Is the "self-cracking" happening to both the heated and standard windshields, or more so with one or the other? I can't tell from reading the various threads.

 

Mine is not heated.

 

There are currently 14 complaints to NHTSA for the new Defender.

They're mostly moron-level and I would probably spend my day trying to figure out how to kill myself in the most hilarious way possible if I was the poor bastard that reads them.

I'll post them if someone really wants but none involve the windshield.

 

Mine is heated....

And here is an interesting link specific to windshield testing, approval, and rating. Very long and dry reading, but I am going to try to see if the JLR comes even close to this. Doubt it... One of the tests consists of:
4. A half-pound ball impact test (tempered glass), ensuring that the glass has a certain minimum strength to resist impact from external projectiles, such as small stones (ANSI Z26.1, paragraph S5.6);
I bet a mosquito fully aroused, would penetrate one of these windshields....

 

I filed a report yesterday with the NHTSA -- I think we all should.

 

Quick update about the warranty: I spoke with the dealership (higher ups) and I was told in non equivocal terms that there is NO warranty on glass. Is on me, no matter what.
So basically they don't stand behind their windshields - no pun intended.
Now I am really p.o. - definitely looking for lawyers.
I can't believe that no one has yet took this matter further in courts on the LR. Definitely I am not the only one. But, I may have to start this fire.

 

Doubt involving lawyers will help you much -- what do you hope to gain from that? LR needs to change their glass or design, and the best way to get this done is through a recall. Getting a policy with no glass deductible is likely your best bet along with encouraging folks to notify NHTSA with concerns so that they open their investigation.

Something seems fishy here, and I'm super annoyed about having to replace my windshield already... but nothing has actually been proven at this point. This is why an investigation is required.

 

Well, with that mind set Takata airbags would have been fine too ... no class action.
And relying on NHTSA would take years.

Fishy ? yeah - I totally agree with you there. Expensive vehicle, passing all the stringent testing ... and missing such an important item... is fishy indeed.

 

If JLR exempted coverage of glass in their warranty, I don't see it. They could claim collision or improper use but I'd suggest there is no evidence of that.

 

If these windshields are cracking in summer, I can't imagine what happens in winter. Once with our old LR3 and once with our LR4 I cracked the windshield by turning on the windshield heating element when the temp was colder than -20 in VT. Also, FYI...don't leave a can of diet coke in the cupholder when it's -20 overnight unless you want to open the door in the morning to find sticky brown slush all over the dashboard, seats & headliner.