GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So they finally showed up with the two windshields. One has the dot-matrix design in the middle top like the original. The other has the dot-matrix design in the middle, plus on the passenger side edge (?) and a blue tinted stripe on the top of the windshield. I say I want the one that looks like the original one. They bring it out of the truck, clean it off and dude says "oh we can't use this one. It has a scratch." After debating what to do, decided I'd take the other one. So they put it on. Told me not to slam the doors or it would break the seal, and that I could take it to work. So I'm on the freeway going to work and I notice by my eye a one-inch crack in the left side of the windshield. I scratched at it thinking it could be glue, but I could feel it was a crack. I parked at work, tried to scratch it from the outside but didn't feel anything. I called Safelite to let them know that this one was defective too and to order a new one of the one I originally wanted. I also called my insurance agent to let them know. She was like "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" I said yeah...I saw it and wondered if they get the windshields from the junkyard? She said no, that they're a reputable company and since Vibes are new, there's probably not a lot of them in the junkyards. I left a message for the dude who brought these two defective windshields but he didn't call back. I guess I'll just have to call again tomorrow or go down there and show this to him. It's just bad that they didn't inspect BOTH windshields on both sides before bringing them and installing...

Installation prep is very important, the windshield was most likely fine when it was installed, and cracked since it wasn't installed quite right. This is 100% the installers fault most of the time.Don't worry about it, happens all the time, I had an '01 Tracker that was a rock magnet on the highway, I went through a windshield a year.

that's a tough break (pun intended) but they'll get you fixed up ok.When I had my windshield replaced, I didn't get a choice, and got the one wth the tint band across the top. Honestly, I don't notice it, if it is good or bad, doesn't really seem to have any noticeable impact either way.

Thanks everybody! This whole thing has made me really gun-shy around any big trucks: Cement mixers, trailers, etc. The windshield with the tinted band on the top just looks strange because the dot matrix is only on the passenger side edge and not BOTH edges...I was looking at it yesterday going 'that looks weird'.

as long as there isn't a popped weld on the body it is all about the install...try to let the car sit for a couple hours afterwords as well... give the glass time to "cure" a little... and just keep a window cracked or the sunroof vented to let pressure escape when you close the doors.

Now they're saying they will "buff out" the scratch from the first windshield they brought and are just waiting on the new moulding to come in. *sigh*

Make sure you can't see the scratch at all, before they install it.

Quote, originally posted by HawaiiPontiacLover » The other has the dot-matrix design in the middle, plus on the passenger side edge (?) and a blue tinted stripe on the top of the windshield.That's what mine looks like... I never understood why the dot-matrix was only on one side.

The latest to the Safelite drama: there are several scratches so they will NOT "buff" them out; they ordered a new windshield and molding which may take 2 weeks...

That totally sucks. Hopefully they will make sure they don't get defective one's in before they go out to install it.

Yeah...actually check the glass on both sides this time!