of the installation is far more important than the actual glass. A lot of glass shops cause extensive collateral damage when they remove the old windshield, finding a decent installer is the hardest part.

I live in the broken windshield capital of Canada, the average life expectancy of my windshields is about 9-12 months. Longest I had one last was about 18 months. The windshield in my new 2023 lasted 4 months.

I wouldn't bother with an OEM windshield because they are hard to find and expensive. If you want to save money, aftermarket glass is a better option, especially since windshields can get damaged again. The insurance premium to cover a windshield is around $500 a year, and most companies will not pay for OEM glass. That’s why many people choose to remove windshield coverage from their policy.

The price you were quoted is a bit high for my location. I last paid $330CDN for the glass and $170CDN for the calibration.

If the aftermarket FYG glass supports proper sensor recalibration, it’s a reasonable and cost-effective choice. Toyota OEM glass is more expensive but guarantees exact fit and sensor performance.

 

[Pompatus]

I'm scheduled for an OEM glass windshield replacement next week for a small but unrepairable crack I never noticed for several days. Fortunately I purchased windshield insurance when I bought my '21 SE and it's paid off.

 

[ChukarBob]

Had to have the tailgate glass replaced a couple years ago and the aftermarket glass was so distorted that I insisted on it being replaced with OEM. State Farm, my insurer, authorized the replacement when the body shop doing the work confirmed the distorted view through the aftermarket glass. But I've also done a windshield replacement (another vehicle) with aftermarket glass without a problem. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[FKHeath]

Another issue concerning OEM verses after market windshields: if you have heated wipers, part of the weather package, there have been reports of the heat tape traces being too large on after market windshields. This will lead to overheating and cracking the glass.

 

[stefanwest]

I just recently got a 2024 Rav4 Hybrid from Carmax with only 4500 miles on it. I had the car a week when the windshield in front of me got crack from a rock while driving on the interstate. I have not even made first payment on the car. I filed a claim with my insurance and paid the $250 deductible. I had the windshield replaced with an OEM one and had it installed by Safelite. They had a shop near where I lived. I had same experience several years before. Bought my wife a Rav4 from Carmax and the same thing happened. Did not have the car a month and it got a cracked windshield. Replaced it with OEM. Back then Safelite came to the car and installed windshield. But now you have to go to shop with the newer cars to recalibrate the sensors. I always go with OEM.