So, I woke up this morning to take my brother to work (he had a operation on his leg, so I am taxi for the time being), looked up at my rear view mirror once on the move, and there it was, a big L shaped crack in my windscreen.

Stopped at the first petrol station, luckily 2 seconds away from home to have a good look. There is no chip on the window. Nothing has spat up at the window to cause the crack. It has originated under the seal at the top on the windscreen, just to the left of the driver's seat.

Any suggestions as to how this could have happened? Will it be covered under warranty? It looks as though the window had a defect. I have spoken to fiat, and it is booked in at the local dealer on Tuesday, as I was also called yesterday about a recall. Anyone else been told about a recall on the 100HP?

Fortunately, my brother spoke to his work, and I am now insured on his company BMW, which is nice for now. But I really didn't want to have to deal with a cracked window and a product recall within 3 weeks of panda ownership. I love the car, and just want to drive it.

Sorry for the rant, I just had to vent. Any help, suggestions, etc would be greatly appreciated. Hope everyone else has had a better start to the weekend!

I would think unless there is obvious damage caused by a third party you should get the new one under the terms of the fiat warranty..

That's a real shame, I'm sorry to hear that, I would imagine it will be covered under warranty though especially as you say it's originated under one of the seals.

Know nothing of the recall either but it would be great to know what it's for as and when you find out.

Good luck, but I'd be surprised if the angle point on the L shaped crack wasn't the origin.

HP. said:

Good luck, but I'd be surprised if the angle point on the L shaped crack wasn't the origin.

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Thanks. That is what I thought first. But there is no contact point on the window. No chip, nothing. And the crack only gets thinner as it gets to the end. The L shape is curved, as opposed to being angled. So it is one crack. Not 2 cracks that developed from one contact point. IMO, it really looks like the crack started under the seal. I'll try and take a picture tomorrow and get it posted.

Petoz said:

, as I was also called yesterday about a recall. Anyone else been told about a recall on the 100HP?

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For what?

There's a couple already issued:

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/search.asp

May have to search for Panda to get to the page, can't seem to link directly.

Woke up this morning, and thought I'd take pictures of the crack, only to find that overnight the crack has extended to form a U shape. It now extends back up to under the seal on the other side of the rear view mirror! WTF? Could the cold make a crack worse? I don't think it was even that cold last night.

These are pictures of the crack this morning. I cannot see how it could be anything other than manufacturer fault. There are no external chips, and it as started and finished under the seal. Anyone had to have a windscreen replaced? How long does it take? I need the car for next weekend, and it is only booked in for tuesday. So annoying!

strange one this, wasn't there someone with a similar problem not so long ago? if there's no impact damage it could be a slight chip on the edge of the glass under the seal, either a manufacturing defect or damage when fitting

100hpJames said:

strange one this, wasn't there someone with a similar problem not so long ago? if there's no impact damage it could be a slight chip on the edge of the glass under the seal, either a manufacturing defect or damage when fitting

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If someone did have this problem, I would love to know about it? What they did, and the outcome etc? I think the pictures show there is no impact damage, and nothing hit my car while I was driving. I only saw it in the morning, which is why I think it somehow developed over night. I can only think the cold contributed. I also thought it must have been a slight chip under the seal, that has caused the crack. And as such, I really hope this is sorted under warranty.

Just heard back from my local fiat dealer, and it has been approved for replacement under manufacturers warranty. Just waiting on the windscreen being delivered, and then booked in for replacement. Its been too long without the car.

I had something similar - crack appeared to originate from under the seal in the same area - just got it fixed on the insurance (£60 excess) - chap said it was due to a chip (must have been very small).

If it happens again, I'm going to do what you did and head to the dealer.

Glad to hear you got Fiat to replace the screen