Windshields Are Cracking
If you’ve ever broken a windshield on a car once, that’s probably bad luck, but if you’ve cracked two, that’s probably really bad luck, or you’re following behind some pretty fast cars on some pretty sticky tires. However, if you go the distance and crack three, four, or five, it might not be your fault.
Of course, that’s just speculation, but a pattern is emerging in the GMC Hummer EV community, as some owners report they’ve cracked up to five windshields in the time they’ve owned their units.
While some owners are incredibly unlucky, others haven’t had any issues since they brought their cars home. It’s unclear whether it’s plain old bad luck or if there is actually a design flaw in the Hummer EV’s windshield.
Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Time’s the Charm?
According to GM Authority, some netizens on social media voiced their frustrations, with some stating that they’ve already broken their Hummer EV’s front glass and are on their “nth” one at the time of posting. One poster stated that their Hummer EV’s windshield was replaced at least five times, according to the article.
On the flip side, some owners are reporting they’ve driven their cars for two years with no issues, which is frustrating because the issue apparently doesn’t affect everyone with a Hummer EV, so affected owners don’t really know where to point the finger. As a result, some owners with reach or a voice online spoke up and suggested covering their expensive modern windshield with clear protective film to mitigate the impact the windshield might face on the road.
What makes this a major inconvenience is not just the cost of the glass, but the added hassle of recalibrating the ADAS sensors and cameras to ensure safe and accurate operation.
The question is, “Does the Hummer EV have a quality control issue or a design flaw?” We think that it’s the latter because the windshield of the Hummer EV isn’t too dissimilar from a car with a similarly shaped front glass.
Other Off-Roaders With a Windshield Problem
Taking a closer look at the GMC Hummer EV’s windshield, you will notice it has a near-vertical angle, similar to other off-roaders in recent memory and from long ago. A simple Google search will reveal that models like the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Ford Bronco, and Jeep Wrangler are all notorious for windshield cracking. The Hummer EV is no exception, as the near-vertical alignment of its front glass leaves rocks a big, flat target right up against. Instead of glancing off as you would in a crossover or sedan, rocks and other debris may land square on the pane of glass.
However, that’s speculation, as the issue is also prevalent in other off-road vehicles with near-vertical windshields. The counterargument here is that there is no design defect because some cars haven’t experienced any issues. It’s also possible that the glass is cracking due to the car’s structural rigidity, an issue that early Toyota GR Yaris owners faced early in the model’s life cycle.
On the flip side, it’s also possible that GM is at fault here, given that the GM Hummer EV went from development to market in just 20 months. While not proven yet, it’s possible that GM and its digital engineering tools might have missed something along the way.
For now, a few cases (even repeat ‘customers’) might not amount to a case against GM. There could be an inherent issue with the general design itself, which is more likely, but we wouldn’t rule out a quality control issue or specific design issue just yet.
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