Is the windshield covered by the Toyota warranty?

Yes, the windshield on a Toyota vehicle is typically covered under the manufacturer's warranty, provided that the damage is not caused by an accident or other external factors. The specific details of the warranty coverage can vary depending on the model and year of the Toyota vehicle.

Understanding Toyota's Warranty Coverage

Toyota offers a comprehensive warranty on its vehicles, which includes coverage for the windshield. The warranty typically includes the following:

• Basic Warranty: This covers the vehicle, including the windshield, for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.


• Powertrain Warranty: This covers the engine, transmission, and other powertrain components for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.


• Corrosion Warranty: This covers rust and corrosion for 5 years, with no mileage limit.

It's important to note that the warranty coverage may vary depending on the specific Toyota model and the year of manufacture. Additionally, the warranty may not cover damage caused by accidents, vandalism, or other external factors.

Reporting Windshield Damage

If you experience a cracked or damaged windshield on your Toyota vehicle, you should report the issue to your local Toyota dealership or authorized service center as soon as possible. The dealership will inspect the damage and determine if it is covered under the warranty. If the damage is covered, the dealership will typically repair or replace the windshield at no cost to the customer.

It's important to keep in mind that the warranty coverage may have certain limitations, such as a deductible or a maximum number of claims per year. Additionally, the warranty may not cover damage caused by neglect, abuse, or improper maintenance.

Who pays when a rock hits your windshield?

Generally, you are responsible for your own windshield damage, as it is often difficult to prove where the rock came from. However, another driver or company may be held liable if you can prove they were negligent, such as if the rock fell directly from their unsecured truck bed, rather than being kicked up from the road by their tires. In most cases, you would file a claim with your own insurance's comprehensive coverage. 
If the rock was kicked up from the road

• This is the most common scenario, and it is generally not the fault of the vehicle that kicked up the rock. 
• Who is responsible: You are. You will need to file a claim with your insurance company, and the damage will likely be covered under your comprehensive policy. 

If the rock fell directly from another vehicle

• This is more likely to be the case if the rock came from a vehicle like a dump truck that was hauling gravel or other debris. 
• Who is responsible: The other driver or company could be liable, but it can be challenging to prove. 
• What you need to do:
  • Try to get the other driver's information and a police report. 
  • Gather evidence, such as video footage from a dashcam, which clearly shows the rock came from their vehicle. 
  • You may need to prove that the rock was not just kicked up from the road, but fell from the truck directly, or that the truck was carrying an unsecured load. 

How to handle the damage

• Contact your insurance company: This is the most common and straightforward way to handle the repair. 
• Check your policy: Comprehensive coverage may cover windshield repairs with no deductible, and it may not raise your premium. 
• If you try to get the other party to pay:
  • You will need strong evidence to prove their negligence. 
  • You can file a claim with your own insurance, and they may pursue the other driver or their insurance company for reimbursement. 

Do Toyota dealerships fix windshields?

Yes, Toyota dealerships can replace windshields, but it is often recommended to check with them to see if they have an in-house service or if they will use a third-party vendor. They will use Toyota genuine glass, which is essential for vehicles with advanced safety features like Toyota Safety Sense, as it requires recalibration. Some dealerships offer mobile services and work with insurance companies to manage claims.
 
What to expect

• OEM glass: Dealerships use Toyota genuine glass, which is manufactured to exact specifications for your vehicle and retains all original features, such as heating, UV filtering, and Toyota Safety Sense compatibility. 
• ADAS recalibration: When replacing a windshield on a modern Toyota, the dealership will recalibrate the Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) to ensure they function correctly. 
• Insurance claims: Many dealerships work with insurance companies to handle the claims process for you, including getting approvals and finalizing the claim. 
• Third-party vendors: Some dealerships may outsource the work to a third-party contractor who uses OEM glass. 
• Mobile service: Some dealerships, like AutoNation Toyota Buena Park, offer mobile services to replace the windshield at your location. 

Considerations

• Cost: Replacing a windshield at a dealership can sometimes be more expensive than at an independent auto glass shop. However, using the dealership ensures the correct glass is used and that ADAS features are recalibrated properly. 
• Warranty: While factory warranties typically do not cover windshield damage, many comprehensive auto insurance plans do, often with a low or no deductible. 
• Specialized knowledge: Some sources suggest visiting a specialist auto glass repair company is better than a dealership, as the dealership may not be as specialized as a glass company. However, dealerships are trained to work on specific Toyota models and know how to recalibrate ADAS features. 

Does my warranty cover windshield replacement?

No, a standard manufacturer's or extended warranty typically does not cover windshield replacement, as the damage is usually caused by external factors like road debris or accidents, not a manufacturing defect. However, your comprehensive auto insurance policy often covers windshield damage, sometimes with a low or zero deductible depending on your state and policy. 
How to get your windshield fixed

• Check your insurance policy: Review your comprehensive auto insurance to see if it includes glass coverage. Some policies offer a separate, low or zero-deductible glass-only coverage option. 
• Use a repair specialist: Many companies, like Safelite, offer warranties on their repairs against continued cracking and will apply the cost of the repair toward a replacement if it's not successful. 
• Consider a separate windshield protection plan: Some dealerships and companies offer separate windshield protection plans that cover chips, cracks, and replacements. 
• Address potential issues with your warranty: If you have a special circumstance, like the damage occurring during a repair, contact your warranty provider to see if there are any exceptions. Be aware that pre-existing rust may void your repair warranty. 

Does the Toyota warranty cover a cracked windshield?

No, a cracked windshield is typically not covered under Toyota's standard new car warranty, as it's considered a result of normal wear and tear or external damage. However, coverage may be available through a separate, optional windshield protection plan purchased at the dealership or a third-party insurance plan's comprehensive coverage. 
Standard warranty exclusions

• External damage: The standard warranty does not cover damage from external sources like rocks or debris hitting the windshield. 
• Wear and tear: Like other wear-and-tear items such as tires and brake pads, a cracked windshield is not covered by the standard warranty. 

Optional protection plans

• Dealership protection plans: Some dealerships offer optional windshield protection packages that cover repair or replacement for chips and cracks caused by road debris. 
• Extended warranty plans: Certain extended warranty plans, such as the "Platinum Plus" plan, include windshield repair coverage. 
• Comprehensive insurance: Your personal auto insurance's comprehensive coverage is often the best way to handle a cracked windshield, especially if you have a low deductible. 

What to do

1. Check your paperwork: Look for any separate windshield protection plan you may have purchased from the dealership or the terms of your extended warranty. 
2. Contact your insurance provider: File a claim under your comprehensive auto insurance coverage. 
3. Contact the dealership: Call the warranty or sales department to see if you have any specific coverage from them. They can help you pull up your paperwork and check your purchase history.