Is Mach E extra susceptible to windshield chips?

[daemonic3]

I want to start this by saying OF COURSE this is anecdotal based on my first 4 weeks of ownership, but it seems like the pure bad luck of this is statistically astronomical so I wanted to poll other owners.... Has your Mach E had an unusually high number of pebbles hit the windshield compared to other vehicles you've owned?

In the past 20 years I've had 3 windshield chips that needed repair. A Ford Escape in early 2000's, a Toyota Avalon around 2010, and another Ford Escape around 2015. I started commuting weekly to the bay area (260 miles round trip) around 2016 and have used a Ford Escape and 2 different F150's. I've had no windshield chips on any of those. In fact, I cannot even remember hearing a pebble hit the windshield! Maybe they have but I do not remember it happening.

I've used the Mach E twice now to go to the bay area. In 2 round trips, I have had THREE pebbles hit the windshield, all 3 at random times on interstates and not related to each other. The first 2 I panicked but could not find any chips. The third one was MUCH louder and I had the sinking feeling it was a biggie and sure enough I have a dime sized star fracture.

As if it wasn't aggravating enough, my wife somehow thinks it was my fault I chipped her windshield. *sigh* Anyway the odds of this happening 3 times on 2 trips versus none in previous 5 years makes me wonder if the aerodynamics just make the Mach E susceptible and asking for other experiences. Granted I have not driven a sedan-like crossover like this in many years, so it could just be the general style of car as well.

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[dmitry]

For Bay Area it’s common situation, unfortunately. You’re very lucky for 5 years without chips. For my 8 years living in Bay Area I replaced twice windshield on my GL550. On my brand new KIA after a month I bought it I replaced windshield as well. On KIA front bumper and grill has deep chips now. My son’s Honda has few chips on windshield also, but luckily no cracks. There’s a lot of constructions going around Bay Area and drivers don’t care about properly clean their heavy trucks. I usually trying to avoid driving behind them. Sometimes from them can drop a rain of very small pebbles and dust.

 

[AKgrampy]

My Mach is the only vehicle I have owned that has made it thru an Alaskan summer without a chip! (Knock on wood!)

 

[daemonic3]

It's crazy! I absolutely avoid driving behind dirty trucks or construction vehicles. This big one came at such a random time, just 2 SUVs up ahead and one was changing lanes, nothing unusual and BAM! I'm so annoyed right now.

LUCKILY we got sold on this "Radiant Ride" protection plan that my wife got excited about because it covers all door dings, curbed rims and windshield chips. I was ready to say "Hell no" but she pointed out the number of dings and curb scrapes she had on her 8 year old infiniti and convinced me. I at least said to the finance guy "Turn your screen and show me the minimum allowed price column, that's what I'm willing to pay" and it worked to get it down by $500. Anyway, at least with this chip it will already start paying off!

 

[awp0]

Rock chip on day 6 of ownership for me. My average is probably one every few years in other cars, so this was surprising.

 

[silverelan]

I want to start this by saying OF COURSE this is anecdotal based on my first 4 weeks of ownership, but it seems like the pure bad luck of this is statistically astronomical so I wanted to poll other owners.... Has your Mach E had an unusually high number of pebbles hit the windshield compared to other vehicles you've owned?

In the past 20 years I've had 3 windshield chips that needed repair. A Ford Escape in early 2000's, a Toyota Avalon around 2010, and another Ford Escape around 2015. I started commuting weekly to the bay area (260 miles round trip) around 2016 and have used a Ford Escape and 2 different F150's. I've had no windshield chips on any of those. In fact, I cannot even remember hearing a pebble hit the windshield! Maybe they have but I do not remember it happening.

I've used the Mach E twice now to go to the bay area. In 2 round trips, I have had THREE pebbles hit the windshield, all 3 at random times on interstates and not related to each other. The first 2 I panicked but could not find any chips. The third one was MUCH louder and I had the sinking feeling it was a biggie and sure enough I have a dime sized star fracture.

As if it wasn't aggravating enough, my wife somehow thinks it was my fault I chipped her windshield. *sigh* Anyway the odds of this happening 3 times on 2 trips versus none in previous 5 years makes me wonder if the aerodynamics just make the Mach E susceptible and asking for other experiences. Granted I have not driven a sedan-like crossover like this in many years, so it could just be the general style of car as well.

Same! I got multiple rock chips within the first 4000 miles or so. I've had to use the chip repair kit a couple of times to keep any cracks from spreading. I had zero chips in my last two cars and 150k miles.

 

[Solares]

20000miles changed windshield three times.. Guess i should take the hint now that im too close.

 

[bshaw]

Same! I got multiple rock chips within the first 4000 miles or so. I've had to use the chip repair kit a couple of times to keep any cracks from spreading. I had zero chips in my last two cars and 150k miles.

I too got a chip pretty early on in ownership. I have low mileage, only 10k in 18 months.
What’s the chip repair kit? I had safelight come out and do a mediocre job at sealing the windshield chip for $150.

 

[MrsZuko]

4 days into ownership and my husband called me today (he drove it) and there's a just smaller than dime size chip in the windshield. In Colorado this happens a lot, but 4 days in?! He was saying that maybe because it's so low to the ground...? I'm skeptical, our Hellcat which was also super low never needed a glass replacement. Not sure, but it's disappointing to say the least, I'm scheduled with Safelite for repair.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Yup, I got a big crack in my windshield and a few chips only a couple months into owning the car last year. It's definitely an issue.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

This all sounds like a quality of glass issue more than aerodynamics. I know the Mach-E windshield blocks certain radio signals (had to place my EZ-Pass transponder on my plate). There might be tech/sensors in the windshield that require using more fragile glass?

@FordMotorCompany care to chime in?

 

[Logal727]

At what point do we need to repair rock chips? I found a very tiny one in mine the other day, thought it was a speck of dirt until it wouldn’t come out.

 

[jasn]

No chips for me (yet). I've been through several replacements with past cars, so figure the MME will be no different.

My '21 Premium has acoustic laminated glass and I worry that, when/if I do need a replacement I will not be able to replace in kind.

 

[nashbrydges]

At what point do we need to repair rock chips? I found a very tiny one in mine the other day, thought it was a speck of dirt until it wouldn’t come out.

I would repair a chip as soon as one is discovered. They have a way of becoming larger and turning into cracks that are then too large to be repaired and must replace the windshield. In Canada, most windshield chip repairs are free but a cracked windshield is definitely not free (ouch).

 

[MW1515]

I want to start this by saying OF COURSE this is anecdotal based on my first 4 weeks of ownership, but it seems like the pure bad luck of this is statistically astronomical so I wanted to poll other owners.... Has your Mach E had an unusually high number of pebbles hit the windshield compared to other vehicles you've owned?

In the past 20 years I've had 3 windshield chips that needed repair. A Ford Escape in early 2000's, a Toyota Avalon around 2010, and another Ford Escape around 2015. I started commuting weekly to the bay area (260 miles round trip) around 2016 and have used a Ford Escape and 2 different F150's. I've had no windshield chips on any of those. In fact, I cannot even remember hearing a pebble hit the windshield! Maybe they have but I do not remember it happening.

I've used the Mach E twice now to go to the bay area. In 2 round trips, I have had THREE pebbles hit the windshield, all 3 at random times on interstates and not related to each other. The first 2 I panicked but could not find any chips. The third one was MUCH louder and I had the sinking feeling it was a biggie and sure enough I have a dime sized star fracture.

As if it wasn't aggravating enough, my wife somehow thinks it was my fault I chipped her windshield. *sigh* Anyway the odds of this happening 3 times on 2 trips versus none in previous 5 years makes me wonder if the aerodynamics just make the Mach E susceptible and asking for other experiences. Granted I have not driven a sedan-like crossover like this in many years, so it could just be the general style of car as well.

I'm on the east coast but have the exact same story! Always careful to avoid dump trucks, but feel like I hear things hitting the windshield more than any other car I've owned, but until recently didnt see any damage. Last week on the way back from DC it sounded like someone shot my windshield and I knew my luck was over. I have a 2inch star crack now on the driver's side but fairly low and not right in my sight. I'm hoping Safelite can make it close to invisible but not setting my expectations too high.

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