https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a6...r-windshields/

this is a good article and so true....how many have you had to replace?? on my first but waiting months for one to arrive in the US

 

actually needs to be expanded for all years

 

Replaced 2 on our 2021 in 4 years and 40K miles. Also replaced 3 on our 2023 in 18 months and 40K miles. Just broke the first one on our 2025 which is 2 months old with 5K miles. My insurance replaces them for free and pays for the recalibration so it's not a big deal. The windshields get pitted so fast that it's nice to get a new crystal clear windshield more often.

According to my trusted glass guy, the glass in Defender windshields is no different from other vehicles as there are all sorts of windshield glass standards that every manufacturer must comply with. It's just that the upright angle is more prone to damage. He said the only other windshield he replaces more often are Jeep Wrangler windshields, for the same reason.

No idea what is to be gained in that lawsuit or what would change.

 

I don't buy the "vertical windshield causes it to crack" claim. Both of my other vehicles have dramatically more vertical windshields. The FJ has had one windshield replaced in its entire life and that was because it got hit by a branch falling off of a landscape trailer. 175k miles on it. The H1 is 22 years old at this point 77k on the odometer and on its original heated windshields (same gold inlaid wire). Both of these vehicles have windshields that are almost literally 90 degree vertical - much more than the Defender.

Our Defender's windshield had to be replaced under warranty for leaking up near the rear view mirror - and thankfully the dealer had one sitting in stock. It seems that the windshield replacement frequency issue could be ameliorated quite a bit by increasing the supply of available windshields.

I thought I had read (might have been a fever dream) that JLR is in the process of changing suppliers for the windshields so that is why there's none available at the moment.

 

G-wagen owners have the same discussion.

 

Mini Cooper has a more vertical rake, and is only 4' off the road.
Jeep Wranglers are pretty much straight up vertical as well.

Seems like quality is the concern and not it's placement in the vehicle design.

My windshield cracked on the upper passenger corner. Does appear like something hit it though. The heating element still works so I'm going to wait until Spring to get it fixed.

 

I replaced 2 on the 2020, and 2 more on a 2022. These windshields are very weak for a Defender.

 

As do Grenadiers

 

My 21 model never needed a windshield replacement. The 23 has 20K on the clock and and needs replacement. My wifes 24 BMW already has had the windshield replaced once. We were talking about it last weekend and it's odd that my 2008 Land Cruiser had 175K on it when I sold it and still the original windshield.

 

Still on my original windshield on my 2020 110 X.
Probably jinxing it.
25,500 miles.